BACKGROUND
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 tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.
IRC UK
IRC UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its headquarters in New York. Our team in the UK works to raise IRC’s international 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, a programme that is rapidly growing.
In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm.
The Purpose of the Role
The Executive Director, IRC UK is responsible for delivering all of IRC’s targets in the UK, particularly with respect to fundraising, advocacy and communications but also UK finance, operations, and people and culture. The Executive Director leads the UK Senior Management Team.
An important objective for the Executive Director IRC UK will be maintaining the UK as a net contributing office within the IRC and to broaden, deepen and make more sustainable the IRC’s access to funding in the UK. This must be through a compelling and relevant external engagement strategy that harnesses the best of our programming globally.
Reporting to the Senior Vice President, IRC Europe and the UK Board of Trustees, the role provides organisational and staff leadership and accountability to IRC UK in a shared management structure. The Executive Director, IRC UK works closely with members of the IRC Senior Leadership Team for Europe to form and implement the departmental organisational agenda.
Given this matrix management structure, it will be critical to the continued success of IRC UK that the Executive Director, IRC UK build a highly effective team by influencing and collaborating with senior leaders across Europe and the global organisation.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
• Leadership Motivate and build a highly effective and collaborative UK senior team to deliver performance against targets in private and statutory fundraising, advocacy and communications.
• Support the board in delivering its objective to ensure governance and oversight in line with UK statutory obligations e.g. charities Commission and Companies house requirements
• Ensure that the UK Board is aware of and engaging effectively with IRC UK strategic priorities, and lead all ongoing Board engagement,
• Embed a high-performing, “can do” culture across IRC UK which brings together contributions from all functions.
• Provide effective and collaborative matrix management along with colleagues in regional functions in Europe (i.e. communications, policy and advocacy, HR, Finance and Operations) and IRC’s global award management and technical units.
• Leadership of an office of around 250 staff, including staff in UK focused positions and also UK based international staff
• Communicate corporate values both internally and externally and lead by example in organisational ethics and morals.
• Champion Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for IRC-UK
Stakeholder Engagement and Public Representation
• Develop a stakeholder engagement plan across our various internal and external stakeholder groups.
• Act as an effective ambassador with external stakeholders including government, institutional donors , corporate and private funders in the UK, in close collaboration with the SVP Europe.
• Effectively represent IRC as a member Trustee and engage with the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC)
• Effectively represent IRC and engage IRC Patron
• Act as a compelling spokesperson to share IRC’s positions in British media and publicly advocate for IRC policy priorities
• Effectively engage with all media and opinion-forming organisations to protect and enhance the reputation and visibility of IRC UK.
• Develop a strong relationship with UK charities and regulators to proactively improve the standing of the organisation, and ensure its compliance on all reporting requirements.
Planning, Delivery and Performance
• Take overall accountability for achieving agreed performance measures in all areas of the IRC UK’s activities e.g. Resettlement Asylum and Integration (RAI) programme, particularly fundraising, communications and advocacy in the UK.
• Define and monitor the effectiveness of IRC UK’s operating model to ensure quality, service and cost-effective management of resources.
• Define and track key performance indicators with the UK Senior Management Team to ensure and report on delivery of objectives.
• Contribute to the IRC 2020-25 strategic planning process by coordinating the input from the UK as required by the SVP Europe and the Global Strategy Unit.
• Review management and financial reporting and statements to determine progress and status in attaining objectives, and revise plans in accordance with current conditions.
Governance
• Represent IRC UK at the Europe Senior Management Team meetings.
• Lead the IRC UK Senior Management Team.
• A member of the Global Senior Leaders’ Group led by the IRC President.
• Report to the IRC UK Board of Trustees and prepare three annual Board meetings.
• Create sustainable and effective internal structures between global functional departments and the UK office.
• Ensure IRC UK operates effectively within all relevant statutory, regulatory and quality frameworks and to the highest ethical and governance standards.
• Ensure effective financial and operational controls are in place for the organisation including systems to ensure fundraising operates on a highly ethical basis.
• Oversee an appropriate risk management culture and process.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Experience:
• Significant experience in leading, managing and executing across complex not-for-profit organisations including leading Senior Management Teams.
• Track record of advocacy and influencing senior stakeholders across government, business and other not-for-profit organisations.Track record of being a spokesperson and public advocate on humanitarian or related topics
Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications:
• Strong fundraising skills and track record of driving fundraising results.
• Ability to build strong relationships across a complex, matrixed stakeholder map evidenced by moving stakeholder groups to action. Proven track-record in building consensus.
• Flexibility and the ability to thrive in a global matrixed environment.
• Excellent diplomatic and negotiation skills.
• Strong understanding of, and networks in, the UK not-for-profit and policy environments.
• A deep, observable and passionate commitment to IRC’s mission.
• Superb written and verbal communication skills.
Desirable:
• Experience in an executive leadership position in an international organisation.
• Experience in the overseas aid sector.
How to apply
Please apply thorough our website