Director of Partnerships and Growth

Employee Ownership Association

Hours
37.5 hours per week

About the Organisation

Eoa exists to grow and strengthen employee ownership as a force for powering fairer livelihoods, stronger businesses, and a more resilient economy. With 800+ member businesses and a community of thousands of employee owners, we are the national voice for employee ownership in the UK. Our refreshed strategy is focused on accelerating impact through people-powered growth. We’re here to make employee ownership a mainstream business model choice by expanding the sector, setting the standard for excellence, and building a connected, values-led ecosystem. We do this through sharp insight, high-impact advocacy, and a thriving member experience.

For founders and business owners exploring employee ownership, or for leaders and managers building Great EO businesses, the eoa offers tools, knowledge, experience, and connection. We facilitate powerful peer learning, codify what works, and champion the stories that inspire others to choose EO. Together with our members, we’re creating the conditions for employee ownership to thrive, seizing the political, cultural, and digital opportunities ahead. And this is where you come in.

As Director of Partnerships and Growth, you’ll be the driving force behind the EOA’s external influence and reach. You’ll lead our advocacy and external affairs strategy, build meaningful partnerships, and deliver powerful events programmes that accelerate the adoption of Great EO. You’ll also shape the narrative, ensuring our insights, policy recommendations, and thought leadership land with impact. This is a high-profile, senior leadership role at a pivotal time for the EO community. It calls for someone with a track record in advocacy or external affairs, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to lead high-performing teams. It also needs a big-picture thinker – someone who can champion EO, influence change, and help us build a more inclusive, resilient economy.

About the role

At the heart of this Director of Growth & Advocacy role is the opportunity to shape the external environment for employee ownership, champion the voice of our members, and lead high-impact strategies that grow both our reach and the sector itself. You’ll lead on policy, advocacy, external affairs, and events—crafting compelling narratives, building powerful partnerships, and delivering programmes that drive commercial sustainability and sector-wide change.

From shaping relationships with key stakeholders and securing strategic sponsorships to overseeing the delivery of thought leadership, content, and events, you’ll ensure that the EOA is not just part of the national conversation but leading it. Your ability to influence, convene, and inspire will be critical to removing barriers to employee ownership and unlocking the potential of our £1.7m organisation to deliver even greater impact. Join us on this exciting journey where your leadership will shape policy, grow influence, and contribute to our mission of unlocking the potential of people, businesses, and the economy through employee ownership.

Responsibilities

• Lead external affairs, collaborating with stakeholders to shape policy, advocacy, and best practices that remove barriers and expand EO.
• Establish relationships and secure commercial partnerships and sponsorships, generating revenue to support advocacy, events, and sector growth initiatives.
• Engage key stakeholders to co-produce content that positively influences EO practice and policy and amplify the EO’s voice in public affairs.
• Oversee the delivery of an effective content strategy that delivers our commercial objectives and positions the EOA as the leading EO authority.
• Oversee events programmes, ensuring they drive knowledge-sharing, sector development, and commercial sustainability.
• Represent the eoa at industry forums, policy roundtables, and public affairs events, championing the employee ownership model.
• Collaborate with the Director of Membership & Operations to align advocacy efforts with member needs and engagement.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams, fostering innovation and delivering measurable impact across advocacy, policy, and event activities.

Skills, Competencies, & Experience

• Proven expertise in advocacy, public affairs, or policy leadership, ideally within a business, trade body, or membership association.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with experience influencing government, media, and corporate partners.
• Demonstrated ability to drive sectoral or policy change, leading successful advocacy initiatives.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience in sponsorship acquisition, revenue generation, and developing financially sustainable initiatives.
• Exceptional strategic communication and storytelling skills, able to engage and mobilise diverse audiences.
• Experience in event programme development, ensuring high engagement and sector impact.
• Passion for employee ownership and economic models that promote shared prosperity.
• Innovative, creative, and proactive in problem-solving and strategy execution.
• Confident and transparent leader who fosters collaboration and inclusivity through teamwork.
• Self-aware with emotional intelligence, resilience, and integrity.

Compensation & Benefits

• Pensions 7% 
• 30 Days leave + Bank Holidays.

Working locations

• Home-Based
• Regular travel to eoa offices and national events

How to apply

• To apply, send a two-page CV plus a letter explaining what skills, experience, and approach you would bring to the role to [email protected] by 25th May 2025 at 11:59 PM

Interviews

• We’ll conduct interviews as suitable candidates apply. We’re ready to hire if we find the right person before the job closing date.

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