Head of Creative and Content

The Global Marketing & Communications team is a newly built unit at the International Rescue Committee. We have brought together four complementary disciplines: Brand, Creative and Content, Planning and Operations, and Channel Development. This coordinated creative powerhouse is designed to accelerate the organization’s profile-building, influence, and revenue driving agendas in global markets, and enable an ambitious External Relations Strategy for FY20 and beyond.

The Head of Creative and Content is a new role that will lead a global team of editorial, multimedia and design specialists with a mandate to develop compelling, content-fueled activations that elevate our brand, deeply engage global supporters, and drive meaningful income growth.

This new role will ensure the IRC’s creative approach is distinct, memorable and leads our sector forward. You’ll work with External Relations leads (from Global Partnerships and Philanthropy, Communications, and Advocacy) to develop and implement an innovative and future-focused strategy tailored to key audiences and delivers on priority goals.

You’ll promote breakthrough thinking, enlist creative partners – both internal and external to develop ambitious ideas and fresh approaches! You’ll also collaborate with field communications and program staff to develop agile and balanced processes for story-gathering and development.

This is a cross-functional role within a complex global organization. It requires teamwork, influencing, and positive relationship building. It also requires agility. We work in emergency contexts and respond to a 24/7 newscycle.

Major Responsibilities

Creative and Content Leadership

• Lead all aspects of and grow an extraordinary global creative team of 10+ members, including the senior leaders for Visual Design and UX, Multimedia (video and photo), and Copywriting and Story Development.
• Lead the creative brief process – use audience and market insights to shape compelling concepts and consumer-focused messaging designed to meet stated business goals. Recruit agency partners, as needed, to bring new ideas into the discussion.
• Ensure creative is designed for global markets which can be quickly and seamlessly adapted and deployed in multiple languages. Develop the IRC’s field content-gathering capacity, in collaboration with field communications colleagues. Ensure we have the raw assets (b-roll, photos, rich case studies) needed to build rich packages.
• Coordinate delivery of content, leading team members and external partners. Ensure content is appropriately tailored for particular channels, audiences, and objectives.
• Work with testing and analytics experts to monitor performance and develop actionable insights that lead to optimized assets and also spark new ideas.

Team Management

• Build a positive, creative, dynamic and focused team culture. Set up constructive and safe spaces for out-of-the-box thinking. In addition to direct reports, lead and guide matrixed teams (of partners from international marketing and advocacy, partners, agencies, freelancers).

Creative and Content Operations

• Develop streamlined and efficient processes for content production and delivery on a tight budget. Ensure brand and creative standards are consistently met, across different markets.
• Recruit a strong group of freelance talent who are flexible and can be engaged to support staff during global emergencies and major campaigns.
• Streamline story gathering and set effective protocols, in partnership with field communications and program staff. Ensure our story-gathering process respects the dignity and agency of our clients.

Qualifications

• At least 10-15 years of demonstrated expertise leading creative and content at an agency or for global consumer brand; a consistent track record leading a high-performing creative team.
• Experience developing creative for multiple formats (including digital, print, video, and other formats).
• In depth understanding of channel and audience dynamics and implications for creative requirements (web sites, email, TV, mobile, paid, organic, etc.).
• Some knowledge of the key business drivers and context in the not-for-profit world is a clear advantage.
• Experience working in a global, matrixed organization across different time zones, markets and cultures.

Demonstrated Proficiencies

• Superb creative ability – including strong ideas, instincts and judgement.
• Can execute daily operations while driving multi-year plans. Manage multiple demands and to adapt to new challenges and shifting priorities; can
• Adept building relationships and navigating complex environments to drive projects forward and support the team’s work.
• Able to engage persuasively, and with a high level of integrity, with senior colleagues to elicit positive relationships.
• A deep, observable commitment to the IRC’s mission.

Language Skills

• Fluent English; proficiency in French and/or Arabic is a plus

#LI-GR1