Executive Director, People & Organisation

Would you like to shape the people, culture and organisational foundations of one of the world’s leading humanitarian organisations?

This is an opportunity to bring your global leadership experience to a mission with profound human impact. As Executive Director for People & Organisation (P&O) at the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), you will inspire employees, empower leaders and turn strategy into meaningful change – ensuring that DRC has the people, capabilities, structures and safeguards required to deliver effective humanitarian responses wherever they are needed most.

You will join DRC at an important time and have a real opportunity to influence its global direction and organisation. The global humanitarian system is going through fundamental change, and you will help shape and adapt organisational structure, operating models and staff capacity to the challenges and opportunities of the future. Your portfolio is global and spans organisation and culture, HR and leadership development, surge capacity, safety, legal affairs and Code of Conduct. As a member of the Executive Management Team, you will help shape strategy, and you will lead approximately 200 colleagues across P&O functions in headquarters and countries.

Reporting directly to the Secretary General, you will set the direction for DRC’s global People & Organisation strategy and ensure that it becomes an enabler for DRC’s ambitions. In close partnership with the Executive Management Team and senior leaders, you will create the conditions for talented people to grow and thrive – while strengthening an inclusive, and high-performing culture.

This role calls for a leader who enjoys moving between strategic ambition and practical delivery. You will ensure that global policies, systems, data, employment conditions and governance provide relevant and timely support to operations. At the same time, you will carry executive accountability for safeguarding, ethical conduct, legal compliance, safety and DRC’s humanitarian surge capacity – areas fundamental to DRC’s mission.

You will lead and develop an experienced senior team; Global HR, HR Denmark, HR Operations & Analytics, Surge Capacity, Safety, Code of Conduct, Legal, management support, and change, leadership and culture. Based at DRC’s headquarters in Copenhagen, you will work across a global organisation and build trusted relationships with colleagues and partners from many cultures and contexts.

The impact you will make:

• Shape DRC’s strategy, culture and global P&O agenda.
• Lead organisational change, leadership development and employee engagement.
• Attract, develop and retain the people DRC needs to deliver its mission.
• Ensure effective global P&O policies, systems, services and people insights.
• Oversee safeguarding, Code of Conduct, safety, legal compliance, duty of care.
• Strengthen humanitarian surge capacity.

About you

You are a credible executive who is motivated by purpose and energised by complexity. You bring the strategic perspective to see the whole organisation, the judgement to make thoughtful choices and the drive to translate ambition into clear priorities and measurable results. Colleagues experience you as an inclusive and trusted leader with integrity and empathy providing the clarity to make decisions and create momentum.

What you will bring:

• 10+ years of senior experience in global organisations and people leadership.
• A strong record of shaping people strategy and leading transformation across complex, international operations.
• Experience of organisational development, including the renewal and design of operating models.
• Broad understanding of governance, compliance, safeguarding, safety and legal matters.
• Strong stakeholder management, analytical and communication skills.
• An inclusive, decisive and high-integrity leadership style.
• A relevant master’s degree and fluent English; additional competency in French, Spanish, Arabic and Danish are an advantage.

All employees in DRC should master DRC's core competencies: Communicating, Taking the lead, Collaborating, Striving for excellence and Demonstrating integrity.

We offer

Contract length: Permanent

Work location: Lyngbyvej 100, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, just by Ryparken S-train station. DRC has recently moved to a newly renovated multi-tenant house (VOX) with a modern look and shared green canteen.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the agreement between DRC and Lederaftalen between Dansk Arbejdsgiverforening and Lederne (agreement for managers), which can be found here: www.lederne.dk. This is a national position for which local terms and conditions apply.

We welcome all nationalities to apply for the role. If you do not have the existing right to work in Denmark, DRC will support with applying and paying for a work permit.

Application process

If you are motivated by the opportunity to strengthen a global humanitarian organisation through its people, culture and organisational capabilities, we would welcome your application. Korn Ferry is assisting the Danish Refugee Council with the recruitment of the Executive Director, People & Organisation. Please submit your motivated application and CV through the designated recruitment channel. All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 11th November 2026

Further information

For questions regarding the vacancy please contact: Rabea Rehman, Associate | Executive Search at Korn Ferry, E: DRC_PO@KornFerry.com

For more information about the Danish Refugee Council, please visit our website drc.ngo.

Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment regardless of personal characteristics or attributes.