At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a pioneering initiative to transform humanitarian outcomes through research and innovation.
- Company: HELIX: The Humanitarian What Works Centre, a collaboration between Elrha and IRC's Airbel Impact Lab.
- Benefits: Remote-first work, flexible hours, competitive pension, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive employer welcoming diverse applicants; visa sponsorship and relocation assistance available.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the humanitarian sector and shape global strategies for change.
- Qualifications: Exceptional leadership experience in complex humanitarian programmes and strong strategic fundraising skills.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
HELIX: The Humanitarian What Works Centre is a new joint initiative between Elrha and International Rescue Committee's (IRC) Airbel Impact Lab , established to identify, adapt and scale solutions to some of the most complex challenges facing people affected by humanitarian crises.
As Executive Director, you will provide the strategic, operational and external leadership needed to establish HELIX as a globally recognised force for humanitarian change.
Are you an exceptional leader with a deep understanding of the humanitarian system and a track record of turning ambitious ideas into meaningful impact?
Can you bring together researchers, innovators, practitioners, donors and policymakers to tackle the barriers that prevent proven solutions from reaching scale?
Are you ready to lead a pioneering initiative that combines research, innovation, operational insight and systems change to transform outcomes for people affected by crisis?
Join us at a pivotal moment in HELIX's development.
As Executive Director, you will shape the vision, strategy and culture of a new global centre, bringing together the complementary strengths of Elrha and IRC Airbel to create something neither organisation could achieve alone.
You will act as HELIX's global figurehead, driving influence, partnerships and investment while ensuring the Centre delivers high-quality evidence, innovation and impact at scale.
We're looking for someone who is
- An exceptional executive leader with experience leading complex programmes, centres or organisations operating at scale, and a track record of delivering strategic impact.
- Deeply experienced in the humanitarian sector, with strong knowledge of humanitarian systems, financing, policy drivers, and how research and innovation can influence practice and drive change.
- A recognised thought leader and convenor, able to challenge assumptions, shape sector thinking, and build influential relationships across humanitarian, research, policy and innovation communities.
- Experienced in building and leading partnerships, with a proven ability to bring together diverse stakeholders and create outcomes that no single organisation could achieve alone.
- A strategic fundraiser and relationship builder, with experience securing and stewarding significant funding and developing long‑term partnerships with institutional, philanthropic and other donors.
- Experienced in establishing and growing ambitious initiatives, with the ability to build teams, governance structures, systems and cultures that enable high performance and innovation.
- A bold and creative thinker, comfortable working across sectors and disciplines to identify new approaches to persistent humanitarian challenges and unlock pathways to scale.
If you want to be part of an organisation that creates positive change in the humanitarian sector, then join us and we'll give you every opportunity to succeed.
We strive to be an inclusive employer and particularly welcome applications from under‑represented groups, people with lived experience of humanitarian crisis, and candidates from low‑ and middle‑income countries.
We will be able to offer visa sponsorship if the preferred candidate does not already have the right to work in the UK. Relocation assistance is available, subject to conditions.
Please read through the Candidate Pack and Job Description on our website (available through the 'Apply' link), for additional detail about the role.
Closing date
Applications will close on Wednesday 16 December 2026 at 23:59 GMT.
Elrha reserves the right to close applications up to 2 weeks early should sufficient suitable applications be received.
Interview dates
Week commencing 4th January 2027 (1st stage - online)
We offer
- Remote first working environment whereby staff can choose to work from home or their office of reference.
For this role, we anticipate the Executive Director will take regular in‑person meetings with partners and the Elrha/IRC team in London several times a week.
- As standard we work 35 hours per week. We are also happy to discuss flexible working patterns and many of our staff work non‑standard working hours.
- Our benefits include minimum 5% employer pension contribution (3% employee contribution), life cover, organisational sick pay, family friendly pay and leave schemes; 26-day basic annual leave entitlement with incremental increase depending on length of service, opportunities for learning and development, a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and retail discounts platform.
- Please read through the Candidate Pack document for further information.
Note for applicants
- Elrha is an independent subsidiary of SCUK and benefits from some SCUK systems and processes.
- We reserve the right to close the advert early should we receive a very high volume of applications.
- We do not use recruitment agencies.
- For any questions, please contact the HR team at HR@elrha. org
- Appointment to this position will be subject to confirmation of funding agreement.
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Executive Director - HELIX: The Humanitarian What Works Centre employer: Elrha
Elrha is an attractive employer due to its commitment to driving high-impact change in the humanitarian sector through innovative initiatives like HELIX. The organization fosters a collaborative work culture that brings together diverse stakeholders, including researchers and practitioners, to tackle complex challenges. Employees have the opportunity to lead pioneering projects that make a meaningful impact on the lives of people affected by crises.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Director - HELIX: The Humanitarian What Works Centre
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Elrha.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Elrha.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Elrha.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Elrha. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Director - HELIX: The Humanitarian What Works Centre
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Elrha. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Executive Director - HELIX: The Humanitarian What Works Centre, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Elrha
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Elrha. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
