Job description: Director
Liberty is one of the most formidable, well-known and respected campaigning membership
organisations in the UK and internationally. Founded in 1934 in response to the brutal quashing of
the hunger marches, Liberty has always protected the vulnerable, championed the rights of ordinary
people and held the powerful to account. We promote the values of individual human dignity, equal
treatment and fairness as the foundations of a democratic society. We campaign to protect basic
rights and freedoms through the courts, in Parliament and in the wider community. From opposing
the extension of pre-charge detention for terrorism suspects to supporting same-sex marriage,
challenging the military’s failure to investigate allegations of sexual and other abuse to opposing
blanket surveillance, Liberty’s story is one of hard-fought battles against those in power.
Liberty is a “cross party, non-party” organisation: while we have members from across the main
political parties, as an organisation we have no political affiliation. Our political neutrality is a key
strength of ours and we work with politicians from all political parties on the issues that are of
concern to us.
In the last 5 years Liberty has made great steps forward as an organization: we have more members
than ever before; we have a new base in the heart of Westminster with immediate access to
Parliament, the Supreme Court, New Scotland Yard and Milbank TV studios; and we have embraced
changes in technology and now use digital communications to further our campaigning objectives –
thereby increasing our following and presence across mediums and generations.
This year Liberty faces some of the biggest obstacles in its history; plans to scrap our Human Rights
Act and the Draft Investigatory Powers Bill – a threat to the security and privacy of every adult and
child in the country and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape our surveillance laws. With a
wealth of expertise, passion and imagination and a profile that belies its size, the organisation is
never deterred, no matter how daunting the odds, and continues to look to the future for the next
fight.
The Director of Liberty must be many things to many people; persuasive and compelling yet
practical and pragmatic; able to bring people together – across parliament, the sector and within the
organisation. They must be confident advocating complex policy positions in private meetings and
comfortable taking their seat in front of television cameras. They must relish the role of the high
profile activist, who is fearless in bringing litigation against Government abuses of power, yet also be
a clear-headed, reassuring manager of a close-knit expert team who can encourage, nurture and
motivate staff to give their best to the organisation.
The position is a challenging one which will demand promoting Liberty's principles to a broad
spectrum of audiences – from the highest levels of Government to ordinary members of the public –
in a wide range of forums: in the media, at meetings and speaking engagements. You must be able
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to communicate and convince the public, funders and influential voices to support the organisation.
Always on top of current affairs and politically astute, you must be able to convert complex ideas
and proposals into the best form for any given audience. Above all, you must have the vision,
leadership, sensitivity and passion to take Liberty into the next exciting and important phase in its
82 year history. If you believe you can be and do all these things, then we want to hear from you.
Position Description
Position title:
Director
Position reports to:
Chair of Liberty
Position manages:
Development Director, Legal Director, Media Director, Operations
Director, Policy Director, Head of Campaigns & Strategy
Salary:
circa. £70,000 per annum
Employment status:
Permanent
Hours:
35 hours per week plus significant out of hours work
Location:
Westminster, London
Contact:
Cait Winter, Operations Director
Closing date for applications:
Monday 22 February 2016, 12 noon
Interview dates:
First Round: w/c 7 March
Second Round: Monday 14th March
Role purpose
The Director of Liberty is responsible for maximising the impact of the organisation – this means
harnessing the immense expertise and energy of the staff team and steering this towards the areas
where the greatest traction can be found. The Director represents Liberty amongst the highest levels of
government, in the media and across public events. Here they defend our values of individual human
dignity, equal treatment and fairness with passion, fearlessness and cogency. The Director is
accountable to the Executive Committee and attends their meetings as well as the Policy Council
meetings. They also act as Secretary to the Civil Liberties Trust.
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Key responsibilities
Strategy and leadership
 Support the Board in setting the strategic direction of Liberty
 Lead the Management Team in strategic and operational planning – ensuring that there are plans
and systems in place to deliver Liberty’s campaign priorities and strategic objectives.
 Inspire Liberty’s staff, members and society at large
Policy and campaigning
 Be a passionate and compelling advocate for Liberty’s values, policies and campaigns – inspiring
others to support and join in with our campaigns.
 Utilise media and other opportunities to demonstrate that Liberty is a persuasive and measured
expert on complex policy issues
 Develop relationships with politicians, journalists and other commentators from across the political
spectrum in order to secure success for Liberty’s campaigns
 Draw together the skills of Liberty staff to ensure that its branded campaigns are well planned,
expertly delivered and ultimately successful.
 Work with Liberty’s Policy Council and staff to develop Liberty’s Policy.
 Work to increase the membership of Liberty
Finance and Fundraising
 Ensure that the financial positions of both Liberty and the Civil Liberties Trust remain secure
 Contribute to the development and implementation of fundraising strategies for Liberty and the Civil
Liberties Trust
 Be a primary point of contact for major donor and larger trust relationships – proactively networking
to initiate new prospects, developing relationships and contributing directly to the achievement of
Liberty’s fundraising target.
 Attend and lead high level fundraising events
Management
 Ensure that Liberty is a positive and energizing place to work
 Directly line manage the Development Director, Head of Campaigns & Strategy, Legal Director,
Media Director, Operations Director and Policy Director – supporting their professional development
and successful delivery of agreed strategies.
 Ensure that Liberty gives effect to its commitment to the highest standards of equality and diversity.
 Ensure that those who work on behalf of Liberty (staff and volunteers) work to the highest
standards, remain focused on priority areas and adhere to all relevant policies and legal
requirements.
Governance
 Ensure compliance with the regulatory frameworks governing both Liberty and the Civil Liberties
Trust and adherence to the membership organisation’s constitution and rules.
 Act as secretary to both Liberty and the Civil Liberties Trust.
 Support the Chairs of both Liberty’s Board and the Civil Liberties Trust in ensuring that the decisions
of both bodies are implemented.
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Personal Specification
Skills and qualities

Unshakable commitment to Liberty’s core values and policies

Commitment to cross-party, non-party working

Highly skilled orator – with real presence, unscripted coherence and ability to inspire

Excellent interpersonal skills – with energy and empathy needed to develop relationships across
the political arena and also within all elements of Liberty as an organization

Natural team leader – strategic thinker who is able to empower those around you and get the
best out of collaborative action

Confident addressing sensitive conversations – whether these are complex debates with
Government ministers or direct asks for funding from individual donors.
Essential knowledge and experience

Significant experience of successfully influencing others in complex tactical situations

Significant experience of formulating strategy and delivering against operational plans

Experience of design and delivery of campaigns or projects to achieve change

Management experience

Understanding of UK human rights landscape

Ability to monitor and interpret financial reports

Understanding of the fundraising landscape and confident in communicating with funders
Desirable knowledge and experience

Experience of campaign or other work within the field of human rights and civil liberties

Knowledge of domestic and international law and practice relevant to human rights and civil
liberties

Established relationships with politicians from across the political spectrum

Experience of developing major donor relationships – including making funding asks

Experience of undertaking high profile media activity e.g. broadcast interviews, writing for
national press
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