Vice president, breakthrough partnerships & foundations

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 IRC has set itself a target of reaching 40 million clients annually by 2033, delivering programs for clients in the hardest to reach settings. IRC is an industry leader in humanitarian cost-effectiveness, pioneering rigorous research and evidence-based programs to ensure aid dollars reach more clients and deliver the highest possible impact, per dollar spent. We have set an ambitious target to raise $700M in annual private revenue by 2033 — up from around $400M today. The gap will not be closed by doing more of the same. It requires a step change in the scale and nature of IRC's philanthropic relationships: with founders and philanthropists who have made their wealth in the AI era, with family offices and foundations that are still defining their giving strategies, with donors informed by effective altruism, and with funders making evidence-based philanthropic investments and allocations who are looking for organizations that can deploy capital at scale and prove it works. Our reputation as The Solutions NGO means that we are well placed to lead in these spaces. Our outcomes-driven, evidence-based interventions have real impact and can be rolled out at scale – these are what will make the difference between life and death, opportunity or stasis for those 40 million clients.

This role exists to build the relationships needed to fuel that scale and impact. The VP of Breakthrough Partnerships and Foundations will own a pipeline of transformational prospects at the $100M+ level. This role will also lead IRC's established Foundations and Trusts team, which provides a revenue base and some of the institutional relationships from which to work. Many of the partnerships that this role is designed to close do not yet exist on IRC's books. Getting there will take curiosity, pipeline discipline, a deep understanding of IRC's current and potential programmatic work, the ability to compellingly articulate that work, and the kind of credibility that comes from genuinely knowing the ecosystems’ stakeholders and languages – effective altruism networks, tech philanthropy, and the advisors who sit between wealth and giving.

We are looking for someone who thinks differently about what a humanitarian organization can ask of its donors, and what a donor can ask of a humanitarian organization. Someone whose central focus is meaningful change in the lives of our clients and the paths to get there. A person who can build coalitions around the solution, not the entities that deliver the services. Someone who finds the intellectual challenge of this space interesting, who is a strong collaborator internally, and who brings colleagues with them rather than working around them. The role is based on the West Coast, reports to the Chief Operating Officer, and works closely with IRC's President/CEO, philanthropy leadership, and research leadership.

Major Responsibilities

• Build and own the Breakthrough Partnerships pipeline
• Identify, qualify, and develop a portfolio of prospects capable of $100M+ multi-year commitments.
• Maintain at least 20 active relationships across cultivation stages at any given time.
• Bring current, firsthand intelligence about where significant new wealth is forming and new ideas in the foundation world are burgeoning.
• Build active relationships within donor networks guided by effective altruism and cost efficiency: foundations, advisors, and the broader community of evidence-driven philanthropists where IRC's programmatic rigor and scale are genuine differentiators.
• Work with the philanthropic intermediaries informed by effective altruism and cost efficiency that increasingly shape where serious philanthropic capital goes so that more donors appreciate IRC’s ability to deliver highly cost-effective interventions at scale.
• Partner with the Global Corporate Partnerships and Philanthropy teams to find synergies across pipelines especially in the AI and broader tech sector.
• Run a disciplined pipeline. Know which prospects to prioritize and which to set aside.
• Design and lead the pitch
• Translate IRC's work into the language that resonates with sophisticated donors: systems change, measurable outcomes, scalable delivery, and an honest account of what IRC knows and what it is still learning.
• Realize internal capability
• Work across the organization to improve the quality and ambition of donor-facing narratives.
• Be a strong collaborator.
• Contribute to Campaign 2033 strategy
• Lead and grow the Foundations & Trusts team

Job Requirements

Work and educational experience Bachelor's degree or equivalent required. 15 or more years of relevant experience in major gift fundraising, strategic relationship development, investment, or a closely adjacent field where closing large, complex partnerships was central to the role. Demonstrated track record of closing private transformational gifts or partnerships at the $50M+ level.

Preferred experience and skills

An existing network among philanthropists, technology-sector foundations, or first-generation family offices, particularly on the US West Coast. Genuine familiarity with EA-aligned philanthropic networks, major EA foundations, key advisors, and the frameworks that shape evidence-based giving at the top of the market. Experience at the intersection of humanitarian or development programming and private philanthropy, or the demonstrated ability to get fluent in IRC's programmatic work quickly. Experience working alongside a prominent institutional leader, President, CEO, or equivalent as a strategic partner in donor engagement. An MBA, Master's degree, or equivalent in a relevant field.

Working Environment

This position is open to remote but requires someone to live in the Bay Area, LA area or Greater Seattle Area. Regular domestic travel required; some international travel expected.

Compensation

(Pay Rate:$300,000 - $350,000). 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.

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.