Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Islamic Relief Worldwide; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading humanitarian organization is seeking a dynamic CEO with visionary leadership to inspire and advance its mission globally. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of humanitarian values, demonstrate strategic leadership capabilities, and have a proven record in developing high-performing teams. This pivotal role requires building influential relationships and securing vital resources to make a significant impact in humanitarian efforts.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of transformational leadership.
• Deep affinity with humanitarian principles and Islamic values.
• Experience managing substantial budgets and diversifying funding streams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the global IR family and coordinate strategic initiatives.
• Represent Islamic Relief Worldwide at high levels.
• Ensure alignment and deliver aid effectively.

Skills

Visionary leadership

Public speaking

Financial stewardship

Cultural awareness

Conflict resolution

Emotional intelligence

Education

Relevant postgraduate qualification

Job description

Location: Birmingham, UK

Contract: 4-year fixed term

Salary: Competitive Compensation package

Closing date: 30^th June 2025

About The Role

The Board of Trustees of Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) seeks to appoint a values-driven CEO with visionary leadership to inspire, engage, and motivate employees, members, supporters, and partners. The successful candidate will advance IRW’s mission and strength its position as one of the world’s leading humanitarian and development organisations.

For over 40 years, Islamic Relief Worldwide has served humanity with compassion and purpose. With an active presence in over 40 countries, we have helped millions of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. We strive to create a better and fairer world for the three billion people still living in poverty.

Inspired by the Islamic faith and guided by our core values, our projects provide vulnerable communities with access to vital services, protect them from disasters, and deliver life-saving emergency aid. We establish lasting routes out of poverty and empower vulnerable people to transform both their lives and communities.

IRW is the international headquarters of the global Islamic Relief family — a unified network of national members and field offices working across continents. United by shared values and a humanitarian mission, the IR family collaborates to deliver high-impact aid, drive sustainable development, and advocate for the rights of the world’s most marginalised people. The CEO plays a crucial role in leading the global IR family, coordinating strategic initiatives, and ensuring alignment across the entire IR network in delivering aid to rights holders in emergencies, supporting sustainable development, and advocating for their fundamental rights.

Skills & Experience

Essential Requirements:

• Visionary and inspiring leader with demonstrable success in strategic leadership and galvanising diverse, multi-functional teams within substantial, complex international organisations. You will have a proven track record of transformational leadership and the ability to navigate complex political landscapes while maintaining organisational integrity.
• Deep affinity with humanitarian principles and Islamic values, demonstrating thorough understanding and the ability to authentically integrate this perspective within humanitarian circles. Your leadership approach should reflect Islamic principles of compassion, justice, and ethical conduct in all decision-making processes.
• Accomplished leader with a proven track record of developing high-performing leadership teams, robust processes, and effective systems that drive sustainable organisational growth.
• Compelling public speaker and ambassador who builds influential relationships with key stakeholders (governments, media, donors) to champion Islamic Relief Worldwide’s mission and secure vital support. You must be comfortable representing IRW at the highest levels, and communicating with our rights holders, in equal measure, always articulating our vision to diverse audiences to secure partnerships that advance our humanitarian mission.
• Financial stewardship with proven commercial acumen and strategic resource management capabilities. You will have experience managing substantial budgets, diversifying funding streams, and ensuring resources are allocated efficiently to maximise impact for our rights holders.
• Relevant postgraduate, or equivalent professional qualification.
• Fluent in English (both written and verbal communication) is essential and proficiency in additional languages such as French, Arabic, Spanish or Russian is considered an advantage.

Desirable Requirements:

• Substantive experience within the global humanitarian or international development sector, particularly with organisations operating in multiple countries with diverse cultural contexts and compliance requirements.
• Advanced proficiency with emerging technologies and digital media platforms to enhance organisational reach and impact, including experience leveraging data analytics, digital fundraising strategies, and innovative communication approaches.
• Understanding of humanitarian management and regulatory frameworks.
• Skills and experience in conflict resolution.
• Superior emotional intelligence, genuine empathy, and passionate commitment to developing and empowering others. You will foster an inclusive organisational culture that values diversity and promotes collaboration across all levels.

We seek a resilient, purpose-driven professional looking to make a meaningful difference through their leadership. Your profound commitment to IRW’s mission and embodiment of our core values—sincerity, excellence, compassion, social justice and custodianship—will position you for success in this transformative role. We eagerly anticipate your application.

Timeline:

• Application deadline: 30^th June 2025, (Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted).
• First Interviews: Early July 2025.
• Second Interviews: July – August 2025.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV and a cover letter via the email application below.

Pre-Employment Eligibility Requirements

All employment offers at Islamic Relief Worldwide are subject to the successful completion of:

• Comprehensive screening clearances, including reference and background checks. which may include criminal record checks. Additionally, IRW participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.
• Verification of legal right to live and work within the United Kingdom.
• Receipt of positive professional references attesting to your qualifications and character.
• 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

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. Applications are welcomed from all qualified individuals regardless of background, and candidates are evaluated solely on their skills, experience, and suitability for the role.

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

We are firmly committed to preventing all forms of inappropriate workplace behaviour including sexual harassment, exploitation, abuse, lack of integrity, and financial misconduct. We are dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of children, young people, adults, and all rights holders with whom we engage. All staff and volunteers are expected to uphold this commitment through our comprehensive code of conduct. We prioritise recruiting individuals who not only share but actively demonstrate our core values.

The postholder will receive appropriate safeguarding training relative to their role, ensuring they fully understand and operate within the organisation’s safeguarding policies and frameworks.

In accordance with this Scheme, we request information from applicants’ previous employers regarding any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment during their employment, as well as any incidents under investigation at the time of their departure.

Islamic Relief is an equal opportunities employer

By submitting an application, candidates confirm their understanding of and consent to these thorough recruitment procedures.