Managing Director
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Social Development Direct (SDD)
Hybrid- Career category: Programme/ Project design & management
- Job type: Job
- Experience level: Other (specified in job description)
- Organisation type: Civil Society
- Remote option: Hybrid
- Right to work requirements: Right to work required in advance
- Remuneration: £110,000 GBP / yearly
- Work schedule: Full-time
- Length of contract: Permanent
- Deadline: 16/12/2025
- Location: United Kingdom
About The Role
Social Development Direct is a mission-driven, international development consultancy with a global reputation for excellence in gender equality and social inclusion. As a social enterprise subsidiary of Plan International UK, we combine commercial agility with a deep commitment to social change.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership and management
• Drive commercial management of the business to deliver on commercial targets whilst maintaining quality delivery and an inspired and committed team.
• Ensure overall quality of delivery and that SDDirect maintains its reputation for technical excellence.
• Work closely with Plan International UK’s CEO to deliver the strategic goals set by the SDDirect Board, including commercial expectations
• Represent SDDirect externally, further raising our profile and influence within the sector
Strategy and business planning
• Lead the development of the next three-year strategy (from 2027) through a collaborative process, to guide the organisation’s profitability, influence and impact
• Continuously build on the opportunities created by becoming a sister organisation to Plan International UK and foster constructive working practices between the two organisations
• Lead the development and delivery of annual business plans and budget
• Be accountable to the Board for the delivery of agreed business goals and targets
New business development
• Represent SDDirect externally and raise our business profile with clients and partners
• Support the business development and technical teams to identify and secure new business opportunities
Representation and communication
• Ensure that our work is disseminated widely to increase our influence and impact
• Maintain and build relationships with key clients
Governance and organisational development
• Work effectively with the SDDirect Board, creating strong working relationships and ensuring accountability for delivery.
• Continue to further links and positive working practices between SDDirect and Plan International UK, building on ongoing joint work and identifying synergies.
Leadership and management
• Drive commercial management of the business to deliver on commercial targets whilst maintaining quality delivery and an inspired and committed team.
• Ensure overall quality of delivery and that SDDirect maintains its reputation for technical excellence.
• Work closely with Plan International UK’s CEO to deliver the strategic goals set by the SDDirect Board, including commercial expectations
• Represent SDDirect externally, further raising our profile and influence within the sector
Strategy and business planning
• Lead the development of the next three-year strategy (from 2027) through a collaborative process, to guide the organisation’s profitability, influence and impact
• Continuously build on the opportunities created by becoming a sister organisation to Plan International UK and foster constructive working practices between the two organisations
• Lead the development and delivery of annual business plans and budget
• Be accountable to the Board for the delivery of agreed business goals and targets
New business development
• Represent SDDirect externally and raise our business profile with clients and partners
• Support the business development and technical teams to identify and secure new business opportunities
Representation and communication
• Ensure that our work is disseminated widely to increase our influence and impact
• Maintain and build relationships with key clients
Governance and organisational development
• Work effectively with the SDDirect Board, creating strong working relationships and ensuring accountability for delivery.
• Continue to further links and positive working practices between SDDirect and Plan International UK, building on ongoing joint work and identifying synergies.
Qualifications
• A high level of commercial awareness and a proven track record of successfully leading and managing a commercial enterprise, consultancy or similar organisation or unit in the international development sector
• Experience of working on social justice issues in international development
• Strong knowledge of existing and potential global clients including IFIs, development donors and institutions and private sector organisations
• Strong communication skills with an ability to act as an ambassador and advocate for SDDirect to build our profile and reputation
• Sound business planning skills, including experience of financial and risk management
• Experience of business development and bidding for commercial contracts within the international development sector, including for FCDO (or previously DFID)
• Significant people management experience in a collaborative and inclusive environment - driving high performance, empowering and valuing the contribution of others and addressing performance which doesn’t meet expectations
• An understanding of the importance of safeguarding, with a commitment to SDDirect safeguarding policies and to embedding safeguarding in all our work
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