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Executive Director

Operation Smile UK | London | Full-time, permanent | Salary in the region of £90,000, depending on experience

Seeking an experienced and enthusiastic leader to join Operation Smile UK as Executive Director, driving strategic growth, strengthening our organisation and helping expand access to life-changing cleft care worldwide.

About Operation Smile

Operation Smile is an international medical charity providing free, life-changing surgery and comprehensive care to children and adults born with cleft conditions. Through a global network of medical volunteers, healthcare professionals and hospital partners, we work to improve access to safe, high-quality cleft care and strengthen local healthcare systems.

Operation Smile UK (OSUK) is an independently registered UK charity responsible for fundraising, donor engagement, advocacy and raising awareness in support of our international programmes.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director will provide strategic leadership for Operation Smile UK at an important stage in the delivery of our five-year strategy.

This is an opportunity for an ambitious and collaborative leader to build on the charity's strengths, grow and diversify income, strengthen organisational performance and profile, and develop an effective partnership with Operation Smile's international organisation.

The successful candidate will combine strategic vision with hands-on leadership, strong fundraising expertise and the ability to build trusted relationships across a complex international environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy and governance: Lead the development and delivery of OSUK's strategy, working closely with the Board of Trustees to ensure strong governance, effective risk management and regulatory compliance.
• Fundraising and income growth: Drive sustainable income generation and diversification across major donors, trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships and individual giving.
• Financial and organisational performance: Oversee financial sustainability, resource allocation and organisational performance, ensuring effective use of resources and robust financial management.
• International partnerships: Build a strong, collaborative relationship with Operation Smile Inc., ensuring UK fundraising supports global programmes and impact is communicated effectively.
• People and culture: Lead and develop a high-performing, inclusive team, fostering collaboration, accountability, staff wellbeing and a shared commitment to the charity's mission.
• External engagement and profile: Represent OSUK with donors, partners, media and other stakeholders, strengthening the charity's visibility and influence across the UK.

About You

We are looking for an experienced senior leader who combines strategic judgement with practical delivery and a genuine commitment to our mission.

You will bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience in a charity, non-profit or comparable purpose-led organisation, including working closely with a Board.
• A strong track record in fundraising, income generation and revenue diversification.
• Experience of leading, developing and motivating teams, including through organisational change.
• Strong financial acumen, commercial judgement and experience of organisational performance management.
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-management skills, with confidence engaging senior stakeholders.
• Knowledge of UK charity governance, regulation and safeguarding.

Experience of international partnerships, global charity networks or growing a small-to-medium-sized organisation would be advantageous.

Above all, you will be a collaborative and entrepreneurial leader who can turn strategic ambition into measurable results while championing Operation Smile's values and mission.

What We Offer

• Hybrid working, with a minimum of two days per week in our London office.
• 25 days' annual leave, increasing with service to a maximum of 30 days, plus applicable public holidays.
• Season ticket loan and Cycle to Work scheme.
• Enhanced maternity benefits for eligible employees.
• Access to a confidential Employee Assistance Programme.

The role requires regular international travel.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter of no more than two pages, outlining your interest in the role and how your experience meets the essential criteria.

Please see the job description for futher details of how to apply. 

Closing date: 30 November 2026
First-stage interviews: Early December 2026

Operation Smile UK is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from communities historically under-represented in charity leadership. We value transferable skills and potential, and you do not need to meet every desirable criterion to apply.

As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements for the role. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process.

Operation Smile UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (Charity No. 1091316).