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.
Job Overview: Marketing & Mobilization (M&M), a key part of External Relations (ER) is a dynamic team tasked with overseeing and executing communications and marketing, building the IRC’s global profile and brand, increasing private revenue from deep donor engagement and partnerships, and influencing our target audiences – all in the service of helping people facing the world’s worst humanitarian crises. In alignment with our Strategy100 commitments, M&M has launched ambitious multi-year campaigns that raise funding, profile and influence and will improve our share of voice and resonance in key geographies and globally. M&M continuously innovates the IRC brand, which enables us to increase awareness, understanding of and support for our work.
The Content & Creative team, a core part of M&M, consists of award-winning brand and creative specialists and idea partners, developing powerful communications and experiences to engage audiences and ultimately to deliver on ER ambitions and objectives. Using creative mediums such as visual design, video, stunts, and storytelling, we tap into the expertise and talents of colleagues throughout the organization.
The Associate Director, Brand plays a key role in shaping and promoting the IRC’s identity, ensuring its values and mission are communicated effectively to donors, clients, and partners. This individual will partner with leadership in strategic branding initiatives, work with cross-functional teams, and ensure brand consistency across all channels. The role will also include conducting due diligence on external brand partnerships and managing risk to safeguard the organization’s reputation. The ideal candidate will have a passion for social impact and the humanitarian sector, strong leadership skills, and an ability to combine creativity with a deep understanding of nonprofit branding and messaging.
Major Responsibilities:
Brand Management
•Oversee the development and implementation of brand guidelines to ensure consistency across all channels and touchpoints.
•Train on brand guidelines and creative standards to ensure consistency and quality across all brand touchpoints.
•Ensure consistent brand messaging and positioning across channels (digital, print, social media, and events) and geographical regions.
•Support brand positioning efforts to differentiate the organization in a competitive landscape and drive brand affinity and trust.
•Provide strategic guidance and feedback on visual identity, campaign messaging, and design.
•Partner with Communications, Content & Creative to ensure all content adheres to our ethical storytelling guidelines and GEDI (Gender, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion) values
Due Diligence & Risk Management:
•Conduct comprehensive due diligence on external branding partnerships (corporates, influencers, etc) to ensure alignment with IRC values and strategic objectives.
•Assess potential risks to brand reputation, including legal, regulatory, and social implications of brand activities and campaigns.
•Monitor brand compliance with industry regulations, intellectual property laws, and licensing agreements.
•Regularly review competitor activities, industry developments, and market conditions to mitigate risks and capitalize on opportunities.
Performance Measurement & Reporting
•Monitor and assess brand health through metrics and feedback, making data-driven adjustments as necessary.
•Establish and track key performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of branding and creative initiatives.
•Provide actionable insights and recommendations to team members and leadership for continuous improvement
•Ensure brand efforts contribute to fundraising, donor engagement, advocacy, and programmatic goals
Stakeholder Collaboration:
•Serve as an internal brand champion, educating staff on brand standards and the importance of consistent messaging across the organization.
•Partner with marketing, communications, fundraising, and program teams to ensure brand and creative alignment with organizational priorities and objectives.
Innovation and Trends:
•Stay informed of industry trends, new technologies, and standard methodologies to keep the brand fresh and relevant.
•Drive innovation in brand and creative approaches to improve audience engagement and reach.
Job Requirements:
Work Experience:
•5-7+ years of successful, progressive experience in communications, content, creative and/or marketing teams
•Nonprofit, humanitarian sector experience
Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:
•Outstanding brand sensibilities and the ability to communicate them
•Ability to lead brand training and implementation
•Proven success in global brand development, brand positioning and implementing in a global context
•Proven ability using data to inform and influence decision making
•Knowledge of systems and practices to best support private sector, mass market fundraising and global partnership development;
•Ability to identify, analyze and effectively critique creative, content and messaging, contextualized by stated business objectives
•Highly collaborative leader and standout colleague with talent for creatively teaming with and influencing cross-functional groups
•Proven acuity to thrive in a fast-paced environment with multiple demands and continuously adapt to new challenges and dynamic priorities, while maintaining professional grace and a sense of humor
•Extraordinary aptitude in written and verbal communication and presentation
•Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and a strong passion for our mission!
Working Environment:
•Standard office working environment
•Some domestic and international travel as needed up to 20%
•This role may require working remotely full or part time and part time remote employees may be required to share workspace.
Compensation:
Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.
US Benefits:
The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.
In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12 month time period.
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Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.
Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.