UK Director, Crisis Response & Community Resilience
£90-95k

Our work in the UK is extremely varied: in 2022 we responded to 2,100 UK emergencies, helping 111,600 people: the range of deployments included floods, storms, fires, and supporting the FCDO and Home Office with aspects of emergency evacuations to the UK. As a leading civil-society responder, we are a key partner to Government in the UK Resilience Framework, undertaking both delivery and convening roles. The volume of need is increasing, and the profile of demand is changing.

Responsible for achieving one of our three strategic goals, this role will oversee and lead the delivery of best practice in emergency response across the UK. You’ll be responsible for developing our community preparedness capabilities and for delivering continuous improvement in preparedness, response, and recovery. We hold expertise in the full range of relevant areas, particularly in responding to disasters caused or exacerbated by the climate emergency. This knowledge and insight is already driving extensive innovation in medium- and long-term strategic planning (for deployments of up to four months duration), and we will look to you to keep us at the leading edge of thinking and process-improvement in this aspect.

We want to hear from exceptional candidates who can demonstrate outstanding ability across the full breadth of the role’s accountabilities. You’ll have a sophisticated understanding of crisis response and resilience, community education approaches, and leadership in external operating environments. With exceptional influencing skills, you’ll be able to develop and implement highly effective strategies in support of our 2030 objectives. Candidates must understand the vital importance of building and maintaining relationships of trust and professional credibility with counterparts who are leading regional and national resilience teams, and will be adept at operating within the civil contingency system across all four UK nations.

Experience of leading crisis response and recovery within government, statutory and/or voluntary sectors would be a distinct asset. Your career to date will include extensive senior management within a complex, geographically dispersed operating environment, particularly within complex matrix structures. Moreover, you’ll be an outstanding, trusted communicator, comfortable liaising with and briefing colleagues whether at board level or within government.

This is a crucial and visible leadership position: the successful candidate will be part of our organisational Strategic Leadership Team, a group of directors responsible for delivering and developing the organisation's vision and mission. You’ll understand the importance of exemplifying strong organisational values and great corporate citizenship in everything you do.

At the British Red Cross, we are looking for the right people to help us support millions of people affected by crisis. We want our team to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Diversity is something we celebrate, and we want you to be able to bring your authentic self to the British Red Cross. We want you to feel that you are in an inclusive environment, and a great position to help us spread the power of kindness.

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