Senior Strategy Manager (Strategy & Planning)

London

Organization: IRC - International Rescue Committee
Location: London
Grade: Mid level - Mid level
Occupational Groups:
- Operations and Administrations
- Managerial positions
Closing Date: Closed

BACKGROUND

Over the past 80 years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to rebuild. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster.

The International Rescue Committee UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its headquarters in New York and London. The IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster. Through over 20 regional offices in cities across the United States, the IRC also helps refugees resettle in the US and become self-sufficient.

The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve. The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.

IRC-UK

Our European headquarters, IRC-UK, were established in London in 1997 to support the organisation’s global activities and particularly to diversify its donor base and be able to better advocate with European policy-makers on behalf of the people we serve. Since its establishment IRC-UK has grown rapidly and is now acknowledged for its high quality project management, technical expertise in governance and rights and economic recovery, and innovative thinking on early recovery and gender based violence. IRC-UK comprises approximately 120 staff.

In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm.

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

The External Relations (ER) department was created in February 2020 and is comprised of 3 main but complementary functional areas: Private fundraising, Communications and Advocacy. The ER department is in the beginning years of implementing an ambitious strategy that will enhance IRC’s ability to strengthen brand awareness and profile, shape the humanitarian sector by driving policy change and bring in more private income. Ultimately, ER works to help IRC deliver greater impact for those who we work with and serve, including more than 19 million people worldwide affected by conflict and crisis.

THE ROLE

The Senior Strategy Manager, Strategy & Planning will advance the implementation of the global ER strategy across functional areas and markets. He/she will lead large, complex strategic projects, working closely with ER senior leaders, facilitating often difficult conversations and driving to important decisions. This role will deliver high quality results at a fast pace, use strategic and critical thinking to quickly structure problems and rapidly iterate towards evidence-based solutions. This role requires excellent interpersonal and leadership skills, a high level of personal initiative and the ability to work well in a multicultural, dynamic environment.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Lead and oversee large, complex strategy projects, with minimal supervision; scope the project, drive to high-quality solutions a quick pace, and surface and quickly resolve roadblocks as they arise
Generate actionable insights and evidence-based user-centric solutions, informed by best practices, rigorous analysis and extensive consultation with IRC staff
Apply structure to ambiguous, complex problems and facilitate structured problem-solving sessions with team members and senior stakeholders
Validate findings and recommendations with senior leaders, facilitating decision making and consensus building meetings on critical topics
Collaborate closely with and provide problem-solving support to senior stakeholders as needed
Have your finger on the pulse on ER’s challenges and opportunities and senior leader goals and concerns
Lead project teams of 2+ people; assign responsibilities, review work for quality, and sharpen the thinking
Promote a positive, collaborative, and efficient working environment where team members enjoy working with each other, and feel inspired to grow and develop in new ways

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Lead and oversee large, complex strategy projects, with minimal supervision; scope the project, drive to high-quality solutions a quick pace, and surface and quickly resolve roadblocks as they arise
Generate actionable insights and evidence-based user-centric solutions, informed by best practices, rigorous analysis and extensive consultation with IRC staff
Apply structure to ambiguous, complex problems and facilitate structured problem-solving sessions with team members and senior stakeholders
Validate findings and recommendations with senior leaders, facilitating decision making and consensus building meetings on critical topics
Collaborate closely with and provide problem-solving support to senior stakeholders as needed
Have your finger on the pulse on ER’s challenges and opportunities and senior leader goals and concerns
Lead project teams of 2+ people; assign responsibilities, review work for quality, and sharpen the thinking
Promote a positive, collaborative, and efficient working environment where team members enjoy working with each other, and feel inspired to grow and develop in new ways