Executive Director

International Diabetes Federation

Hours
32 hours per week

About the Organisation

International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is an alliance of over 250 national diabetes associations in more than 160 countries and territories. Our mission is to improve the lives of people with diabetes and prevent diabetes in those at risk. We have been at the vanguard of global diabetes advocacy for over 75 years. The organization’s strategy is implemented by the Executive Office, which, for the last five years, has been working as a virtual organization with team members across the globe.

About the role

The International Diabetes Federation is seeking an Executive Director who will bear the final responsibility for the Executive Office, with specific individual responsibilities and objectives in the areas of strategy execution, high-level advocacy, stakeholder engagement, revenue generation, business development, partnerships, and business control.

The Executive Director reports to the IDF President and is, together with the other two members of the Senior Leadership Team, which they lead, is the link between the IDF General Assembly, Board of Directors, and Executive Office. The Executive Director has 4-6 direct reports.

Responsibilities

• Stakeholders are engaged through the development, implementation, and constant improvement of relevant, attractive, and impactful stakeholder journeys for:
  • IDF institutional members, regions, individual members, and fellows.
  • Healthcare professionals.
  • Policymakers and institutional stakeholders at a global level.
  • Researchers.
  • People living with diabetes and their families and carers.
  • People at risk of diabetes.
  • Partners, sponsors, and donors.
• IDF drives the global multi-stakeholder dialogue on diabetes with the purpose of advocating for effective diabetes policies and strategies at the global level that ensure access to care and education, effective prevention, and an end to diabetes stigma.
• An organisation that is fit for purpose, ensuring and developing the necessary capacity of the Executive Office to implement the organisational strategy and set up with an ICT-based work process that allows for an effective:
  • Exchange and archiving of information and expertise.
  • Communication with and dialogue within different stakeholder communities.
  • Funnel for the marketing, sales, and distribution of products and services.
  • Development and management of strategic partnerships.
  • Fundraising process.
• Financial health of the organisation by generating, based on pre-set objectives, a healthy mix of revenue from a combination of membership dues, partnership revenue, donations, and revenue resulting from events, training, products, and services, as well as a continuous focus on cost effectiveness.
• A thriving community of IDF partners, donors, and customers who strengthen the impact and the financial health of the organisation.
• Defining, tracking, and demonstrating the impact of the organisation through an effective process of setting, measuring, and reporting on quantitative and qualitative Key Performance Indicators.
• A great place to work with a competitive employer proposal and a skilled, motivated, and results-focused team, inspiring leadership, and an effective process for development and retention.

Skills, Competencies & Experience

• Solid experience with international and multi-cultural member-centric organisations.
• Minimum of 5-10 years’ experience in an executive leadership role with final responsibility for the P&L of an organisation or division.
• Proven track record in strategy implementation and change management.
• An active and relevant network for strategic partnerships and fundraising.
• Demonstrable and solid achievements in business and revenue development, fundraising, designing and implementing customer journeys, stakeholder engagement, and product innovation.
• High level of social, representative, and negotiation skills and a mature, trust-inspiring demeanour that allows external representation, together with the IDF President, at the highest levels.
• Strong leadership abilities to engage, empower, and develop team members in an inspiring, performance-focused manner within a multicultural international environment that operates as a virtual team.
• Fluent in spoken and written English and preferably fluent in at least two other languages.
• Capable of managing complexity and multiple priorities whilst maintaining a calm and positive outlook.
• Organisational, political, and cultural sensitivity and a strong ability to build bridges.
• Ability to combine a helicopter view with a strong individual dedication to quantitative results.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (Business Administration, Public Health, International Relations).

Working locations

• Home-based

How to apply

• Interested applicants are requested to send a CV and cover letter with individual motivation to Ms Audrey Baerten, Office Manager at [email protected] by 21st September 2025.

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