Director, Strategic Partnerships (Chief Development Officer)

Are you looking to apply your excellent partnership building skills to working deeply in a sustainability focused, international not for profit organisation that is seeking to change business practices at a global scale? ISEAL Alliance represents the global movement of sustainability standards. Our vision is a world where social, environmental and economic sustainability is the normal way of working for all business. We are a membership association that ensures sustainability standards maintain credibility and deliver impact. 21 global organizations are represented in our Alliance and they include some of the most known and trusted sustainability leaders including Fairtrade International, Marine Stewardship Council, Forest Stewardship Council, Rainforest Alliance, Better Cotton Initiative and more. We come together as ISEAL because we all promote a market-based approach to tackle poverty, human rights abuses and environmental degradation. We are all committed to more transparent supply chains. Addressing unsustainable production and consumption is our life’s work in all the places and industries we address, from the world’s oceans and landscapes to rural communities, factories and farms across the globe. Please find out more about us on our website www(.)iseal(.)org.

The Director of Strategic Partnerships is a key member of the ISEAL senior management team, reporting to the Executive Director, who forges high-level funding partnerships for the organisation’s various projects and programmes, often in close liaison with programme leads. The successful candidate will build and deepen their relationships with international stakeholders across the entire sustainability landscape. To be considered for this role, you must be an astute, experienced development professional who thrives in a fast-paced, international setting where sustainability is at the forefront of the mission. You are excited to build the resilience of an international organisation that serves as an umbrella group to some of the most important sustainability organisations in the world.  You are looking forward to thriving professionally and personally in a global environment.

Focus of role

· Provide strategic leadership in transforming ISEAL into a resilient organisation with deep, mutually beneficial funder partnerships that build revenue and have a positive impact on people and planet.

· Develop and guide ISEAL in its funding partnerships strategy and programme development work, in particular strengthening corporate, foundation and government relationships through engagement and cultivation.

· Advise and support Executive Director (who serves in her capacity as ‘chief fundraiser’ of the organisation) in all funding and related partnership activities.

· As part of the Senior Management Team, contribute to organisational strategy and development processes. 

· Act as a spokesperson for ISEAL globally, particularly in business, NGO and donor outreach activities.

Primary Responsibilities

Funding Partnership Development

· Work with the Executive Director and programme directors to fulfil ISEAL’s 2020 Strategic Plan and meet agreed revenue targets, with focus on institutional funding partnerships, diversification and increase of revenue.

· Strengthen ISEAL’s partnerships by identifying appropriate opportunities, establishing meeting opportunities, and delivering high quality, responsive proposals in liaison with relevant programme staff.

· Develop and maintain relationships with existing funding partners through face-to-face and virtual meetings.

· Liaise with relevant programme staff in order to achieve an integrated approach to project and programme development.

· Work closely and effectively with Director of Finance & Operations to ensure income is accurately projected and to manage risks within all income streams.

· Work with programme staff to deliver high quality reports and guide them in other opportunities for partner stewardship over time.

Governance and management

· Attend Board meetings as appropriate to deliver highlights and results on funding partnerships and programme development.

· Attend Finance Committee meetings to work on continuous improvement of the funding partnership strategy, diversification and other risk-lowering strategies.

· Supervise the Coordinator, Development & Executive Office in ‘moves management’ system, meeting preparation, prospect research, report and proposal editing and other actions to support the Executive Director in funding partnerships work.

· Fulfil requirements of internal staff management processes including performance reviews, supervisory meetings, work planning, motivation and development. Etc.

· Commit to continuously increase knowledge of ISEAL work and the wider context of voluntary standards and sustainability issues

Other Opportunities

Depending on candidate’s experience and goals, ISEAL will offer the post-holder the chance to engage in additional strategic areas.  These could be shaped around the post-holder’s strengths and interests as part of their overall professional development plan.  Areas could include, but are not limited to:

· engagement and advocacy

· marketing and earned income

· governance

· leadership voice / thought leadership

· stakeholder outreach

· building technical knowledge of sustainability standards systems

Essential Attributes / Skills /Knowledge

· Undergraduate or postgraduate degree in any relevant subject.

· Substantial work experience in a role focused primarily on development and/or partnerships, and particularly focused on building income in the environmental, social and/or developmental sectors.

· Excellent knowledge and understanding of sustainability standards and/or certification systems gained through work, voluntary experience and/or partnerships with ISEAL members and/or related standard-setting organisations.

· Understanding of the international funding landscape for sustainable development.

· Successful track record in seeking and securing funding (six and seven figure, multi-year grants) from corporations, foundations and/or government agencies, ideally for a not-for-profit entity.

· Experienced and confident writer with the ability to convey complex messages in high quality proposals and reports. Familiarity with government funding proposal attributes such as logical frameworks or risk registers.

· Strong budgeting skills and familiarity of building responsive and clear budgets for funding partnerships.

· Experience and success in managing development staff for career success and growth.

· Excellent oral and written English and confidence in communicating with people from different levels and from a variety of backgrounds.

· Strong time/process management skills and ability to establish priorities and work to deadlines.

· Self-motivation and flexibility to deal with a range complex programmes and projects in a growing organisation.

· Comfortable with flexible autonomy.

· Committed to contributing to positive social and environmental change.

Other Relevant Information

Term: This is intended as a permanent position.

Salary:   Salary range from GBP 70,000 – 85,000 depending on experience. 

Location /hours: Based in London on a full-time equivalent of 37.5 hours per week. Flexible hours / alternative locations may be considered for exceptional candidates.

Some relocation assistance available.

International Travel: The post holder will be required to undertake frequent international travel including overnight stays.

Ideal Start Date: negotiable