At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives to double private revenue and transform the External Relations strategy.
- Company: Join the International Rescue Committee, a global leader in humanitarian aid.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by driving impactful change for vulnerable communities worldwide.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategy development and project management, preferably in humanitarian settings.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on innovation and accountability.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 75000 £ per year.
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, 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.
The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and accountability to those we serve. The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.
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.
The External Relations (ER) department includes private fundraising, marketing & communications and advocacy. ER’s goal is to mobilize external audiences to raise funding to meet core organization needs, deliver programs that support our clients to recover and gain control of their lives, influence policy changes to improve outcomes for our clients, and build and grow our global brand.
The Strategy & Planning (S&P) team is responsible for supporting ER to advance our ambitious global strategy, driving impact and strategic change. The S&P team works with leadership to define ER’s strategic goals and associated plans, monitor progress towards them, and lead strategic projects that address barriers or pursue opportunities to advance our ER strategy.
The IRC is embarking on an ambitious new strategy which includes doubling its private revenue in the next eight years in order to enable the IRC to reach 40M clients by 2033. This will require multiple teams, including fundraising, communications and marketing, advocacy, technology, and operations working closely together to develop and execute a multi-year strategic plan with clear revenue goals and investment options.
The Director of Strategy & Planning will be a driver of this strategy. In this role, you will clarify the vision, develop the process and analysis methods, and own the final outputs of the strategy process. You will be a critical thought partner to the IRC COO and leadership across External Relations.
This is a high visibility role. Ultimately the measure of your success will be your impact - the lasting benefit you bring to the IRC through your contributions.
Key Accountabilities
- Lead the development and implementation of ER multi-year strategy by conceptualizing the approach, managing required consultations and analysis, and building the business cases to underpin the growth of private revenue.
- Provide support and oversight to key strategic initiatives in ER.
- Collaborate closely with and provide advisory support to global senior leaders.
- Build cross-departmental coordination and collaborate effectively to ensure representation of External Relations in IRC-wide projects.
- Lead the annual strategy and financial planning process across ER.
People and Culture
- Direct line management of 4 strategy professionals.
- Develop team’s capabilities in structured analysis; critical thinking to solve ambiguous problems.
- Promote a positive, collaborative, efficient team working environment.
Person Specification
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
- Experience developing multi-year growth strategies.
- Repeated experience in executing strategic change and organizational change management.
- Good knowledge of private fundraising in humanitarian or development settings.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Criteria
UK based candidates who state that they have a disability and meet the minimum criteria will be invited to interview.
The application deadline is February 27, 2026.
IRC UK strives to be an equal opportunities employer and is committed to equality of opportunity and to non-discrimination for all job applicants and employees.
Director, Strategy & Planning in London employer: IRC - International Rescue Committee
Contact Detail:
IRC - International Rescue Committee Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Strategy & Planning in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to the IRC. A friendly chat can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the IRC's mission and recent projects. Show us you’re passionate about humanitarian work and how your skills align with our goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience can help the IRC double its private revenue by 2033. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Strategy & Planning in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Director, Strategy & Planning role. Highlight your relevant experience in strategic leadership and project management, and don’t forget to mention your knowledge of private fundraising in humanitarian settings!
Showcase Your Impact: When detailing your past roles, focus on the impact you’ve made. Use specific examples that demonstrate how you've driven strategic change or improved processes. We love seeing measurable results, so include those numbers if you can!
Be Clear and Concise: In your written application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We want to understand your thoughts easily, so keep it concise and to the point.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at IRC - International Rescue Committee
✨Know Your Strategy Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the IRC's current strategies and goals. Understand their mission to double private revenue by 2033 and think about how your experience aligns with this vision. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led strategic initiatives in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Director, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership capabilities. Prepare to share stories that highlight your ability to influence and persuade others, manage cross-departmental projects, and drive change. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to face hypothetical scenarios during the interview that test your analytical problem-solving skills. Think about how you would approach complex challenges without a predefined methodology. Practise articulating your thought process clearly and concisely.
✨Connect on Values and Culture
The IRC values integrity, service, equality, and accountability. Reflect on how these principles resonate with you and be prepared to discuss how you embody them in your work. Showing that you align with their culture will set you apart as a candidate who truly understands their mission.