At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a global movement to ensure every child receives a nutritious meal in education.
- Company: Mary's Meals International, a mission-driven charity changing lives worldwide.
- Benefits: 34 days annual leave, flexible working, life assurance, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Remote work options available; travel required for collaboration and growth.
- Why this job: Inspire change and make a real impact on children's lives globally.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in complex organisations, preferably in the non-profit sector.
The predicted salary is between 94851 - 94851 € per year.
Salary: £94,851 plus benefits (Our pay philosophy ensures consistency across locations and salaries. The starting salary for this opportunity plus benefits depends on location of the candidate).
The role: We are delighted to be recruiting for a visionary, mission-driven leader to join Mary’s Meals International (MMI) as Executive Director. In this new role, you will be reporting to our Board of Trustees, through our Board Chair, and working in collaboration with our President & Founder of Mary’s Meals. As Executive Director, you will provide inspirational strategic and operational leadership of MMI, ensuring delivery of its key responsibilities within the global strategic plan. Leading with humility, clarity and courage, you will champion faithful adherence to the vision, mission and values of Mary’s Meals, as we strive to grow our global movement and reach the next child waiting for Mary’s Meals.
As Executive Director, you will:
- Lead MMI in delivering its objectives across the three strategic pillars: Feed, Grow and Strengthen.
- Oversee the coordination and implementation of global strategy.
- Provide inspirational leadership to MMI and the MMI Executive Leadership Team.
- Strengthen organisational systems, governance and development.
- Foster strong collaboration across the global network.
- Work closely with the Board, President and Founder and MMI teams to support sustainable growth across Affiliate organisations.
About you: You are an inspiring, effective and authentic leader with significant experience at executive or CEO level, in a complex organisation, ideally with an international footprint. Experience in an international non-profit, charity or social impact organisation would be advantageous, though not essential. Strong preference will be given to candidates with a deep understanding of our work gained through prior engagement with our mission. You will also bring:
- Proven ability to inspire and lead senior teams, while cultivating a strong organisational culture.
- Demonstrated success in developing and delivering strategy to drive growth, innovation and organisational strengthening.
- Highly developed communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence diverse audiences.
- Proven experience of leading transformational change, while maintaining stability and mission focus.
- A deep personal commitment to the vision, mission and values of Mary’s Meals.
About us: We are a global movement supported by people from all walks of life, united by one goal – that every child receives a nutritious daily meal in a place of education. As an organisation, named after Mary the mother of Jesus and shaped by Christian values, we feel that the way we do things is as important as the result and we welcome all who wish to play their part in our important work. We continue to change the lives of over 3 million children who today will receive Mary’s Meals. We are a values-driven organisation - we believe in the innate goodness of people, respect the dignity of every human being and family life and believe in good stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. In line with our values, we are fully committed to a culture of safeguarding, we are committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work and we expect all the Mary's Meals family to share this commitment and work in the best interest of the communities we serve. Our safe recruitment practices ensure that only those that are committed to our high standards join our movement. We believe in the innate goodness and dignity of every person. In line with this, Mary’s Meals is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment. All applicants will be considered fairly and on merit, without discrimination of any kind.
We are happy for you to work remotely and flexibly, in a way that best supports your work-life balance. We have an office in Glasgow for those who would like to work from here occasionally or on a regular basis. Some travel to Glasgow, other locations across the UK and to countries where Mary’s Meals operates will be required.
Our Benefits: 34 days annual leave (pro-rated for part time working patterns) including bank holidays, increasing by 1 day each completed calendar year, to a maximum of 39 days (+ option to buy another week), Flexible working, Employee Assistance Programme, Life assurance, Pension.
To apply: If you are inspired to join our movement and our vision, mission and values resonate with you, we would love to hear from you. Please click Apply and include your CV and a succinct covering letter, of no more than one A4 page, highlighting your motivations, suitability and outlining your participation in our mission. For any enquiries or questions regarding the role or to discuss any adjustments to our recruitment process please email Leanne Gordon – Head of Recruitment at jobs.mmi@marysmeals.org. Closing date for applications is Monday 22nd June 2026.
Executive Director - Mary's Meals International in Glasgow employer: Mary's Meals International
Mary's Meals International is an exceptional employer that champions a values-driven culture, fostering inclusivity and collaboration among its team members. With a commitment to employee growth, the organisation offers flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave, and a supportive environment that prioritises work-life balance. Joining MMI means being part of a global movement dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of millions of children, all while working alongside passionate individuals who share a common mission.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Director - Mary's Meals International in Glasgow
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to Mary’s Meals. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation's mission and values. Show us how your experience aligns with what we stand for at Mary’s Meals. Authenticity goes a long way!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! We want to hear about times you've inspired teams or led change. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your skills and commitment to our mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our movement and making a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Director - Mary's Meals International in Glasgow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic:When writing your application, let your true self shine through. We want to see your passion for our mission and how your values align with ours. Don’t be afraid to share personal stories that connect you to the work we do!
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored specifically for this role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant achievements that demonstrate your ability to inspire and lead teams. We love seeing how your background fits into our vision!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be succinct but impactful. Use it to explain why you’re drawn to Mary’s Meals and how you can contribute to our goals. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can champion our mission, so make it count!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mary's Meals International
✨Know the Mission Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into Mary’s Meals' mission and values. Understand how they align with your own experiences and beliefs. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show your genuine commitment to the cause.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As an Executive Director, your leadership style is crucial. Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to inspire and lead teams, especially in complex environments. Think about times you've successfully driven change while maintaining stability and focus on the mission.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Expect questions around strategy and growth. Be ready to discuss your experience in developing and delivering strategies that drive innovation and organisational strengthening. Highlight specific achievements that showcase your strategic thinking and execution skills.
✨Engage with Authenticity
Communication is key in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and engagingly. Be prepared to discuss how you can influence diverse audiences and foster collaboration across a global network, reflecting the values of Mary’s Meals.
