IRC OVERVIEW

The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. In more than 40 countries and over 25 U.S. cities, our dedicated teams provide clean water, shelter, health care, education and empowerment support to refugees and displaced people. In 2020, the IRC and our program partners provided: 31 million people with access to health services, 410,000 children under 5 with nutrition treatment, 2.6 million people with clean water, 1.1 million people with cash relief, 819,500 children with schooling and education opportunities, 1.2 million people with gender-based violence awareness, 13,413 small businesses with business development support, and 5,237 people to become U.S. citizens.

JOB OVERVIEW

Are you passionate about IRC’s mission, making a positive impact and cultivating peoples work lives? Then join us! This position will serve as Director, Human Resources for the External Relations function in our Global Headquarters, based in New York City.

The External Relations (ER) department (currently 400+ team members and growing) is comprised of complementary areas: Private Fundraising, Communications, Business Operations and Policy & Solutions, Advocacy & Influence – functions that work together to mobilize external audiences to raise the requisite funds, influence policies and achieve practice changes to improve outcomes for our clients, while growing and protecting our global brand. ER has embarked on a 5-year investment to significantly expand its operations and continues to see exponential growth and change.

As People & Culture Director, you will provide strategic HR leadership to and be a vital member of the Global External Relations Leadership Team. You will collaboratively design and drive the ER People Strategy and play a part in building a positive and inspiring global ER culture. You will also be a member of IRC’s Global People & Culture Team and collaborate with other units across IRC’s global portfolio. This role will be uniquely responsible for the co-development and execution of long-term External Relations function and priorities.

We are looking for an individual who thrives in a fast-paced organization, can flex between strategic and tactical responsibilities in their day-to-day work and who enjoys working in a global environment with people from different cultures. Our work is fluid and can shift quickly, but those who enjoy this type of role are client-focused, creative problem solvers that balance employee and organizational needs and are inspired by knowing they are helping people achieve our humanitarian mission!

Major Responsibilities

• Lead the collaborative development of strategic plans in the areas of organizational design and development, orientation and onboarding, career progression, talent development and organizational planning, magnifying our employer brand and other key areas.
• Partner with leaders and staff in creating and promoting a global culture in which gender equality, diversity, and inclusion are reflected in the application of HR policy and practice and throughout every aspect of the employee experience at IRC.
• Lead the planning and implementation of global HR initiatives and People Strategy across ER. Ensure effective adaptation at all levels, working in partnership with other HQ, regional and local HR colleagues to ensure a cohesive approach.
• Collaborate with leadership to identify gaps in team structures while ensuring timely hiring and talent development. Focus on increasing a diverse representation of talent from the communities in which we work and serve.
• Provide expert advice and support to leaders of all levels in all people-related areas, including but not limited to general management counsel, workforce planning, policy inquiries, compensation and benefits, employee relations issues, recruitment strategy and exit management.
• Work with management to promote data-driven decision-making, developing timely HR dashboards and other ad-hoc presentations of metrics, relevant for respective management teams.
• Promote professional development and delivery of training and capacity building efforts, including use of e-learning and continuous innovation within remote management contexts. Identify and engage internal and external resources to provide timely and effective technical assistance.
• Collaborate with and contribute to the global HR leadership team, including through effective participation in regular meetings and team working groups.
• Manage the portfolio of Employee Relations cases independently and in coordination with the Ethics & Compliance Unit, including taking the lead on investigations. Make recommendations and carry out any necessary actions required to maintain and promote a safe and respectful workplace aligned with IRC values.
• Travel globally as and when needed to provide in-person HR leadership, support, technical trainings and/or management of special projects.

Your Development Value:

• Unparalleled exposure to and collaboration with senior leadership across a highly matrixed, global non-profit organization.
• Deepened understanding of global humanitarian aid, relief, and development sector.
• Understanding of how to lead, influence, and implement large, complex change efforts stemming from strategic, structural, and organizational changes, internal and/or external events or other operating factors.

Key Working Relationships:

Reports to: Senior Director, People & Culture – Global Headquarters

Direct Report: Human Resources Partner

Key Internal Relationships:

• SVP, People & Culture; Chief Operating Officer/SVP, External Relations; Leadership teams and employees across ER
• Local, regional, and global HR leaders, partners, and teams, particularly in US, Europe & Kenya
• Global HR functional leaders across Compensation & Benefits, Learning & Development, Wellbeing, Global Recruitment, Employee Relations, HR Operations, General Counsel & Internal Communications.

Job Requirements:

• 8+ years of progressive professional HR experience.
• Demonstrated success in partnering with senior management and building strong, trusted relationships.
• Deep commitment to fostering equity and inclusion in the workplace, with experience in establishing a supportive workplace for under-represented groups and accelerating their professional development.
• Demonstrated success providing HR counsel to groups of employees at multiple organizational levels, cultures, and locations within a regional or global environment strongly preferred.
• Experience or familiarity with INGOs and/or fundraising, marketing, policy and/or communications is preferred.
• Excellent management and leadership skills including coaching, mentoring, performance management and delivering individual and group training.
• Manage and meet competing deadlines in a fast-paced, high-volume environment and on deadline; decisive, agile, and committed to timely and creative problem solving.
• Broad knowledge and experience in employment law, compensation, organizational design and development, employee relations, and fostering positive culture.
• Strong collaborator with effective interpersonal and analytical skills who can work seamlessly across countries, cultures, and organizational units required.
• Superb interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills required.
• Proficiency in English; proficiency in French, Arabic, Spanish and/or another IRC language a plus.
• Must possess a highly collaborative, inclusive, consultative, and resourceful workstyle that balances required compliance/policy enforcement with a steadfast commitment to client service and staff support.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills including detailed work planning and superior time management skills.
• Ability to work independently supporting and partnering with teams with significant geographic dispersion.

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.