Associate Director (NGO)

About the role

The NGO is a UK-registered charity working to improve the lives of Africans affected by Parkinson's disease, and is at an important stage in its development. It needs dedicated executive leadership to strengthen its strategic focus, organisational capacity and sustainability. The Associate Director provides executive leadership alongside the Board and Charity Manager, reducing reliance on the Chair and clarifying the separation between governance, executive leadership and day-to-day management. The post is full-time, on a 12-month fixed-term contract with possible extension, reporting to the Board of Trustees.

Key responsibilities

• Guide the organisation's strategic direction with the Board, turn strategy into priorities, plans, budgets and measurable outcomes, and lead organisational development for 2027 and beyond.
• Lead fundraising and income development, and budgeting and resource planning with the Charity Manager, Treasurer and finance support.
• Develop key strategic partnerships, assess new opportunities, represent the NGO with funders and partners, and work with the Chair/Founder on selected relationships.
• Provide senior leadership to the staff team, lead major HR and people matters while the Charity Manager handles day-to-day staff management, and strengthen policies, systems and accountability.
• Oversee the programme portfolio and use programme evidence and learning to inform priorities and resource allocation.
• First-year priorities include maintaining continuity during the Charity Manager's maternity leave, transferring executive responsibilities from the Chair, setting priorities and budgets for 2027, strengthening fundraising and partnerships, improving clarity of roles and authority, and recommending a sustainable longer-term leadership structure to the Board.

Required profile

• Senior leadership experience in a charity, non-profit, health, social-impact or related organisation.
• Strong strategic and organisational thinking, with experience turning direction into practical plans and delivery.
• Experience of fundraising, partnership development, budgeting and resource planning.
• Experience of people leadership and organisational development.
• Strong communication, judgement and stakeholder-management skills; able to operate strategically while remaining practical and hands-on.
• Strong understanding of African contexts, ideally including Nigeria.

Desirable: experience of UK charity governance or regulation, experience in health, disability, community or lived-experience organisations, experience across African and international partnerships, and experience leading an organisation through growth, transition or senior leadership change. Apply by sending your CV to the recruiter with the subject line AD-PA-26.