Innovation Strategy Lead

Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a global humanitarian organization that responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises. Founded in 1933, the IRC has been dedicated to helping people affected by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and rebuild their lives. With a presence in over 40 countries and a workforce of thousands of employees, the IRC operates in various sectors including health, education, and economic development. The organization is committed to upholding the highest standards of professional conduct and integrity, ensuring that all employees adhere to its core values of Integrity, Service, Equality, and Accountability.

Job Overview:
The Innovation Strategy Lead is a pivotal role within the IRC's innovation portfolio, tasked with transforming promising ideas into actionable strategies and product roadmaps. This position requires a strategic thinker who can navigate ambiguity and complexity, bringing structure and momentum to initiatives that involve multiple stakeholders. The role emphasizes collaboration with technical experts, country teams, and leadership to clarify the vision for innovations, prioritize pathways, manage risks, and facilitate rapid execution. The ideal candidate will be instrumental in driving the implementation of breakthrough innovations, working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that strategies are not only visionary but also grounded in practical delivery realities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Vision to Strategy: Collaborate with innovation leads to define the long-term vision for new and emerging innovations, translating that vision into actionable strategies with clear outcomes and success criteria.
• Product Roadmapping: Spearhead the development of product roadmaps that outline the sequence of work from concept through deployment and scaling, establishing clear milestones, dependencies, decision points, accountabilities, and budgets.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Engage closely with diverse stakeholders including technical experts, country program teams, and policy experts to ensure that strategies are aligned with delivery realities and system constraints.
• Risk & Opportunity Assessment: Formulate plans that proactively address potential risks and opportunities, adapting strategies in real-time as the landscape evolves.
• Progress Tracking & Adaptation: Foster accountability across all roadmaps by developing materials to document progress and identify roadblocks; support regular review cycles both internally and with external partners.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates should possess significant experience, typically ranging from 6 to 8 years, in strategy, design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design, innovation delivery, or related roles within global development, humanitarian action, consulting, or similar sectors. A proven ability to distill complex and ambiguous ideas into clear strategies and execution plans is essential. Strong facilitation and stakeholder management skills are required, along with experience in collaborating across diverse technical and operational teams. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills are necessary, particularly in areas of sequencing, prioritization, and risk assessment. Candidates must demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills, with the capability to synthesize and present complex information clearly. Comfort in fast-paced, evolving environments where pathways are not fully defined is crucial.

Educational Background:
While specific educational requirements are not detailed, candidates are generally expected to have a relevant degree in fields such as international development, business administration, public policy, or a related discipline. Advanced degrees may be preferred, particularly for roles that require strategic oversight and innovation management.

Experience:
The position requires a significant level of experience, typically between 6 to 8 years, in relevant fields such as strategy development, program design, and innovation delivery. Candidates should have a track record of successfully managing complex projects and collaborating with diverse teams in dynamic environments.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the international context of the IRC. Additional language skills may be advantageous, particularly in languages relevant to the regions where the IRC operates.

Additional Notes:
The position offers a competitive compensation package, with a salary range of $80,000 to $95,000 for US-based candidates. This range is influenced by various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget considerations. The IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The organization provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, sick days, and a retirement savings plan with matching contributions. The role is full-time and may involve working across different time zones and locations.