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