Director - Strategic Partnerships & Fundraising

Location: Delhi

About the Role:

We are seeking an experienced and visionary leader to head our Strategic Partnerships & Fundraising function. The role will be responsible for developing and executing a long-term fundraising strategy while building high-value, enduring relationships across corporate India, philanthropy, foundations, family offices, and institutional funding partners.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong blend of strategic thinking, executive presence, and a proven ability to secure transformational partnerships that advance organisational growth and long-term impact.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Partnerships:

1. Develop and execute a long-term partnerships and fundraising strategy aligned with organisational priorities.

2. Build and nurture relationships with senior leaders across corporates, foundations, family offices, institutional donors, and philanthropic networks.

3. Develop compelling value propositions tailored to different partner segments.

4. Design innovative partnership models ranging from sponsorships to long-term strategic collaborations.

5. Represent the organisation at high-level stakeholder meetings, industry forums, and leadership engagements.

Fundraising & Donor Development:

- Build and manage a robust pipeline of prospective donors and funding partners.

- Lead the end-to-end fundraising lifecyclefrom prospect identification and cultivation to proposal development, negotiation, and closure.

- Secure high-value, multi-year institutional partnerships and grants.

- Develop engagement strategies for HNIs, corporate philanthropies, family offices, and domestic and international foundations.

- Drive sustained donor stewardship and relationship management.

Strategic Stakeholder Engagement:

- Engage with CXOs, promoters, board members, trustees, and senior philanthropic leaders to build trusted, long-term relationships.

- Create opportunities for meaningful engagement through executive roundtables, leadership forums, and strategic convenings.

- Collaborate with internal leadership to position the organisation as a preferred partner for long-term collaborations.

Team Leadership:

- Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing partnerships and fundraising team.

- Establish clear performance metrics, governance mechanisms, and accountability frameworks.

- Foster a collaborative, performance-driven culture focused on long-term institutional growth.

Desired Profile:

- MBA from a Tier-1 institution preferred.

- 15+ years of experience in strategic partnerships, business development, institutional fundraising, or philanthropy.

- Demonstrated success in securing significant multi-crore funding from corporates, foundations, family offices, institutional donors, and philanthropic networks.

- Strong network across HNIs, family offices, CSR leaders, foundations, and funding institutions.

- Experience working with research-led, sustainability, climate, energy, environmental, education, healthcare, or other mission-driven organisations is preferred.

- Strong executive presence with the ability to engage senior business leaders, promoters, board members, and philanthropists.

- Exceptional relationship management, negotiation, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.

- Proven ability to develop long-term fundraising strategies and translate them into measurable outcomes.

What We're Looking For:

This opportunity is suited for a strategic fundraising leader who thrives on building trusted relationships, creating innovative partnership models, and driving sustainable institutional growth through high-value collaborations.