Senior Officer Foundation Relations

Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled initiator and manager of strategic partnerships to join our team. The Senior Officer, Foundation Relations will create a strategy to engage institutional and corporate foundations focused on global health and development, and lead the formation and management of those relationships. This role is designed to cultivate new partnerships and enhance existing ones with large and complex philanthropic organizations; to identify new collaboration opportunities with these organizations; to expertly coordinate relationships across the foundation; and to act as a problem-solver and trusted advisor to our partners. The ideal candidate possesses exceptional relationship management skills, a strategic mindset, an appreciation of processes which enhance relationships, and a passion for maximizing the impact of philanthropic investments. This role will work across our foundation, serving as a dedicated partner to advance our mission through strategic alliances.

This is a limited-term position (LTE) for 24 months, based at the foundation’s office in London or in another foundation office location (e.g. Seattle, Washington DC) deemed more appropriate at the time of hire. The postholder reports to the Deputy Director, Global Policy and Advocacy.

What You’ll Do

Planning and Coordination: Shape and execute partnership approaches that align with our foundation’s strategy, fostering meaningful relationships with top corporate and institutional foundations devoted to global health and development. Craft detailed engagement plans that support mutual goals and advance our impact.

Relationship Management: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with priority corporate and institutional foundation partners, acting as the primary point of contact and ensuring a high level of partner satisfaction. Oversee partnership activities, ranging from initial get-to-know-you meetings to executive summits to creative co-visioning exercises resulting in joint work for shared impact. Serve as the subject-matter expert on partner priorities, programs, and people.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work across internal teams to integrate partner goals and priorities, facilitating collaboration and ensuring a coordinated approach to partnership management.

Problem-Solving and Conflict Resolution: Proactively address any challenges or issues in partnerships, providing solutions to maintain and strengthen the relationship. Provide personalized, high-level support to top partners, removing obstacles and resolving challenges.

Measurement and Reporting: Evaluate partnership performance, providing strategic insights, actionable recommendations, and data-driven assessments to measure success and drive improvement. Maintain systems to document partner interactions, agreements, and outcomes to ensure transparency and accountability.

Sector Engagement: Represent the foundation at conferences, events, and meetings to strengthen existing relationships and develop new ones, serving as an ambassador for the foundation.

Your Experience

Master’s or Bachelor’s degree, other related field relevant field, or equivalent experience.
Demonstrable experience in partnership management or business development within the philanthropic or nonprofit sector, with a proven track record of success in strategic relationship management. Experience in global health or development is preferred.
Demonstrated ability to think strategically and identify opportunities for alignment and co-funding that advance both the foundation’s mission and partners’ goals.
Strong project management experience with excellent planning, execution, and analytical skills; with ability to independently develop a structure and strategy to address complex problems.
Strong relationship-building skills with a customer-centric approach, demonstrating empathy, adaptability, and professionalism in all interactions. Demonstrated ability to influence others in a constructive and optimistic manager while building and sustaining collaborative relationships.
Solid analytical skills, including proficiency in assessing partnership impact and performance, with a data-driven mindset and the ability to translate insights into actionable strategies.
Demonstrated experience working in cross-matrix programs and proven track record to adapt to a fast-paced environment and the networking and coalition-building demands of a highly matrixed organization.
Proven ability to successfully drive to action across large institutions, range of seniority levels and in different cultural contexts.
Demonstrated initiative and ability to multi-task and resolve unstructured problems with little oversight, creativity, high energy, and a positive attitude.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage partners at all levels, crafting messages that resonate with corporate and foundation leaders.