Partnership Lead

Role Overview

• We are seeking a commercially driven Partnerships Lead to develop strategic relationships, secure corporate and institutional partnerships, and generate business opportunities.
• The ideal candidate will combine strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills with the ability to convert relationships into signed agreements, commercial engagements, and funding opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Partnership Development: Build and manage a pipeline of corporate, institutional, and strategic partners, from initial engagement to signed agreements.
• Institutional Relations: Develop relationships with government ministries, agencies, development institutions, and public-sector organisations to secure strategic collaborations and project mandates.
• Corporate Partnerships: Engage manufacturers, investors, financial institutions, and other businesses to establish commercial partnerships, joint ventures, sponsorships, and revenue-sharing arrangements.
• Business Development: Identify cross-selling, referral, and client acquisition opportunities across the company's service areas.
• Proposals and Negotiations: Prepare partnership proposals, MOUs, and commercial frameworks; lead negotiations through to agreement execution.
• Grants and Funding: Identify grant, co-financing, and development funding opportunities in collaboration with the Grant Writer Associate.
• Relationship Management: Maintain partner relationships, represent the company at relevant industry events, and generate strategic introductions.
• Internal Collaboration: Work with management, Finance, Business Development, and relevant practice teams to align partnerships with business objectives and delivery capacity.
• Reporting: Maintain an updated partnership register and submit weekly pipeline updates, monthly work plans, and performance reports.

Key Performance Expectations

• Maintain at least 10 active partnership prospects per quarter.
• Secure 1–2 partnership agreements or MOUs per quarter.
• Engage at least three institutional stakeholders per quarter.
• Pursue at least two cross-portfolio business opportunities per quarter.
• Progress at least one grant or funding partnership opportunity per quarter.
• Generate measurable commercial opportunities and revenue through partnerships.
• Maintain accurate partnership records and submit reports on time.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Marketing, International Relations, or a related field.
• 4–6 years of relevant experience in partnerships, corporate or institutional relations, strategic alliances, or business development.
• Demonstrable success in securing partnerships, commercial agreements, client mandates, or funding opportunities.
• Experience developing proposals, MOUs, and commercial agreements.
• Strong negotiation, communication, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills.
• Commercial acumen and the ability to convert opportunities into measurable business outcomes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office or Google Workspace; CRM experience is an advantage.
• Added Advantage: Experience with government institutions, development agencies, investors, grant funding, project finance, consulting, or investment advisory.