Executive Director - Legal Expertise & Social Impact Leadership

Leadership Opportunity | Executive Director

We are hiring for an executive director with strong legal background and experience in the social impact sector for an established, mission-driven organisation working across multiple geographies.

The role offers a rare balance of external engagement and internal institution-building. Working closely with the Board, CEO and leadership team, you will shape organisational strategy, strengthen programmes and build institutional capabilities for long-term sustainability. You will also drive fundraising and donor engagement, cultivate strategic partnerships with foundations, institutional funders and individual philanthropists, and lead teams across multiple jurisdictions while strengthening the organisation's visibility and communications.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy and organizational leadership: Set strategic priorities, lead teams across geographies, make resource-allocation decisions, and strengthen organizational capabilities.
• Growth and new opportunities: Identify promising opportunities, connect people and resources, and develop initiatives aligned with the organisation's broader goals
• Fundraising and financial sustainability: Lead fundraising across multiple channels, build long-term relationships with donors and institutional partners, and develop new revenue streams.
• People and organisational development: Build leadership and management capabilities, develop strong teams, and foster collaboration, accountability and sound decision-making.
• External engagement and communication: Represent the organisation confidently, communicate its work and impact compellingly, and build relationships that lead to long-term partnerships and funding.

Who Are We Looking For?

• A formal legal qualification and substantive experience in law, human rights, access to justice or related areas.
• 15+ years of professional experience, including significant organisational leadership experience.
• Experience building donor relationships, mobilising resources and developing new funding opportunities.
• Experience leading teams, strengthening organisations and managing priorities across functions or geographies.
• Strong communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to engage and influence diverse stakeholders.
• An entrepreneurial mindset, sound judgement and the ability to translate ideas into action.
• A people-centred leadership style, with the confidence to make difficult decisions while remaining open to feedback and new perspectives.

Experience working across geographies and with diverse stakeholder groups would be an advantage.

Location: Flexible, with international travel as required.