26 Director jobs in Harlow

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

IRC UK

IRC UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its global headquarters in New York. Our team in the UK – approximately 220 colleagues – works to raise profile, deliver policy and practice change, and increase funding to help restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Since 2021, IRC UK has also provided integration services directly to refugees across the UK.

In Europe, the IRC currently operates in the UK, Germany, Sweden, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Greece and Poland.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The People and Culture (P&C) Director works in a highly matrixed environment with staff from several functions across the global organisation. The postholder manages the HR team in IRC UK and is accountable for effective HR service delivery, HR compliance and continuous improvement within the scope of the People & Culture department, localising the IRC’s global people strategy. This position plays a pivotal role in fostering a positive, inclusive and high-performing workplace culture that aligns with IRC’s values, through exceptional communication skills.

The role jointly reports into the UK Executive Director and Regional Director, P&C Europe – with additional reporting accountabilities to the UK Board’s People and Culture Committee. Working within global frameworks set by Global People & Culture, the role localises the implementation of People & Culture priorities and drives UK-specific change initiatives within IRC UK’s culture and regulatory environment.

As a member of the UK Senior Management Team (SMT), the role is jointly accountable for the delivery of IRC UK’s Strategic Plan, and has responsibility for the effective delivery of P&C priorities. The Director has a keen focus on building leadership competencies and organisational effectiveness.

Success in this role requires the ability to build strong relationships, influence decisions, and navigate multiple stakeholder perspectives to deliver effective people solutions within a matrix environment where accountability is shared.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. P&C Leadership (Advisory, Implementation, and Partnering) (25%)

• As a member of the UK Senior Management Team, assume collective accountability for the effective delivery of IRC UK’s Strategic Plan.

• Serve as an advisor and thought partner to the Executive Director and fellow SMT members on the UK application of IRC’s Global P&C strategy, and lead on strengthening IRC UK’s kind, inclusive and high-performing organisational culture.

• Support talent dialogues, performance conversations, and career development planning for IRC UK staff, embedding a culture of continuous learning.

• Partner with peers on workforce planning — including managing workforce adjustments such as staff reductions or scale-up, and organisational design work — in partnership with senior management, the Regional Director P&C Europe, and Global P&C Partners, ensuring compliance with local and global policy while minimising risk and supporting affected staff.

• Translate data and metrics into actionable items in line with IRC UK’s strategy.

• Lead, supervise, and develop the UK P&C team, accountable for team quality and effectiveness and for building a skilled, motivated team ready to advance.

2. Manage HR Service Delivery and Core Operations (~40%)

• Manage end-to-end HR service delivery across the employee lifecycle; recruitment, onboarding, contracts, payroll coordination, benefits, performance and leave management, offboarding, and HR information systems, maintaining high-quality, context-specific P&C practices aligned with organisational standards.

• Provide leadership on UK employment law and regulation to the UK HR team, ensuring the HR team supports supervisors of UK staff in the management of their teams in a supportive and compliant way.

• Provide high quality HR partnership to the Refugee, Asylum and Integration (RAI) UK Director and team to support programme needs and donor requirements.

• Advise supervisors on appropriate disciplinary actions, coordinating with Global Employee Relations and Legal on complex or escalated disciplinary proceedings, to ensure fairness and compliance with employment law.

• Responsible for P&C reporting for the UK Board of Trustees and People & Culture Committee, and for the annual production of IRC UK's Gender Pay Gap and Ethnicity Pay Gap reports, in line with IRC's global P&C reporting standards and applicable UK statutory requirements.

• Support any organisational restructure requirements, including active management of any necessary staff consultation and resulting redundancy processes, by providing expert guidance to management and affected staff throughout the process.

• Track UK P&C objectives set by Global P&C and contribute HR input - organisational structure, position scoping, staffing analysis - to proposal design and grant review processes.

• Lead the delivery of regular staff engagement surveys, analysing data and proposing leadership actions in response.

3. Workplace Culture (~15%)

• Promote employee experience, engagement, and inclusion, and oversee the integration of IRC's Values (the ‘IRC Way’), People Manager Standards, and Employee Success Factors across the employee lifecycle.

• Implement safeguarding standards set by the global Safeguarding function across hiring and onboarding, and ensure the IRC Way and reporting channels are visible in all IRC UK locations.

• Serve as a local advocate for Employee Wellbeing, Employee Engagement, and Safeguarding priorities set by global functions, and role model safe, inclusive, and caring leadership standards.

• Operate and promote collaboration in a highly matrixed environment where several units intersect and work together to reach joint decisions.

• Accountable  for the effective delivery of specific P&C-owned elements of IRC UK's Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) Strategy and Action Plan, as well as assuming joint accountability for the full GEDI Strategy and Action Plan as a key member of IRC UK SMT.

4. Trade Union Relationship (~20%)

• Working with the UK Executive Director, maintain the relationship with UK Trade Union (Unite) representatives, and negotiate and consult via the quarterly Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), driving progress on policy and annual salary review negotiations.

• Develop and manage union engagement and communication plans that support open, honest, and productive dialogue across the office.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Direct reporting line to UK Executive Director; indirect reporting to Regional Director, P&C Europe

• UK Board and P&C Committee

• UK SMT, with particularly close collaboration with Director, Strategy and Delivery, Financial Controller, and RAI UK Director

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• CIPD qualified with significant HR leadership experience across the full P&C spectrum, including complex UK processes such as restructures, TUPE, and employee relations.**

• Strong interpersonal and analytical skills, with proven ability to operate effectively in a complex, global matrix organisation. Solution-oriented, positive, ‘can do’ attitude.

• Strong knowledge of UK employment law, with experience of advising and influencing senior leaders.**

• Experience of working with Trade Unions, including leading on consultations and negotiations.**

• People management experience.**

• High level of confidentiality, tact, service orientation, and intercultural communication skills.Ability to manage competing priorities and complex, multi-stakeholder projects independently, with willingness to take on significant responsibility.

Director of Digital, Technology and Data

London’s Air Ambulance Charity is appointing its first Director of Digital, Technology and Data. Following the launch of its ambitious 15-year strategy, the charity is investing in dedicated executive leadership to ensure its technology, digital and data capability can support its next stage of development.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and joining the Directors Group, you will bring together 12 colleagues across IT, Charity Data and Clinical & Operational Data. You will unite the teams behind a shared purpose, strengthen the organisation’s foundations and create LAA’s first integrated Digital, Technology and Data strategy, roadmap and investment plan.

This role requires someone who can operate credibly at Board level while remaining close enough to the detail to support a small, capable team. You may come from the charity sector, healthcare, aviation, a commercial organisation or another purpose-led environment—what matters is your ability to build capability, bring people with you and connect genuinely with LAA’s mission.

Essential experience:

• Senior leadership across technology, digital, data, transformation or organisational change.
• Experience building, maturing or bringing together multidisciplinary functions and specialist teams.
• A strong record of translating organisation-wide strategy into practical, measurable delivery.
• Board-level credibility, sound judgement and the ability to influence technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Salary: £105,000–£110,000

Location: Hybrid working, with offices at the Royal London Hospital, London E1

Contract: Permanent, full-time

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer

Applications close: 9 September 2026

Prospectus is supporting a London-focused organisation to recruit their new Director of Philanthropy. This organisation improves the lives of the most disadvantaged people in London by working with donors to invest in small, local charities and community groups.

Director of Philanthropy

Permanent

£80,000

Closing: Thursday 10 th September 2026

This is a senior, externally focused role for an experience philanthropy leader who can strengthen the organisation's profile, open doors and secure significant new philanthropic income across London's philanthropic landscape. The postholder will lead new business development activity with a particular focus on high-net-worth individuals, corporates, professional advisers and intermediaries and will manage the pipeline of new donor opportunities. Reporting to the CEO, the Director of Philanthropy will provide senior leadership for an ambitious, confident and disciplined approach to business development and income growth.

The selected candidate will have significant experience in philanthropy and fundraising with a proven track record of cultivating, pitching to and securing high-value relationships with audiences such as high-net-worth individuals, corporates, professional advisers, or wealth managers. You will be able to demonstrate experience and knowledge of philanthropy, donor advised funds, corporate giving and charitable giving routes and will be an impressive relationship builder and networker. Crucially, you will be able to develop compelling propositions for busy audiences that draw attention to the work of London's most impactful charities and community groups, and how philanthropy can strengthen that impact.

At Prospectus, we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy/maternity. If you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the process then please contact Ryan Burdock at Prospectus.

If you feel you meet some of the criteria but not all, we really hope you'll enquire and learn more. Prospectus can advise and support on each part of the role and hopefully your application, so we look forward to hearing from you.

In order to apply, please submit an up-to-date CV and cover letter (max 2 pages) in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will arrange for a meeting to brief you on the role. You'll then have all the information you need to formally apply. 

About us

Community rail is a unique and growing grassroots movement made up of community rail partnerships, station volunteer groups and other community-led initiatives across Britain.

Together, these organisations and volunteers deliver a wide range of initiatives, from engaging young people and building confidence in rail travel, to improving accessibility, enhancing stations, supporting biodiversity projects and creating community spaces that bring people together.

Community Rail Network is the national membership and umbrella body for the community rail movement across England, Scotland and Wales. We empower, support and champion community-led partnerships and groups, helping them create social, environmental and economic value through their work.

Our team of 22 colleagues is based across Britain, working mainly from home while coming together regularly online and in person. We are a collaborative, values-led organisation, passionate about making a difference through community rail.

We believe in nurturing talent, supporting professional development and creating an environment where everyone can reach their potential while maintaining a healthy work–life balance.

About this role and your main responsibilities

We are looking for a compassionate, collaborative and creative leader to head up our work with members. Everyone on the team is here for our members, but you will lead the way in ensuring everything we do is driven by what members need, now and in the future, to help them develop, grow and thrive. You’ll also help ensure our members have a great experience whenever they are accessing our support and services.

As a member of the senior leadership team, you’ll actively contribute towards its collective work in driving organisational performance and success, including growing investment in our work so we can make an even bigger difference for our members and the communities they serve.

Please see the attached introduction from our Chief Executive and role profile for further information about the position, including its principal responsibilities and the experience, skills and attributes we are looking for.

Other information

The role will involve regular travel across England, Scotland and Wales to raise the organisation’s profile and engage with members, partners and key stakeholders.

There is flexibility on your location given the requirement to travel and that your office will be home-based. You will need to travel to in-person quarterly team meetings (usually in London or the north of England) and to Board meetings which alternate between online and London.

It is expected that travel will be by public transport and easy access to the rail network is therefore required to ensure journeys can be made sustainably. 

This is a full-time position, 37 hours per week. We use a flexi-time system with core hours 10am-3pm, and are committed to being a flexible, supportive and understanding employer. This is a permanent position with a probationary period of three months. 

Successful applicants will need to provide proof that they have the right to work in the UK and provide two references.

Community Rail Network is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from disabled people and Black, Asian and other minoritised groups, who meet with the skills and competencies for this role. We will provide reasonable adjustments for interviews as required.

Action for Global Health (AfGH) is an influential membership network convening more than 50 organisations working in global health. Its vision is a world where health equity is achieved, and every person has access to the quality healthcare they need without being forced into financial hardship.

AfGH’s strategy, extended to 2029, aims to ensure that stronger commitments from the UK Government help more people worldwide access affordable, high-quality healthcare suited to their needs. The network works by bringing together member organisations, civil society groups, and people with lived experience of health inequality – especially from low- and middle-income countries – to influence UK policy. It acts as a key link between global health civil society and government departments such as the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Department of Health and Social Care, guided by its 10 health-equity principles.

AfGH is an independent network hosted by STOPAIDS, which provides legal, financial, HR, and administrative support.

The Position

As the Network Director, you will be responsible for convening and guiding the network, in partnership with the AfGH team, Steering Committee, wider membership and host organisation (STOPAIDS).

In this role, you will:

• Guide, oversee and review the implementation of AfGH’s 2022–2029 strategy.
• Secure AfGH’s ongoing financial sustainability and ensure accurate and clear financial reporting.
• Lead and coordinate AfGH’s policy and advocacy activities.
• Provide direction to the AfGH Secretariat, support the Membership & Development Director, line manage the Advocacy Manager, and manage relationships with STOPAIDS and Students for Global Health (partner organisation).
• Expand the AfGH membership to target groups and ensure that the network continues to engage and be driven by the membership.
• Ensure that AfGH continues to have appropriate governance in place in order to ensure effectiveness and accountability.

Benefits

We offer a number of benefits, including:

• A 28-hour (rather than 35-hour) working week policy, with no salary reductions. Staff are able to work reduced hours over 5 days or a 4-day week. We offer flexible working, with non-standard working hours.
• A home-based working policy with some access to co-working spaces across the UK and a monthly working-from-home allowance (included in salary).
• A group stakeholder pension scheme with 6% employer contributions.
• An individual learning and development budget allocated to staff members each year.
• 20 days’ annual leave per year (excluding bank holidays), plus 1 day for every year of service (up to 4 years).
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay for employees with 1 year’s service or more.

To apply, please click the Apply button to complete our application form.

Closing date: 7th September 2026.

We reserve the right to close this advert early, should sufficient good applications be received.

Candidates must be UK-based with the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we cannot sponsor visa requests.

People living with or affected by health inequities, from Black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds or from other minority groups are particularly encouraged to apply.

DIRECTOR OF VOLUNTEERING

Director of Volunteering at Mercy Ships UK, providing strategic leadership to recruit, engage and mobilise volunteers for its two hospital ships.

Mercy Ships is an inspiring Christian charity delivering free, life-changing surgery to people in Africa with limited access to healthcare. Through its two hospital ships, it brings hope, healing and specialist training to local healthcare professionals. Since 1978, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 55 countries, performing over 122,000 surgical procedures and training more than 55,500 healthcare workers. 

Mercy Ships UK is now embarking on an ambitious growth journey, aiming to double volunteer placements over the next five years. We are looking for an exceptional leader to join Mercy Ships UK as Director of Volunteering. This is a brand-new role created at an exciting time in the charity's growth.

Reporting to the Executive Director and serving on the Executive Leadership Team, you will lead the development of an ambitious long-term volunteering and workforce strategy, inspiring and mobilising medical, maritime and other specialist volunteers to serve on board Mercy Ships' current and future hospital ships. Through your leadership, thousands more volunteers will be equipped to bring hope, healing and life-changing care to communities across Africa.

In this role, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Develop and deliver a multi-year volunteering strategy that builds sustainable pipelines of medical, maritime and specialist volunteers
• Lead the full volunteer journey, from attraction and recruitment through to preparation, engagement, retention and alumni involvement
• Build strategic partnerships with NHS organisations, Royal Colleges, universities, churches, Christian networks and professional bodies
• Provide strategic advice to the Executive Director, Executive Leadership Team and Trustees on volunteering trends, workforce risks and growth opportunities
• Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing volunteering function, setting clear priorities, standards and measures of success
• Act as a senior ambassador for Mercy Ships UK, representing its Christian mission with credibility and influence across the sector

Why work for Mercy Ships UK?

• 25 days' annual leave plus UK bank holidays, increasing by one day for each completed year of service, to a maximum of 30 days
• Employer pension contribution of up to 7%
• Annual personal learning and development budget
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support
• Location: 12 Meadway Court, Stevenage, SG1 2EF (hybrid working available)
• Free on-site parking
• A brand-new, pivotal leadership role at an exciting stage of growth

This role is eligible for an Enhanced DBS check. Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment, safeguarding and background checks.

For further details please have a look at the candidate pack.

For an informal chat to ask any questions, please contact Nick Thomas, Senior Consultant, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Please apply through the Charisma Charity Recruitment website with your CV and supporting statement.

Key dates

• Closing date: Monday 14th September 2026
• Charisma vetting interviews must be completed by close of play on: Wednesday 16th September 2026
• First interviews with Mercy Ships: W/C 28th September 2026
• Final interviews with Mercy Ships: W/C 5th October 2026

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion*, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.

*In accordance with the Equality Act 2010, Part 1, Schedule 9, it is a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder is a practising Christian.

Associate Director, Investment Development

Contract type: 2-year fixed-term contract with potential to renew – Full-time, 35 hours per week

Location: London, United Kingdom

UK hybrid working – up to 40% of working time is spent face-to-face (London office, external meetings or travel). 60/40 hybrid working at WaterAid means roughly three days wherever you work best and two days together in person.

Salary: £71,481 - £82,059 per year with excellent benefits

About Resilient Water Accelerator (RWA)

The Resilient Water Accelerator (RWA) envisions a future where water security and climate resilience enable people, nature, and economies to thrive. We are a non-profit company that catalyses capital by transforming investment landscapes and scaling financing solutions for water security and climate resilience. RWA is a subsidiary of WaterAid and was launched by the former Prince of Wales in 2021.

About the team

The Resilient Water Accelerator (RWA) is a non-profit subsidiary of WaterAid, launched by the former Prince of Wales in 2021. We catalyse capital by transforming investment landscapes and scaling financing solutions for water security and climate resilience — acting as both market shaper and deal driver, with specialist teams and partners in Nigeria (Lagos), Bangladesh, Morocco, Brazil and South Africa. This role reports to the Senior Director, Programmes & Investment Development.

About the role

As our Associate Director, Investment Development, you will design, structure and scale blended and private/commercial finance solutions for water and water-related investments — water for cities, water for industries and water for nature — and work closely with our CEO, Chief Investment Officer, in-country teams, investors, DFIs and programme partners to drive sustainable change.

In this role, you will:

• Support the structuring of commercially viable investments in water-saving technologies and process improvements for the textiles wet-processing industry in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and scale this work to other garment clusters, countries and industries.
• Lead the provision of advisory services supporting the evaluation, negotiation and implementation of mini- and mega PPP/concession investments in water supply and sanitation in Lagos, Nigeria.
• Originate, structure and develop opportunities for private investment in water supply and sanitation across RWA's target expansion markets.
• Work with consortium partners in the FCDO-funded Just Transitions for Water Security (JTWS) programme to mobilise public and private finance for climate resilience interventions set out in National Adaptation Plans and other partner engagements.
• Support the scaling of finance mobilisation under the Water Forward initiative launched by the World Bank Group and eight partner multilateral development banks: Water for People, Water for Food and Water for the Planet.
• Lead the conceptualisation and scaling of innovative financing instruments — including blue and nature-linked outcomes-based bonds, blended finance facilities and guarantees — and newly structured services such as Wastewater as a Service, leasing models and vendor financing.

To be successful, you will need:

• A graduate degree in economics, business administration, finance, engineering or a related field — or a first degree in one of these fields combined with specialised experience in project development or within a financial institution.
• At least 10 years' professional experience, including substantial transactional experience gained with a developer, within a financial institution, or in transaction advisory.
• At least five years' experience in the financing of private sector infrastructure (project finance, PPPs) and/or the financing of corporate water stewardship investments.
• Ability to investigate complex problems and propose innovative financing solutions, adapting structures thoughtfully to a wide range of country contexts.
• Experience leading teams and managing consultants, developing collaborative relationships and mentoring others with a high degree of cultural sensitivity.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with strong presentation skills across audiences ranging from funders to in-country partners.
• A self-starter who manages projects and deliverables to a high standard, working to deadlines and under frequently changing circumstances.

Although not essential, we’d prefer you to have:

• Experience in blended finance, particularly successfully financed transactions incorporating viability gap financing or other concessional or grant components.
• Experience in climate finance, especially developing successfully funded proposals to the Green Climate Fund or other grant-making climate financiers.
• A recognised investment, finance or PPP qualification — for example CFA, FRM, CAIA, ACCA, ICAEW, CPA or CP3P.
• Experience in the water and sanitation sector, and/or foreign language skills relevant to RWA's current portfolio and target expansion markets.

Closing date: Applications close 11:59 PM (UK time) on Monday, 7th September 2026. Interviews are expected to take place the week commencing Monday 14 September.

How to apply: Click Apply to upload your CV and Cover Letter. 

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application?

At RWA, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.

Pre‑employment screening

To apply for this role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to local law and RWA’s Safer Recruitment policy. All UK-based roles require a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Benefits

• 36days’ holiday (including 8 Bank Holidays)
• Option to buy an extra 5days’ annual leave
• Employer pension contribution up to 10%
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Season ticket loan
• Free annual eye tests
• ‘Give as you Earn’ charitable giving scheme
• Enhanced parental leave (maternity, adoption/surrogacy, shared parental and paternity)
• Sabbaticals
• One paid volunteer day each year

As part of our annual leave policy, all employees receive three additional days of annual leave on top of their standard allocation of 25 days. These days are designated to cover the period when our UK office closes between Christmas and New Year, allowing all employees to take a well-deserved break.

These days are automatically scheduled and cannot be changed or moved. Annual leave is accrued based on your start date. If sufficient leave has not been accrued by the time of the closure, the 3 days will be taken as unpaid leave or pro-rated, depending on your circumstances.

Our Commitment: 

Our People Promise

We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. RWA and WaterAid are places place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation.

Safeguarding

We are committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero- tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks).

Together, we’ll change the world through water.

Join us and be part of the change!

Director of Principal Giving & International 
Advancement Department
University College London
London, UK
Grade 10 role with a salary of £100,000-£120,000 pa (inclusive of London Allowance). Plus excellent benefits, including a sector-leading relocation package.

An exceptional leadership opportunity to play a significant role in the success of one of the biggest fundraising and engagement campaigns in the higher education sector in Europe.

UCL is a radically different university. Founded in 1826 in the heart of London, we were the first university in England to welcome students of any religion and the first to welcome women on equal terms with men. Today, UCL has over 51,000 students, 14,000 staff and over 470,000 alumni, and is one of the world’s top 10 universities.

We will launch our largest ever fundraising and engagement campaign that will leverage the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that our bicentennial anniversary in 2026 presents.  Since our last campaign, we have increased our ambitions and are building further capacity and expertise across our Advancement division.  As part of this step-change, we have re-imagined our Principal Gifts & International team and are now seeking an experienced practitioner to drive this area forward.  There has never been a more exciting time to join the Advancement office.

As the Director of Principal Giving & International, you will lead a newly combined team that cultivates meaningful relationships with donors and prospective supporters who have the potential to transform the future and impact of UCL.  You and your team of experts will secure philanthropic gifts at the 7 and 8-figure level and drive our international fundraising activity forward.  You will work with key colleagues and stakeholders across Advancement and the wider University, as well as with a mission-critical senior volunteer network around the world.  It’ll therefore be critical that you are a highly experienced and ambitious fundraiser and leader, with vision, creativity and the ability to make things happen while taking others on the journey with you. 

To be successful, you must bring well-rounded knowledge and experience of best-in-class principal gifts fundraising, and a demonstrable track record of securing 7-figure philanthropic gifts, alongside an awareness of global fundraising trends. Your approachable and collaborative manner, along with your ability to work at pace and with gravitas, inspires confidence from those around you.  Being enterprising and solutions-focussed, people enjoy working with you and actively seek you out as a thought partner.  You must be equally comfortable in playing a front-facing role, as well as operating behind the scenes and supporting others in making the ask, as it’s the transformational outcomes and impact that truly drives you.

In return, you will join a team of passionate individuals who work together to achieve remarkable things with a global impact.  Our people really are our greatest asset, and we invest in them so that they can fulfil their potential.  Equity, diversity and inclusion is important to us and we are committed to creating an environment where everyone is encouraged to give their best in a place where their unique experiences, perspectives and skills are seen as valuable assets. We also prioritise work-life balance and offer hybrid and agile working as well as flexibility around working hours.  We are happy to receive part-time applications for all of our job opportunities, and can consider a 0.8FTE working pattern for this role. And we particularly welcome applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.

If you’re interested in hearing more, please contact our recruitment partners at Richmond Associates and you can download a detailed information pack from their website by following the application link.

Please tell Richmond Associates if there are any reasonable adjustments we can make to help you in your application or with our recruitment process. 

International candidates who are interested in relocating to the UK will be considered as visa support is available for this position.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS midnight GMT on THURSDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2026

Director of People & Organisational Development

ActionAid UK

• Salary: £81,000 - £92,000
• Contract: 18-Month Fixed-Term Contract
• Hours: Full Time, 35 hours per week (flexible working, condensed hours considered)
• Location: Hybrid, London (12 times per year)
• Travel: Occasional travel to Chard, Somerset and international travel as required

Help shape the future of a feminist, anti-racist organisation at a pivotal moment of change.

ActionAid UK works alongside women and girls to challenge injustice, shift power and create lasting social change.

We are now seeking an outstanding people leader to join our Executive Leadership Team as our Interim Director of People & Organisational Development.

This is one of the most significant people leadership opportunities in the charity sector today.

Joining during a period of organisational evolution, the postholder will play a central role in shaping the future of ActionAid UK's people, culture and organisational development agenda. Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will provide strategic leadership across people, culture, safeguarding, organisational effectiveness, employee relations and workforce transformation.

This role is offered on an 18-month fixed-term basis and will appeal equally to established HR Directors seeking a high-impact transformation role, experienced interim leaders looking for a substantial change programme, or values-driven executives attracted by the opportunity to shape lasting organisational impact.

The Opportunity

People and culture have never been more important.

As organisations respond to changing workforce expectations, evolving employment landscapes and increasing demands for equity and inclusion, effective people leadership has become a strategic imperative.

This role offers a rare opportunity to influence organisation-wide change at Executive level. Working closely with the Board, Executive Leadership Team, recognised trade union and colleagues across the organisation, you will shape the systems, structures, leadership capability and people practices that will support ActionAid UK's long-term success.

At ActionAid UK, we are building on strong foundations while preparing for the future.

As Director of People & Organisational Development, you will help lead that journey.

You will join at a pivotal moment as ActionAid UK seeks to:

• Strengthen organisational effectiveness and future-readiness.
• Continue embedding anti-racist and feminist leadership principles across the organisation.
• Develop future workforce and succession plans.
• Review aspects of organisational design and team accountabilities to ensure structures continue to support strategic priorities and effective collaboration
• Build constructive and effective employee and union relationships.
• Lead the implementation of a more equitable pay framework and help shape future reward approaches that support fairness, transparency and organisational values.
• Modernise people systems, processes and data capability.
• Ensure safeguarding, wellbeing and inclusion remain central to organisational culture.
• Review how the People function is structured to best support the organisation's future needs.

Why Join ActionAid UK?

Alongside the opportunity to influence a significant people and organisational development agenda, this role offers access to a unique professional network within the charity and international development sectors.

Based in central London, ActionAid UK shares office space with colleagues from Amnesty International UK and operates alongside a community of leading NGOs, creating opportunities for collaboration and professional networking. The successful candidate will also work closely with HR and OD leaders across the wider ActionAid Federation and may have the opportunity to participate in international HR leadership forums and global organisational development initiatives.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking an experienced and values-led executive who combines strategic insight with strong delivery capability.

You may currently be:

• A Director of People, HR Director or Chief People Officer.
• An Organisational Development or Transformation Director.
• An experienced interim executive with a track record of leading complex change programmes.
• A senior people leader from the charity, public, international development or purpose-led private sector.

You will bring:

• Significant experience leading people and organisational development functions.
• Experience leading organisational development, workforce planning, service modernisation or organisational design initiatives that improve effectiveness and support long-term strategic objectives.
• Strong employee relations and employment law expertise,
• Strong experience of trade union consultation and negotiation.
• Experience leading reward, workforce planning or pay framework programmes.
• Knowledge of HR systems implementation, integration or transformation.
• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style.
• Deep commitment to feminist principles, anti-racist practice and social justice.

Whether you are an experienced HR Director, Chief People Officer, Organisational Development leader or senior interim executive, this role offers a rare opportunity to leave a lasting organisational legacy while contributing to the mission of a globally recognised women's rights organisation.

To find out more please contact Tatiana at Charity People.

How to Apply

The application process is CV and Supporting Statement. In the first instance, please send your up-to-date CV to via the link below for further details about next steps. The closing date is 12 noon on 14th September. The interviews will take place week commencing 28th September.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so we can help make the application process work for you.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

Help shape the future of an ambitious local charity

MRS Independent Living supports older people, disabled people and people experiencing mental health challenges to live independently, stay active and remain connected to their communities. We combine practical in-home support with innovative community-led projects that tackle inequalities and improve wellbeing.

We're looking for a Deputy Director who is excited by the opportunity to help lead this established local charity into its next chapter. 

This is a role for someone who enjoys thinking strategically while also rolling up their sleeves to make things happen. You'll work alongside the Director to shape our future, develop new services, build partnerships and secure funding. You'll also be happy stepping into day-to-day operations when needed to support the team, maintain continuity and ensure our services are high quality and running smoothly.

Whether your background is primarily in fundraising and you're looking to broaden your operational leadership experience, or you've led services and want to develop your fundraising and strategic skills, this role offers an excellent opportunity to build a well-rounded senior leadership career.

About the role

As Deputy Director you'll provide leadership across our community projects, helping us develop and deliver sustainable, high-quality services that make a real difference to our community.

You'll:

• Work with the Director and Board to shape organisational strategy and future development.

• Lead fundraising from trusts, foundations, corporate partners and other income sources.

• Oversee our community projects, ensuring they deliver expected outcomes.

• Support, coach and develop project staff and volunteers.

• Build strong partnerships across the voluntary, health and public sectors.

• Lead monitoring, evaluation and reporting to demonstrate our impact.

• Deputise for the Director when required.

• Take a practical, hands-on approach - providing operational support wherever it's needed. 

We're looking for someone who has:

• Experience in fundraising, service management or both, ideally within the charity and voluntary sector.

• Ideas to develop and grow our community work, and the confidence and project management skills to operationalise them. 

• Strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate and support others.

• Excellent relationship and partnership-building skills.

• A collaborative, adaptable approach with the confidence to switch between strategic thinking and practical delivery.

• A commitment to co-production, equity and user-led approaches.

Why join us?

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of a respected local charity while developing your own senior leadership experience.

You'll join a small, supportive team where your ideas will influence organisational strategy, new services and long-term sustainability. No two days are the same, and you'll have the opportunity to work across fundraising, operations, partnerships, governance and organisational development—making this an ideal stepping stone towards a Director or CEO role.

If you're looking for a leadership role where you can make a tangible difference to people's lives while broadening your skills and experience, we'd love to hear from you.

Our staff benefits include: 

• Flexible and hybrid working

• Generous holiday allowance of 28 days (pro rata) per year plus bank holidays, rising to 29 days after one years’ service

• Enhanced sick leave and pay

• Enhanced family leave and pay

• Ongoing opportunities for learning and professional development

• Employer pension contributions of 4%

• Life assurance cover equivalent to one year’s annual salary for members of our workplace pension scheme