Head of Global Advocacy and Market Insights

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ACCOUNTANTS (IFAC)
During 2024, IFAC shifted its strategic focus to maximizing member value and experience. The Member Value Proposition (MVP) was created and is currently being embedded into all of IFAC’s activities:

• IFAC, by connecting and uniting its members, makes the accountancy profession truly global.
• IFAC member organizations are champions of integrity and professional quality and proudly carry their membership as a badge of international recognition.
• IFAC and its members work together to shape the future of the profession through learning, innovation, a collective voice, and commitment to the public interest.

IFAC has traditionally delivered member services from a centralized operating model based in New York. As part of the transformation to a new target operating model, IFAC will move to a global multi-location model, which will greatly enhance our ability to deliver value to member organizations around the world. As part of this shift, we welcome applicants from around the globe to apply and contribute to our mission.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Head of Global Advocacy and Market Insights drives IFAC’s strategic advocacy agenda by shaping the organization’s thinking and providing the market intelligence that underpins its priorities. This role focuses on generating insights, frameworks, and analyses that inform IFAC’s positioning and strengthen its influence with key stakeholders, including regulators, policymakers, standard setters, business leaders, investor communities, and global institutions. In addition, the role oversees research into global trends, regulatory developments, and market dynamics affecting the accountancy profession. These insights serve as the foundation for IFAC’s advocacy strategy, organizational decision-making, and member engagement worldwide.

The Director works closely with the senior leadership and regional teams to ensure IFAC’s voice is effectively represented on global platforms and that the organization remains proactive and responsive to emerging issues shaping the profession’s future.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential duties and responsibilities include those that are set out below. Other duties may be assigned to meet business needs.

Global Advocacy

• Develop and lead IFAC’s global advocacy strategy, aligning external engagements with organizational goals and the MVP.
• Represent IFAC in global forums, conferences, roundtables, and high-level meetings with regulators, policymakers, and key stakeholders.
• Leverage a well-established network of relationships with senior executives and CEOs from international financial institutions, multilaterals (e.g., OECD, IMF), regulatory bodies, standard setters, and professional networks, actively engaging with these stakeholders to advance IFAC’s strategic priorities and global influence.
• Collaborate with communications teams to craft compelling advocacy messaging and thought leadership pieces that promote IFAC’s positions on critical issues.
• Act as a spokesperson for IFAC, deliver presentations, and contribute to publications.

Market & Regulatory Insights

• Lead the monitoring and analysis of global market trends, regulatory developments, geopolitical risks, and technological shifts impacting the accountancy profession and broader business environment.
• Overseeing the production of market intelligence reports, briefings, and insights for senior leadership, governance bodies, and member organizations.
• Support and prepare other departments, particularly the Member Experience and Engagement (MEE) Leads, by providing analysis and briefing materials on advocacy and regulatory matters, enabling them to deliver effective external presentations and stakeholder briefings.
• At the discretion of the CEO, potentially serve as a spokesperson for IFAC by delivering presentations, representing the organization in select external forums, and contributing to thought leadership presentations.
• Collaborate with other departments to integrate insights into organizational strategy, policy positions, and member engagement.
• Identify emerging opportunities and risks that may influence the profession’s role or regulatory landscape.
• Oversee external research partnerships and relationships with think tanks, academic institutions, and research organizations.
• Manage, lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team focused on the MVP, advocacy and market insights.
• Manage departmental budgets and expenses.

Content Management

• Manage and oversee the execution of IFAC’s offerings and experience strategy.
• Oversee the coordination of the work with the advisory groups to increase impact and alignment with IFAC’s MVP.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIRED SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent required; advanced degree in Business, Economics, International Relations, Public Policy, or a related field preferred; Professional accountancy qualification (e.g., CPA, CA) strongly preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in administration, public policy, regulatory affairs, advocacy, or professional services leadership, preferred.
• Proven ability to lead high-performing teams across cultures and geographies.
• Deep understanding of global trends and regulatory environments impacting the accountancy profession.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with senior executives, boards, committees, and diverse cultural groups.
• Excellent negotiation, diplomacy, and issue-resolution skills, with the ability to achieve consensus among varied viewpoints.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines, including those imposed externally.
• Commitment to quality processes and high-quality deliverables.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic environment
• Ability to work effectively across diverse cultural and geographic contexts.

The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Additionally, if an applicant is US-based, provided they meet all eligibility requirements under the applicable plan documents, employees (and their eligible dependents) will be eligible to enroll in group healthcare plans that offer medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees will also be able to enroll in our company’s 401 (k) plan, as well as a deferred compensation plan, provided they meet plan requirements.

IFAC welcomes applicants from all geographical locations, and this role can be remote if outside of the NY-Metropolitan area. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At IFAC, compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range for candidates in the NY-Metropolitan region is $200,000 to $250,000.

IFAC is an equal employment employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable law.