The Strategic Director is responsible for overseeing Reprieve’s casework, litigation, and advocacy in service of our mission to end the death penalty and abuses carried out in the name of “counterterrorism” or “national security”. This is a senior management position that combines strategic vision with operational delivery. The Strategic Director will ensure Reprieve’s work achieves maximum impact across multiple jurisdictions, while keeping our clients, their families, and their communities at the centre of our strategy.
Reporting to the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, the Strategic Director manages the Deputy Directors and Heads of teams. They are responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of Reprieve’s regional casework and thematic projects by providing the necessary resources, oversight, and strategic direction to senior staff.
The Strategic Director leads the development and implementation of the organisation’s strategy, manages the annual operational planning cycle, and oversees robust monitoring and evaluation processes. Working collaboratively across the senior management team, they help build Reprieve’s case portfolio and support an international network of partners and fellows, ensuring the interests of clients, families, and communities remain at the heart of all activity. Key responsibilities include identifying cross-team strategic opportunities and challenges, maintaining high-level oversight of budgets, and ensuring all teams are sufficiently resourced and operate with rigorous processes for project and personnel management.
As a member of the Senior Management Team, the post-holder will coordinate closely with Reprieve’s Fundraising, Finance, and Operations teams to ensure casework is ethical, sustainable, well‑resourced, and effectively communicated to funders and stakeholders.
The Strategic Director will combine significant litigation, casework and advocacy experience with proven strategic leadership and a track record of achieving measurable impact and system change.
As a small legal NGO, Reprieve punches above its weight, and this role is key to making that possible.
About Reprieve
Reprieve is a leading international human rights organisation working to end the death penalty and abuses committed under the banner of national security. Founded in 1999, our mission remains critically relevant as governments worldwide increasingly adopt authoritarian tactics, expanding executive power at the expense of civil liberties.
You can best judge a society by how it treats prisoners, criminal defendants, and the far‑flung targets of an ever‑changing counter‑terror policy. To us, the rule of law means little if we selectively apply it to people we agree with. It is for all of us. Liberty is always eroded at the margins.
Reprieve’s staff is made up of courageous and committed human rights defenders. We provide vital legal and investigative support to those facing execution and victims of rendition, torture, arbitrary detention, extrajudicial killing, and citizenship stripping. Our work spans multiple jurisdictions, challenging states' most egregious human rights violations through strategic litigation, investigations, and advocacy.
We support cases in courts worldwide while building the legal and political momentum necessary to consign these practices to history.
Based in London with Fellows and partners globally, Reprieve operates at the intersection of law, policy, and human rights, working alongside governments, senior legal practitioners, and civil society to advance systemic change.
We collaborate closely with our independent partner organisation Reprieve US.
Reprieve is an equal opportunity employer, and we particularly welcome applicants from Black and minority ethnic communities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those with disabilities. Reprieve is committed to fighting racism and advancing racial justice, both in our work and within Reprieve.
Terms
The role is a full‑time (five days per week) permanent position. The annual salary is £71,378 per annum less any required deductions for income tax and national insurance.
This role is based in Reprieve’s London office. Reprieve operates a hybrid working model and we require staff to work 2 days per week from the London office and the rest of the week from home. Applicants must have the current right to work in the UK, which will be checked prior to interview.
Your presence is important during core office hours, whether remotely or in the office. You will also be available outside of office hours in the event of an emergency, for example case developments that require urgent action. This is a role that may require travel and work outside of core office hours from time to time.
How to apply
To apply, please read the job description and submit a supporting statement and CV addressing your interest in the role, and how you meet the criteria (both no more than 2 pages) via the application form on our website by 23:59 BST Wednesday 15 April 2026. Please note that no other documents will be considered for this role and should not be submitted. We are also not able to accept applications via email.
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