Director of Mission

Seeking a visionary, theologically grounded and strategically capable executive leader to serve as Director of Mission. This senior executive placement provides leadership for the integration, expression and advancement of the mission of the Uniting Church in Australia across one of Queensland’s largest health and community services organisations.

About Us: As part of the Uniting Church, UnitingCare Queensland (UCQ) provides health and community services to thousands of people every day of the year through its services in Health, Aged Care and Community Services, Family and Disability Services, Lifeline Retail, Retirement Living and Retail. These services encompass 8 major brands including UnitingCare, Blue Care, The Wesley Hospital, St Andrews, Buderim Private and St Stephens Hospitals, Lifeline and ARRCS (Australian Regional and Remote Community Services).

Role Overview: The Director of Mission provides executive leadership for the integration, expression and advancement of the mission of the Uniting Church in Australia throughout UnitingCare Queensland. The role ensures that mission, theology, values, strategy, culture, governance and service delivery are intentionally aligned so that UnitingCare fulfils its purpose of enabling “life in all its fullness” for the people and communities it serves. The Director of Mission serves as the principal advisor to the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Leadership Team on matters of mission, theology, ethics, spirituality, social justice and church relationships, while fostering mission formation, holistic care, reconciliation, community partnerships and missional accountability. The Director of Mission serves on the UnitingCare Board and is a member of the Governance, People & Culture Committee.

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), the Director of Mission will be responsible for contributing, guiding, promoting and assisting the UCQ CEO and ELT with:

1. Mission Leadership and Integration

• Lead the enterprise-wide integration and visible expression of the mission of the Uniting Church through a Mission Impact Framework across UnitingCare’s culture, governance, strategy, operating model and service delivery, with clear priorities, executive sponsorship and Board reporting.
• Establish, implement and continuously improve a coherent Mission Impact Model that defines accountabilities, indicators, evidence sources and reporting rhythms for embedding mission, theology and values across all business units and corporate functions.
• Support each business unit to demonstrate measurable progress in mission alignment through agreed annual CEO-ELT goals, including evidence of mission-informed planning, decision-making, service design, project reporting, leadership formation and values-based culture.
• Provide regular mission integration reporting to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, Board and relevant Church governance bodies, including progress against agreed measures, key risks, emerging opportunities and recommended actions.
• Partner with executives and senior leaders to strengthen organisational culture so that staff engagement, leadership practice, client and community experience, reconciliation, stewardship and social impact reflect UnitingCare’s mission commitments and values.

2. Strategic Mission and Theology

• Provide theological interpretation and advice to the Board, CEO and Executive Leadership Team regarding organisational strategy, policy and significant decisions.
• Contribute to strategic planning and policy creation to ensure mission, values and social impact considerations are embedded in organisational decision-making.
• Assist the organisation in discerning the relationship between the mission of the Church, community need, service provision and social impact.

3. Missional Accountability and Governance

• Lead the preparation, implementation and reporting of UnitingCare’s Annual Statement of Missional Intent (ASMI).
• Develop measures and evidence of mission impact, effectiveness and organisational mission integration.
• Support Board formation and governance processes that strengthen mission stewardship and missional oversight.
• Assist in organisational reporting to Synod, Synod Standing Committee and the Property Trust on matters relating to mission and church accountability.

4. Formation and Leadership Development

• Lead formation programs that support leaders, managers and Board members to understand and embody the mission, ethos and values of UnitingCare and the Uniting Church.
• Design and facilitate initiatives which strengthen missional leadership capability, reflective practice and organisational purpose.
• Promote holistic wellbeing and mission-centred leadership practices throughout the organisation.

5. Spiritual, Pastoral and Holistic Care

• Provide leadership for the delivery of holistic spiritual and pastoral care across hospitals, aged care, community and disability services.
• Foster innovative models of pastoral, spiritual and wellbeing support for clients, residents, patients, families, volunteers and staff.
• Ensure pastoral and spiritual care remains a distinguishing expression of UnitingCare’s mission.

6. Church, Synod and Community Relationships

• Build and maintain strong relationships with the Queensland Synod, Presbyteries, Congregations and other councils of the Church.
• Act as a key liaison between UnitingCare and the wider Uniting Church to strengthen shared mission and collaboration.
• Lead initiatives that foster community partnerships and strengthen connections between services, congregations and communities.

7. Social Justice, Reconciliation and Advocacy

• Promote the integration of justice and the foundational values of the Uniting Church within organisational culture and practice.
• Provide leadership in reconciliation, First Peoples partnerships, cultural capability and social justice initiatives.
• Support organisational advocacy consistent with UnitingCare's mission and commitment to a fair, just and sustainable society.

8. Mission Innovation and Social Impact

• Encourage innovation that advances holistic care, community wellbeing and mission outcomes.
• Facilitate mission partnerships and programs that extend the social impact of UnitingCare and the Church.
• Lead initiatives that demonstrate faithful stewardship of resources in pursuit of mission and social impact. Strategic and operational advice that ensures key decisions and activities align with and reflect the mission, values and ethos of the Uniting Church in its service delivery.
• Ensuring that holistic care and wellbeing are an integral part of its service delivery through the provision of pastoral and spiritual care programs to the people & communities that it serves and to its staff and volunteers.
• Ensuring that the mission, identity and theology of the Church is reflected and evidenced in the culture of UCQ as guided by its Mission Framework and Practices/Commitments.
• Providing leadership and support through theological reflection, and ethical decision-making and in accordance with Uniting Church theology, polity and governance
• Contributing to the shaping and creation of policy that is in keeping with the theological understanding and position of the Church.
• Leadership of the induction, formation and development of staff with an understanding of UCQ as part of the mission of the Church.

Experience and Skills:

• Proven leadership capacity at an executive or senior level.
• Experience of working in large complex organisations and preferably with experience in not-for profit health and community services.
• Extensive experience in operationalising strategy through the development of business plans, risk management, program initiatives, project management and the engagement of people and a supportive culture.
• Service: a heart for service with a commitment to building strong relationships with key stakeholders/customers across UCQ, the Church and other agencies, boards and committees.
• Responsibility: demonstrated attention to detail, timeliness, analytical and focussed on outcomes.
• Respect: Superior interpersonal awareness, with highly developed facilitation and negotiation skills, verbal and written communication skills, and ability to manage competing views in a fast-paced complex environment.
• Integrity: demonstrated ability to act with impartiality and honesty.
• Commitment to working within the purpose and values of UnitingCare as part of the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod and adhering to the policies, organisational requirements and processes.

Additional Requirements:

• Current Drivers Licence - Presentation of a current Drivers Licence must be made before your appointment to the position can be confirmed.
• Working with Children Clearance Card (BCB - Blue Card) - All adults who work with people under 18 years in QLD in regulated employment are required to undergo a “Working with Children Check” under the screening provisions of the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act. While not in an employment relationship, for the purposes of legislative compliance, presentation of a current Suitability Card must be made before the placement to be confirmed.
• National Criminal History Check to be provided and assessed every three years. Presentation of a current National Criminal History Check must be made before appointment to the position can be confirmed • Must satisfy the relevant probity checks required by legislation or policies in accordance Health & Community Services provided by UnitingCare. The appropriate forms will be supplied and processed by UnitingCare at the time of appointment.
• This position is for the exercise of the duties of ordained ministry of the Uniting Church in Australia. Preference will in the first case be given to appropriately qualified Ministers of the Word or Deacons. As per above, a lay person may be appointed to the role subject to successful completion of core competency requirements for the ministry of pastor in the Uniting Church in Australia. The successful applicant will be required to comply with the Code of Ethics and Ministry Practice. and access regular professional supervision.
• This is an approved placement of the Uniting Church in Australia and the ministerial stipend and allowance provisions commensurate to the role will apply.
• The successful applicant must be eligible to legally work in Australia and proof of eligibility may be requested
• UnitingCare is committed to ‘Closing the Gap’ in life expectancy and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and all executives are expected to support UnitingCare’s contribution to Reconciliation.
• UnitingCare is committed to being a Child Safe, Child Friendly organisation and will: a. Provide welcoming safe and nurturing services for children b. Implement measures to prevent child abuse and neglect within our services c. Appropriately and immediately address child abuse and neglect if it does occur.

For a copy of the full position description and selection criteria please email - [email protected]

If you are a passionate leader and advocate for holistic care and wish to contribute to the mission of UnitingCare Queensland, we invite you to apply. Join us in making a positive impact on the well-being of individuals and communities.

To apply, please send resume and selection criteria response to the Secretary of Placements Committee via the 'Apply to thjs Job' button below.

Applications close 14 August 2026

Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod is committed to being a child safe, child friendly organisation and for all children who come into contact with our services we will provide welcoming, safe and nurturing services, prevent child abuse and neglect within our services and appropriately and immediately address child abuse and neglect if it does occur.

Check https://ucaqld.com.au/synod-se... / to see our Privacy Policy, including the use and storage of information we collect. If you make an application, you are consenting to the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod, using and disclosing personal information for the purposes of filling a placement vacancy.

The Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod is an equal opportunity employer committed to Uniting in Christ; acting with love, living with hope, witnessing in faith, working for justice.