World Jewish Relief leads the Jewish community's response to crisis, proudly supporting those from within and beyond the Jewish community, through humanitarian action, personal support and livelihood recovery.
We are looking for a new Chief Executive to lead the charity at an important time in its history.
Founded in 1933, when Jewish people across Europe were in crisis, World Jewish Relief helped 65,000 Jews escape Nazi persecution and build new lives. More than 90 years later, that legacy continues to shape our work today. Where crisis hits – within or beyond the Jewish community – we act with urgency and compassion.
We are proudly Jewish. Our history and values compel us to act when and where people are facing crisis, helping them to survive and rebuild their lives.
The world has changed enormously since 1933. Our fundamental purpose has not. Through humanitarian action, personal support and livelihood recovery, we turn Jewish values into action wherever our expertise can make a meaningful difference.
Our ambition is to be the most effective and trusted Jewish humanitarian agency worldwide, proudly and uniquely supporting vulnerable Jewish and non-Jewish communities. We are recognised for our action, impact, scale, innovation and values.
World Jewish Relief sits amongst the very best of global humanitarian agencies, as well as being a leading provider of employment services to refugees in the UK. With offices in the UK and US, we work in 19 countries almost exclusively through a network of amazing local actors. We have a loyal, committed and generous support base enabling us last year to raise over £13.5m and deliver services to a remarkable 179,000 people.
After 21 years at the helm, Paul Anticoni will be stepping down as our Chief Executive in June 2027. The charity is in excellent shape, at the sharp end of humanitarian, refugee and livelihoods action, delivering high-impact programmes.
We are now seeking an exceptional leader who can build on these strong foundations while bringing the vision, judgement and ambition to lead the organisation through its next chapter.
Our new CEO will provide strategic and operational leadership, working closely with the Chair, Trustees, and staff to deliver the greatest impact. They will lead and inspire a talented team, ensure continued financial sustainability, oversee the impact and effectiveness of our programmes, and make thoughtful choices about where the charity focuses, grows and evolves.
The incoming CEO will be a compelling ambassador for World Jewish Relief and a highly credible voice within both the Jewish community and the international humanitarian and development sectors. Personally stewarding key donor relationships, they will also broaden networks and build strong relationships with government, community leaders, partners and supporters. They will balance external representation with the leadership of an ambitious and collaborative organisational culture.
The ideal candidate will bring significant senior leadership experience and combine strategic vision with operational understanding, excellent judgement and the ability to lead a complex organisation through change. Strong credentials in humanitarian or international development work are needed, alongside an interest in how data and AI can improve efficiency and impact. You will bring a strong understanding of the Jewish community and navigate confidently between this and the humanitarian and development sector. The successful candidate will be an outstanding communicator and relationship-builder: warm, authentic, emotionally intelligent and able to inspire confidence among staff, donors, Trustees, partners and the wider community. They will also be future-focused while ensuring the charity remains faithful to the history and Jewish values that make the organisation unique.
Above all, we are seeking someone with the passion, integrity and ambition to lead an organisation whose purpose is as relevant today as it was at its foundation: to act when people are in crisis and to help them not only survive but rebuild their lives with dignity and independence.
This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a respected and distinctive humanitarian organisation, building on 93 years of history while shaping an ambitious future for World Jewish Relief.
World Jewish Relief are being supported by Perrett Laver in this recruitment, led by Natasha Zoltie, Partner and Head of Social Impact Practice, natasha.zoltie@perrettlaver.com
Perrett Laver will conduct an executive search process in parallel with the public advertisement of the role. Longlisted candidates will be invited to interview with Perrett Laver in early October and the Selection Panel will then meet to decide upon a final shortlist for the post in mid-October. Subsequently, formal interviews with World Jewish Relief will take place in late October 2026.
To apply, please submit a CV and a compelling cover letter detailing how you fulfil the role description and person specification, to Perrett Laver quoting reference 8561.
The deadline for applications is 9.00am BST on Tuesday 22nd September 2026.
World Jewish Relief offers hybrid working between our offices in North West London, working from home, and national and international travel.
The salary and benefits package will be competitive within the INGO sector.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
World Jewish Relief promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We invite and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds. We encourage applications from candidates of different ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation and of faith or none that meet the criteria set out for this role. You don't need to be Jewish to work for us, but you must share our desire to seek to assist those who are both Jewish and those who are beyond the community, recognising the dignity and potential of all people.
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