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The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC), a leading global non-profit organization dedicated to advancing human rights in business, is inviting applications for the position of Director of International Programmes.
This senior leadership role offers an opportunity to shape the international agenda for corporate accountability, workers’ rights, environmental justice, and civic freedoms.
Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Director of International Programmes will co-lead and co-manage the organization as a core member of its Senior Management Team (SMT). The successful candidate will provide strategic direction and leadership for BHRRC’s international thematic programmes and will play a key role in influencing global change toward a just, sustainable, and rights-based economy.
About the Organisation
BHRRC is a high-impact, international charity with a presence in more than 30 locations worldwide and over 80 team members. Registered in the UK, USA, Germany, and Colombia, the organization partners with civil society groups, grassroots movements, and funders across continents.
Its mission is to place human rights at the heart of business. Through rigorous research, advocacy, and collaboration, BHRRC works to ensure that economic activity serves people and planet rather than corporate exploitation. The organization’s strategic goals focus on:
- Shared prosperity for society and communities.
- Corporate duty of care for human rights and environmental justice.
- Safe and enabling environments for communities, workers, and defenders to advocate for their rights.
BHRRC drives impact through four global priority programmes:
- Workers’ rights in global supply chains.
- Responsible natural resource use and a just energy transition.
- Accountable technology and digital justice.
- Civic freedoms and protection of human rights defenders.
Each programme applies gender and racial justice lenses to ensure equity and inclusion are central to all interventions.
About the Role
The Director of International Programmes will lead and manage BHRRC’s expert international teams working across these thematic programmes. They will collaborate closely with the Regional Programme Director, who oversees regional teams in Asia, Africa, the Americas, the Middle East, and Europe.
As a senior leader, the Director will be instrumental in strengthening the organization’s strategic direction, operational excellence, and advocacy impact. They will also play a pivotal role in representing BHRRC externally—advocating to governments, corporations, investors, and civil society partners for systemic change in global business practices.
Key Responsibilities include:
- Strategic Leadership: Co-manage the organization as part of the SMT, contributing to strategic planning, decision-making, and organizational growth.
- Programme Oversight: Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of BHRRC’s international programmes, ensuring alignment with mission and impact objectives.
- Fundraising and Partnerships: Work closely with the Development Director to build and maintain relationships with institutional donors, develop funding proposals, and oversee programme budgets.
- Advocacy and Communications: Ensure high-quality research, advocacy, and communication outputs that reach diverse audiences, from grassroots communities to international policymakers.
- People Management: Lead and empower a global team of programme heads and thematic leads, fostering collaboration, accountability, and inclusive leadership.
- Cross-Cutting Collaboration: Integrate corporate legal accountability, gender justice, and racial equity across all programmes.
The Director will supervise five programme heads and two cross-cutting team leads, guiding their work and ensuring coherence across initiatives.
Desired Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will be a strategic, collaborative, and inspiring leader with a proven track record in human rights or social and economic justice. They will bring deep knowledge of global business and human rights issues and the ability to build alliances that drive measurable change.
Essential qualifications include:
- 10+ years of professional experience in human rights, social justice, or related fields, with significant expertise in business and human rights.
- Demonstrated success in leading international advocacy strategies involving research, communications, and multi-stakeholder engagement.
- Proven experience working with grassroots or national organisations in the Global South.
- 7+ years of leadership and people management experience, with the ability to motivate, delegate, and build high-performing, diverse teams.
- Senior-level experience contributing to strategic direction, organizational learning, and decision-making.
The position requires the ability to work across multiple time zones, ensuring a minimum overlap of four hours daily (09:00–13:00 UTC). Candidates may be based anywhere globally, provided they have reliable internet access.
Compensation and Terms
- Position: Full-time, 35 hours per week
- Location: Remote or at BHRRC offices in London or Berlin
- Salary Range: GBP 65,000–80,000 per annum (UK equivalent; adjusted for cost of living)
- Benefits: 5% pension contribution, health insurance (if not available locally), 24 vacation days per year plus public holidays
- Start Date: Flexible
- Application Deadline: 7 November 2025 (17:00 GMT)
How to Apply
Interested applicants should complete and submit the official application form in English via BHRRC’s jobs portal. Please note that CVs will not be accepted.
For any questions or accessibility needs, candidates are encouraged to contact Bea Ocampo at Ocampo@business-humanrights.org.
