Manager: Corporate Partnerships

(This is a permanent position based in Cape Town / Johannesburg)

WWF is the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organisation, with over 6 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

WWF South Africa is a national office that is part of the WWF network. We are a local NGO that has worked for 50 years with the aim of inspiring all South Africans to live in harmony with nature, for the benefit of our country and the wellbeing of all our people. WWFs work is for nature, for you.

Our work is challenging and exciting and we love what we do. To join our team, you need to be brilliant at what you do, passionate, results-orientated and have a positive attitude.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION:

The Manager: Corporate Partnerships & Engagement is responsible for leading WWF-SA's corporate engagement strategy and team to deliver on the organisation's strategic impact goals, funding needs, and long-term mission. This role drives the development and management of high-value corporate relationships, ensuring they create meaningful impact, deliver sustainable funding, and contribute to WWF's transformational partnership agenda.

The incumbent will manage the corporate engagement team, oversee strategic fundraising initiatives, and strengthen relationships with businesses, Trusts, and Foundations to secure integrated partnerships. This includes oversight of the business network, donations-in-kind, and loyalty programmes, where applicable. Given the cross-cutting nature of the role, the Manager will work closely with the Environmental Programmes, Finance and Business and Communications Teams.

• Postgraduate qualification in Business, Sustainability, Commerce, Finance, or related fields.
• Minimum 10 years' experience in relationship management, fundraising, or corporate engagement.
• At least 5 years of management experience leading teams.
• Demonstrated success in developing and managing high-value corporate partnerships.
• Proven understanding of corporate sustainability, CSR/CSI, BBBEE, and shared value approaches.
• Strong knowledge of corporate fundraising channels and partnership development.
• Ability to co-develop high-quality funding proposals, budgets, and partnership concepts with the environmental teams (Systems and Area-Based Conservation Clusters)
• Solid understanding of corporate sustainability trends and WWF-SA's strategic focus areas.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent presentation, negotiation, and networking skills.
• Strong research, reporting, and project management abilities.
• Get approval and sign off fundraising proposals from relevant Managers, Leads and Partnership Committee.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and database management.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Ability to work in and with a team in BD&M and across the organisation
• Ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders internally and externally.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and able to thrive in a networked environment.
• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• High emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, and relationship-building capacity.
• Strong planning, organising, and prioritisation skills.
• High emotional intelligence, enthusiasm, and confidence.
• Passion for WWF's mission and conservation.
• Enthusiasm, confidence, and resilience.
• Willingness to travel locally and internationally as required.
• You recognise yourself in the values of WWF: Courage, Integrity, Respect, Collaboration and Inclusion

To apply, please submit a detailed CV and cover letter combined into a single document, fully motivating the relevant skills, experience, and creativity you can bring to the role. Kindly include the names, current email addresses, and telephone numbers of three relevant references.

Strategic Leadership & Fundraising

• Provide strategic input into WWF-SA's overall fundraising and corporate partnership strategy.
• Develop and implement corporate fundraising initiatives that align with WWF-SA's organisational strategy.
• Support high-quality, tailored funding proposals (including budgetary needs) and partnership concepts for corporates, Trusts, and Foundations developed with the Environmental Teams.
• Identify, cultivate, and secure new corporate partnerships while strengthening existing relationships.
• Ensure high-quality donor stewardship, reporting, and communication in collaboration with programme and project teams.

Corporate Engagement & Relationship Management

• Build, manage, and expand relationships with corporate partners to maximise long-term value and impact, particularly the transformational and bigger partnerships

• Position WWF-SA as a trusted partner on sustainability, shared value, and corporate responsibility.

• Oversee and assist in the identifying and research of potential businesses/Trusts/Foundations to be targeted.

• Represent WWF-SA in meetings, events, and forums with corporates, funders, and key stakeholders and lead on partnership meetings.

• Monitor WWF project and programme outputs and manage all related fund reporting.

• Establish regular communication channels with environmental staff to ensure expedient reporting to donors.

• Oversee strategic donor engagement platforms such as the Corporate Business Network and Corporate Workshops.

Programme Oversight (WWF-SASSI)

• Provide strategic oversight and line management of the WWF-SASSI programme.
• Support the expansion of WWF -SASSI partnerships with retailers, suppliers, and networking partners, including opportunities in other areas such as the Nature and People Positive Retailer Basket.

Team Leadership & Management

• Line-manage and mentor the corporate engagement team, including corporate partnerships staff and WWF-SASSI staff.
• Provide leadership, motivation, and guidance to ensure high team performance and retention.
• Build capacity within the team to deliver innovative and impactful corporate engagement initiatives.

Cross-Organisational Collaboration

• Work closely with the Environmental Programmes Team to align corporate fundraising with conservation priorities.
• Collaborate with the Communications and Finance & Business Support Teams to implement corporate partnerships and positioning.
• Contribute to WWF network initiatives and represent WWF-SA within the broader WWF global network where relevant.
• Ability to work collaboratively with teams within WWF SA locally and globally.

Governance, Monitoring & Reporting

• Ensure transparent and accountable management of funds raised from corporate partners.
• Maintain accurate fundraising and partnership records within WWF-SA's databases and dashboard.
• Provide monthly reporting on activity, progress, and income potential.
• Report on the Partnership Committee and ensure the corporate partner database is up to date and readily accessible
• Ensure compliance with WWF-SA's internal governance processes, including the Partnership Committee.