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Position Title: Senior Manager – Partnership Development and Operations

Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka

Reporting To: Executive Director

Application Deadline: August 02, 2025

Preferred Age Limit: Less than 40 years

Position Summary:

GRAAM is seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Senior Manager – Partnership Development and Operations to play a pivotal role in our strategic growth. This position offers a unique blend of responsibilities, with a primary focus (70%) on forging new strategic partnerships and resource mobilization, and a crucial secondary focus (30%) on enhancing our operational efficiency and organizational development. Based in Bengaluru, this role demands a proactive leader who can identify and cultivate high-level relationships, drive revenue generation for impactful projects, and contribute significantly to GRAAM’s institutional strengthening.

Key Responsibilities:

The Senior Manager – Partnership Development and Operations will be responsible for a dual portfolio, ensuring strategic growth and operational excellence:

A. Partnership Development & Resource Mobilization (Approx. 70% of Time Allocation):

1.Strategic Partnership Cultivation: Proactively build, cultivate, and maintain direct, high-level relationships with potential partners in the Southern region, including:

• Key government departments (State & Central).
• International development organizations.
• Philanthropic foundations.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) entities.
• Leading consulting firms and international agencies.

2.Representation & Networking: Effectively represent GRAAM at regional and national forums, conferences, workshops, and networking events to enhance the organization’s visibility, promote its work, and identify strategic collaboration and resource mobilization opportunities.

3.Proposal Development Coordination & Follow-up: Lead initial discussions, coordinate with internal teams such as research, program etc to prepare compelling proposals as per partner’s requirement, and manage follow-ups for potential partnerships.  

4.Revenue Generation Strategies: Devise and implement innovative strategies to increase revenue and promote sustainable growth for GRAAM through new projects and diversified funding streams.

5.Consultant & Service Provider Sourcing: Identify, source, and engage expert consultants and service providers to extend GRAAM’s activities and enhance delivery capabilities for specific projects.

B. Operations & Organizational Development (Approx. 30% of Time Allocation):

1. Strategic & Policy Contribution: Work closely with the Executive Director and management team in contributing to the development and effective implementation of organizational strategies, culture, policies, and best practices.
2. Recruitment & HR Support: Oversee overall recruitment responsibilities for the organization with the support of the internal HR team, ensuring timely and quality hiring.
3. Staff Capacity Development: Plan and coordinate the implementation of staff capacity development programs, identifying training needs and opportunities.
4. Contract Management: Ensure the timely preparation and thorough review of project agreements, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), contracts, and Terms of References (ToRs) as required, ensuring compliance and clarity.
5. Operational Monitoring: Assign and monitor critical operational functions across the organization to ensure smooth execution.
6. Site Visits & Oversight: Conduct regular visits to GRAAM Offices/working sites (as needed, not regular) to ensure operational effectiveness and provide on-ground support.
7. Reporting & Compliance: Prepare required organizational reports (financial, HR, programmatic) and assist the Executive Director in presenting these reports to the Board of Trustees and other statutory authorities.
8. Action Planning: Create clear action lists for management staff derived from Board meeting decisions (twice a year) and follow up on their implementation.
9. Budgeting: Lead the preparation of the annual organizational budget in collaboration with different team heads.
10. Performance Management: Ensure the timely execution of the performance appraisal activity (once a quarter).
11. Event Management: Oversee and manage organizational events (as and when required).

Key Qualification Criteria:

• Education: Master’s degree in Business Administration is preferred. Other qualified people with relevant and proven experience may also apply. 
• Experience: Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive experience in the development sector, with a significant track record in partnership development, resource mobilization, and/or senior operational management.
• Proven experience in successfully engaging with government bodies, international development agencies, foundations, and corporate CSR departments.
• Demonstrated experience in leading teams and managing complex projects.
• Preferred Age Limit: Less than 40 years.

Mandatory Skills:

• Exceptional Communication & Presentation Skills: Fluent in English and Kannada / Hindi (written and verbal) with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences (donors, government officials, corporate executives).
• Strategic Networking & Relationship Building: Proven ability to build and nurture high-level relationships, identify strategic collaboration opportunities, and close partnerships.
• Resource Mobilization & Proposal Writing: Demonstrated track record in successful fundraising and proposal development coordination.
• Operational Management: Good understanding of organizational operations, HR processes (including recruitment and performance appraisal), financial oversight, and policy implementation.
• Leadership & Team Management: Ability to lead, motivate, and mentor teams, assign tasks effectively, and monitor performance.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills to devise strategies, assess risks, and solve operational challenges.
• Digital Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Google Workspace.

Desired Skills:

• Prior experience working specifically within the Southern Indian states.
• Familiarity with contemporary trends in philanthropy, CSR, and international development funding.
• Experience with CRM software for partnership management.
• Understanding of financial compliances for non-profit organizations in India.
• Experience in organizational budgeting and financial planning.

Key Result Areas (KRAs):

The Senior Manager – Partnership Development and Operations will be primarily evaluated on the following KRAs:

1. Acquiring Government and Corporate Partnerships: Successful acquisition of new partnerships from Government bodies and Corporate entities for Research, Evaluation, Impact Assessment, and Implementation Projects specifically in the Southern States.
2. Acquiring Implementation (Action Research) Projects: Secure a defined number or value of new implementation/action research projects.
3. Building Strategic Alliances: Develop and formalize partnerships with like-minded organizations of national/international repute to expand GRAAM’s reach, strengthen its programs, and enhance its overall impact.
4. Operational Excellence & Efficiency: Demonstrated improvements in key operational metrics, timely completion of organizational development initiatives (e.g., SOP development, HR processes), and effective support to the Board and ED.

Why Join GRAAM?

GRAAM offers a unique opportunity to lead and contribute to meaningful social change. You will be part of a reputable organization committed to evidence-based research and advocacy, directly impacting policy and community development. This role provides significant autonomy, professional growth opportunities, and the chance to work with diverse stakeholders, all while making a tangible difference in society. Join us to leverage your expertise in a role that combines strategic vision with operational rigor for a cause that truly matters.