Executive Director

Executive Director

Full-time, Permanent Contract

ECL – Association of European Cancer Leagues

Brussels, Belgium

Deadline for application: 20 December
Starting date: 31 March or earlier

About ECL

The Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL) is the umbrella organisation of cancer leagues across the WHO European region and a driving force to advance cancer prevention, access to medicines and patient empowerment, as well as to influence EU health policies. Founded in 1980, ECL is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation independent from commercial interest, with a Secretariat based in Brussels.

ECL is looking for an Executive Director to take the helm from its long-time Director, who will continue to support the organisation as Expert Advisor.

Key responsibilities

• Manage the ECL office and oversees all activities and projects;
• Work with the ECL Board in developing plans for the strategic development of the organization;
• Ensure implementation of the annual work plans;
• Provide leadership and foresight, including ensuring the financial sustainability of the organization and fundraise when necessary;
• Act as the main spokesperson for the organization;
• Advocate for the objectives of the organization and its members;
• Promote the cancer agenda to EU institutions, members of the EP, Commission officials and other relevant organisations; to brief them and enlist their support on priority cancer policy areas;
• Actively engage in networking activities on behalf of the organisation and the projects in which it participates, building strong relationships with key players on an international level;
• Ensure a healthy membership and seek opportunities to recruit new members;
• Ensure that the organization is financially healthy and stable;
• Responsible for the full management, supervision, and recruitment of staff for an optimal secretariat;
• Work with external colleagues in accounting, auditing, and IT;
• Perform other duties, including administrative and financial, as required in a small office.

Required Qualifications

• More than 10 years’ experience in a senior position, including in setting budgets and reporting to a Board or Executive Committee;
• More than 15 years’ experience in public health or similar, preferably in cancer or NCD;
• University degree in a related field. Advanced degree (especially Doctorate) preferred;
• Proven experience working with international organisations;
• Fully fluent in spoken and written English, other European languages a plus;
• In-depth knowledge of public health issues and health systems in the area of non-communicable diseases and social determinants;
• Excellent communication and writing skills;
• Extensive experience in presenting and chairing international meetings;
• Proven networking and communication skills;
• Experienced in managing EU-funded projects;
• Have intermediate financial and accounting skills;
• Near-expert IT skills and self-sufficient with all common programmes and platforms including Microsoft, Google and Teams environments. Website editing skills a plus;
• Available to travel to other European countries at least 7 times a year, which may include weekends;
• Passionate and sincerely committed;
• Stress-resistant and flexible to work long hours when required; and
• EU citizen, or authorised to work in Belgium indefinitely.

What we offer

• A friendly and supportive working environment, with the opportunity to take initiative and drive work;
• We promise you will never be bored working in a rewarding career for a worthwhile cause;
• Full-time permanent contract with a competitive salary and extra benefits (meal vouchers, five additional extra-legal vacation days, time off between Christmas and New Year’s).

Applications for the position should be sent to vacancy(at)cancer.eu with the subject line: Executive Director – [Your name & surname]. Your application must include the following documents:

1. Curriculum vitae, no longer than two pages, with three professional references (2 of which must be direct line managers, contacted at a later stage);
2. Letter of Motivation, maximum two pages, which includes your 1) gross (brut) monthly salary expectations and 2) earliest availability.

Interviews will take place in Brussels in January. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.