Associate Director Charity Services

• Lead and shape national welfare services with genuine strategic influence.
• Join a senior leadership role driving innovation and measurable impact

About Our Client

The Royal Air Forces Association is a well-established national charity with a significant presence across the UK, dedicated to delivering practical support, welfare services and wellbeing initiatives to a large beneficiary community. The organisation combines direct support, volunteer-led services and strategic partnerships to create meaningful, long-term impact, and is embarking on an ambitious phase of service development and continuous improvement.

Job Description

• Provide strategic leadership for welfare, wellbeing and community-based support services.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Oversee the design, delivery and ongoing enhancement of personalised support services, ensuring exceptional service outcomes.
• Act as the organisational lead for safeguarding across service delivery, governance and risk management.
• Develop robust performance and impact measurement frameworks, ensuring decisions are driven by insight, evidence and high-quality data.
• Champion innovation, service integration and best practice to enhance beneficiary outcomes.
• Build and maintain influential relationships with external partners, stakeholders and strategic networks.
• Contribute to wider organisational strategy, governance and leadership as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
• Manage significant operational budgets and ensure the effective deployment of resources

The Successful Applicant

The successful candidate will bring substantial senior leadership experience within welfare, wellbeing, volunteering, social impact or related service environments.You will be able to demonstrate:

• A track record of leading large, high-performing teams and delivering organisational change.
• Experience developing and implementing service delivery strategies focused on positive outcomes.
• Strong project and programme leadership skills, managing multiple workstreams simultaneously.
• Expertise in performance management, service improvement and impact measurement.
• Experience managing substantial budgets, ideally in excess of £2m.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to build partnerships at senior levels.
• Strong analytical and decision-making capabilities, using research, insight and data to drive improvement.
• A passion for delivering meaningful social impact and improving outcomes for service users.
• Experience gained within a charity, not-for-profit or social enterprise environment would be advantageous but is not essential

What's on Offer

• A salary of £81,200
• Up to 42 days' annual leave (including Bank Holidays)
• Life assurance
• RAFA membership
• Credit Union membership
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Health cashback plan and free virtual GP service
• Mental health and wellbeing support
• Discounted gym membership
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Subsidised short breaks at selected RAFA accommodation
• 37.5-hour working week
• Senior leadership position with strategic influence across the organisation
• Opportunity to shape and develop nationally delivered welfare and wellbeing services
• Exposure to board-level and executive decision-making
• Opportunity to lead organisational transformation and service innovation programmes
• Clear opportunity to make a measurable impact on beneficiary outcomes
• Long-term career development within a complex, purpose-driven organisation

If you're interested in this role, apply now.

People are at the heart of Michael Page. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment. As an inclusive recruiter we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences. If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the recruitment process, we'll work with you to ensure you can perform at your best.