Director of RAFCT

The RAF Charitable Trust is looking for someone with vision and ambition to lead the organisation. The need for our work is clear. Technology and aviation continue to advance at an unprecedented rate. The IET estimates that the skills shortage in STEM jobs costs the UK economy £1.5bn a year, and there are over 173,000 STEM vacancies. The UK Commission for Employment and Skills stated in 2022 that 43 per cent of STEM vacancies were hard to fill due to a shortage of applicants, leaving tech skills in even higher demand. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Diversity and Inclusion in STEM also notes significant inequality in high skilled and graduate level roles for those from minority and disadvantaged backgrounds. RIAT’s ongoing success enables RAFCT to be increasingly ambitious regarding its impact through the inspiration of young people: 1. By 2026, RAFCT will have delivered high-quality interventions to over 500,000 young people (measured from 2022).

2. From 2026, RAFCT will deliver high-quality interventions to at least 500,000 young people every year.

3. These interventions will either be via:

a. New programmes unique to RAFCT

b. Existing programmes scaled with funding from RAFCT

To achieve this ambition, we are looking for a highly experienced Director to continue the Charity’s trajectory of growth. The successful candidate will work with the RAFCT Chair and Board of Trustees to set, implement, and then assure the delivery of the Trust’s strategy. The Director will lead the Trust’s charity team, and work closely with the Trust’s trading company, RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises Ltd, the RAF, and existing and new delivery partners and charities.

This is a role that requires pragmatism, vision, diplomacy and flexible and creative thinking. The successful candidate will be a strategic and credible leader with strong financial acumen and a successful leadership track record. They will possess an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset, and be able to connect ideas and people. They will have a proven record of collaboration while providing constructive challenge when appropriate, and they will have good experience of measuring impact in a national STEM setting. They will also ensure high operational standards while continuing to promote a transparent, collaborative and values-driven culture within the Charity team.

Of note, the successful candidate will be highly supportive of the RAF and Defence, and have a passion to deliver the life-changing benefits for young people of an interest in aviation, and STEM.

For more information and to download the full Application Pack, including Candidate Brief, Job Summary and How to Apply instructions, please click on APPLY.