Executive Director (Guardian Foundation)

Executive Director (Guardian Foundation)

The Guardian Foundation is an independent charity dedicated to promoting press freedom, media literacy, and access to independent journalism. In a rapidly changing media landscape where misinformation, censorship, and financial pressures threaten the future of journalism, our mission is more vital than ever.

We have an exciting opportunity for an Executive Director to provide pivotal strategic leadership, vision, and operational oversight to ensure the Foundation\’s impact, sustainability, and continued growth. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, you will be responsible for advancing the Foundation\’s mission, securing funding, driving programmatic innovation, and representing the organisation externally.

About The Guardian Foundation

The Foundation operates as a separate entity from the Guardian, but shares its unwavering commitment to independent journalism and truth-telling. While the Guardian delivers award-winning journalism, The Guardian Foundation ensures that press freedom is defended, that the next generation can distinguish fact from fiction, and that those who uphold truth in the public interest receive the support they need.

Our impact reaches across the UK and around the globe, with partnerships spanning schools, NGOs, journalism networks, and media organisations worldwide.

About the Role

This role requires a strategic, entrepreneurial, and highly collaborative leader with a deep understanding of journalism\’s role in society, a passion for media literacy and press freedom, and a strong track record in fundraising and organisational leadership.

• Promote a shared vision of impact, ensuring all employees, partners, and stakeholders are aligned in purpose and direction.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive, multi-year fundraising strategy that aligns with the Foundation\’s strategic goals and ensures long-term financial stability.
• Identify and evaluate new revenue-generating opportunities, ensuring ethical alignment with the Foundation\’s mission and journalism standards.
• Invest in staff development, training, and mentorship, ensuring employees have opportunities to grow and advance in their careers.
• Define and communicate a compelling narrative about the Foundation\’s mission, impact, and strategic priorities.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the Board of Trustees and the senior leadership team, ensuring strategic alignment and effective decision-making.

About You

• Senior Leadership: Proven senior management experience in social-purpose organisations or international charitable organisations, demonstrating significant impact growth and international footprint, team leadership, performance evaluation, and successful change management. Experience with digital transformation is strongly preferred.
• Fundraising Expertise: Demonstrable success in fundraising with proven ability to generate and sustain income of at least £1 million annually from diverse sources including trusts, foundations, and corporate partnerships.
• Journalism and Social Issues Knowledge: Deep understanding and preferably personal experience of issues journalism addresses, such as democracy, media freedom, misinformation, and media literacy.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Experience promoting diversity and inclusion, understanding best practices, challenges, and opportunities in these areas.

How to Apply

To apply, please upload your latest CV and a cover letter which outlines why you\’d love to take on this role, and why you\’re a great match for what we\’re looking for.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 30th April 2025.

All roles at The Guardian Foundation are open for everybody to apply. It is important to us that you feel supported and comfortable throughout your recruitment process, in order to perform your best. Please let us know if there are any changes we could make to help your application.

Benefits and Policies at The Guardian Foundation

Our staff are supported with many of the benefits made available to Guardian News & Media employees. You\’ll have 30 days of annual leave per year (plus bank holidays) with the option to purchase an additional 5 days . Our pension scheme is generous; if you contribute 5% then we will contribute 8-12% (depending on your age). We believe in giving back, which is why employees are given 2 volunteering days annually and the option of payroll giving.

You are entitled to private healthcare, life cover, income protection, and eye tests. You can also opt in to dental insurance. We have enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave policies in place.

Culture and Wellbeing

We want everyone to feel like they belong at The Guardian Foundation and we champion diversity of thought. Our Staff Voice forum provides a platform for employees to use their voice to foster an inclusive workplace. We offer tools to help you prioritise your wellbeing including access to our employee benefits platform which provides tailored support for health and wellbeing.

Learning and Development

We encourage personal and professional growth. Employees have access to a broad range of tools and solutions, and we are happy to support the pursuit of professional qualifications through vocational courses and apprenticeships.

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