Young Leaders' Community Enabler (Maternity Cover)

Diocese of Sheffield; Dalton; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Diocese of Sheffield is seeking a dedicated leader to grow and nurture a diverse Youth Leaders Community (ages 10-18) across parishes and schools. You will enable young voices to influence strategy, plan training, and shape mission within the diocese.

The role prioritises safeguarding, mentoring, and cross‑diocesan collaboration, with responsibilities including event planning, reporting, and staff engagement. DBS checks apply.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Safeguarding training to Leadership level.
• A proven track record of raising, equipping and empowering young leaders (10-18s).
• Experience of mentoring, accompanying and nurturing young disciples through relational youth ministry.
• Experience of creating new mission and ministry opportunities.
• Communicant member of the Church of England or a full member of a church within Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.

Responsibilities

• Grow, nurture and support a diverse community of young Christian leaders (10-18s) from across the diocese.
• Provide leadership opportunities around the diocese for young leaders to speak, influence, lead, plan, train, participate in decision making, shape strategy and initiate new mission and ministry activity.
• Ensure safeguarding at the highest level across the Young Leaders' Community.
• Advocate for children and young people throughout the diocese.
• Empower the Young Leaders to shape and develop the YLC with support, guidance and resources.
• Provide training and support for Young Leaders through in-person gatherings.
• Create opportunities for senior staff and Bishops to listen to YLC voices.
• Encourage church leaders to mentor Young Leaders in PCC involvement, worship, events, and ministry.

Skills

Safeguarding practice

Communication (young people and adults

Time management

Digital/social media communication

Church of England knowledge

Education

Degree level or equivalent

Safeguarding training to Leadership level

Youth ministry qualification (desirable)

Job description

Job Purpose

Enabling the members of the Young Leaders' Community to play a central role in the mission and ministry of their local parishes, schools and across the diocese. To enable their voices to shape strategy and to create local and central opportunities for these young active disciples to speak, lead and influence. (Job-Share Option Available)

Main duties and responsibilities

1. To grow, nurture and support a diverse community of young Christian leaders (10-18s) from across the diocese, from all backgrounds, abilities and ethnicities.
2. To provide leadership opportunities around the diocese for young leaders to speak, influence, lead, plan, train, participate in decision making, shape strategy and initiate new mission and ministry activity.
3. To ensure that the highest level of safeguarding is adhered to across the Young Leaders' Community.
4. Advocate for children and young people throughout the diocese, highlighting their importance and value in God's kingdom and the Church.
5. Empower the Young Leaders to shape and develop the YLC themselves, by providing support, guidance, encouragement, resources and opportunities.
6. Provide training and support for Young Leaders through a varied programme of in-person gatherings.
7. Continue to create regular opportunities for senior staff and Bishops to listen to the voices of the YLC and involve them in decision-making conversations, recognising their unique contributions.
8. Encourage and enable local church leaders, focal ministers and youth leaders to mentor and empower Young Leaders in the whole life of the church, including:

• PCC involvement and Mission Action Planning
• Leading services, worship, preaching
• Event planning (Christmas, Easter, Remembrance, Summer festivals etc)
• Monitor and analyse the progress and development of the YLC, producing reports for RMM and Programme Board.

Maintain relationships with other dioceses and organisations who are empowering young people in leadership, sharing learning and continually strengthening the YLC.

Work closely with the Children and Young People's Adviser, the Centenary Project team, the Church in Schools Enabler and RMM team, relating to the AATEs, the Director of Education, Archdeacons, the wider senior staff and ecumenical leads across South Yorkshire.

This role description provides a guide to the duties and responsibilities of the post and is not an exhaustive list. The post holder may be asked to undertake any other relevant duties appropriate to the post. The role description will be amended over time, in full consultation with the post holder, to meet the needs of the Diocese.

CRITERIA

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL

• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Safeguarding training to Leadership level

DESIRABLE

• Degree level or higher qualification in youth ministry

Experience

ESSENTIAL

• A proven track record of raising, equipping and empowering young leaders (10-18s).
• Experience of mentoring, accompanying and nurturing young disciples through relational youth ministry.
• Experience of creating new mission and ministry opportunities.
• Communicant member of the Church of England or a full member of a church within Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.

DESIRABLE

• Experience of creating training programmes and opportunities for young people.
• Experience of working with young people from different backgrounds, promoting equal opportunities.
• Experience of organising and delivering training.
• Experience of working across a diverse diocese and with clergy and senior staff.

Skills & Knowledge

ESSENTIAL

• Knowledge of good safeguarding practice within the Church of England.
• Ability to establish relationships with young people, church leaders and diocesan staff.
• An excellent communicator with both young people and adult leaders (in-person and digital/social media).
• Ability to gather and disseminate information about the development, outcomes and impact of the YLC.
• Good time management.
• Ability to use a range of communication technology and willingness to utilise new programmes and apps.
• Working knowledge of the structure and practices of the Church of England; in empathy with its visions and aims.

DESIRABLE

• Knowledge and understanding of different approaches to leadership.
• Clear knowledge and understanding of Sheffield Diocese's vision and strategy in relation to children and young people.
• Ability to oversee and facilitate an organic youth-led project.
• Ability to organize communications, events, and meetings.

Personal

ESSENTIAL

• Proactive and motivated.
• Ability to problem solve and work creatively.
• Ability to make decisions and empower others.
• Good time management.
• Able to maintain confidentiality.
• An excellent listener and encourager.
• Able to work across a wide breadth of theology and churchmanship.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Safeguarding training to Leadership level.
• Degree level or higher qualification in youth ministry

Experience

• A proven track record of raising, equipping and empowering young leaders (10-18s).
• Experience of mentoring, accompanying and nurturing young disciples through relational youth ministry.
• Experience of creating new mission and ministry opportunities.
• Communicant member of the Church of England or a full member of a church within Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.
• Experience of creating training programmes and opportunities for young people.
• Experience of working with young people from different backgrounds, promoting equal opportunities.
• Experience of organising and delivering training.
• Experience of working across a diverse diocese and with clergy and senior staff.

Skills & Knowledge

• Knowledge of good safeguarding practice within the Church of England.
• Ability to establish relationships with young people, church leaders and diocesan staff.
• An excellent communicator with both young people and adult leaders (in-person and digital/social media).
• Ability to gather and disseminate information about the development, outcomes and impact of the YLC.
• Good time management.
• Ability to use a range of communication technology and willingness to utilise new programmes and apps.
• Working knowledge of the structure and practices of the Church of England; in empathy with its visions and aims.
• Knowledge and understanding of different approaches to leadership.
• Clear knowledge and understanding of Sheffield Diocese's vision and strategy in relation to children and young people.
• Ability to oversee and facilitate an organic youth-led project.
• Ability to organize communications, events, and meetings.

Personal

• Proactive and motivated.
• Ability to problem solve and work creatively.
• Ability to make decisions and empower others.
• Good time management.
• Able to maintain confidentiality.
• An excellent listener and encourager.
• Able to work across a wide breadth of theology and churchmanship.

This post carries an Occupational Requirement under the provisions of the Equality Act for the postholder to have a committed Christian faith.

Please note this role is subject to a DBS check in accordance with Safer Recruitment and Safeguarding provisions. For further information, please do not hesitate to contact the HR Team at HRatsheffield.anglican.org

Please Note Sheffield Diocesan Board of Finance (SDBF) does not hold a Home Office sponsor license and is therefore unable to sponsor Skilled Worker or other work visas. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application and for the duration of their employment.

Last updated: 25/09/26