Executive Director - HELIX

Elrha is a global charitable organisation (registered in England and Wales, charity number 1177110) that funds and supports research and innovation to find solutions to complex humanitarian problems. It works closely with networks and actors across the humanitarian community to shape how people are supported during crises. Its strategy for 2023–2040 sets out how it will work with its community to realise the potential of research and innovation in humanitarian response.

The role

HELIX: The Humanitarian What Works Centre is a new joint initiative between Elrha and IRC's Airbel Impact Lab. It was established to identify, adapt and scale solutions to some of the most complex challenges facing people affected by humanitarian crises, combining research, innovation, operational insight and systems change. The Executive Director will provide the strategic, operational and external leadership needed to establish HELIX as a globally recognised centre for humanitarian change. This is a founding leadership role, joining at a pivotal moment in HELIX's development.

What you would do

• Shape the vision, strategy and culture of HELIX, drawing on the complementary strengths of Elrha and IRC Airbel.
• Act as HELIX's global figurehead, driving influence, partnerships and investment across humanitarian, research, policy and innovation communities.
• Secure and steward significant funding from institutional, philanthropic and other donors, and develop long-term funding partnerships.
• Build and lead teams, governance structures, systems and cultures that enable high performance and innovation.
• Bring together researchers, innovators, practitioners, donors and policymakers to tackle barriers that prevent proven solutions from reaching scale.
• Challenge assumptions, shape sector thinking and build influential relationships across diverse stakeholder communities.
• Identify new approaches to persistent humanitarian challenges and unlock pathways to scale.

What they are looking for

• Exceptional executive leadership experience, including leading complex programmes, centres or organisations operating at scale, with a track record of delivering strategic impact.
• Deep experience in the humanitarian sector, with strong knowledge of humanitarian systems, financing, policy drivers, and how research and innovation can influence practice.
• A recognised thought leader and convenor, able to shape sector thinking and build influential relationships.
• Proven ability to build and lead partnerships, bringing together diverse stakeholders to create outcomes no single organisation could achieve alone.
• Experience as a strategic fundraiser, securing and stewarding significant funding and developing long-term donor relationships.
• Experience establishing and growing ambitious initiatives, including building teams, governance structures and organisational cultures.
• Bold and creative thinking, comfortable working across sectors and disciplines.

Working arrangements

The role is based in London or homebased in the UK, within a remote-first working environment where staff can choose to work from home or from their office of reference. The Executive Director is expected to take regular in-person meetings with partners and the Elrha/IRC team in London several times a week. Standard hours are 35 per week, with flexible working patterns available. Visa sponsorship is available for candidates who do not already have the right to work in the UK, and relocation assistance is available subject to conditions.

Pay and benefits

The salary range is £92,000 - £102,000 per year. Benefits include a minimum 5% employer pension contribution (3% employee contribution), life cover, organisational sick pay, family-friendly pay and leave schemes, 26 days basic annual leave (increasing with length of service), a cycle-to-work scheme, eye care, flu jabs, a season ticket loan, a remote equipment allowance, an Employee Assistance Programme, an employee benefits and retail discounts platform, an apprenticeship scheme, and learning and development opportunities.

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