Manager, Foundations

About the position The Integrated Partnerships team at USA for UNHCR focuses on mobilizing resources to secure new and manage existing private sector partnerships including those from the corporate, foundations, civil society, and community-based sectors. The Manager, Foundation Partnerships is a business development and account management role responsible for growing partnerships with leading U.S.-based Institutional Foundations, with a strong emphasis on identifying, cultivating, and securing new funding from the U.S.’s robust and influential foundation landscape. Reporting to the Senior Manager of Civil Society & Foundation Partnerships, this role will be accountable for both new business development and strategic stewardship, achieving ambitious revenue targets, compelling proposal development, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of a complex foundation portfolio. The role carries direct responsibility for expanding UNHCR’s relationships with priority U.S. foundations. This is a senior, results-driven role requiring deep knowledge of the U.S. institutional philanthropy ecosystem, advanced relationship management skills, and the ability to navigate foundation decision-making processes and governance structures. The role works under the guidance of the Senior Manager to execute partnership activities, including portfolio strategy, partner engagement, and opportunity development, with autonomy in day-to-day tasks.

Responsibilities

• Manage and grow a portfolio of U.S.-based institutional foundation partners, stewarding relationships from cultivation through project renewal, expansion, and long-term strategic engagement to deliver measurable partnership outcomes for refugees
• Identify and pursue new engagement opportunities with new and existing partners to build mutually valuable, long-term partnerships through programs including but not limited to: shared value programmatic opportunities, grant funding, board and leadership giving, skills-based volunteerism, and gifts in kind
• Execute against Institutional Foundation pipeline to cultivate and develop new relationships
• Secure six- and seven-figure gifts in support of USA for UNHCR’s programmatic and emergency priorities
• Provide expertise in the U.S. foundations landscape and trends
• Offer subject matter expertise in humanitarian and international development work and an understanding of how to leverage income, influence, and solutions to support refugee populations
• Lead proposal development, reporting, and partnership-related project management for assigned accounts
• Participate in negotiations, contract development, and renewal processes for managed partnerships
• Execute on key moments for partner engagement to provide visibility and recognition for partners within the USA for UNHCR partnership framework
• Represent USA for UNHCR at key internal and external meetings and convenings
• Collaborate cross-functionally with programs, communications, finance, and leadership to deliver partnership outcomes on time and within scope
• Contribute to an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing team culture
• Report regularly to the Senior Manager of Civil Society & Foundation Partnerships on outcomes, efforts and progress toward goals
• May supervise staff as the portfolio grows
• May involve domestic and occasional international travel

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, or demonstrated expertise within the field in lieu of a degree
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in progressively responsible experience in partnerships, fundraising, business development and/or relationship management with a demonstrated successful track record
• Deep familiarity of institutional foundation philanthropy
• Strong understanding of, and commitment to, the global humanitarian and international development sector; familiarity with United Nations agencies preferred
• Demonstrated ability to translate organizational mission and programs into strategic partnership initiatives that generate financial support
• Values diversity and take pride in cultivating an atmosphere of inclusion of various thoughts, perspectives, identities, and expressions
• Comfortable with ambiguity and adept at problem-solving in complex partnership contexts
• Experienced with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), Canva, and Salesforce
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts clearly and persuasively
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus
• Consistently demonstrates professional maturity and able to tactfully engage with a diverse group of personalities and cultures

Benefits

• Comprehensive health coverage, including employer-paid employee medical options (traditional and HSA plans)
• Flexible savings accounts, including FSA and HSA
• Industry-leading 401(k) match
• Lifestyle Spending Account to support your wellness
• Mental and financial wellness resources
• Paid time off, including a paid winter break and sabbatical leave at key milestones
• Volunteer Time-Off to support your community engagement
• Professional development support
• Access to tools like Headspace for mindfulness and mental health

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