Research Director Jobs in New York, NY

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.

BACKGROUND
Over the past 90 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 IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster.

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
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.

The Purpose of the Role

Scope and Authority

Authority:

The Associate Director, Prospect Research & Management, sits within External Relations’ Business Operations & Analytics team, and leads the Prospect Research & Management team, playing a senior leadership role in supporting the IRC’s funding sustainability. Reporting directly to the Vice President, Business Operations & Analytics, the Associate Director shapes team-level strategies, translates organizational goals into actionable research plans, and is a valued, proactive contributor to the development of high-value fundraising strategies. They lead high-value research initiatives, ensure integration with fundraising strategy across multiple operational areas, and drive continuous improvement across the team. The right candidate will build and lead strategic relationships with fundraising leadership, ensuring that PRM outputs directly inform organizational decision-making, and ultimately increase philanthropic support for our clients.

Responsibility for Resources:

The Associate Director provides line management to the PRM team, shapes team culture, and promotes inclusive practices. They also manage the PRM team budget (personnel and non-personnel).

Key Working Relationships

Reports into the Vice-President, Business Operations & Analytics

• 4 direct reports

• Critical stakeholders: Leadership teams of Philanthropy, Global Corporate Partnerships and Foundations & Trusts

• Key partners: Global Analytics, Strategic Finance, Strategy & Planning, Business Systems Optimizations

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Partner with the VP, Business Operations & Analytics and senior fundraising leadership to co-develop and deliver PRM's annual and long-term strategy, translating organizational fundraising priorities into team-level goals and ensuring PRM is positioned as a proactive strategic contributor to IRC high-value fundraising growth.

• Lead high-value research initiatives, overseeing the production of confidential biographical, financial, and due diligence profiles on HNWI donors and prospects across relevant markets, ensuring consistent quality and integration with fundraising strategy;

• Translate strategic goals into actionable research plans, leading pipeline development across multiple fundraising pillars and ensuring alignment with high-value fundraising strategies at an organizational level;

• Build and manage strategic relationships with fundraising leadership, serving as a valued and proactive contributor to high-value fundraising strategy, and ensuring PRM outputs are directly informing donor cultivation and stewardship decisions;

• Shape and develop team strategy and metrics, driving cross-functional problem-solving efforts and ensuring data-driven research is fully integrated into organizational priorities and decision-making;

• Drive innovation in research methodology and tool use across the team, taking the lead on the development and procurement of new tools to meet strategic needs, and mentoring colleagues in technical development;

• Oversee the management and strategic development of the team’s suite of resources (e.g. CRM, subscription databases, media tools), ensuring alignment with team priorities and leading on continuous improvement across multiple PRM operational areas;

• Lead cross-functional research initiatives and special projects (e.g. vendor screenings, data mining, strategic reports), applying advanced problem-solving skills and ensuring outputs directly support organizational decision-making at a leadership level;

• Ensure clear communication and strategic alignment between PRM and key internal partners (Philanthropy account managers, Program Services team and other Biz-Ops stakeholders), proactively leading team discussions and driving consistent, high-quality service to IRC’s high-value fundraising teams;

• Provide line management to colleagues, actively including and mentoring team members, shaping team culture, and promoting inclusive practices across the PRM team.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree strongly preferred

• Expert research and database management skills (Salesforce)**

• Ability to lead cross-functional problem-solving efforts, driving continuous improvement in research methodology and prospecting approaches, and ensuring team priorities are aligned with organizational goals;**

• Ability to analyze, interpret, and synthesize complex data into strategic insights that supports high-level organizational decision-making and fundraising strategy;**

• Proficiency across PRM subscription tools, internet research, fundraising software, and data retrieval services (e.g. LexisNexis, iWave, Foundation Directory, etc.)

• Demonstrated ability to lead on protocol development and drive advanced technical knowledge across multiple PRM operational areas;

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to drive strategic messaging, ensure clear communication across teams and departments, and align PRM outputs with organizational priorities at a leadership level.

Experience:

• Strong experience, including robust experience applying quantitative and qualitative analysis and business intelligence to non-profit fundraising strategy, with proven expertise across multiple markets and a track record of translating strategic goals into actionable research plans;**

• Experience in driving innovation in tool use, leading procurement processes, and mentoring others in technical development; strong MS Office skills (Word, Outlook, and Excel in particular).

• Experience working with a relational database, preferably Salesforce; able to lead on protocol development and ensure team-wide adherence to best practice.

Desired

Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Deep understanding of philanthropic trends across multiple markets, with particular knowledge of the humanitarian aid sector and the ability to apply this strategically to shape team priorities and advise fundraising leadership

• Knowledge of strategic philanthropy, corporate social responsibility, Public Private Partnerships, and impact investing across multiple markets; able to apply this knowledge to shape and develop PRM strategy;

• Strong leadership and time-management skills; demonstrated ability to lead prioritization across multiple projects, ensure alignment with strategic goals, and manage competing demands from senior stakeholders;

• Proven ability to act with sensitivity and discretion while working with highly confidential information, and to model and embed this standard across the team;

Experience:

• Prior experience working at a large international organization, with a strong understanding of the complexities of operating across multiple markets, geographies, and leadership-level stakeholder groups.

Criteria in the Person Specification marked with ** are the minimum criteria in line with our commitments under the Disability Confident Employer Scheme in the UK.

UK based candidates who state that they have a disability and meet these criteria, will be invited to interview.

Compensation: (Pay Rate: 65,000 GBP/yr). 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.

Standard Responsibilities

Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion within the Prospect Research and Management team as well as within the wider IRC Business Operations & Analytics team.

Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.

Standard Job Requirements

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality 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.

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.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

The application deadline is June 30, 2026.

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 – in person in the London office – including presentation task

If you have any questions or need assistance with the online recruitment process, please contact the IRC UK HR team at applications@rescue-uk.org

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.

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