Priest-in-Charge

Lambeth Palace Library; Tadworth; On-site; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A church in Tadworth is seeking a full-time Priest-in-Charge to lead its growth and ministry. The role involves engaging with children, young people, and families while fostering an inclusive community. The ideal candidate will be a confident communicator with strong leadership skills, able to inspire and manage change effectively. This opportunity offers the chance to collaborate with local schools and build on existing church initiatives. The closing date for applications is March 15, 2026, with interviews on April 16, 2026.

Qualifications

• Confident communicator with strong interpersonal skills.
• Decisive yet collaborative and inclusive leadership.
• Creative and open-minded, balancing vision with delivery.
• Effective leader and manager of people and change.
• Positive, resilient, empathic, and self-aware.

Responsibilities

• Lead the parish and evolve its ministry with children, young people, and families.
• Build links with local schools and strengthen the Junior Church.
• Collaborate with the community and ensure effective management.

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Effective leadership

Creative and open-minded

Collaborative and inclusive

Decisive yet approachable

Resilient and positive

Education

Served a title post in an Anglican church

Job description

The Bishop of Southwark wishes to appoint a Priest-in-Charge (Vicar Designate) of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Tadworth

The Church of the Good Shepherd, Tadworth, seeks a full-time Incumbent to lead us as we continue to evolve and grow.

We are a single-church parish in a rural–suburban setting, offering a mid- to High-Church tradition with worship enriched by an outstanding four-part choir and a strong commitment to liturgy, music, and prayer. Following the retirement of our previous Vicar in October, the parish is discerning its future, including a proposed joint benefice with the neighbouring parish of Kingswood. This presents an exciting opportunity for collaborative, imaginative leadership.

We are excited to strengthen and develop our ministry with children, young people, and families, building on our thriving Junior Church (Church Explorers) and growing links with local schools.

We are seeking a priest who is:

• a confident communicator with strong interpersonal skills
• decisive yet collaborative and inclusive
• creative and open-minded, balancing vision with delivery
• an effective leader and manager of people and change
• positive, resilient, empathic, and self-aware
• ambitious, humble, and able to inspire others

To find out more, please review the Parish Profile and Bishop's Statement.

For an informal conversation with the Archdeacon, please contact [e-mail] to arrange an appointment.

Closing Date: Sunday 15 March 2026

Parish Visit and Interviews: Thursday 16 April 2026

To be appointed to an incumbent status post in the Diocese of Southwark, a priest must have served a title post in an Anglican church in the British Isles. We aim to be a diverse and truly representative Diocese, and particularly welcome applications from women and people of UKME heritage.

This post is subject to DBS enhanced disclosure.