We are seeking a senior leader from the Armed Forces community to join our team. Whether you are recently leaving service, approaching your final posting, or already in civilian leadership, this role offers the chance to shape the UK’s approach to safeguarding and support for Armed Forces personnel and families.
HOURS: Part time - 30 hours/4 days per week (some flexibility possible)
Some travel will be required.
£36,486.49 actual for 30 hours/4 days per week.
TEAM/SERVICE: SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: It is essential for this role that candidates have lived experience as a member of the Armed Forces community– ideally a veteran of the Army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force, or significant equivalent experience working within Armed Forces contexts.
Please see the full person specification below for further details.
TO APPLY: Please send your CV and a covering letter – ensuring you address the requirements of the job description and person specification – to recruitment@aurorand.org.uk. Please put ‘Armed Forces Strategic Lead’ in the subject line of your email.
Overview
The Director of Armed Forces Services is a new senior leadership role within Aurora New Dawn’s Senior Management Team (SMT), operating at the same level as the Director of Operations. The post provides strategic leadership to develop, expand, and consolidate Aurora’s nationally recognised Armed Forces service, ensuring alignment with emerging national strategy and funding opportunities. The role champions Aurora’s position as a sector leader in Armed Forces advocacy across domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking, with a strong focus on relationship and stakeholder management, evidence-led practice, and sustainable growth.
Responsible To
Chief Executive Officer
Main Duties
1. Strategic Leadership & Development
* Lead the strategic development and continued expansion of Aurora’s Armed Forces service, setting clear objectives, milestones, and performance indicators.
* Ensure alignment with organisational strategy and values, and with evolving national priorities, commissioning landscapes, and funding routes.
* Contribute to organisational strategy and planning as a key member of the SLT, providing expert insight on Armed Forces communities and systems.
* Identify and shape opportunities for service innovation, partnership development, and influence across the UK and, where appropriate, internationally.
2. Service Quality & Innovation
* Ensure Aurora’s Armed Forces services are trauma‑informed, survivor‑centred, culturally competent, and consistent with best practice frameworks.
* Work closely with Service Manager(s) and frontline teams to maintain high standards of delivery, reflective practice, and continuous improvement.
* Lead the design and testing of new delivery models (e.g. remote, cross‑border, and international solutions) to increase reach and impact.
* Lead the ongoing development and implementation of Aurora’s Armed Forces Service Standards, progressing towards an accreditation framework and recognised quality mark for organisations working with Armed Forces communities.
* Embed survivor voice and lived experience into service design, policy, and evaluation.
3. Income Generation & Funding
* Proactively identify, cultivate, and secure funding opportunities (grants, contracts, philanthropic and earned income) to sustain and grow Aurora’s Armed Forces provision.
* Collaborate with the CEO/Deputy CEO and Business Development Manager to develop compelling bids, proposals, and cases for support.
* Provide strategic input to donor stewardship and reporting, ensuring clear articulation of impact and value for money.
4. Stakeholder Engagement & Representation
* Build and maintain high‑level relationships with the MOD, Service branches, Service Justice System stakeholders, Armed Forces charities, commissioners, funders, and academic partners.
* Represent Aurora at national forums, multi‑agency partnerships, and conferences; act as spokesperson in media and public engagements as required.
* Convene and participate in strategic working groups to strengthen cross‑sector collaboration and influence policy and practice affecting Armed Forces communities.
5. Governance, Compliance & Risk
* Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, regulation, and organisational policies (including safeguarding, data protection, employment law, charity law, health & safety).
* Contribute to organisational risk management, providing timely reporting and assurances to the CEO and Board of Trustees.
* Maintain and develop policies and procedures specific to Armed Forces service delivery, ensuring consistent standards across sites and teams.
6. Research, Policy & Sector Influence
* Lead Aurora’s contribution to research, policy development, and consultation processes related to Armed Forces communities and VAWG.
* Expand understanding of, and improve responses to, the needs of specific groups within the Armed Forces community – such as children, male victims, and other under‑represented populations – through research, co‑design of services, and policy advocacy.
* Produce high‑quality policy briefs, consultation responses, and thought leadership grounded in evidence from practice and survivor voice.
* Build partnerships with universities and research bodies to generate and disseminate learning that shifts practice and informs national strategy.
7. Data, Impact & Reporting
* Oversee robust monitoring and evaluation for Armed Forces services, setting meaningful KPIs and outcomes frameworks.
* Use data and insights to drive service improvement, demonstrate impact, and strengthen funding propositions.
* Ensure timely, accurate reporting to funders, regulators, and the Board of Trustees.
8. People Management & Development
* Provide leadership and support to Service Managers including supervision, appraisal, and professional development.
* Contribute to workforce planning and recruitment, ensuring capacity aligns with growth plans and funding.
* Promote staff wellbeing, reflective practice, and a positive, inclusive culture consistent with Aurora’s values.
Key Relationships
* Chief Executive Officer; Deputy Chief Executive; Director of Operations; Business Development Manager; Service Manager(s); Armed Forces Advocates and relevant frontline staff
* External stakeholders: MOD, DSCC, VWCU, Welfare Services, Armed Forces charities, commissioners/funders, sector networks, academic and research partners
PERSON SPECIFICATION
* Lived experience as a member of the Armed Forces community – ideally a veteran of the Army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force, or significant equivalent experience working within Armed Forces contexts.
* Strong understanding of the Armed Forces ecosystem, including rank structure, service branches, welfare systems, military culture, and barriers faced by serving personnel, veterans, and families when disclosing and/or help‑seeking.
* Robust understanding of the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) landscape in the UK, including national policy, commissioning, and best practice.
* Understanding of the Service Justice System and how domestic abuse, sexual violence or stalking cases progress through it.
* Demonstrable experience of strategic leadership, including setting direction, managing complex services/systems, and contributing to organisation‑wide strategy.
* Proven ability to lead or influence service development, innovation or change in complex or multi‑stakeholder environments.
* Experience of building high‑level relationships with senior stakeholders such as government, commissioners, military institutions, or cross‑sector partners.
* Experience of working with or interpreting evidence, research, data, or evaluation to shape strategy, improve services, or influence decision‑making.
* Ability to lead strategically across service delivery, policy, research, stakeholder influence, and funding.
* Strong ability to innovate, problem‑solve, and design effective service models for complex or underserved communities.
* Highly credible communicator, able to influence nationally across MOD, funders, government and media.
* Confidence representing the organisation in media, parliamentary or national forums.
* Strong partnership‑building and relationship‑management capability.
* Effective leadership of managers and teams, promoting wellbeing and reflective practice.
* Ability to ensure compliance with safeguarding, data protection, charity law and other governance frameworks.
* Ability to oversee strong monitoring, evaluation, KPIs and impact reporting.
* Strong organisational, planning and decision‑making skills.
* Commitment to survivor‑centred, trauma‑informed and culturally competent practice.
* Willingness to champion survivor voice within Armed Forces contexts.
* Alignment with Aurora New Dawn’s values of feminism, inclusivity, innovation and evidence‑led practice.
* Emotional resilience and integrity when working in VAWG settings.
* Experience working in, or in partnership with, the VAWG sector, criminal justice, or relevant fields.
* Experience influencing national policy, contributing to consultations, or producing thought leadership.
* Experience in fundraising, business development or bid‑writing.
* Experience contributing to research, academic partnerships, or sector evidence programmes.
* Ability to design or implement accreditation or quality frameworks.
* Understanding of gendered analysis, intersectionality, and needs of underrepresented groups in the Armed Forces community.
Additional Requirements
* Willingness to undertake relevant security or vetting processes (enhanced DBS required).
* Ability to travel nationally (and occasionally internationally).
* Access to a vehicle and valid UK driving licence
* Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.
* This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Pay: £45,000.00 per year FTE / £36,486.49 actual for 30 hours/4 days per week
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