Associate Director, Foundations - Global Partnerships - Europe

Background

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 humanitarian organizations, 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.

IRC UK

IRC UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its global headquarters in New York. Our team in the UK works to raise profile, deliver policy and practice change, and increase funding to help restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Since 2021, IRC UK has also provided integration services directly to refugees in England.

In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm.

Job Overview/Summary

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is looking for an Associate Director for foundation partnerships across Europe based in the UK. Embedded in the Global Foundation & Trusts (F&T) team within the External Relations department responsible for the organization s communication, fundraising and advocacy work, this position plays a key role in enabling the growth of the IRC s F&T income and profile in the UK and across Europe. Using an ROI focused, transnational approach, the role aims to establish a robust pipeline of European foundations most relevant to the IRC and build sustainable, multi-year F&T partnerships with top European foundations.

Key Accountabilities

Develop and implement cultivation strategies for foundation partnerships across Europe that contribute to IRC s F&T s revenue target and align with the wider IRC External Relations strategy;

• Lead on existing partnerships, including direct strategic planning with donors, and proposal and report submissions, as well as collaboration with internal partners for effective grants management;
• Proactively contact foundation prospects, establish initial relationships as well as re-actively responds to incoming requests;
• Personally solicit and secure 6 to 7+ figure income from European foundations, with the aim of establishing long-term relationships;
• Collaborate with relevant teams and support functions at IRC s US-based HQ and IRC entities in Europe to ensure best-in-class new business outreach and account management;
• Synthesize the IRC s programs into clear, compelling presentations, proposals, and reports for private sector audiences, positioning IRC as the go-to partner in the humanitarian sector;
• Remain up to date with the latest trends in the European foundation landscape, ensuring that the IRC s partnership proposition remains compelling and competitive;
• Represent IRC s F&T team effectively in related fora;
• Ensure open and relevant communication is maintained between the IRC and our foundation partners;
• Maintain clear CRM records for the portfolio that contribute to comprehensive tracking/reporting on IPP s client universe; and
• Collaborate across other External Relations teams on initiatives that span departments to include but not be limited to our joint dedication to a diverse, positive and inclusive work environment.

Key Working Relationships

Position Reports to: Director, Global Foundation Partnerships (Europe-based)

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications:

Work Experience:

Strong experience with non-profit high-value fundraising experience with Corporates, Foundations or HNWI, ideally within a large or medium-sized charity.

A proven track record of managing and developing high-level foundation partnerships to mutual benefit and securing new multi-year partnerships at a 6 to 7+ figure income level.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Experience of working to, and meeting, ambitious revenue goals and performance indicators, as well as participating in financial projections, reporting, and scenario planning;
• Ability to translate an organization s strategy and objectives into operational delivery and, at times, respond quickly to changes in short-term priorities;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to produce high-quality pitches, proposals and reports;
• Proven knowledge of private sector philanthropy processes, and the particular issues affecting the foundation sector in Europe;
• Understanding of the internal support processes required to deliver effective institutional funder relationships;
• Demonstrated ability to maintain positive, collaborative, productive relationships with staff at all levels and geographies, including with senior leaders;

Strong intercultural communication skills; proven ability to work effectively with people from other cultural backgrounds;

• Proficient networker with the ability to represent the organization externally at a senior level and to convey complex ideas in a clear, compelling manner;
• Good judgment in maintaining confidentiality of donor information;
• Driven, motivated and proactive with a solutions-based attitude and resilient in the face of setbacks;
• Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills, with an ability to devise creative solutions to sophisticated problems and issues;
• Excellent organizational skills, especially the ability to manage a complex, varied and substantial workload;
• Passion for the IRC s mission and dedication to private sector partnerships; and
• Dedication to fundraising for international development, human rights, social justice and global refugee and migrant communities.

Desired Qualifications:

• Proficiency in English required. Excellent knowledge of the following languages would be decisive asset: Dutch, French and/or Swedish.
• CRM experience Salesforce preferred.