Manager: Corporate Partnerships

Brief Description The Manager: Corporate Partnerships & Engagement is responsible for leading the client’s South Africa office corporate engagement strategy and team to deliver on the organization’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 the client’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.   Duties & Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Fundraising Provide strategic input into the client’s South Africa office overall fundraising and corporate partnership strategy. Develop and implement corporate fundraising initiatives that align with the organization’s strategy. Support high-quality, tailored funding proposals (including budgets) and partnership concepts for corporates, trusts, and foundations in collaboration 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 maximize long-term value and impact, particularly transformational and large-scale partnerships. Position The client’s South Africa office as a trusted partner on sustainability, shared value, and corporate responsibility. Oversee and assist in identifying and researching potential businesses, trusts, and foundations to be targeted. Represent The client’s South Africa office in meetings, events, and forums with corporates, funders, and key stakeholders, and lead partnership meetings. Monitor 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 Provide strategic oversight and line management of the SASSI programme. Support the expansion of the client’s 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 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-Organizational 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 the client’s network initiatives and represent the client’s South Africa office within the broader global network where relevant. Work collaboratively with teams within the client, both locally and globally.   Governance, Monitoring & Reporting Ensure transparent and accountable management of funds raised from corporate partners. Maintain accurate fundraising and partnership records within the client’s South Africa office databases and dashboards. Provide monthly reporting on activity, progress, and income potential. Report to the Partnership Committee and ensure the corporate partner database is up to date and readily accessible. Ensure compliance with the organization’s internal governance processes, including the Partnership Committee.   Requirements Postgraduate qualification in Business, Sustainability, Commerce, Finance, or related fields. Minimum of 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 the client’s South Africa office strategic focus areas. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Excellent presentation, negotiation, and networking skills. Strong research, reporting, and project management abilities. Secure approvals and sign-off for fundraising proposals from relevant managers, leads, and the Partnership Committee. Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and database management. Strong leadership and people management skills. Ability to work within teams in BD&M and across the organization. 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, organizing, and prioritization skills. High emotional intelligence, enthusiasm, and confidence. Passion for the client’s mission and conservation. Enthusiasm, confidence, and resilience. Willingness to travel locally and internationally as required. Alignment with the client’s values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, Collaboration, and Inclusion.