Job Description

Inspire a generationSt Mellitus College is recruiting for a new Principal to lead it in the next phase of its life and impact.St Mellitus College has experienced remarkable life and growth and is one of the most innovative and exciting places to study theology, ministry and mission in the UK. It has often led the way with new approaches to theological education. It is a single national institution with teaching centres located across England, offering high quality academic and ministerial formation to a wide range of students.The Principal provides spiritual, pastoral and strategic leadership of a large College with a diverse staff and student body and oversees a dynamic team of academic and operational staff. The Principal holds responsibility for the unity and cohesion of the whole College, ensuring the highest standards are maintained in institutional organisation and management, in ministerial training and theological study, and in diplomacy, relationship building and reputational standing. The new Principal will be an ordained Anglican priest and gifted relational leader, collaborative, inspiring and empowering, and passionate about the College, its students and the principle of generous orthodoxy pioneered by the College.The Diocese of London is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults through the use of the Safer Recruitment practice guidance. This role is subject to acceptable pre-appointment checks, including a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Check.Duties and ResponsibilitiesSUMMARY
The Principal provides spiritual, pastoral and strategic leadership of a large, growing College with a diverse staff and student body. S/he reports to the St Mellitus College board. SPTC is a constituent part of SMC and the Principal (in their capacity as SPTC Principal) also reports to the SPTC board of Trustees.The Principal must be an ordained Anglican priest who understands, celebrates and embraces the open-hearted 'Generous Orthodoxy' pioneered by the College, ensuring students benefit from the full wisdom of the Christian Church's various traditions, including HTB/SPTC's charismatic theology, praxis and culture.As College Principal, the Principal holds primary responsibility for the overall strategic vision, priorities and values, and for the unity and cohesion of the whole College. The Principal holds ultimate responsibility for ensuring the highest standards are maintained in institutional organisation and management in the College's internal and external operations and staff management, in ministerial training and theological study in delivery of the College's programmes, and in diplomacy, relationship building and reputational standing in partnerships, stakeholder management and fund development.The Principal works closely with an Executive Team in the national oversight and leadership of the college, including maintaining its vision, values and ethos, and to support the fruitful growth and sustainability of all teaching centres. The Executive Team is made up of an Academic Dean (responsible for strategic oversight of the academic life of the college, development and delivery of accredited teaching at the forefront of theological education), Dean of Ministry (responsible for strategic oversight of ministerial excellence and rigorous and robust formation, supporting and equipping future leaders of the Church for healthy and lasting ministry, the worshipping life of the college, safeguarding and wellbeing for staff and students), and COO (responsible for strategic oversight and overall development of the College's operations, including finance, human resources, policy development and administrative processes, support and delivery). They are further supported by leadership who share the operational management of local teaching centres and all aspects of the College's life.ROLE SPECIFICATION
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:CULTURE, LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGY

• Under the guidance of the Board of Trustees, setting and safeguarding the vision, values, culture and development plan for the national College, and contribute to the national development of training for ministry.
• Representing the College externally, strengthening its reputation and visibility within the wider church and society, acting as an ambassador and advocate for the College in the National Church, Theological Education and Higher Education Sectors, and enhancing the Collegexe2x80x99s national and international profile.
• Cultivating and maintaining quality in academic, missional and ministerial formation across a unified national College.
• Developing collaborative and effective working relationships with key stakeholders in the wider Church and Higher Education.
• Work with the college leadership to align the College's strategy and goals with its resources and vision.

COLLEGE LIFE & STAFFING

• Cultivating a unified and integrated national College.
• Working closely with the Executive Team to support the fruitful growth and sustainability of all teaching centres and all aspects of the College's academic, ministerial and operational functions.
• Leading and managing a flourishing college staff team, ensuring the wider team are empowered and supported in their roles.
• Line Management of Executive Team (and other staff as required), and oversight and management of staff development and recruitment across the College.
• Providing a strong personal presence, visible and accessible leadership for staff and students, including at national gatherings and meetings, residentials and teaching weeks, key college events and attendance at all teaching centres.
• Appropriate involvement in and comprehensive understanding of the on-the-ground reality of the College in order to inform strategic decision making and interactions with stakeholders.

GOVERNANCE & FINANCE

• Developing a strong relationship with the SMC Board Members, Chair of the Trustees and Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee, investing in its governance, and taking a proactive role in ensuring effective decision-making processes.
• Working closely with the Chair of the Trustees and Head of Implementation to ensure Board discussions and meeting agendas meet the strategic, vision and regulatory needs of the College and key stakeholders.
• Attending all meetings of the SMC Board, regional Advisory and Partnership Boards, and relevant subcommittees.
• Working effectively with the regional Advisory and Partnership Boards and embracing the distinctive needs in the different regional centres within the framework of the national College.
• Working closely with the COO, Head of Finance and Head of Regulation & Governance to oversee the financial, compliance and fundraising aspects of the life of the College.
• Lead efforts in attracting funding and cultivate relationships with major donors, ensuring sustainability and casting vision for the College's financial future.
• Accountable Officer for Higher Education Bodies, including Office for Students, HESA etc.
• Primary point of contact for National Ministry Team, other TEI principals etc.
• Responsibility for safeguarding.

LONDON DIOCESE

• Develop and maintain good relationships with key officers within the Diocese of London (one of the two constituent Founding Members of the College), including the Bishop of London and the Director of Ministry.
• Attend or ensure the College is represented at meetings within the diocese as necessary.

ST PAUL'S THEOLOGICAL CENTRE

• The Principal is also the Principal of St Paul's Theological Centre (SPTC), one of the two constituent Founding Members of St Mellitus College and part of the HTB Group.
• As a key partner of the College, the Principal will work closely with HTB. This will include acting as Entity Head for SPTC as part of the HTB Group, representing SMC within the HTB Network, attendance at weekly HTB staff meetings and key meetings.
• It is expected that the Principal will play a part in the leadership of the congregation at HTB Courtfield Gardens (which meets in the London base of the College, next to the Principal's house) and play an active role in the worshipping life of HTB including attendance at the annual Focus event.

Person SpecificationPERSON SPECIFICATION
The Principal will be a person of deep faith, humble, prayerful and personable, a strategic, diplomatic, entrepreneurial and creative leader, capable of making insightful decisions, problem-solving, and leading with both relational and pastoral strengths. S/he will be adept at navigating complex environments, highly organised and calm under pressure, with excellent wisdom of judgement. S/he will demonstrate strong character, marked by holiness, emotional and mental resilience, and discernment.The Principal will possess wisdom and grace, communicate effectively, and inspire trust, displaying gravitas and credibility in all their interactions. The Principal will be a good communicator, capable of discerning and communicating vision and intellectually adept. S/he will need a good sense of humour to foster a positive work culture.The Principal will have knowledge of the theological education sector, and be able to plan strategically for the future in a fast-changing environment. S/he will have strong academic interests, value the importance of theology for the church, and if not an academic themselves, understand and be able to foster the vocation of academic theologians.The Principal will be an experienced people manager, a collaborative, empowering and releasing leader, fostering a strong, cohesive and flourishing team. S/he will be wise, gracious, communicative, warm, flexible, composed, self-possessed, robust, approachable, and self-aware. The Principal will possess high EQ, able to relate well with academic theologians, administrators, Bishops/DDOs/clergy and students from diverse educational, ethnic and social backgrounds, and able to establish and nurture relationships with key stakeholders, including donors and grant awarding bodies.The Principal will have the ability to articulate vision theologically both within the College to inspire students and staff, and also outside the College in the wider church. The Principal will be passionate about training and equipping a diverse range of leaders who can share the good news of the gospel, and plant and lead healthy, growing missional churches across the range of church traditions.

Diocese of London