Associate Archdeacon

Home-based (with travel across the Diocese)

Part Time – 21 Hours

3 Year Fixed Term

Stipend Equivalent

Are you a collaborative and resilient ordained leader with a passion for supporting clergy, lay ministers and parish communities? Do you have the pastoral insight, interpersonal skills and experience to navigate complex situations with wisdom, sensitivity and confidence?

The Diocese of Rochester is seeking an Associate Archdeacon to provide pastoral, strategic and operational support across the Archdeaconry. Working closely with the Archdeacon, you will act as a trusted representative, supporting clergy, church officers and parishes through a variety of opportunities and challenges, while helping to enable healthy, flourishing and mission-focused church communities.

This is a varied and rewarding role requiring excellent pastoral judgement, strong leadership skills and the ability to build effective relationships across a wide range of contexts and stakeholders.

You will support the ministry and leadership of the Archdeacon through a combination of pastoral engagement, strategic oversight and practical problem-solving. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Acting on behalf of the Archdeacon as appropriate, supporting decision-making and representing the Archdeacon's office.
• Providing pastoral support and guidance to clergy and church office holders.
• Managing and supporting complaints, mediation and conflict resolution processes.
• Supporting parishes through clergy vacancy processes and periods of transition.
• Assisting with pastoral reorganisation discussions and change initiatives.
• Encouraging and supporting lay ministry, including conversations around licensing and deployment.
• Chairing meetings, project boards and other forums as required.
• Undertaking delegated responsibilities to support the effective functioning of the Archdeacon's ministry and office.

We're looking for someone with:

• Ordained ministry experience within the Diocese and a strong understanding of the Church of England.
• A proven track record of leadership, particularly through periods of change and transition.
• Excellent pastoral skills and the ability to handle complex and sensitive situations with confidence and empathy.
• Experience of managing complaints, mediation and conflict resolution.
• High emotional intelligence, resilience and sound judgement.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively with clergy, lay leaders, colleagues and other stakeholders.
• The ability to work independently, exercising sound judgement and initiative while keeping key colleagues and stakeholders appropriately informed.
• A commitment to enabling mission and ministry to flourish across diverse parish contexts.
• The flexibility to travel throughout the Archdeaconry and Diocese, including occasional evenings and weekends.

• Flexible working, Hybrid working and TOIL
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Contributary pension scheme
• Access to an Employee Assistance programme and counselling service

The Diocese is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.

All appointments are subject to acceptable pre-appointment checks, and this role includes a satisfactory Enhanced DBS with Barred Lists check.

The wider a group's diversity, the smarter, wiser, and more compassionate and creative its decision making becomes. We are committed to achieving diversity throughout our Diocese by seeking UKME/GMH colleagues and those from a wide range of backgrounds, to help us create a culture of inclusion and belonging.

If you have any questions about the role or application process, please contact the HR department at recruitmentlican.org

Closing date for applications: 8 November 2026

Interviews will be held on: 19 November 2026