UK Director

Islamic Relief Worldwide is a faith-based humanitarian and development organisation working to save and transform the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people. Founded in 1984, we now work in more than 45 countries, guided by an aim: a fairer world for those affected by poverty, conflict and natural disaster.

Our Islamic Relief UK team leads on the UK fundraising, communications, marketing, public engagement, advocacy and UK programmes — inspiring supporters across the country, building strategic partnerships, and turning that support into greater impact for the people we serve.

The advertised salary is supplemented by a £4,000 London Weighting Allowance for successful candidates whose contractual work location is within the London area.

About the role

This is a senior strategic leadership position, sitting on the Islamic Relief Worldwide Board of Directors. You will set the direction for Islamic Relief UK’s fundraising, communications, marketing, advocacy, programmes and corporate services, and hold responsibility for making sure the organisation meets its goals while growing its reach and influence across the UK.

Working alongside the CEO, trustees and colleagues from across the Islamic Relief family, you will shape fundraising and engagement strategies that grow income and deepen supporter relationships. You will also represent Islamic Relief externally — building partnerships, strengthening our standing, and raising our profile across the humanitarian, development and charity sectors.

You will lead and develop high-performing teams and build a culture people want to work in, and you’ll help drive our advocacy and public engagement work forward, positioning Islamic Relief UK as a leading voice on poverty and social justice. This role is based at our Waterloo office in London, on a hybrid working pattern.

What we are looking for

• Proven senior leadership or executive experience within a complex organisation
• A track record of strategic leadership, organisational development and change management
• Demonstrable success in fundraising, income generation and stakeholder engagement
• Strong people leadership, with experience building and developing high-performing teams
• Sound financial, budget and resource management skills
• A solid understanding of the UK charity, humanitarian or international development sector and of the Muslim communities in the UK and its diversity, and of the principles of the Islamic faith
• The ability to build and sustain relationships with senior external stakeholders
• A genuine commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to a positive organisational culture
• A strong understanding of how to build, guide and motivate teams that have a clear innovative direction as well as working collaboratively as part of a high-performing senior team
• Strong financial and resource management which enables strategic goals to be achieved within budgetary constraints
• Demonstrated skills in networking which lead to positive relationships with external bodies
• Sound communication skills which deliver complex information persuasively and with clarity in a wide range of situations
• Demonstrated skills in networking and excellent communication and public speaking capabilities, with a proven track record in initiating and maintaining successful partnerships and relationships at the highest levels
• Proven ability in public speaking and all other aspects of communication and marketing
• Proven track record in using up-to-date communications technology (i.e. multimedia, digital, publishing, public relations, etc.)
• Proven experience of income generation that is granted, earned or given
• Willingness to travel, both within the UK and internationally
• Fluent written and spoken English; a working knowledge of a second language (such as Arabic or a subcontinent language) is desirable

The vacancy closes at 23:59 on the closing date. We’re only able to accept applications from candidates already eligible to work in the UK, and we’re not able to progress applications that would require sponsorship.