Director / Lead - Strategic Partnerships & Fundraising

About the Organisation

Our partner organisation is a mission-driven nonprofit working to strengthen Indias public education system and ensure every child has access to high-quality learning opportunities. The organisation collaborates closely with government systems to support leadership development, teacher capacity building, and systemic improvements in government schools.

About the Role

We are seeking a proactive and ownership-driven Fundraising Specialist to strengthen and expand the organisations donor partnerships. This role will focus on building a strong funding pipeline, managing donor relationships, and supporting the organisations continued growth.

This is a fast-paced, high-ownership role where the individual will manage multiple donor conversations simultaneously, drive proposal development, and ensure consistent momentum across the fundraising lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

1. Fundraising & Donor Acquisition

• Identify and research potential donors including CSR partners, foundations, and philanthropic institutions

• Initiate and manage outreach to build a strong fundraising pipeline

• Develop compelling proposals and concept notes

• Move donor conversations from interest to commitment and support grant closures

2. Donor Strategy & Pipeline Management

• Build tailored engagement strategies for priority donors

• Maintain a structured donor pipeline with clear next steps and timelines

• Regularly review progress, identify risks, and maintain momentum in conversations

3. Donor Relationship Management

• Serve as a key point of contact for donor relationships

• Ensure timely communication, responsiveness, and follow-through

• Support renewals and long-term partnerships through effective stewardship

4. Proposal Development & Grant Management

• Coordinate proposal development, budgets, and presentations

• Collaborate with programme, finance, and monitoring teams to develop fundable proposals

• Track donor requirements and reporting timelines

5. Impact Reporting & Communication

• Coordinate timely donor reports and updates

• Translate programme outcomes into clear impact narratives

• Support preparation of donor communication materials

6. Internal Coordination & Systems

• Maintain structured donor trackers and fundraising systems

• Ensure alignment with programme, finance, and communications teams

• Track commitments and flag potential funding risks early

7. External Representation

• Participate in donor meetings, sector events, and relevant forums

• Support external communication related to partnerships and fundraising

What Success Looks Like

• Consistent progress in donor conversations and pipeline development

• High-quality, timely proposals and reports

• Strong donor relationships leading to renewals and repeat funding

• Fundraising momentum that supports the organisations programme expansion

Qualifications & Experience

• Masters degree in Business Administration, Social Work, Public Policy, or a related field

• 8–10 years of experience in fundraising, partnerships, or donor engagement

• Experience working with CSR partners, philanthropic foundations, or institutional donors

• Strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities

• Fluency in English and Hindi