[Hiring] SENIOR MANAGER, PARTNER FUNDING @Maliasili Initiatives

Role Description

The Senior Manager, Partner Funding, leads three connected strands of collective action and fundraising work:

• Building methodologies, tools, and training to strengthen Maliasili’s and the Portfolio team's ability to support partners' resource mobilization.
• Working directly with partners to troubleshoot fundraising challenges, design and facilitate cluster fundraising workshops, and help partners build robust fundraising plans.
• Supporting Maliasili's and partners’ donor engagement work, including furthering donor relationships and Vuma Fund positioning.

Working under the strategic direction of the Director, Collective Action and Funding, the Senior Manager operates with high levels of autonomy, exercising independent judgment in methodology design, training delivery, direct partner engagement, and select donor relationships.

This role supports Goal 3: Improving and Increasing Funding by leading the tools, training, and internal systems that help Portfolio Managers and partners access more and better funding.

Responsibilities

• Fundraising Methodology & Tools (20%)
  • Lead the development and codification of fundraising methodologies, tools, and practical guides for the Portfolio team and partners.
  • Own the fundraising resource library and its integration into the Wezesha Hub and other knowledge-sharing platforms.
  • Set the improvement agenda for methodology and tools based on Portfolio and partner feedback.
• Portfolio Manager Support and Strengthening (25%)
  • Design and deliver materials and support that strengthen Portfolio Managers' ability to diagnose and support partner fundraising needs.
  • Establish and manage a regular cadence of fundraising clinics, office hours, and strategy sessions with the Portfolio team.
  • Serve as a bridge between the CAF team and Portfolio, ensuring clear understanding of the work, progress, and strategy of the CAF team amongst Portfolio team members.
• Direct Fundraising Support (25%)
  • Provide direct fundraising support to partners on complex or higher-stakes opportunities, serving as a trusted advisor.
  • Identify and help broker new funding opportunities for partners, connecting them with aligned donors.
  • Design and lead clustered fundraising workshops that build skills and generate new opportunities.
• Donor Engagement (20%)
  • Support the Director on select donor relationships and represent CAF in select donor conversations as delegated.
  • Support the Director in positioning and advancing the Vuma Fund, with the Director retaining overall leadership.
  • Contribute to fundraising strategy discussions and materials in support of the $65M goal.
• Cross-Team Coordination and Growing Strategic Support (10%)
  • Coordinate with Finance and Admin, Strategic Initiatives, Communications, and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning to ensure fundraising systems integrate with organization-wide data and learning platforms.

What Success Looks Like

• Portfolio team is equipped with high-quality, well-used fundraising methodologies and training.
• Clustered workshops and case clinics result in new funding secured and stronger peer relationships.
• Partners report increased fundraising capacity and confidence as a result of direct support.
• Demonstrated growth in independent donor engagement and representation, with an emerging capability to deputize for the Director on defined matters.
• Strong, trusted working relationship with the Director and the two Senior Manager peers.
• Growing contribution to collective action activities alongside core fundraising duties.

Note on Role Design / Growth Pathway

This role is intended as the primary internal pipeline toward a future Deputy Director-level position. Deputizing and top-tier donor responsibilities are gradually introduced to build credibility and capability without immediate performance pressure.

Optional Growth Area: Collective Action

The Senior Manager, Collective Action position is not currently filled. There is room to informally take on selected elements of that scope over time, particularly community building and partner engagement.

Reporting and Supervision

• Reports to: Director, Collective Action and Funding.
• Collaborates with: Senior Manager (Grantmaking and Partner Funding), Senior Manager (Collective Action), Portfolio Managers, Communications team, FAD team.