We use cookies. Find out more about it here. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.
#alert
Back to search results
New

Managing Director, Strategic Foundation Partnerships (M3)

Save the Children
paid holidays
United States, D.C., Washington
899 North Capitol Street Northeast (Show on map)
Aug 22, 2025
Description

Save the Children

For over 100 years, Save the Children has been fighting for the rights of children. The right to a healthy start in life. To have access to education. To be in a safe environment, protected from harm. We work in some of the world's hardest-to-reach places - over 100 countries, including the U.S. No matter what your role is, when you join Save the Children, you're creating positive, irreversible change for children, and the future we all share.

The Role

As the Managing Director, Strategic Foundations Partnerships (SFP), you'll be integral to our work in helping vulnerable children achieve a brighter future. You will lead the growth of a high-impact relationship with the Gates Foundation. The role requires a strategic, adaptable leader with a deep understanding of the intersection of strategic fundraising, international development and the humanitarian sector, and leading global donors like the Gates Foundation. Reporting to our Senior Managing Director, you will manage a 4-person team and be accountable for leading the strategic vision to raise $30M in annual revenue by 2027 from the Gates Foundation. Working with a wide range of internal colleagues, across the global Save the Children movement, and with stakeholders in the Gates Foundation and sector partners, the Managing Director will serve as the global lead for a key partnership. To accelerate revenue growth and impact for children, you will deliver on existing commitments with excellence while unlocking new business opportunities, accelerating thought leadership, and reinforcing the partnership's value and strategic impact both internally and externally.

Location

Hybrid - Washington DC or Fairfield, CT office locations

What You'll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

Set the Strategy and Significantly grow Gates Foundation Partnership Portfolio (70%)



  • Lead, mentor, develop, and coach a team of 3-4 direct reports to unlock $30M annually by 2027 from the Gates Foundation.
  • Develop and drive a compelling partnership vision and strategy to create compelling, innovative propositions that position Save the Children as a partner of choice.
  • Oversee the delivery of team goals by leading on partner strategic planning, new business prospecting, external representation, high-level problem-solving, and supporting the relevant team(s) as needed.
  • Build and market compelling programmatic, policy and innovative offerings to create a diversified and resilient partner portfolio.
  • Closely monitor partner and industry trends to inform and evolve strategies.
  • Collaborate with program and policy colleagues to surface and communicate to the Gates Foundation our best impact, evidence, innovation, and models ready for scale, collaborating with Strategic Communications colleagues to ensure strong thought leadership and visibility around this work.
  • Support liaison with national Ministries (e.g. Ministry of Health) to build sustainable scale pathways for our work, bringing the Gates Foundation along in this process.


Lead a Top Global Partner (20%)



  • Lead an existing high value, complex global partnership to ensure world-class execution and continued growth aiming to generate $30M+/year in revenue.
  • Ensure best-in-class partner management practices are established and followed, with focus on account growth and diversification, stewardship and retention, including strong reporting and partnership promotion.
  • Grow executive engagement across the Gates Foundation, identifying key opportunities for deepening relationships with leadership at Save the Children.
  • Foster internal partnership governance. Implement structure to coordinate and manage key internal stakeholders across the globe to ensure timely communication, education and reporting that will help streamline ways of working and advance goals.
  • Oversee coordination with the SC International Global Foundation Leadership Group and SC movement-wide coordination to maximize our impact with the Gates Foundation.


Serve as a Member of the SFP Leadership Team (10%)



  • Train, develop, coach, lead, and supervise staff, clearly communicating organization, division and department priorities, and how their work contributes to our mission, ensuring that the working environment continually fosters diversity, inclusion, and belonging - supporting Save the Children values.
  • Attract, retain, and develop diverse, excellent talent in the SFP team in the context of significant organizational ambition to grow.
  • Serve on the SFP Leadership Team and act as a strategic thought partner.
  • Identify opportunities for improvement and collaboratively work to devise and implement plans that streamline processes and results delivery.
  • Lead strategic special projects as needed.


Required qualifications for the role



  • Minimum of a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, plus at least 10 years of relevant experience
  • Proven experience in building partnership frameworks and deepening 7-8-figure partnerships in foundation, fundraising or programmatic/policy contexts
  • Able to navigate highly complex relationships and support others by providing technical advice, guidance and direction related to large partnerships
  • Experience working with senior philanthropic executives
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate successfully with individuals and teams at all levels
  • Excels in managerial and leadership skills to drive team results. Demonstrated ability to lead a diverse global team using insights and influence
  • Demonstrated ability to be a self-starter and business builder
  • Professional proficiency in MS Office suite
  • Professional proficiency in spoken and written English
  • Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 10%


Preferred qualifications for the role



  • Experience working in social impact, with or for the foundation, international development or humanitarian sector
  • Sales-oriented business environment experience
  • Experience working within complex global organizations


Compensation

Save the Children is offering the following salary ranges for this position, dependent on candidate location:



  • Geo 1 - NY Metro, DC, and other locations with labor costs significantly above national average: Target Salary for this position is $131,750 - $147,250 base salary
  • Geo 2 - Locations around the US National Labor Cost Average: Target Salary for this position is $119,850 - $133,950 base salary
  • Geo 3 - Locations significantly below the US National Labor Cost Average: Target Salary for this position is $107,950 - $120,650 base salary


The salary ranges listed above are for US based candidates. For candidates located outside of the US, salary ranges will be based on the salary scales of the local employer of record. Actual base salary may vary based on, but not limited to, relevant experience, base salary of internal peers, business sector, and geographic location (more information on job structure is available here).

About Us

We are looking to build an inclusive team at Save the Children. We offer a range of outstanding benefits to support this goal:



  • Flexible schedules and time off: Flexible schedules, generous PTO, 11 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays and hybrid working opportunities
  • Health: Competitive health care, dental and vision coverage for you and your family
  • Family: A variety of paid leaves: caregiver, parental/adoption, critical child illness and fertility benefits
  • Employee Rewards Program: Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees
  • Retirement: A retirement savings plan with employer contributions (after one year)
  • Wellness: 15 safety and wellness days annually (if hired on or after July 1, safety and wellness days prorated to 8 days), mental health benefits and support through Calm and company-hosted events
  • Employee Assistance Program: free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services
  • Learning & Growth: Access to internal and external learning & development opportunities and mentorships


Click here to learn more about how Save the Children US will invest in you.

Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom we are in contact. All Save the Children representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of child abuse.

Save the Children is committed to minimizing safety and security risks for our valued employees, ensuring all are given training, support and information to reduce their risk exposure while maximizing the impact of our programs for children and families. Our shared duty, both agency and individual, is to seek and maintain safe working conditions for all.

If you require disability assistance with the application or recruitment process, please submit a request to applicantsupport@savechildren.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Applied = 0

(web-5cf844c5d-tthkl)