Senior Manager, Partnerships 

(FULL TIME MATERNITY COVER)

ABOUT GIF

The Global Innovation Fund(GIF) exists to improve lives and realise a healthy planet through innovations that achieve considerable impact at scale. 

Set up in 2013 by the U.K. and the U.S governments to invest in innovations in the public or private sector, GIF is a non-profit that finds, fund, and scales-up evidence-led innovations that have the potential to improve the lives of millions of people in lower income countries.

GIF is headquartered in London, with offices also in Nairobi, Singapore and Washington D.C.

GIF offers grants, loans, and equity-type investments ranging from $230,000 USD to $15 million USD to support a range of innovations with strong potential for social impact at a large scale. We support innovators at different phases of development, ranging from early start-up and pilot-testing to rigorous experiments and larger scale implementation. The innovations GIF supports can be located in any developing country and may focus on any sector relevant to international development. GIF works with the private sector, NGOs, academic groups, and governments.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As GIF looks to grow and expand its presence, identifying and engaging with new partners and donors will be critical to its success. GIF donors are critical partners in the impact that we seek to make. This role will help drive the new business fundraising required to find and fund more critical ideas that benefit people and the planet. The successful candidate will be a self-starter, comfortable in innovation environments and excited about the prospect of helping to shape the new fundraising and communications programme to respond to our 2025+ organisational strategy. 

ROLE DESCRIPTION

This position sits in the Partnerships and Communications Team, and reports to the Senior Managing Director of Partnerships. The postholder will work alongside colleagues in the Impact and Analytics team, and with the CEO and board members. The role will also work with a small group of consultants that support our partnerships and communications programme.

The postholder will be responsible for:

Fundraising (80%)

• Researching, identifying and initiating fundraising new business relationships that support GIF’s work, in partnership with the Senior Managing Director and CEO;

• Representing GIF with prospective donors across private foundations, family offices, HNWI, corporations and government donors, in order to secure new funding partnerships for GIF;

• Identifying, qualifying and responding to new open funding opportunities that can support the work of GIF;

• Managing and collaborating with colleagues from across the organisation, including the Investment and Analytics teams, to ensure high quality proposals and presentations are developed for closed and open funding opportunities;

• Initiating, designing and developing meeting briefs for colleagues undertaking external engagements across government, philanthropic and private investor donor spaces;

• Developing a clear and robust understanding, and continually learning about, GIF’s work, investees and grantees and cross sector programmes, including our climate and gender portfolios;

• Communicating internally GIF’s alignment with the international development policies and strategies of potential and existing donors; 

Communications (20%)

• Ensure the delivery of high quality, well-branded communication materials that clearly meets its objectives;

• Developing communication products for new and existing donor partners;

• Using the communications tools and frameworks, and alongside communications consultants, ensure GIF is communicating effectively with key audiences;

• Management of the GIF website, thought leadership on social channels and our monthly e-newsletter with consultant support;

• Other duties as required by the Senior Managing Director of Partnerships.

Specification

REQUIRED SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND ATTRIBUTES

Our ideal candidate will have:

• At least ten years of experience, of which five are directly relevant to the role;

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to synthesise complex ideas and clearly present findings and recommendations, including written reports and presentations; 

• A strong track record in fundraising in the innovation, international development or impact investment spaces and generating new business opportunities;

• Proven experience of managing donor relationships, from initiation to securing gifts and grants, across private and public sectors;

• Experience of working with a range of donors internationally, especially ultra high net worth individuals and family offices, governments philanthropic grantmakers;

• Demonstrable experience of leading new fundraising relationships in the 5 and 6 figure value;

• Strong organisational skills that reflect an ability to prioritise and ensure a healthy RoI for time spent;

• The ability to meet tight deadlines for multiple projects when the external environment requires;

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy and a comfort with driving improvements across GIF’s communications;

• An entrepreneurial spirit - offers creative solutions and enjoys moving opportunities forward;

• Experience of raising investment income is desirable;

• A commitment to international development and social innovation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

You will report to the Senior Managing Director of Partnerships. This is a position offered on a fixed term basis and currently has no direct line reports for 2026. This role is currently based in our London office where we operate a hybrid working policy. We would consider applications for individuals based in either Singapore or Nairobi. 

Any job offer made will be subject to the successful candidate having the authorisation to work in the location of the GIF office prior to commencing work at GIF. Please apply using the following link: https://app.beapplied.com/apply/folq1iugnn