Senior Manager – Partnership Development and Operations

Position Title: Senior Manager – Partnership Development and Operations

Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka

Reporting To: Executive Director

Application Deadline: August 02, 2025

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 out of Bangalore. This role is looking for a proactive lead 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: 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):

• 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.
• Recruitment & HR Support: Oversee overall recruitment responsibilities for the organization with the support of the internal HR team, ensuring timely and quality hiring.
• Staff Capacity Development: Plan and coordinate the implementation of staff capacity development programs, identifying training needs and opportunities.
• 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.
• Operational Monitoring: Assign and monitor critical operational functions across the organization to ensure smooth execution.
• Site Visits & Oversight: Conduct regular visits to GRAAM Offices/working sites (as needed, not regular) to ensure operational effectiveness and provide on-ground support.
• 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.
• Action Planning: Create clear action lists for management staff derived from Board meeting decisions (twice a year) and follow up on their implementation.
• Budgeting: Lead the preparation of the annual organizational budget in collaboration with different team heads.
• Performance Management: Ensure the timely execution of the performance appraisal activity (once a quarter).
• Event Management: Oversee and manage organizational events (as and when required).

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

• 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.
• Acquiring Implementation (Action Research) Projects: Secure a defined number or value of new implementation/action research projects.
• 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.
• 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 Executive Director

• Key Qualification Criteria:Education: Master’s degree in Business Administration is preferred. Other qualifications 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.