Director Growth

Role Summary

The organization is seeking a visionary Director of Growth to sustain and expand its impact through strategic fundraising, partnerships, and ecosystem positioning. The ideal candidate will be a dynamic leader who can shape organizational growth priorities, build strong external relationships, and represent the organization as a thought leader across sectors.

The Director will play a key role in driving strategic partnerships with funders, corporates, governments, and multilaterals, while steering innovations that align with the organizations mission and long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

1. Organizational Growth & Strategy

• Define and steer multi-year growth priorities in collaboration with the leadership team and Board
• Shape and adapt the organizations funding and partnership strategy, ensuring diversification across CSR, philanthropy, government, and multilaterals.
• Provide thought leadership on themes such as worker well-being, labor innovation, and climate-linked impact.
• Oversee risk management, including compliance, due diligence, and funder contract negotiations.
• Support the organizations expansion into new geographies through strategic partnerships and collaborations.

2. External Partnerships & Pipeline Management

• Build and steward a diverse pipeline of high-value funders and partners.
• Manage senior-level relationships (CXOs, government representatives, foundation leaders) to unlock strategic collaborations.
• Oversee the lifecycle of partnerships, ensuring high satisfaction and repeat engagement.
• Lead performance reporting, pipeline management, and fundraising forecasts.

3. Portfolio Strategy and Program Development

• Ensure strategic clarity, scalability, and fundability of initiatives.
• Explore innovative financing models (e.g., blended finance, catalytic philanthropy, CSR research hybrids).
• Grow thematic portfolios that align with long-term organizational goals.

4. Ecosystem Positioning & Thought Leadership

• Position the organization as a thought leader by curating and participating in sectoral forums, roundtables, and events.
• Build strategic alliances that amplify influence on key issues such as gender equity, sustainable manufacturing, and just transitions.
• Engage in cross-sector dialogues to influence policy and industry practices.

5. Team Leadership and Culture

• Lead and mentor a high-performing Growth team, setting strategic goals and ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, inclusion, empathy, and well-being.
• Build leadership capacity and succession pipelines within the team.
• Ensure effective internal communication and cross-functional coordination.

6. Organizational Leadership & Governance

• Serve as a member of the leadership team, contributing to organizational strategy and structure.
• Partner with department heads to ensure cross-functional collaboration and strategic alignment.
• Engage with the Board on growth performance, strategy pivots, and new opportunities.
• Leverage networks to open new fundraising channels and strengthen credibility with external stakeholders.

Requirements

• Proven experience in fundraising, program development, or ecosystem-building across diverse funding models (CSR, philanthropy, blended finance, multilaterals).

• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills with a proven track record of scaling impact-driven initiatives.

• Strong leadership capabilities with experience mentoring senior teams and fostering a culture of inclusion and well-being.

• Demonstrated ability to build and manage high-value partnerships with funders, corporates, multilaterals, and government stakeholders.
  

• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to represent the organization at national and international forums.

• High cultural competence and maturity in engaging with diverse stakeholders.

• Deep alignment with the organizations values of empathy, collaboration, equity, and work-life balance.

• The organization strongly encourages women leaders to apply for this role.