Overview

The Senior Director, Institutional Partnerships plays a pivotal role at a time of profound change in how U.S. institutions engage with global conservation. The Senior Director will lead IFAW’s unified U.S. strategy to expand and diversify institutional relationships across foundation, corporate sectors, IGOs, and government, positioning IFAW as a catalyst and convenor that connects funding, influence, and innovation around shared goals for animals and people. Working closely with IFAW’s global Development, Program, and Finance teams, the Senior Director will ensure that institutional growth aligns with programmatic capacity and strategic priorities, and that all grant- and contract-funded initiatives meet the highest standards of performance and accountability. Acting as a key link between IFAW’s U.S. base and its global mission, the role will translate IFAW’s field-level impact into compelling opportunities for collaboration and investment among U.S. institutional funders, thought leaders, and allies.

The position also carries an important external leadership dimension, helping position IFAW as an active contributor to the future of conservation collaboration. As funding and partnership models evolve toward greater equity, shared accountability, and integration across conservation, biodiversity, and human development priorities, the Senior Director will represent IFAW in building and strengthening coalitions that shape this new era of cooperation. The Senior Director will strengthen IFAW’s presence and relationships across key networks, ensuring the organization is an active and valued participant in collective efforts to achieve lasting change for animals, people, and the planet.

Role and Responsibilities

• Lead IFAW’s U.S. institutional partnerships strategy, setting direction for growth across government, foundation, and corporate sectors, and positioning IFAW as a trusted collaborator in advancing conservation and human development outcomes.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of institutional partners, taking an active, hands-on role in cultivation, proposal development, negotiation, and reporting to secure multi-year funding and deepen long-term relationships.
• Guide and empower a skilled partnerships team, balancing strategic leadership with direct engagement in research, prospecting, and proposal pipelines to meet annual revenue and growth targets.
• Provide strategic counsel to program leadership (and other leadership positions as appropriate and required), ensuring that program plans are fundable, aligned with donor interests, and supported by strong evidence and narratives.
• Strengthen collaboration with the private sector, working with the Corporate Partnerships Officer to expand innovative models of corporate engagement grounded in shared value and measurable impact for conservation and rescue.
• Identify and cultivate high-value foundation prospects, developing tailored cultivation strategies and leading on complex proposal submissions and donor briefings.
• Represent IFAW in cross-sector and coalition platforms, contributing to national and international dialogues on the future of conservation collaboration and institutional philanthropy.
• Ensure excellence in grant and contract management, collaborating with Program, Finance, and Legal teams to maintain strong systems for proposal development, compliance, reporting, and close-out.
• Oversee the Institutional Partnerships budget and performance tracking, ensuring financial accountability, accurate forecasting, and clear communication of progress to senior leadership.
• Champion collaboration and learning across IFAW’s global programs, promoting consistent approaches and innovative practices in partnership design, delivery, and stewardship.

Qualifications and Education

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; an advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., international relations, environmental policy, development studies, or business) is an asset.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive experience in institutional fundraising and partnership development, with a proven record of securing and managing substantial grants or co-financing from foundations, governments, and corporations.
• Demonstrated experience cultivating high-level partnerships across philanthropy, government, and the private sector, ideally within the conservation, environmental, or international development fields.
• Strong understanding of the evolving U.S. funding landscape for global conservation and human development, including trends in philanthropy, impact investment, and public–private collaboration.
• Extensive experience leading proposal development and negotiation processes for complex, multi-stakeholder programs, preferably with funders active in Africa and Asia.
• Proven ability to build, lead, and inspire high-performing teams, and to manage cross-functional initiatives that link development, program, and finance functions.
• Demonstrated ability to represent an organization externally and contribute to sector coalitions, working groups, and dialogues on the future of conservation and partnership-based philanthropy.
• Deep understanding of donor compliance, risk management, and performance monitoring, with the ability to translate technical requirements into effective systems and processes.
• Exceptional communication, storytelling, and writing skills, including the ability to distill complex concepts into compelling narratives and materials for institutional audiences.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a dynamic, global context.
• Demonstrated cultural awareness and ability to work effectively across diverse teams and regions.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally to engage with funders and partners.
• A genuine passion for IFAW’s mission and a commitment to advancing conservation and animal welfare through collaboration, innovation, and shared impact.

At IFAW, we aim to create and foster a workforce that reflects and contributes to the diverse, global community in which we work to improve the lives of both animals and people. We are dedicated to fostering justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, so we actively encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds.

Hiring range is $106,000-$133,000

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Equal Opportunity Employer
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