Country Director - Northern Ireland
We are seeking an experienced and credible senior leader to provide strategic direction and operational leadership for a national fostering charity's work in Northern Ireland.
Position: Country Director - Northern Ireland
Salary: £53,836 to £59,012 per annum
Location: This is a hybrid role, with travel to the Belfast office at least once a week.
Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: Sunday 15 February 2026
About the role
This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for leading and delivering the organisation's vision, strategy and impact across Northern Ireland. As a member of the Leadership Team, you will provide strategic oversight, manage people and budgets, and act as a key external representative with government, regulators and sector partners.
Key responsibilities include:
* Providing overall leadership and management of the organisation's work in Northern Ireland
* Developing and delivering Northern Ireland specific strategies aligned to UK wide objectives
* Leading, managing and supporting staff, volunteers and associates
* Building and maintaining strong relationships with national and local government, regulators, fostering services and members
* Acting as a spokesperson and senior representative in Northern Ireland
* Overseeing the design, delivery and evaluation of impactful programmes for foster carers and children
* Driving robust monitoring, impact measurement and reporting
* Securing funding through grants, tenders and partnerships
* Holding and managing budgets in line with organisational policies
* Identifying opportunities for innovation, collaboration and sector improvement
* Growing individual and corporate membership across Northern Ireland
* Acting as safeguarding lead for the country and ensuring compliance with safeguarding policies
About you
You will be an experienced senior leader with strong credibility across children's social care and fostering, comfortable operating at strategic and operational levels.
You will bring:
* Senior leadership and management experience within children's social care or a closely related field
* In depth knowledge of foster care practice and policy across the UK
* Experience of working with statutory local authority services and senior stakeholders
* Proven ability to lead teams, manage change and deliver strategic plans
* Experience of managing budgets and securing funding
* Strong relationship building, influencing and communication skills
* Sound safeguarding knowledge and practice
* Excellent organisational and IT skills, including confidence using Microsoft Teams and Office 365
* A clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and to the organisation's mission and values
Desirable experience includes a social work qualification, experience in the voluntary or independent sector, working across a national remit, or lived experience of foster care.
About the organisation
The organisation is the leading fostering charity in the UK, working to improve outcomes for children and young people through support, advocacy, programmes and membership services for foster carers and fostering services. It operates across all UK nations, working closely with governments, regulators and partners to influence policy and practice.
What's on offer
* 38 days annual leave including bank holidays
* Flexible and hybrid working
* A range of family friendly and fostering friendly leave options
* Enhanced maternity and adoption pay
* Enhanced sick pay
* 24 hour Employee Assistance Programme
* Pension and life assurance
* Contribution to eye tests and lenses
* Season ticket loans
The organisation is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community, particularly those from under represented and minoritised backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process, and job share applications are welcomed.
Applicants who identify as care experienced and meet the minimum criteria will be guaranteed an interview under the Care Leaver Covenant.
Other roles you may have experience of could include; Director of Children's Services, Head of Fostering, Assistant Director Social Care, Regional Director, Service Director, Programme Director, Policy Director, Operations Director, Strategic Lead Children's Services, Senior Social Work Manager, National Manager.