ROLE DESCRIPTION
Head of Foundation
Salary: £65,000 - £75,000 per annum
Location: UK based, with 2–3 days a week in the London office
Reporting to: Chair of the Board
Direct Reports: Communications & Impact Lead, Administrator
Purpose: The Head of Dr. Martens Foundation is responsible for leading the strategy, governance and delivery of the Dr. Martens Foundation, ensuring it creates meaningful, long term social impact aligned to brand values and sustainability priorities. This role ensures the Foundation operates with clarity of purpose, strong governance and measurable impact.
Working closely with Sustainability, Brand, People and external partners, the role plays a critical part in embedding social purpose into the wider Consumer & Brand agenda. It ensures the Foundation’s work strengthens community impact, employee engagement and brand credibility while operating transparently and responsibly.
Key responsibilities
Decision Remit
The Head of Foundation will:
Lead the development of the Foundation’s strategy and priorities for Trustee approval.
Make recommendations and decisions on programmes, partnerships and funding allocations within agreed governance frameworks.
Shape the Foundation’s approach to impact measurement, reporting and learning.
Manage the Foundation’s budget and resources within agreed parameters.
Escalate material strategic, reputational, financial or compliance risks to the Chair and Trustees.
Foundation Strategy & Direction
Shape and lead the Foundation’s strategy with the Trustees, building on its refreshed mission and ensuring clear priorities for social impact.
Grant-Making & Programme Delivery
Lead the Foundation’s grant-making and programmes, combining strategic oversight with a hands-on approach to applications, due diligence, partner assessment and funded relationships.
Impact & Learning
Define how success is measured, use evidence and learning to strengthen programmes, and ensure the Foundation can clearly demonstrate its impact.
Governance & Financial Oversight
Work closely with Trustees to ensure strong governance, compliance, financial management and accountability.
Partnerships & Influence
Build trusted relationships with funded partners, community organisations, Trustees and key stakeholders across Dr. Martens, using influence and collaboration to extend the Foundation’s reach and impact.
Brand, Purpose & Employee Engagement
Ensure the Foundation reflects the values of Dr. Martens while maintaining its independence, and create meaningful opportunities for employees to engage with its mission.
External Representation
Act as a credible and visible ambassador for the Foundation, building partnerships, supporting advocacy and raising its profile where appropriate.
Team Leadership
Lead and develop the Foundation team, creating a collaborative, accountable and effective working culture.
Person specification
We are looking for someone who can bring together strong social impact judgement, credible grant-making experience and the ability to build relationships across very different worlds. You may come from a foundation, funder, charity, social enterprise, corporate partnerships or another purpose-led environment; what matters most is the perspective, judgement and leadership you bring.
You will bring:
Strong social impact and grant-making experience, with a practical understanding of funding decisions, due diligence, partner relationships and what responsible grant-making looks like in practice.
Strategic judgement and the ability to build, with the confidence to take a refreshed mission and turn it into clear priorities, strong programmes and meaningful impact.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate ideas clearly, tell compelling stories about impact and adapt your style across different audiences.
The ability to influence and build trust, whether working with community organisations, funded partners, Trustees, employees or senior leaders within Dr. Martens.
Credibility and external presence, with the confidence to represent the Foundation, build partnerships and create momentum around its mission.
A strong values alignment with the Foundation’s purpose, including a genuine commitment to social justice, inclusion and “Backing the right to be yourself”, alongside an understanding of the communities the Foundation exists to support.
The ability to operate across an independent Foundation and a global consumer brand, understanding both the opportunity that relationship creates and the importance of maintaining the Foundation’s independence and credibility.
A collaborative and hands-on leadership style, with the ability to lead a small team, work comfortably in the detail when needed, and bring energy, curiosity and entrepreneurial thinking to the role.
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