Communications Director - USA

A global leader in humanitarian assistance, the International Rescue Committee works in more than 40 countries offering help and hope to refugees and others impacted by violent conflict and disaster. During crises, IRC teams provide health care, shelter, clean water, sanitation, learning programs for children and special aid for women. As emergencies subside, the IRC stays to revive livelihoods and help shattered communities recover and rebuild. A tireless advocate for the most vulnerable, the IRC is committed to restoring hope, dignity and opportunity.

Marketing & Mobilization

Marketing & Mobilization (M&M) is a dynamic team that is tasked with building the IRC’s global profile and brand, increasing private revenue from deeper donor engagement and partnerships, and influencing our target audiences. The team is responsible for all of IRC's brand, communications, creative and content and digital engagement efforts. In alignment with our Strategy100 commitments, M&M has launched compelling multi-year campaigns that raise funding, profile and influence and will improve our share of voice and resonance in key geographies and globally. Lastly, they consistently work on innovating the IRC brand, which enables us to increase awareness, understanding of and support for our work so that we can raise more money and change policies to improve our crisis-affected clients’ lives around the world.

Global Public Affairs & Communications

Global Public Affairs, a part of the Marketing & Mobilization (M&M) team, targets priority IRC markets and audiences to advance and protect our policy goals, brand and profile. It's a key part of external messaging and product development, distribution and coordination for External Relations. The team uses proactive and reactive earned media (broadcast, digital & print) to support policy and income objectives, while also using frontline storytelling to advance our cause.

Job Overview

● The USA Communications Director leads a successful team, developing and driving IRC’s core USA communications strategy, with the objectives of growing our profile, influencing policy, driving income, and protecting our reputation.

● The Director leads a team of media/PR strategists driving proactive and reactive communications across portfolios including Resettlement Asylum & Integration, and IRC’s international crisis and response, targeting USA audiences to enable policy and income objectives. The role works closely with USA Policy & Advocacy and digital team members responsible for USA facing IRC channels.

Major Responsibilities:

● Craft and implement IRC’s USA Communications strategy working closely with counterparts across Policy & Advocacy, Fundraising and Mass Markets.

● Craft proactive and integrated communications campaigns on thematic IRC priorities

● Prepare and implement emergency USA communications during key crises

● Lead a strong team, building a culture that delivers career growth to team members

● Drive Executive Communications for key IRC USA leaders

● Recommend and report on key team measurement metrics including earned media and owned/organic digital and report to internal/external team members

● Lead USA media relations ensuring the communications team equips the organization with key messages, secure top tier national, local and digital media relations, developing the tools and training needed

● Advise on key reputational / brand issues management

● Represent the IRC as a spokesperson to external and internal audiences

● Strengthen / develop internal systems and processes to deliver on communications objectives.

Key Working Relationships:

● Position Reports to: Sr Director Global Public Affairs & Communications

● Position directly supervises: TBC

o Indirect Reporting: n/a

o Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Work with global external relations colleagues o External: Work with journalists, media producers and editors, influencers and sister humanitarian organizations

Job Requirements:

● Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, international affairs or related field OR minimum 10 years of professional experience in communications, preferably with a focus on international affairs or issues that cross with non profit issues

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

● A leader and manager with outstanding relationships and a track record of delivering on organizational goals

● A strategic leader who can set objectives, design strategy, deliver campaigns and report on progress

● Deep knowledge of the USA media landscape most meaningful to the IRC and a record of delivering outstanding media results

● A clear understanding of the digital communications landscape and standard methodologies

● A relationship builder that can manage ambiguity and thrive in a heavily matrixed international organization

● Proven knowledge and experience of working successfully with senior executives

● A storyteller with a record of creativity in developing content, and creative pursuit of targets in achievement of communications objectives across channels (media, social, web etc.)

Working Environment:

This role may require working remotely full- or part-time (i.e., telecommuting). Applicants must have a home or alternate workspace they can effectively complete their work from during regularly scheduled hours.

Gender Equality: 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 parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowance

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Equality, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

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.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:

In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires new hires to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for any in-office or hybrid positions. All IRC US offices require full vaccination to attend any in-office functions (e.g., meetings, trainings).

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity:

IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits:

We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days (depending on role and tenure), medical insurance starting at $145 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus a 3-7% base IRC contribution (3 year vesting), disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

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Qualifications