Director, UK People & Culture

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), operating in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities, helping people survive, reclaim control of their future, and strengthen their communities. IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity, and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, join us in positively impacting lives worldwide for a better future.

BACKGROUND

Over the past 90 years, the IRC has developed expertise in emergency response and rebuilding uprooted communities. The IRC operates in over 40 countries, providing emergency relief and rebuilding lives, committed to bold leadership, innovation, partnerships, and accountability.

IRC UK is part of the IRC global network with headquarters in New York, raising awareness, driving policy and practice change, and increasing funding to aid those affected by conflict and disaster. Since 2021, IRC UK has also provided direct integration services to refugees in the UK, a rapidly growing program.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The P&C Director manages HR teams across IRC UK, Switzerland, Belgium, and Sweden, ensuring effective HR service delivery, compliance, and continuous improvement within the People & Culture department. The role fosters a positive, inclusive, high-performing workplace aligned with IRC’s values, with a focus on communication, operational excellence, and modeling respectful leadership. Reporting to the Regional Director, P&C Europe, and collaborating with global colleagues, the role supports the implementation of People & Culture priorities across 300+ IRC staff in these countries, aligning with local and global standards. The role also supports the UK Executive Director in managing relations with the UK Trade Union, Unite, including negotiations and consultations on employee relations matters. The post holder must have a strong understanding of union relations and legal compliance, working collaboratively to achieve favorable outcomes for IRC UK and its staff.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• P&C Strategic Leadership and Management (25%)
  • Serve as a strategic advisor to HR Managers, Executive Directors, and UK SMT on succession planning and leadership transitions.
  • Provide strategic guidance on People & Culture and organizational values to align with IRC’s mission and goals.
  • Supervise and support 5-7 P&C staff across UK, Belgium, Switzerland, and Sweden, ensuring leadership and management excellence.
  • Lead talent dialogues, development opportunities, and coaching for high-quality performance reviews.
  • Advocate for Employee Wellbeing, Engagement, and Safeguarding, modeling safe and inclusive leadership.
  • Provide feedback and guidance on career development, fostering continuous learning.
  • Partner on workforce planning, including organizational design, ensuring legal compliance and risk minimization.
  • Support management with coaching, tools, and guidance to develop motivated staff.
  • Manage the UK HR budget with support from FP&A, and prepare reports for the UK Board and committees.
• Manage HR Service Delivery and Core Operations (40%)
  • Oversee P&C objectives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and global solutions models.
  • Contribute to proposal design and grant reviews, advising on structure and staffing analysis.
  • Use data to inform decision-making and ensure accurate, timely reporting to UK Board and donors.
  • Oversee activities across the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, exits, payroll, benefits, performance management, and staff communication.
  • Develop and implement improvement plans in recruitment, compensation, employee relations, and HR policies.
  • Advise on disciplinary actions, mediate disputes, and ensure fairness and legal compliance.
• Workplace Culture (15%)
  • Promote initiatives to enhance employee experience, engagement, and inclusion.
  • Foster a healthy organizational culture by integrating IRC values and standards.
  • Embed safeguarding practices in hiring, onboarding, and workplace policies.
  • Ensure communication of IRC Way and reporting channels across locations.
  • Partner with ethics and compliance teams to promote respectful workplaces.
  • Support duty of care initiatives and incident response.
  • Maintain connectivity and communication among P&C staff.
• Collaborate with the Union (15%)
  • Maintain positive relations with UK Trade Union, Unite, working with the UK Executive Director.
  • Negotiate and consult in joint meetings, ensuring progress on policies, updates, and salary negotiations.
  • Develop union engagement and communication plans to promote open dialogue.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Indirect reporting to Europe Regional P&C Director
• Partner with UK Executive Director and SMT
• Manage HR staff across UK, Belgium, Switzerland, and Sweden
• Collaborate with Trade Union Representatives
• Oversee contracts with employees, consultants, and vendors
• Work with Global P&C team and senior managers organization-wide

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

• CIPD qualification and experience with UK HR processes, including restructures, TUPE, and employee relations.
• Significant HR leadership experience across People & Culture responsibilities.
• Strong teamwork, interpersonal, and analytical skills, with experience in a global matrix organization.
• Experience in international organizations is a plus.
• Deep knowledge of UK employment law and advising senior leaders.
• Experience working with Trade Unions.
• High confidentiality, tact, and service orientation.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects independently.

Standard Responsibilities

• Promote initiatives to build team engagement, inclusion, and cohesion.
• Foster learning, dialogue, and adherence to safeguarding and IRC values.

Standard Job Requirements

The IRC and its workers adhere to the IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct, including principles of integrity, service, equality, and accountability. Policies on beneficiary protection, safeguarding, anti-harassment, fiscal integrity, and anti-retaliation are enforced.

Additional Information

IRC strives for diversity and inclusion, embodying our culture statement to create a reflective, equitable, and effective team. We are committed to narrowing the gender gap and providing benefits that support women in leadership roles. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. IRC UK is an equal opportunities employer, welcoming applications from all backgrounds, including refugees and underrepresented groups. Reasonable adjustments will be provided for applicants with disabilities. Contact us if needed.

Recruitment Process

The process includes initial online panel interviews, a final online panel interview with a presentation task. For questions, contact.

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and workers must adhere to the IRC Way, emphasizing integrity, service, accountability, and equality.