Associate Director, Foundations & Trusts

Benefits

Additional Information

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's External Relations (ER) department brings together three main and complementary functions - Private Fundraising, Communications, and Advocacy - to ensure the organization has the resources and visibility needed to support more than 18 million people affected by conflict, disaster and displacement worldwide. With a global workforce of over 15,000 staff, ER plays a critical role in advancing IRC's mission and strategic priorities. The Global Foundations & Trusts pillar within ER leads engagement with a growing portfolio of foundation partnerships across the United States and other key markets including the Middle East and Europe, aligning funder priorities with IRC's diverse, evidence-based programs around the world. The Associate Director will sit within the Foundations & Trusts U.S. team and manage a portfolio of U.S.-based partners that provide financial and strategic support to IRC. This new role will be responsible for stewarding existing relationships, identifying and qualifying new prospects, and designing engagement strategies that drive sustained and new revenue while advancing measurable humanitarian impact through innovative, impact-focused partnerships. The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of U.S. foundation philanthropy; excels at collaboration and communication with internal and external stakeholders; leverages systems and data to strengthen donor relationships; and contributes as a team leader and mentor within a high-performing fundraising team. Major Responsibilities: - Collaborate with the Co-Senior Director of U.S. Foundations & Trusts and cross-functional colleagues to identify, shape, and advance high-impact, solutions-oriented foundation partnerships that support IRC's global priorities. - Lead the design and execution of comprehensive outreach, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for a portfolio of U.S.-based foundations, driving new business development, proposal submissions, and compelling partnership pitches. - Proactively identify, qualify, and cultivate new foundation prospects, building and managing a strong pipeline aligned with IRC strategic priorities and funding needs. - Establish and implement robust stewardship and servicing plans for foundation partners, including clear performance indicators, reporting schedules, and forward-looking engagement strategies to maximize partnership value, revenue growth, and donor satisfaction. - Engage and support senior IRC leadership, Board members and other key internal stakeholders in high-level relationship management and solicitations, providing strategic guidance, tailored briefing materials, and effective follow-up. - Monitor and analyze philanthropic and foundation-sector trends to inform prospecting strategies, strengthen value propositions, and position IRC competitively in the funding landscape. - Serve as a trusted internal advisor on foundation partnership strategy, ensuring open, relevant, and respectful communication between IRC and private sector partners, and effective coordination with global IRC colleagues. - Line-manage and mentor U.S. Foundations & Trusts officer(s), fostering strong performance through coaching, goal-setting, performance evaluations, and professional development planning. - Lead and contribute to special projects and cross-team initiatives, as assigned, that advance Foundations & Trusts' and broader External Relations' priorities. - Maintain accurate and timely CRM records to enable effective pipeline management, forecasting, and reporting. Candidate Requirements: - 7+ years of progressive frontline fundraising experience and demonstrated expertise in private sector resource development, with particular knowledge of and experience working with U.S.-based foundations Preferred Experience & Skills: - Proven track record of closing 6-7-figure grants from a dynamic portfolio of private institutional donors and prospects. - Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling proposals, pitches, and briefing materials, and to represent the organization confidently with external partners. - Proven understanding of foundation and private-sector philanthropy, including planning an