Associate Director
Do you have senior-level experience in advocacy/influencing; service delivery or community engagement and development?
We’re looking for an exceptional systems leader to drive the work across the East of England and ensure people affected by stroke have the support they need to rebuild their lives.
Position: S11367 Associate Director – East of England
Location: Home-based, East of England. However, travel and overnight stays within the UK will be required as part of this role.
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Salary: Circa £64,700 per annum (Inner London weighting £3,950 per annum or Outer London weighting £2,457per annum may be applied in accordance to where you live)
Contract: Permanent
Benefits: 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (this will increase with service up to 30 days, full time equivalent) cashback and discount scheme, employee assistance programme, learning and development, pension scheme, Life Assurance, Eye Care vouchers, Long Service Award, Tax-free childcare, Health Cash Plan, Working Pattern Agreement, flexible working opportunities available.
Closing Date: 31 May 2026
First interview Date (online): 9 June 2026
Second interview Date and discussion with team (face to face, London): 17 June 2026
The Role
You’ll lead the Association’s work in East of England, focusing on what matters most to stroke survivors and ensuring this work has real, measurable impact. In this influential role, you’ll build strong relationships across health and social care, Local Government, and the wider stroke community. Influencing local policy and practice, and overseeing the effective delivery of high-quality stroke support.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Lead the Association’s strategic direction and impact in the East of England, ensuring people affected by stroke receive high quality support.
- Build and manage relationships with key health, social care and political stakeholders, acting as a credible and respected systems leader.
- Increase the reach and impact of the locality delivered services to ensure all new stroke survivors in the East of England receive the support they need.
- Lead and develop the East of England team, addressing capacity needs and building volunteer capability to meet local priorities.
- Strengthen partnerships across the stroke community to improve access to support and tackle health inequalities.
- Lead engagement in local policy and pathway development, influencing improvements at health board level.
About You
You’ll have:
- Senior-level experience in advocacy/influencing; service delivery or community engagement and development.
- Senior level experience influencing policy change, ideally in health and social care, at a regional or national level.
- Substantial experience of holding senior-level relationships with partner organisations, ideally in health and social care / the NHS using strong negotiation skills and political judgement.
- Proven experience of leading high performing teams and large geographically distributed teams of paid staff and volunteers, with a strong track record of growing and developing staff and teams.
- Inspiring leadership approach, balancing strategic and operational demands with sound judgement, and strong knowledge of influencing and systems leadership.
The East of England comprises of the areas within the NHS Integrated Care Boards of: Central East (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes), Norfolk and Suffolk and NHS Essex.
This role requires extensive travel across a large geographical locality. Candidates must be able to demonstrate how they can meet this requirement of the role. To fulfil the role, you must be a resident of the UK and have the right to work in the UK.
Applications
As part of the process you will be asked to submit your CV and a covering letter demonstrating how you meet the person specification set out in the Role Profile and what you bring to the role in terms of your skills and experience.
Please state any preferences for flexible options in your application. Applications from individuals who are seeking flexible working options, including reduced hours or job shares are welcomed.
You will be able to view the role profile when you apply.
Finding strength through support
The organisation is the only charity in the UK providing lifelong support for all stroke survivors and their families. Providing tailored support to tens of thousands of stroke survivors each year. This support includes one-to-one and group support, funding vital scientific research into stroke prevention, acute treatment, recovery and long-term care, and campaigning to secure the best care for everyone affected by stroke.
They are here for stroke survivors and their loved ones, from the moment they enter the new and frightening post-stroke world, supporting them every step of the way as they find their strength and their way back to life.
It’s only thanks to the generosity of supporters and donors that they can provide vital support.
The Association is driven by an ambition to improve the lives of everyone affected by stroke. This means they’re determined to create an equitable and inclusive workplace that benefits from the difference, and thrives on the diversity, of our people. Guided by an approach to solving inequity in stroke, the team are prioritising listening to, and learning from, lived experience across the charity.
The charity are working to improve the representation of this lived experience at all levels within the Association and are eager to recruit applicants from a variety of communities and backgrounds. We are keen to receive applications from people affected by stroke, people of colour, members of LGBT+ communities, and disabled people because these identities and experiences are underrepresented and would add enormous value to how the organisation work.
A Disability Confident employer, the organisation is making great progress focusing on flexible working, reasonable adjustments and access to work. The charity has a variety of staff network groups and are committed to continuously improving diversity and inclusion efforts. If you have questions, or access needs, we’re happy to discuss any support and adjustments we can make throughout the recruitment process so that you’re able to contribute your best in a way that meets your needs.
You may also have experience in areas such as Advocacy, Influencing, Service Delivery, Community Engagement, Community Development, Policy, Health and Social Care, Health. #INDNFP
Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People.
Thank you!
EASST is seeking an exceptional leader to build on the strong foundations EASST has laid by its outgoing founder, ensuring that the organisation’s impact continues to grow and that we remain at the forefront of road safety and sustainable mobility across the region and beyond.
The Director General functions as the Chief Executive of the charity, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight to fulfil EASST's mission and objectives.
The postholder acts as a key ambassador for the charity, ensuring effective governance, sustainable funding and finances, and the development of robust relationships with stakeholders, donors, and the wider community. The Director General also leads EASST Expertise, EASST's wholly owned trading subsidiary, serving as a Director of the company and providing strategic oversight of its consultancy operations.
Main Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement the charity’s strategic plans and activities, in collaboration with and reporting to the Board of Trustees.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as EASST’s primary spokesperson, promoting the charity to donors, beneficiaries, partners, policymakers, and the public.
- Governance: Ensure the charity complies with all legal and regulatory requirements, reporting to the Board on progress, risks, and opportunities.
- Project Delivery: Lead and manage delivery of specific development projects as needed by the organisation.
- Financial Management: Oversee the charity's finances, including budgeting, financial planning, fundraising strategies, and resource allocation to ensure long-term sustainability.
- Operational Responsibility: Oversee the charity’s operations, including programme delivery, and the development of policies and procedures.
- Fundraising and Development: Lead fundraising initiatives and cultivate relationships with donors, grant-makers, corporate partners, and supporters.
- Team Leadership: Develop and motivate staff, who operate as a remote team, fostering a positive and inclusive work culture.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Ensure robust monitoring and evaluation of programmes and activities, reporting outcomes to Trustees and stakeholders and driving continuous improvement.
Qualifications
- Demonstrable experience in a senior leadership role within the charity, not-for-profit, or public sector.
- Significant experience working at a senior level in the field of Road Safety and/or Sustainable Transportation.
- An understanding of global road safety challenges, global conventions and initiatives.
- Experience in EASST countries of operation is desirable and proficiency in a regional language is an advantage.
- Familiarity/experience/contacts with international organisations promoting, supporting or funding road safety is desirable.
- Strong strategic planning and management skills. Excellent and persuasive communicator and relationship-builder.
- Understanding of charity governance, regulatory frameworks, and best practice in fundraising and programme delivery.
- Collaborative, resilient, and committed to the charity’s mission and values.
- The postholder must have a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and be conscious and respectful of other cultures.
Key Relationships
- Board of Trustees
- Charity staff (currently a team of four)
- EASST partners in our countries of operation
- Funders, donors and international organisations involved in road safety governance
- Project collaborators, including other road safety charities and consultants
- Governments, public authorities and decision-makers in EASST’s partner countries
- Beneficiaries of EASST’s programmes and work.
Terms and Conditions
- Location: Based in the United Kingdom, with the right to work in the UK. The team currently works remotely with no office base.
- Travel: Significant travel may be required both within the region served by EASST and to conferences and other events.
- Hours: This is a full-time post and will require flexibility to meet the demands of funders and the partner network.
- Salary: The salary offered for this post is up to £70K (negotiable) plus 10% pension contribution and 30 days holiday per year.
The post holder is appointed by the Trustees and will report to the Board of Trustees on a regular basis.
Registered Charity
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To save lives and prevent injuries by making road travel safer, greener and more sustainable for future generations.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.