Partnerships & Philanthropy Director

Purpose of the role

To design and lead a partnerships and philanthropy strategy that unlocks multi-year funding and strategic collaborations for Exponential Science Foundation (ESF), with a focus on:
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• Major philanthropic giving (foundations, family offices, HNWIs)
• Strategic partnerships with multilateral agencies, governments, and mission-aligned corporates
• Building a high-trust ecosystem around ESF’s programmes in AI, blockchain, and digital public goods
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The Director will be responsible for taking ESF from “project-by-project fundraising” to a coherent, long-term partnerships and funding platform that underpins our global initiatives (e.g. Government Blockchain Academy with UNDP and related spin-outs).
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Key responsibilities

1. Strategy & leadership

• Develop and own ESF’s global partnerships & philanthropy strategy, aligned with the organisation’s 3–5 year vision.
• Define target segments (e.g. philanthropic foundations, family offices, development agencies, HNWIs, impact investors, strategic corporates) and a clear engagement roadmap for each.
• Work closely with the Executive Team and Board to prioritise funding opportunities and ensure partnerships directly support ESF’s flagship programmes and spin-outs.
• Shape the overall value proposition and narrative for ESF as a vehicle for catalytic, systems-level impact.
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2. Pipeline development & fundraising

• Build and maintain a qualified pipeline of prospects across philanthropy, development funders and strategic partners.
• Lead end-to-end fundraising processes: research, introductions, cultivation, proposal development, negotiation and closing.
• Design and coordinate multi-year funding proposals (e.g. for multi-country programme rollouts, research streams, or institutional capacity-building).
• Work with technical and programme leads to translate ESF’s work into compelling cases for support (concept notes, pitch decks, investment cases).
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3. Strategic partnerships

• Identify, structure and steward strategic partnerships that go beyond funding – for example:
• UN agencies and multilaterals (e.g. UNDP, World Bank, regional development banks)
• Governments and public-sector institutions
• Technology partners and mission-aligned corporates
• Negotiate partnership frameworks (MoUs, master agreements, co-funding arrangements) that support ESF’s programme pipeline and spin-outs.
• Ensure partnerships are designed to be scalable and replicable across countries and regions.
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4. Donor stewardship & relationship management

• Build long-term, trust-based relationships with key donors and partners, acting as a primary point of contact for senior stakeholders.
• Develop and oversee a stewardship framework, ensuring timely and high-quality reporting, updates, and engagement opportunities.
• Work with communications and programme teams to showcase impact stories, learning and thought leadership for donors and partners.
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5. Internal collaboration & enablement

• Collaborate with programme leads to identify fundable opportunities and package them coherently (e.g. thematic portfolios, country level programmes, research chairs).
• Support spin-out teams (e.g. verifiable credentials platform, other ESF initiatives) in structuring strategic alliances and co-funding models where appropriate.
• Help shape internal processes for opportunity tracking, CRM, reporting and coordination across ESF’s projects.
• Provide guidance and mentoring to staff involved in partnerships, fundraising or external engagement.
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6. Governance, reporting & impact

• Set clear KPIs and targets for fundraising, partnership quality, donor diversification and retention.
• Report regularly to the Executive Director and Board on pipeline, secured funding, and strategic partnership progress.
• Ensure all philanthropic and partnership activities meet legal, ethical and compliance standards, including those of major multilaterals and donors.
• Work with ESF’s impact/monitoring functions to ensure impact frameworks and evidence support fundraising and stewardship.
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Required Experience

Essential experience & track record

• Significant experience (typically 10+ years) in fundraising, business development or partnerships in one or more of:
• Philanthropic foundations and family offices
• Multilateral/development agencies, INGOs, think tanks, or global non-profits
• Universities or research institutions (development offices, advancement)
• Demonstrable track record of securing six- and seven-figure, multi-year funding or partnerships.
• Experience managing complex stakeholder environments: boards, senior officials, donors, partners, and technical teams.
• Strong understanding of at least one of: digital public goods, emerging technologies (AI, blockchain), international development, or public-sector transformation.
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Skills & attributes

• Exceptional relationship-builder and communicator, confident engaging at C-suite, ministerial and board level.
• Strong strategic thinker, able to see the bigger picture and design partnership models that are both fundable and impactful.
• Excellent storytelling, proposal-writing and presentation skills; able to translate technical ideas into compelling narratives.
• Comfortable operating in a start-up / scale-up / foundation environment: hands-on, resourceful, and collaborative.
• High integrity and alignment with ESF’s mission on inclusive, responsible tech and development.
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Desirable Experience

• Existing network of relevant contacts in philanthropy, family offices, development agencies or global tech corporates.
• Experience working with or within UN agencies, development banks or large foundations in a partnerships and fundraising capacity.
• Familiarity with blended finance, impact investing or innovative funding mechanisms.
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Indicative success metrics

• Value of multi-year funding secured in first 12–24 months.
• Number and quality of strategic partnerships established (e.g. with multilaterals, governments, corporates).
• Donor/partner retention and satisfaction.
• Diversification of ESF’s funding base (by type of donor, geography, instrument).
• Contribution to ESF’s programme growth, institutional resilience and global visibility.