Associate Director, Foundations - Global Partnerships - Europe

International Rescue Committee; Greater London; On-site; GBP 61,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent humanitarian organization in the UK is seeking an Associate Director for foundation partnerships across Europe. This role aims to increase funding and develop partnerships with top European foundations, requiring strong fundraising experience and the ability to establish long-term relationships. The successful candidate will be pivotal in driving the organization’s mission forward, and must possess excellent communication and organizational skills. The position offers a salary range of GBP 61,000 to GBP 71,486 per year with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

Flexible work hours

Enhanced maternity/adoption leave

Gender-sensitive security protocols

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Qualifications

• Strong experience in non-profit fundraising, ideally with corporates or foundations.
• Proven capability in managing high-level partnerships and securing significant funding.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for proposals and reports.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies for foundation partnerships across Europe.
• Lead existing partnerships and manage grant applications and reports.
• Solicit six to seven-figure income from UK and European foundations.

Skills

Non-profit fundraising experience

High-level foundation partnerships

Communication skills

Networker

Analytical skills

Education

Experience in high-value fundraising

Tools

CRM experience

Job description

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 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 organisation’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 UK and 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 respond to incoming requests;
• Personally solicit and secure 6 to 7+ figure income from UK and European foundations, with the aim of establishing long‑term relationships;
• Collaborate with relevant teams and support functions in IRC UK and at IRC’s US‑based HQ and IRC entities in Europe to ensure best‑in‑class new business outreach and account management;
• Support the UK Executive Director in progressing strategic goals in fundraising, working in a coordinated way across high‑value funding teams in the UK and engaging as needed with IRC UK Senior Management Team and Board of Trustees;
• Synthesise the IRC’s programmes 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 UK and 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;
• 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
Position Reports to: Director, Global Foundation Partnerships (Europe‑based), and UK Executive Director (London‑based)

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 organisation’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 organisational skills, especially the ability to manage a complex, varied and substantial workload;
• Passion for the IRC’s mission and dedication to private sector partnerships;
• 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.

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

• Screening call online
• 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 [e-mail].

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.