UK Director

Salary: £85,425 \+ £4,000 London Weighting
Location: London
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time

The Vacancy
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, 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 delivers 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 an Indian Subcontinent language) is desirable
Personal qualities
Deep empathy commitment to integrity and IR Values, upholding the highest standards in conduct
Strong emotional intelligence and resilience, and able to maintain composure — acting in a calm and measured way, in difficult situations
Positive demeanour and disposition, and able to overcome setbacks by motivating others
Highly flexible and able to adapt to changing situations and priorities
Learning attitude and a continuous improvement philosophy
The full job description is available to download from the vacancy listing. Applications are made online, and we’d encourage you to apply early — we reserve the right to close this vacancy ahead of the advertised date if we receive a strong response.
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.
Pre\-employment checks
Screening clearance
Criminal records check
Proof of eligibility to live and work in the UK
Satisfactory references
This post is classed as Social Media Profile Level One (Senior Ambassador) under IRW’s Personal Social Media Policy. The postholder must disclose their social media accounts and must represent IRW in an acceptable way online, in accordance with the policy.
Our values and our commitment to safeguarding
Islamic Relief Worldwide is committed to preventing any form of unwanted behaviour at work, including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, and any lack of integrity or financial misconduct. We’re equally committed to promoting the welfare of the children, young people, adults and beneficiaries we work with, and we expect every member of staff and every volunteer to share that commitment through our code of conduct. We recruit for values as much as for skills.
Successful candidates will complete safeguarding training appropriate to the role, and are responsible for understanding and working within our safeguarding policies. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and screening, which can include criminal records checks.
Islamic Relief Worldwide takes part in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with the scheme, we request information from previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse or sexual harassment, including incidents still under investigation when an applicant left their previous role. By applying, candidates confirm they understand this process.
Islamic Relief is an equal opportunities employer
The Company
Islamic Relief is a faith\-inspired humanitarian aid and development agency working to save and transform the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people. We work in over 45 countries, assist people of all faiths and none according to need and do not discriminate in any way. Our proximity means we can often respond swiftly to emergencies and work in areas that other organisations cannot access.
We are the only UK\-based Muslim faith\-inspired charity to have been certified against the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS), which is designed to ensure that charities best meet the needs of the communities they serve.
Islamic Relief is a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), we have Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council, and we are a signatory to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
What We Offer
Islamic Relief Worldwide recognises our staff as our biggest asset, and so we offer a range of benefits designed to support their professional development, mental and physical health, and work/life balance.
For more information click here.
Personal learning and development opportunities
Annual leave and additional leave
Service related pension scheme
Maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave and pay
Healthcare
cash plan
Employee assistance support
Occupational advanced sick pay
Mental Health First Aiders
Charity volunteering
Cycle to Work scheme
On\-site car parking
Field
visits
Our Values
Sincerity
We are driven and motivated by sincerity to God and our duty to humanity.
Excellence
A commitment to excellence is a hallmark of our operations, programmes and conduct towards the vulnerable people we serve.
Compassion
Every life is precious, so we join other humanitarian actors in easing the suffering caused by disasters, poverty and injustice.
Social Justice
We empower poor and vulnerable people to have their rights fulfilled and to achieve their God\-given potential.
Custodianship
We value and protect the Earth and its resources, including its people, and we aim to honour the trust people place in us to be transparent and accountable.

This listing is from Indeed. View original listing ↗