Director of Innovation and Partnerships

Director of Innovation and Partnerships

The Atlantic Institute, established in 2016 at Rhodes House, Oxford, serves as the convening hub for the global Atlantic Fellows program. Working in partnership with seven Atlantic Fellows programs worldwide, the Institute connects and supports over 1000 Fellows who are advancing fairer, healthier, and more inclusive societies. Through its work, the Institute catalyses collaboration among Fellows and amplifies their impact in addressing systemic inequity and advancing social justice across borders and disciplines.

We are seeking a visionary and strategic leader to serve as our Director of Innovation and Partnerships, driving high-impact collaborations that enhance the organisation’s influence, sustainability, and strategic direction. This newly created role will be central to forging meaningful partnerships across government, business, philanthropy, and civil society, ensuring long-term programme viability and systemic change. Reporting to the Executive Director and as part of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director will expand networks, position the organisation as a thought leader, and develop innovative partnership models.

You will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive partnership strategy that strengthens the organisation’s role in critical sectoral discussions and decision-making spaces. By enhancing visibility through public speaking, publishing, and convening strategic dialogues, you will create opportunities for knowledge exchange and shared action. A key measure of success will be the introduction of new areas of engagement, ensuring long-term strategic value while advancing partnerships that drive equity, governance, and innovation. The role also includes overseeing the Extended Reality (XR) team, integrating emerging technology into programmes, and improving institutional capacity.

The ideal candidate brings a proven track record in building strategic partnerships and positioning organisations in high-level policy and impact discussions. You must demonstrate exceptional stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills, along with a deep understanding of equity, governance, and innovation in a global context. You'll also enhance institutional capacity by improving knowledge-sharing, operational effectiveness, and collaboration across teams. Strong communication abilities, including public speaking and publishing, are essential, as is a collaborative leadership style that fosters knowledge-sharing and continuous learning.

This is an exciting opportunity for a relationship-driven leader passionate about creating lasting impact through innovative partnerships. If you thrive in complex environments, excel at building networks, and are committed to advancing equity and innovation, we encourage you to apply.

The Atlantic Institute will be supported in this appointment by executive search firm Perrett Laver. Any initial enquiries should be directed to Isabela Betoret at isabela.betoret@perrettlaver.com  & +44 (0)20 3928 7387.

Applications should consist of a cover letter, full CV detailing academic and professional qualifications, employment history, latest remuneration, and relevant achievements.

The closing date for applications is 9:00 am (BST) Monday 28th April

The Atlantic Institute is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds who share our commitment to fostering fairer, healthier, and more inclusive societies.

Accessibility

For a conversation in confidence or should you require access to these documents in alternative formats, please contact Isabela. If you require any reasonable adjustments to assist you in the selection process, please advise us of these so that we can make appropriate arrangements.

If you have comments that would support us to improve access to documentation, or our application processes more generally, please do not hesitate to contact us via accessibility@perrettlaver.com.