London, UK
Director of projects
at Article 25
Article 25 is hiring a director of projects to join its team in London.
Reporting to: chief executive
Location: Canary Wharf with international travel. Occasional WFH may be considered.
Salary: c£70k per annum (DOE)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Main purpose of the role
Now in our 20th year, Article 25 is the leading UK Humanitarian Architectural NGO, and to date has worked in over 35 countries on over 100 projects. In the last five years, both the profile and reach of the organisation has expanded – winning a number of prestigious accolades including the RIBA International Excellence Award 2024. We are now looking for a Director of Projects who has the drive, skill and passion to help accelerate our ambitions to further support even more communities around the globe.
The director of projects is a senior leader at Article 25, driving the acquisition, strategy, and delivery of international architecture and construction projects in healthcare, education, housing, and resilient communities. Combining design expertise, construction management, and business development, the role ensures projects are impactful, sustainable, and financially sound, while expanding the charity’s global influence.
We recognise that candidates bring a variety of skills and experiences, and may be stronger in some areas than others. The responsibilities, skills, and experience listed below are extensive, and while all are valuable to us, we will consider those who can demonstrate at least 80% of them. We kindly ask that you highlight how your background aligns with these requirements in your application.
Key responsibilities
International project acquisition and business development:
- lead the development and execution of a global acquisition strategy to secure new projects through partnerships, bids, and NGO engagement
- identify and pursue opportunities across key sectors of healthcare, education, social impact and disaster resilience infrastructure – with NGOs, UN agencies, development banks, and governments
- cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with clients, funders, and collaborators to ensure a strong and sustainable pipeline of impactful international work
- proactively identify, assess, and pursue high-value project and funding opportunities in healthcare infrastructure, education, housing, and disaster resilience across diverse international markets
- oversee the end-to-end management of complex bids and tender processes, ensuring the submission of compelling, compliant, and commercially sound proposals that maximize win potential
- engage directly with institutional donors (e.g., FCDO, USAID, EIB, World Bank) to position Article 25 as a preferred implementation partner and contribute to program design and pre-positioning efforts
- set and deliver ambitious project targets, ensuring the development and maintenance of a sustainable pipeline of opportunities with multi-year funding potential
- monitor geopolitical, funding, and sector trends to inform strategic decisions, assess risks, and identify new emerging markets and delivery models
Technical and project leadership:
- lead a multidisciplinary global team, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth
- ensure effective resourcing, mentoring, and knowledge-sharing across projects
- provide executive oversight across the full lifecycle of international projects, including hospitals, schools, and community facilities
- ensure resilient, cost-effective, and locally appropriate design and construction solutions
- establish and monitor robust systems for procurement, risk management, and site supervision in challenging contexts
External representation and advocacy:
- act as a strategic ambassador for Article 25 with donors, partners, and at global forums
- promote thought leadership on architecture’s role in health, education, and resilience
- support fundraising through showcasing project impact and technical credibility
Project and financial management:
- oversee financial forecasting and modelling across all projects, ensuring accurate revenue projections, resource planning, and cash flow management
- establish and enforce robust financial governance processes across the project lifecycle – from bid submission through to final delivery and post-project review
- track and analyse project financial performance, including cost variance, billing cycles, and profitability metrics, taking corrective action where necessary to protect margin and ensure efficiency
- ensure compliance with funder-specific financial requirements, procurement policies, donor regulations, and audit standards across diverse international contexts
- support pricing strategies and fee proposals to ensure competitiveness and financial viability while aligning with Article 25’s charitable objectives
Person specification
Qualifications and experience:
- qualified architect with senior leadership in practice and project delivery
- proven record managing complex, high-impact projects from concept to completion in international contexts
- skilled in organisational strategy, revenue generation, and partnership development
- experienced in building and managing strategic partnerships with donors, NGOs, governments, and delivery partners
- strong financial oversight experience, including budgeting, forecasting, and managing large multi-stakeholder budgets
Business development:
- 10–15 years’ experience in international business development and donor engagement, with five plus in senior leadership
- successful track record securing and delivering multimillion-dollar projects via tenders, consortia, and partnerships
- deep expertise with institutional donors (FCDO, USAID, World Bank, UN, EC) and procurement processes
- strong knowledge of humanitarian and development sectors, particularly health, education, housing, and resilience
- established high-level networks across NGOs, governments, and multilateral agencies
- skilled in leading high-value bids, managing proposal teams, and achieving revenue targets
- experienced in team development, coaching, and leadership
- background in built environment and humanitarian architecture desirable
- willing to travel internationally
Knowledge and skills:
- strong grasp of project delivery, legal frameworks, SDGs, and donor funding mechanisms
- advanced technical knowledge in design and construction, with ability to assess viability, risk, and impact
- exceptional leadership, strategic, and commercial skills with proven success in growth, funding, and partnerships
- excellent communicator, negotiator, and presenter; adept at influencing diverse stakeholders
- strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with resilience in high-pressure contexts
Personal qualities:
- committed to sustainable, equitable development and using architecture for social transformation
- entrepreneurial, creative, and resourceful, with high emotional intelligence and integrity
- collaborative, inclusive leader with a visionary yet pragmatic approach
Deadline and how to apply
Please provide an up to date CV, along with a supporting statement which outlines your suitability for the role via the apply for job button below. Applications without a supporting statement will not be considered.
If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please email [email protected].
The deadline for applications is midnight 7 December 2025.