About the Department
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The External Relations Department drives DNDi’s visibility, influence, and financial sustainability. Its Communications, Private Sector Fundraising & Partnerships, and Institutional & Public Fundraising teams ensure that DNDi is visible, supported by committed stakeholders, and successful in securing the resources needed to deliver on its mission.
About the Office
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This position will be based in either the UK, Netherlands or Sweden (not Switzerland) and will work remotely.
Overview
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The Head of Private Sector Fundraising provides leadership for DNDi’s private-sector resource mobilisation, managing a geographically dispersed team focused on major philanthropic foundations, high-net-worth individuals, and individual giving. Private sector fundraising is a relatively new revenue stream for DNDi, and the team has a strong focus on new business.
The Head will be responsible for the refinement and delivery of DNDi’s private sector fundraising strategy, paying particular attention to the strengthening and diversification of our foundations and UHNWI streams. This role is accountable for the delivery of agreed private-sector income targets.
Alongside team leadership, the Head will manage a portfolio of key donors and prospects.
Responsibilities
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Strategic contribution
- Contribute to the design and periodic review of DNDi’s private sector fundraising strategy in alignment with DNDi’s overall Strategic Plan.
- Serve as a member of the global fundraising leadership, contributing to decision-making, planning and strategy.
- Provide strategic insight on emerging funding opportunities and global philanthropic trends.
- Lead or co-lead cross-departmental projects that enhance DNDi’s capacity for private sector engagement, including internal thought leadership on how DNDi work areas could be reframed to interest private sector donors.
Fundraising leadership
- Drive revenue growth via the implementation of the private sector fundraising plan, translating strategic direction into annual targets and workplans.
- Lead the identification and pursuit of new funding opportunities from foundations, UHNWIs and others as relevant.
- Cultivate and steward relationships with existing donors, ensuring strong engagement, high satisfaction, and long-term alignment with DNDi’s mission.
- Represent DNDi with professionalism and credibility in donor meetings, conferences and at events.
- Lead and oversee the preparation of high-quality, tailored funding proposals and grant submissions in close collaboration with DNDi’s technical teams.
- Develop reporting to track delivery and income progress, providing regular analysis and performance reporting.
- Contribute to departmental budget planning, forecasting and resource allocation for private sector activities.
Team leadership and development
- Lead and motivate the Private Sector Fundraising team, providing strategic direction, performance monitoring, mentoring and capacity building.
- Oversee the team’s proposal development, reporting, and stewardship processes in coordination with R&D, project management office and finance teams.
- Ensure that donor engagement activities and deliverables meet quality, timeliness, and compliance requirements.
- Ensure strong internal coordination with other fundraising teams, R&D, communications, finance, project management and regional teams to align fundraising with organizational priorities.
- Identify, brief, deploy and manage consultants as needed to support staff or projects.
Donor and portfolio management
- Maintain direct responsibility for a portfolio of high-value donors and prospects, contributing materially to annual income targets.
Process improvement and collaboration
- Ensure compliance with data privacy and information management standards across donor systems.
- Identifies opportunities to improve or streamline processes, working closely with relevant staff and ensuring the understanding and uptake of new processes or ways of working across the team or beyond as necessary.
- Support cross-departmental initiatives to integrate fundraising insights into institutional planning and decision-making.
Additional /specific/projects responsibilities
The above list of responsibilities is not exhaustive, and you may be required to undertake other responsibilities appropriate to your grade. This job description may be subject to review.
Reporting line & Interactions
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- Head of Private Sector Fundraising reports to the Associate Director, Private Sector Engagement & Strategic Partnerships
- Works closely with colleagues across the broader External Relations team, as well as Communications, Regional offices, Finance, Legal, Policy Advocacy, and R&D teams, and IST for data privacy and governance.
- Represents DNDi externally with operational partners and donors as appropriate to the role’s scope.
Experience and Education
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- At least twelve (12) years of progressive experience in private sector fundraising preferably in global health, development, scientific or international NGO.
- Significant management experience necessary, and cross cultural or remote management experience at global level highly desirable.
- Advanced university degree in a relevant field (e.g. international development, global health, business, marketing).
- Mature, collaborative and results-oriented leader who is as comfortable driving income as strengthening systems, and who remains personally motivated by fundraising success.
- Experience in fundraising for global health, science or international development, intellectual curiosity, and a strong willingness to engage with fundraising in a science/global health crossover environment.
Skills and competencies
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Critical Skills
- Strong leadership skills and deep experience managing, motivating and convening remote, multi-functional teams across regions and cultures.
- Proven experience in delivering substantial new-business income growth from philanthropic foundations or UHNWI and a strong sense of accountability for results.
- Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
- Ability to translate strategic direction into operational execution and measurable results.
- Confidence, interest and ability to operate fluently in a scientific environment, including the capacity to translate complex technical information into donor-friendly messaging.
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills for internal and external audiences.
Technical Skills
- Expertise in managing complex fundraising operations and building systems for efficiency and growth.
- Experience with CRM systems (e.g. Salesforce), prospect management, pipeline forecasting.
- Strong understanding of data privacy and compliance requirements.
Other requirements
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- Fluency in English
- Proficiency in local languages desirable
- Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Suite
DEI Statement
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DNDi is committed to building a diverse, equitable and truly inclusive organisation. Our success and global reach are dependent upon our ability to encourage diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We particularly welcome applications from those who are underrepresented in at DNDi and across the sector, especially women, and including, but not limited to, black and minority ethnic candidates, and those with other protected characteristic.
