The Head of Vital Catholic Thought (VCT) provides strategic leadership for a global thematic challenge that has developed content and relationships for many years within the Faith Sector. The role drives the design, implementation and learning of the Challenge strategy, which focuses on institutional partners; building key thought-leader talent for the future and driving discernment a through academic interdisciplinary research that serves the Church and its contributions to society. The role ensures alignment with Porticus' mission, values, wider Faith Sector ambition and strategic priorities. Working closely with Regional Directors, programme managers, the Strategy and Impact team, senior leaders and governance stakeholders, the Head of VCT brings together the Challenge Team to deliver coherent programmes, steward resources and partnerships, manage risk and strengthen learning across regions. The Head of VCT is part of the Porticus Management Council and contributes to organisation-wide initiatives when requested.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategy and delivery Lead the design, development and implementation of the VCT Challenge strategy in line with the wider Faith Sector ambition and Porticus strategy. Translate strategy into clear priorities, objectives, roles and decision-making arrangements, and provide the global and regional context needed for informed choices. Oversee coherent programme development and implementation across the full grant lifecycle, ensuring quality, efficiency, accountability and strategic alignment. Challenge Team leadership Lead and facilitate the VCT Challenge Team, bringing together programme managers across regions without direct line-management responsibility. Create clarity, foster inclusion and constructive challenge, and enable effective co-ownership and collaboration. Collaborate closely with the Heads of other Faith Sector Challenges and contribute to cross-sector and Porticus-wide priorities. Financial stewardship, evidence and learning Coordinate Challenge budget development, monitor expenditure and delivery, and ensure accurate narrative and financial reporting. Lead Challenge-level monitoring, evaluation and learning with the Senior Advisor and Strategy and Impact team. Use evidence and learning to assess progress, inform decisions and strengthen future strategy and programming, while connecting regional learning with global priorities. Governance, partnerships and representation Build trusted, transparent and accountable relationships with staff, governance, family and other relevant stakeholders. Engage Investment Committee members and other governance audiences on strategy, implementation, learning and significant developments, and prepare relevant materials for senior forums. Represent Porticus in senior Church, partner, donor, academic and stakeholder forums, and build relevant professional and intellectual networks. Identifying and building trusting relationships with current and future academic leaders, providing advce and mentorship where appropriate with regard to academic content, formation and institutional leadershipRisk and safeguarding With Programme Managers, identify, assess and manage grant, partnership, safeguarding, ethical and reputational risks. Advise senior stakeholders on complex or reputationally significant matters and support sound, timely decision-making. Promote strong safeguarding and child-protection practice across strategy, partnerships and programmes. Supervisory ResponsibilitiesThe role has no direct reports but leads and facilitates the VCT Challenge Team through a dotted-line relationship and, together with Regional Directors, contributes to objective setting, performance reviews and the professional development of Programme Managers working on the Challenge.
