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Salary: (UK) £64,226 plus benefits (Our pay philosophy ensures consistency across locations and salaries. The starting salary for this opportunity plus benefits depends on location of the candidate).
The role:
We are recruiting for a values-driven leader to join Mary's Meals International (MMI) as Director of Programme Management. Reporting to our Chief Programmes Officer, you will lead the management, performance and governance of Mary's Meals programmes globally, ensuring effective delivery, strong stewardship and alignment with organisational priorities across our growing movement.
Working closely with Country Directors in our Programme Affiliates, our partner organisations and colleagues across MMI, you will provide leadership across programme performance, planning, budgets, risk management, grants and organisational effectiveness. Acting as a key link between Programmes and other functions, you will ensure programmes are well coordinated, well governed and positioned to deliver sustainable impact at scale.
As a key member of the Programmes leadership team, you will help shape organisational strategy, drive programme performance and lead major programme initiatives that support Mary's Meals' future growth and impact.
You will:
Lead the performance, governance and stewardship of Mary's Meals programmes globally, ensuring delivery aligns with organisational priorities and quality standards.
Provide leadership, support and direction to the Programme Management team, Country Directors and our programme partners, fostering accountability, collaboration and high performance across the movement.
Oversee programme planning, budgeting, resource allocation and risk management, ensuring programmes are delivered effectively and sustainably.
Act as a key coordination point between Programmes and other organisational functions, strengthening collaboration and delivery of shared priorities.
Lead programme oversight of grants, reporting and impact requirements, ensuring strong donor stewardship, accountability and organisational learning.
Champion effective programme data, reporting and performance management to support decision-making and continuous improvement.
Lead cross-cutting programme initiatives, organisational change projects and programme transformation activities that strengthen programme effectiveness and support future growth.
Build and maintain strong relationships with partners and other stakeholders, representing Mary's Meals at a senior level where required.
About you:
You are a strategic and collaborative leader with significant experience in international development and a proven track record of leading programme management and delivery across complex international programmes or multi-country portfolios. You have successfully translated organisational strategy into effective delivery, driving performance, accountability and impact across diverse operating environments.
You bring substantial experience in programme planning, budgeting, risk management, performance oversight and grant-funded programmes, alongside a strong understanding of governance, safeguarding and compliance. You are comfortable balancing strategic leadership with operational oversight and using programme data, insight and learning to improve performance and inform decision-making.
An accomplished people leader, you have experience developing high-performing, multicultural teams and building strong relationships across functions, cultures and geographies. With excellent communication, stakeholder management and influencing skills, you are confident working with senior leaders, country teams and external partners to achieve shared goals.
Above all, you share the vision, mission and values of Mary's Meals and are motivated by the opportunity to help strengthen programme delivery and expand our impact for children around the world.
About Us
Mary's Meals is a global movement supported by people from all walks of life and from all faiths and none. We are focused on one goal: that every child receives a nutritious daily meal in a place of education. Today, more than 3 million children receive Mary's Meals in some of the world's poorest communities.
We are a values-driven organisation that believes in the innate goodness of people, respects the dignity of every human being and family life, and values good stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. In line with our values, we are fully committed to a culture of safeguarding.
We are happy for you to work remotely and flexibly, in a way that best supports your work-life balance. We have an office in Glasgow for those who would like to work from here occasionally or on a regular basis.
We believe in the innate goodness and dignity of every person. In line with this, Mary's Meals is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment. All applicants will be considered fairly and on merit, without discrimination of any kind.
Additional Information
This role will undertake travel to countries where our programmes operate and will involve regulated work with children. You will be required to register with the Protected Vulnerable Group Scheme or local equivalent before undertaking your role.
Our Benefits:
34 days annual leave (pro-rated for part time working patterns) including bank holidays, increasing by 1 day each completed calendar year, to a maximum of 39 days (+ option to buy another week)
Flexible working
Employee Assistance Programme
Life assurance
Medical insurance for candidates located in Kenya, Liberia, Malawi and Zambia
Pension - depending on the location of the candidate. For international candidates - any pension contribution paid as part of salary will be subject to normal statutory deductions/ taxation
To Apply
If you are inspired to join our movement and our vision, mission and values resonate with you, we would love to hear from you. To apply, please click below to send your CV and a short covering note (no more than one page) telling us why you are a great fit for this role and why you would like to work for Mary’s Meals International.
Closing date for applications is Sunday 25th October 2026.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible
Director of Programme Management JD
Director of Programme Management - Recruitment Pack