Executive Opportunities

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NATO Parliamentary Assembly
Secretary General

Brussels, Belgium
2412-005BL

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly, established in 1955, serves as a unique forum for members of parliament from the Atlantic Alliance to discuss and influence security decisions, enhance parliamentary awareness, and support oversight of defence issues, while strengthening the transatlantic relationship and underlying values. Although institutionally separate from NATO, it acts as a vital link between NATO and national parliaments, promoting transparency and understanding of NATO's objectives and - since the end of the Cold War- integrating parliamentarians from nations seeking closer ties with NATO to bolster parliamentary democracy and cooperation.

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly is seeking a new Secretary General to oversee its Secretariat, which provides the research and administrative resources to support the Assembly’s policy priorities and activities, and to manage relationships with the Assembly’s membership, which consists of 375 members of parliament from member and partner nations. S/he will also be responsible for advising the leadership of the Assembly on matters of strategy, policy and procedure, and for promoting cooperation between the Assembly and NATO itself.

Candidates should have proven experience in a senior management role, preferably within a parliamentary and/or interparliamentary environment, and will have had a minimum of ten years of experience in the field of international relations. S/he will be skilled in cross-cultural stakeholder management at the highest levels, possess a keen sense of tact and diplomacy, and have excellent and nuanced communications skills. A deep understanding of the Assembly’s role, of NATO, and the transatlantic relationship is critical to this role.

Applicants must be nationals of a NATO member state. They need not hold a current security clearance, but tenure will depend on obtaining a security clearance.

The position is based in Brussels, Belgium, with the potential for frequent travel.

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to advise on this appointment. For further information about the position and additional details on qualifications, requirements, terms and conditions of service and how to apply, please visit the Position Specification available below.

The closing date for applications is Friday, 28 February at 11:59 pm CET.

Position Specification (EN) Position Specification (FR)

National Energy System Operator
Non-Executive Director, Engineering Design, Standards and Governance

United Kingdom
2501-007L

At National Energy System Operator, our mission is to meet the challenges of the future and deliver cleaner, affordable electricity. We constantly strive to do this better by using technology and innovation to transform the way we work.

Launched on 1st October, 2024, NESO is taking a whole system approach, looking across natural gas, electricity and other forms of energy to fulfil our primary and secondary duties as described in the Energy Act. We are engaging participants in all parts of the energy ecosystem to deliver the plans, markets and operations of the energy system of today and the future. These participants as NESO's customers and they include industry, communities, consumers and other stakeholder groups.

NESO is built on our previous experience as the Electricity System Operator (ESO). The ESO had extensive expertise in balancing electricity supply and demand 24/7, while making sure network operations and the markets were prepared for the future. The transition to NESO requires a significant expansion in our capabilities and we are transforming our organisation to meet this challenge.

The incoming Non-Executive Director (NED) will help in establishing the new NESO business and its Board. The NED will help the business navigate heightened political, industry, and public scrutiny, including by managing increased risks and ensuring robust assurance over new processes and systems. He/she will specifically bring experience in engineering design, standards and governance that will be critical in NESO’s role in accelerating the country’s drive to net zero. The ability to handle complexity and ambiguity will be important given the fast-paced and changing environment. The NED must also have the ability to think and challenge strategically, whilst being comfortable exploring the critical details as and when appropriate.

This individual should build strong relationships with the Chair, fellow Non-Executive Directors, and Executive Directors, fostering a culture of transparency and effective communication. Finally, the NED will be expected to support the organisation’s mission, values, and strategic direction, while ensuring that the organisation’s activities uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct and accountability.

NESO has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to advise on this appointment. For further information about the position and additional details on qualifications, requirements, terms and conditions of service and how to apply, please review the position specification below.

The closing date for applications is 23:59 on Sunday 9th February 2025.

Position Specification

British Business Bank
Non-Executive Director and Chair of Remuneration Committee

United Kingdom
P2412-010L

The British Business Bank (BBB) is the UK’s economic development bank, with a commercial and mandated arm. It is a progressive and dynamic government-owned economic development bank, dedicated to making finance markets work better for smaller businesses. Independently managed, its remit is to design, deliver and efficiently manage UK-wide smaller business access to finance interventions for the UK government, involving both investment and banking programmes. The Bank’s core debt and equity programmes now support over £17.4bn of finance to almost 64,000 smaller businesses, across the whole spectrum of developmental state, from start-ups and scale-ups to viable but underfunded.

The BBB is seeking to appoint a Chair of Remuneration Committee, this individual will ensure that the Committee makes recommendations to the Board on the Remuneration Policy of the Bank.

They will also act as Non-Executive Director of the Bank and will be expected to play an active and integral part in the long-term success and the strategy of the Bank, given the collective responsibility of the Board. As a fully functioning financial services entity, the role holder should be able to contribute to matters ranging, for example, from the challenges facing SMEs with respect to finance, the management of a wide variety of risks and the technological challenges facing today’s financial services industry.

BBB has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to advise on this appointment. For further information about the position and additional details on qualifications, requirements, terms and conditions of service and how to apply, please review the position specification below.

The closing date for applications is 23:55 on Monday, 20 January 2025.

Position Specification

Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria
Head, Strategy and Policy

Geneva, Switzerland
2412-054L

Founded in 2002, The Global Fund is an international partnership committed to ending HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. By investing US$4 billion annually, the Fund strengthens health systems in over 100 countries and unites global leaders, communities, and the private sector to drive innovations and scale solutions for a healthier, more equitable world.

The Global Fund intends to appoint a new Head of Strategy and Policy. This role is part of the Executive Director’s Management Executive Committee is at the heart of the Fund’s response to the challenges facing the global public health architecture. It involves coordinating corporate strategy and policy development, engaging with the Strategy Committee of the Board, and overseeing the Fund’s allocation model. Additionally, the role includes managing performance through key performance frameworks.

The Head of Strategy and Policy will lead the development and implementation of strategic policies, addressing emerging trends and ensuring alignment with the Fund’s mission. This includes coordinating with the Strategy Committee to maximize the impact of available resources and drive strategic initiatives. Performance management is a crucial aspect of the role. Furthermore, the Head will represent the Global Fund in key external partnerships, enhancing collaboration on important initiatives, such as malaria and TB vaccines, and managing a team of 15-20 members to foster a culture of strategic innovation and collaborative excellence.

Candidates should possess an advanced degree in policy, strategy, or public health (Master’s level or higher) and significant experience in strategy and policy formulation, particularly in international development. A thorough understanding of key issues and players in Global Public Health is also required. The successful candidate will demonstrate integrity, accountability, and respect, aligning with the Global Fund’s core values, and exhibit strategic long-term thinking, stakeholder management, and solution design at a high level. Proficiency in English is required, with knowledge of additional languages such as French being advantageous.

The position is based in Geneva, Switzerland, with the potential for frequent travel. The Global Fund is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Applications are welcomed from all qualified candidates regardless of background.

The Global Fund has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to advise on this appointment. For further information about the position and additional details on qualifications, requirements, terms and conditions of service and how to apply, please visit the Position Specification available below.

The closing date for applications is 31^st January at 11:59pm CET.

Position Specification

Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S)
Director General, Core Delivery

United Kingdom
P2405-033L

Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) is proud to deliver world-class equipment and support services to the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. We play a critical role in keeping our nation safe and prosperous, making sure the front-lines have the right kit at the right time. As an arm’s length body of the Ministry of Defence, we negotiate and manage defence contracts on behalf of the UK Armed Forces. From fighter jets to food deliveries, from patrol boats to protective clothing, we deliver effective and innovative kit to our front-line forces, swiftly and safely. Our teams make sure every item is properly sourced, stored and maintained, and every contract represents value for money for the taxpayer. We are also responsible for decommissioning and disposal when equipment reaches the end of its service life.

DE&S is seeking to appoint a Director General, Core Delivery to take on a unique challenge at the heart of UK Defence. This role is one of the most complex roles in Government and across the UK. It is responsible for almost a thousand projects, with a lifetime value of over £100bn.  It includes more major programmes than any other organisation in the whole of the UK.  It leads an internal team of over 8,000 specialists, who drive delivery across a Defence-Industrial base of over 150,000 people and manages over £13bn of defence procurement spend per annum on behalf of the Front-Line Commands through contracts across the UK and Allied defence industries.  This role ensures DE&S operates in the most operationally efficient manner possible, whilst delivering 100s of millions of inventory items to frontline users around the world for the UK and its Allies each year.

DE&S has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to advise on this appointment. For further information about the position and additional details on qualifications, requirements, terms and conditions of service and how to apply, please review the position specification below.

The closing date for applications is 23:55 on Sunday, 26 January 2025.

Position Specification

Department for Work and Pensions
Chief Digital Information Officer

United Kingdom
2412-048L

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is the UK’s biggest public service department, it administers the State Pension and a range of working age, disability and ill health benefits to around 20 million claimants and customers. DWP touches the lives of every citizen in the country at some point in their life.

In DWP we are proud of the service we provide to some of the most vulnerable people in our society, at often the most difficult times in their lives.

We are already transforming our operations to implement the largest welfare reform programme in a generation and to provide better services for the public. We have the largest and most complex technology business in Western Europe, and we are currently looking to recruit a new Director General, Chief Digital Information Officer (CDIO). The individual will lead a function of c.5,000 people, and will be a visible and credible Digital leader. They will lead the delivery of digital and information systems and services to 90,000 DWP colleagues and manage a budget of £1 billion in a sustainable and compliant manner.

Whoever takes this role needs to lead at scale, and work with both the executive team and across the department to provide digital solutions which improve performance. You will keep both the colleague and customers in mind, ensuring that the right processes, frameworks and technologies are designed and adopted to ensure that digital becomes ingrained in the business.

Going forward DWP will have a key role in delivering the government’s missions, with the department playing a pivotal role in enabling economic growth and expanding opportunity, whilst supporting priorities across other missions.

The Department for Work and Pensions has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to advise on this appointment. For further information about the position and additional details on qualifications, requirements, terms and conditions of service and how to apply, please visit the Position Specification available below.

The closing date for applications is 23:55 on Sunday 26th January 2025.

Position Specification

Ministry of Defence  
Managing Director, Warhead, Defence Nuclear Organisation

United Kingdom
P2410-199L

The Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) – consisting of over 800 personnel working across science, engineering, finance, policy, programme delivery and more – is responsible for provision of the nuclear deterrent. Additionally, it advises on policy, planning and international co-operation on nuclear matters.

The DNO sits within a wider enterprise known as the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE), which is the partnership of organisations that operate, maintain, renew and sustain the UK’s nuclear deterrent. The DNE is comprised of the DNO, Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA), the Royal Navy, UK Strategic Command and AWE plc (who, on the behalf of the DNO, are responsible for the management and operation of the AWE). Part of the DNO’s role is to ensure the provision of warheads for the deterrent: this involves managing both the current warhead programme as well as the replacement warhead. The DNO is currently seeking a new Managing Director, Warhead who will report to the Chief of Defence Nuclear. This is one of the most complicated and critical portfolios in government.

The successful candidate will need to be a highly motivated, collaborative leader who can drive both a team and a wider range of stakeholders at pace. Robust technical leadership, ideally with experience of highly-regulated sectors will be essential to that. Strong people skills, strategic thinking and clear communication are also key attributes. The post holder will need to represent their programme within the Ministry of Defence and wider government.

The Ministry of Defence has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to advise on this appointment. For further information about the position and additional details on qualifications, requirements, terms and conditions of service and how to apply, please visit the Position Specification available below.

The closing date for applications is 23:55 on Wednesday 8th January 2025.

Position Specification