Accion's Resource Development team is currently looking for a Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships to play a critical fundraising and lead generating function for Global Advisory Solutions (GLAS) activities. The Senior Manager will be an integral part of both Resource Development and the GLAS teams and will develop deep knowledge and understanding of all GLAS programs and activities. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of financial services and financial inclusion, experience in the fundraising space and excellent writing and communication skills. The Senior Manager will be able to adeptly develop outreach strategy, draft concept notes and proposals and work in collaboration across the Resource Development team in generating funding opportunities and exploring new partnership opportunities.

About Accion 

Accion is a global nonprofit committed to creating a financially inclusive world, with a pioneering legacy in microfinance and fintech impact investing. We catalyze financial service providers to deliver high-quality, affordable solutions at scale for the three billion people who are left out of — or poorly served by — the financial sector. For 60 years, Accion has helped tens of millions of people through our work with more than 170 partners in 55 countries. More at http://www.accion.org

About Resource Development

Accion’s Resource Development department has a solid track record of creative partnerships, strategic fundraising and proven results. We work across a broad base of corporate and private foundation partners including Mastercard, Credit Suisse, FMO, Bill and Melinda Gates, MetLife, and Citi Foundations. In addition, we work with individual impact investors, philanthropic donors and the public sector to carry out our important and increasingly urgent mission. Building on the existing strong base of supporters and partners, we aim to further expand the team and amplify our strategic partnership priorities.

About Global Advisory Solutions (GLAS)

We are a diverse and close-knit global team with one common social purpose: building a financially inclusive world for small businesses and low income households.  We are passionate about what we do – working with a wide range of financial service providers and other partners across the world to create to build sustainable businesses to achieve financial inclusion.  We enjoy solving problems, being exposed to new ideas, sharing information, and asking, “what if?” In this position, you will be in the center of it all. Working closely with the MD and our regional managers, you will be a key supportive team member for the GLAS leadership and collaborate with co-workers who are industry experts with diverse backgrounds, being part of a team that is shaping and challenging the industry. You will work to support our global program management efforts; lead our internal communications initiatives and collaborate with other teams to support external communications; oversee board and management reporting; contribute to industry engagements and GLAS thought-leadership efforts.

Why you should consider working with us:

We strive for impact. Everything that we do begins with an understanding of the end user customer, and how we can improve their access and usage of financial services. We understand that to make lasting change we need to focus on creating viable solutions that will provide long-term, positive impact on the customers we seek to serve.  You will serve as a key member of both our advisory and resource development teams, developing and sourcing new partnerships and resources to develop the innovative products and services that will help achieve this goal.  

We are ambitious AND promote a supportive work environment. We work hard but we have a lot of fun doing it together. We are an agile, action-oriented team with a high level of trust. As a member of our team, you will have an ambitious agenda, but will work closely with colleagues across the organization.  We surround ourselves with people who have had different experiences and backgrounds to ensure creativity of thought and constant learning. 

We are part of a powerful network. We are constantly learning and growing through our inter-regional knowledge exchange across our global teams and partners. You will get the opportunity to interact with and learn from an impressive global network.

Position responsibilities

The position will have a dual reporting structure – reporting to the Managing Director, Global Advisory Solutions (GLAS) and to the Chief Development Officer, Resource Development. The Senior Manager will build broad awareness of GLAS project activities and priorities and work closely with the Resource Development and Partnerships team to align on overall outreach strategy and support optimal positioning for GLAS priorities. The Senior Manager will work across various internal stakeholders as well as with the GLAS Regional Program Managers (RPMs), who serve as the frontline for business development in each of the three regions. The Senior Manager will work both independently and collaboratively and will contribute to the overall growth of the GLAS fundraising targets while ensuring overall Accion success to drive new partnerships and funding opportunities and will focus on the following areas:

Revenue Generation & Partnership Development Strategy

• Collaborating with the GLAS team and Resource Development, drive proposal development as assigned (for prospects that do not have an account manager) and reporting process for funding partners.
• Facilitate meetings with prospects coordinating across multiple internal stakeholders
• Accountable for fundraising goals and as part of overall Resource Development targets.
• Collaborate with the Resource Development, Finance, and Legal departments, and other program staff to ensure coordination and to maximize opportunities and revenue across the organization.
• Engage across the organization with internal stakeholders to identify prospects and develop strategy.

Prospecting and Networking

• Find, engage, and steward potential partnerships, new collaboration opportunities, and uncover new funding streams in direct alignment with GLAS’ strategic priorities and as agreed with the Resource Development department.
• Conduct regional stakeholder mapping and segmenting for target private sector prospects and institutions
• Lead early partnership conversations and engagement with GLAS and Resource Development staff
• Map funding flows and donor trends to program activities and expertise.

Market Intelligence

• Understand and advise on competitors’ programming, partnerships, messaging and support development of a plan to differentiate Accion and GLAS work.
• Work closely with GLAS Regional Program Managers to identify key regional trends and prospects and create mapping in alignment with global strategic priorities
• In collaboration with Fundraising research team, monitor key market insights as they related to GLAS programmatic work

Position qualifications

• Deep knowledge of the international development sector and private sector funding sources, financial inclusion space, and familiarity with fintech stakeholders,
• A minimum of 5-8 years of professional experience in fundraising, grant writing, proposal development, managing partnerships and donor relationships, or similar work in financial inclusion and global development
• Exceptional written and communication skills; able to quickly gather, synthesize and summarize information in a clear manner
• Leadership and influencing skills, ability to work across a complex organization with multiple stakeholders
• Superior quantitative skills; able to present data and research into ideas and recommendations
• Excellent organizational skills; able to handle and prioritize multiple workstreams with attention to detail and deliver under pressure
• Excellent collaborator with strong interpersonal skills; able to build relationships with staff across different departments and take direction and initiative across teams
• Demonstrated out of the box, creative thinking and problem-solving skills
• A can-do attitude
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required, advanced degree preferred
• Commitment to Accion’s mission and work globally
• Willingness to embody our values of excellence, respect and passion for social change.