Associate Director, Foundations - Global Partnerships - Europe

• remote type
• Fully Remote

• locations
• London, UK

• time type
• Full time

• posted on
• Posted Yesterday

• time left to apply
• End Date: December 11, 2025 (13 days left to apply)

• job requisition id
• JR00001155

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.

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

Key Working Relationships

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

Person Specification

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.

Standard Responsibilities

Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC UK.

Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.

Standard Job Requirements

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Related standard content:

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.

UK:

Narrowing the Gender Gap: The IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including flexible hours (when possible), enhanced maternity/adoption leave and pay and gender-sensitive security protocols.

The salary for the position is GBP61,000 – GBP 71486 per year

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

The application deadline is 11th December 2025.

IRC UK strives to be an equal opportunities employer. IRC UK is committed to equality of opportunity and to non-discrimination for all job applicants and employees, and we seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce regardless of gender, race, religious beliefs, nationality, ethnic/national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

IRC UK welcomes applications from all candidates, including underrepresented groups and refugees who have the right to work in the UK.

IRC UK will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application and/or interview process, and for essential job functions if appointed to a role. Please contact us if you may need such adjustments.

Recruitment Process

The process for this role will be as follows

• First round panel interview online – including assessment / test
• Second round panel interview

If you have any questions or need assistance with the online recruitment process, please contact the IRC UK HR team at applications@rescue-uk.org.

#IRC-Europe

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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Why Choose the IRC?

Work that has meaning: Every day at the IRC is a chance to make a difference through a purpose-driven career. Whether you're working directly with communities or providing support behind the scenes, you will be part of a dynamic team that is always innovating, scaling, and testing new and better solutions to ensure the best possible outcomes for the people we serve.

Global scale, dynamic workplace: At the IRC, we believe that the dynamic, global make-up of our team is our strength. When you join us, you're not just starting a job—you will be part of a global organization positively impacting millions of lives in over 40 get to work with colleagues from all around the world—working across time zones and regularly exchanging different ideas, perspectives and insights. You’ll join a team that is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and heard.  

Challenging work, innovative solutions: We’re committed to excellence and innovation, and pride ourselves in setting industry-leading standards while practicing evidence and data-lead strategies. Come challenge norms, shatter conventions, and pioneer change while working on real, nuanced and complex issues we face in the world today.  

Community centered: We’re an empathetic community that truly cares for one another. Our comprehensive safety and security initiatives ensure a safe work environment, while our continuous learning and development programs provide ongoing opportunities for personal and career advancement.

Our Typical Recruitment Process

The interview process typically includes three rounds, though the number may vary depending on the role and level of seniority. It usually begins with a conversation with our recruiting team to learn more about you and your goals. This is followed by an interview with a hiring manager or business stakeholder to explore your background and provide more insight into the role. The final round focuses on assessing your role-specific expertise and may be conducted as a panel interview to evaluate your cross-functional strengths. Before extending an offer, we generally conduct reference checks, and after an offer is made, a standard background check is completed. While we strive for consistency, the process may differ based on the role, business unit, location, job type, legal requirements, and other factors.