Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage legal services to support asylum seekers and trafficking survivors.
- Company: Join Asylum Aid, a leader in refugee rights and legal aid sectors.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive work culture, professional development opportunities, and impactful work.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in charity leadership and understanding of UK asylum and human rights law required.
- Other info: Role may involve exposure to distressing material; self-care knowledge is essential.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
As Executive Director you will be responsible for delivering on our strategy for impact. You will oversee our work to increase access to expert, trauma-informed legal representation to those in the asylum, trafficking and statelessness systems and lead our policy and strategic legal work to achieve systemic change that contributes towards our vision. You will line manage the Director of Legal Casework to oversee the provision of supportive and enabling leadership to Asylum Aid caseworkers so that they can continue to deliver high quality expert advice in complex cases, while being supported in their professional development and wellbeing. You will also manage and develop the work of our welfare advice team within the Westminster Advice Services Partnership and beyond, and work collaboratively with colleagues in the sector to build capacity and increase our impact. The ideal candidate, who may be legally qualified, will have experience of leadership in the charity/NGO sector and a sound understanding of the asylum, human rights and trafficking processes in the UK and the legal frameworks which govern the protection of refugees, survivors of trafficking and stateless people, and of the role of law in achieving system change. You will be committed to our objectives and to the role which expert legal representation plays in enabling people in need of protection in the UK to obtain it. As is the nature of this sector, the role may be exposed to a high volume of traumatic and distressing material and, whilst they will be supported by the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO and surrounding team, the candidate should also be able to demonstrate knowledge of good self-care principles in an intense work environment and dissemination of those principles to junior members of the team. Be responsible, with the support of the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO, for the development, implementation and monitoring of Asylum Aid’s organisational strategy Provide leadership and strategic direction at Asylum Aid in accordance with its aims and objectives, with the support of the Director of Legal Casework Act as external spokesperson for Asylum Aid, maintaining and strengthening Asylum Aid’s position as a leader in the refugee rights, statelessness and legal aid sectors; Work collaboratively with others in the sector to promote and strengthen Asylum Aid’s work, identify and establish potential partnerships, with the support of the Director of Legal Casework; Work collaboratively with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO and Executive Leadership team to drive the implementation of the Group strategic framework; Ensure that all reporting and monitoring requirements are met to support fundraising, contract compliance and monitoring strategic impact; Support the cross collaboration of the Asylum Aid team with the Helen Bamber Foundation team and play an active part in the management of the Helen Bamber Foundation Group. Governance Act as the Data Protection Supervisor with responsibility for data protection and cyber security within Asylum Aid Together with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO and designated safeguarding leads, be responsible for child and adult safeguarding within Asylum Aid In collaboration with the Director of Legal Casework, ensure compliance by Asylum Aid with all legal and regulatory obligations, including the Legal Aid Agency contract, the Immigration Advice Authority and Solicitors Regulation Authority; Lead on the preparation and presentation of quarterly reports on Asylum Aid’s activities, strategy and risks to the Asylum Aid Board, the Finance and Fundraising Committee and the People and Governance Committee; Management and Supervision Responsible for line management of the Director of Legal Casework and Welfare Advice service coordinator, and other team supervisors as required; Together with the Group Director of People, responsible for Human Resources and implementation of the People Strategy within Asylum Aid, including development and implementation of HR policies and procedures; Together with the Director of Legal Casework and team supervisors, drive the effective management and supervision of the Asylum Aid team and ensure that they comply with relevant professional standards and accreditation; Foster a supportive and inclusive team culture at Asylum Aid in which each member feels valued and supported to develop professionally and to perform to the best of their ability; Ensure the team’s well-being and that self-care practices are established and work in tandem with the Director of Legal Casework and supervisors to ensure trauma-informed ways of working. Policy & Strategic Legal Work Together with the Group Director of Policy, identify policy priorities and coordinate the preparation of evidence and briefings drawing on Asylum Aid’s experience and expertise to influence system change; Build and maintain relationships and partnerships with sector colleagues to support joint strategic engagement including policy advocacy and strategic legal work; Work closely with the Director of Legal Casework and team supervisors to drive changes in the UK asylum, trafficking and statelessness systems through strategic legal work. Work closely with the CEO and the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Finance Team to set and manage budget(s) and general financial matters for Asylum Aid Together with the Director of Legal Casework and the Group Finance Team, establish systems for monitoring legal aid Work In Progress and billing, and securing casework income including legal aid, and inter partes income from judicial review cases; Work closely with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Fundraising and Communications Team to secure funding for Asylum Aid from a range of sources including trusts and foundations, corporate philanthropy and major donors; Ensure that Legal Aid and other income is maximised, and targets are achieved Manage the recruitment and supervision of volunteers where necessary in collaboration with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Volunteers Coordinator; Support the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Facilities team to ensure the smooth running of the office and that the facilities meet the needs of Asylum Aid; Work outside normal office hours as required and travel in order to carry out the responsibilities of the post. Experience of running a small to medium sized charity/legal NGO and/or legal department within the NGO sector (or other equivalent senior management role); Demonstrable experience of managing and leading a successful team and the ability to manage a growing team with mixed roles from team supervisors to administrative support staff, working co-operatively with colleagues to maintain transparency and effective working relationships within the team; Strong understanding of good governance including legal, regulatory and financial responsibilities; Experience of leading and/or participating in organisational strategic planning; Experience of legal policy work within the human rights field and /or of strategic litigation, whether as an NGO claimant or legal representative; Experience of working in a service delivery partnership with other organisations; Experience of fundraising, especially grants from trusts and foundations; Sound working knowledge of the law and policy as it relates to immigration, asylum, human rights and modern slavery/trafficking; Demonstrable understanding of the asylum and human rights sector in the UK; An understanding of the barriers migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers face regarding access to legal advice, reasons why they may become destitute and why this makes it more difficult to access advice and support; The passion for working empathetically and supportively with migrants, refugees, stateless people and asylum seekers. LAA or local authority funding; Working knowledge of Legal Aid Agency contracts, including the delivery of casework and billing under a legal aid contract in the immigration and asylum category and/or the public law category; The first stage is to complete on our online application form on our website by 9am on 23 June 2025. ~ Complete an online Equal Opportunities monitoring form – completion of this form will help us ensure that our recruitment pro]] ~
Executive Director of Legal Services employer: Kensington & Chelsea YPF
Contact Detail:
Kensington & Chelsea YPF Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Director of Legal Services
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the current issues in the asylum and trafficking sectors. Stay updated on recent legal changes and case studies that highlight systemic challenges. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the charity and legal sectors. Attend relevant conferences, webinars, or workshops where you can meet people who work in similar fields. Building these connections can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and experiences in managing teams, especially in high-pressure environments. Think of specific examples where you've successfully led a team through challenges, as this will be crucial for the Executive Director position.
✨Tip Number 4
Understand the importance of self-care and trauma-informed practices in this role. Be ready to share how you prioritise well-being for yourself and your team, as this is essential for maintaining a supportive work environment.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Director of Legal Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Thoroughly read the job description for the Executive Director of Legal Services. Make sure you understand the responsibilities, required experience, and the impact this role has on the organisation's mission.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in leadership within the charity or NGO sector, particularly focusing on asylum, human rights, and trafficking processes. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and manage complex legal cases.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also expresses your passion for the mission of the organisation. Discuss how your values align with their objectives and provide examples of how you've contributed to systemic change in previous roles.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: In your application, emphasise your experience in managing teams and fostering a supportive work environment. Highlight any initiatives you've led that improved team performance or well-being, especially in high-pressure situations.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kensington & Chelsea YPF
✨Understand the Mission
Before your interview, make sure you fully understand the mission and objectives of the organisation. Familiarise yourself with their work in asylum, trafficking, and statelessness systems, as well as their approach to legal representation. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
As an Executive Director, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership skills. Prepare examples from your past roles where you've successfully led teams, managed projects, or implemented strategic changes. Highlight your ability to foster a supportive team culture and promote professional development.
✨Discuss Trauma-Informed Practices
Given the sensitive nature of the work, be ready to discuss your understanding of trauma-informed practices. Share any relevant experiences where you've supported staff or clients in high-stress environments, and explain how you prioritise self-care and wellbeing within your teams.
✨Prepare for Policy Discussions
Since the role involves policy and strategic legal work, brush up on current issues in the asylum and human rights sectors. Be prepared to discuss your views on recent developments and how they might impact the organisation's work. This shows your engagement with the sector and your readiness to contribute to systemic change.
