Partnership Manager
Organizational Context
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives and building a pathway to peace and prosperity. WFP delivers food assistance in emergencies and works with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. The Private Partnerships Division (PSP) engages the private sector to support WFP's strategic priorities and build public support worldwide.
Job Purpose
The Partnership Manager will be responsible for managing and optimizing the impact and results of WFP’s global partnerships with international and national businesses. This role requires a senior officer with extensive experience in managing large-scale, complex partnerships to maximize financial and technical/non-financial value for WFP. The manager will lead the execution of the PSP global partnerships plan, develop and implement strategic account and stakeholder engagement plans, and cultivate relationships with key decision-makers. Responsibilities include leading renewal conversations, drafting contract amendments, co-developing annual partnership plans, assessing partnership capacity, and identifying innovative multi-stakeholder collaboration models. The role also involves leading engagement opportunities at global forums, preparing executive briefing materials, and enhancing WFP's partnership management infrastructure.
Responsibilities
The Partnership Manager role at the World Food Programme (WFP) is pivotal in managing and optimizing global corporate partnerships. This position involves acting as a focal point for these partnerships, developing and implementing strategic account and stakeholder engagement plans, and cultivating relationships with key decision-makers within partner organizations. The manager will lead renewal conversations and negotiations, draft contract amendments, and collaborate with partners to co-develop annual plans with mutually agreed goals. A key responsibility is assessing the capacity of partnerships to maximize financial and non-financial value for WFP, while also ensuring alignment with WFP's strategies. The role also entails identifying and piloting innovative multi-stakeholder collaboration models and leading the execution of strategic partner engagement opportunities at global forums. Furthermore, the Partnership Manager will enhance WFP's infrastructure for managing partnership information and provide technical guidance for resource mobilization. Within the team, they will supervise and mentor other partnership managers, analyze the global partnership portfolio for efficiencies and collaboration, and develop innovative partnership models. This role requires strong analytical, negotiation, and advocacy skills, with the ability to influence senior decision-makers and work effectively in a multicultural, complex organizational environment.
Work Experience
The role requires at least 7 years of experience in fundraising, marketing/sales, and account management. Essential technical expertise includes managing complex stakeholder ecosystems, engaging senior executives in multinational corporations, and developing strategic account and partnership growth plans. Proven success in stewarding high-value corporate fundraising partnerships, driving revenue growth, and securing renewals is necessary. Experience in commercial, CRM brand partnerships, and successful negotiation with global enterprises is also required. Strong analytical, negotiation, and interpersonal skills are crucial for influencing decision-makers and cultivating relationships.
Skills
Partnership Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Planning, Negotiation, Fundraising, Sales, Marketing, Team Leadership, Analytical Skills, Communication, Interpersonal Skills, Problem-Solving, Adaptability, Cross-cultural Collaboration