Director, Strategic Initiatives & Delivery

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Please note that we will be prioritizing candidates who are current/former IRC staff before other applicants. If necessary, we will extend the opportunity to external candidates.
 

Background:

Over the past 80 years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to rebuild. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster.

The IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster. Through offices in cities across the United States, the IRC also helps refugees and other immigrants resettle in the U.S. and become self-sufficient. The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve. The IRC is a diligent advocate for the most vulnerable.  

Job Overview:  

The Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives and Delivery is a vital role to ensure the smooth running and high-performance of the full department of the COO. The role will ensure effective delivery of the responsibilities of the Operations and External Relations Departments. 

Major Responsibilities:

Strategic Initiatives

• Lead team and cross-functional colleagues to develop and continually strengthen External Relations, Europe and Operations Strategy
• Oversee development and execution of Europe market strategies in the context of increasing focus on Europe based donors, policy makers, and publics
• Execute strategic special projects as needed – these may be cross-functional or specific, short or long term, gaining buy-in from VP, SVP and C-Suite executives across the IRC.
• Support the design and lead aspects of the implementation of organizational change initiatives across the department.

Delivery & Reporting

• Represent the Chief Operation Officer in meetings and bi-lateral conversations, triaging opportunities, and risks as they occur and bringing sensitive and complex issues to resolution independently.  
• Drive cross-departmental initiatives, and manage cross-departmental forums. Lead the anticipation and mitigation of potential challenges to the department’s goals, and devise strategies and implement plans to avoid these coming to fruition.
• Lead community of practice of Operations & Planning leads to drive effective ways of working and best practices throughout the COO’s departments.

COO Office

• Act as strategic counselor to COO
• Lead the development of, and implement, strategies to ensure the effective performance of the department of over 500 employees globally with a focus on hard-working, coordinated and fulfilled teams
• Anticipate department communications needs, and develop and deliver departmental communications across all the various functions of the department of the COO including ER, Strategy, Operations and; internal organization-wide communications; and external communications. Conceptualize and implement organizational communication plan, including All Staff emails, All Staff meetings, Department Manager calls and Teams chats etc.

• Support the growth and professional development of IRC talent, partnering with Director P&C to develop and implement people strategy for respective groups.
• Manage Department Manager and high level of excellence related to calendar management, travel, approvals and meeting preparation for COO.

Job Requirements:

Work Experience:

• Minimum 7+ years in strategic delivery positions in partnership, strategy and fundraising operations roles that require substantial cross-departmental collaboration to deliver ambitious goals.
• Significant experience working with, and influencing, senior colleagues to tackle complex challenges and agreed mutually beneficial decisions.
• Proven experience supporting the generation of outcomes from teams, both where there is direct line management responsibility and through influencing.
• Strategy and problem-solving experience accurately diagnosing business challenges, and devising, crafting by-in for, and implementing effective solutions with timely and efficient performance metrics.
• (Desirable) Experience working in two or more of the External Relations functions. 

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Strategic planning and strategy development
• Outstanding project and stakeholder management skills with a proven track record delivery ambitious, complex, sensitive and board initiatives on timelines.
• Strong communicator in written and verbal form.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify and address multifaceted business needs.
• Change management and organizational behavior

Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to U.S.-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

• New York, NY Pay Range: $135k - $145k
• London, UK Pay Range: £70k - £ 77k

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

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Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget.  Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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