Manager, Institutional Partnerships

Organization: Right To Play USA

Department/Division: US National Office

Reports to: Director, Global Partnerships

Work Location: New York preferred (Our office is in the Financial District.)

Work Arrangement: A combination of minimum 2 in-office days per week, and remote-working in accordance with Right To Play’s work arrangement and the operational needs of the department.

Authorized to work in: US (Eligible to work legally without visa or work permit sponsorship)

Target Hiring Salary: USD 75,000- 85,000 per annum (before taxes, commensurate with experience)

Target Start Date: As soon as possible

Contract Duration: Full-time, Permanent

Application Closing Date: June 8, 2025 23:59 EDT - Please note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

ABOUT US:

We reach millions of children each year in some of the most difficult places on earth, helping them to stay in school and learn, overcome prejudice, heal from trauma, and develop the skills they need to thrive. We do this by harnessing play, one of the most fundamental forces in a child's life, to teach children the critical skills they need to dismantle barriers and embrace opportunities, in learning and in life.

Established in 2000, Right To Play reaches children through experiential programming in 14 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and North America. These programs are supported by our global offices in Toronto, Canada; London, UK and seven national offices across Europe and North America.

The United States National Office (USNO) is located in New York City. Our NYC office is responsible for building awareness and raising resources within the US to make our work possible in Right To Play countries of operation.

OUR CULTURE:

• Accept Everyone – Be intentional about inclusion
• Make Things Happen – Seek opportunities to lead and innovate
• Display Courage – Act with integrity
• Demonstrate Care – Look after yourself and one another
• Be Playful – Have fun at work

Please visit our website to learn more about who we are and what we do, and watch this video to find out about the five pillars of our Culture Code.

ROLE SUMMARY:

The Manager, Institutional Partnerships identifies new philanthropic foundations and institutional donors to contribute to our prospect pipeline while managing a portfolio of existing and prospective donors with a focus on cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

Some flexibility in working hours (especially starting early some days) is expected and required. Occasional travel (domestic and international, up to four weeks per year) may be required.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Fundraising and Partnership Development (30%)

• Collaborate with the Director of Global Partnerships to implement a development plan that strengthens and expands relationships with U.S.-based philanthropic foundations.
• Identify and cultivate aligned donor prospects using research and strategic outreach.

Donor Stewardship and Relationship Management (30%)

• Manage a portfolio of institutional donors through regular, tailored communication and personalized stewardship.
• Develop donor materials in collaboration with the communications team.
• Track and manage donor interactions using RTP’s CRM and reporting systems.

Bid Development (30%)

• Work with country teams to develop project ideas and align them with donor interests and RTP’s Theory of Change.
• Lead or support proposal and budget development, including required documentation for grant submissions.
• Maintain current project records and track pipeline activity using internal systems.

Fundraising Strategy Coordination (10%)

• Coordinate with internal teams to align fundraising strategies with organizational goals.
• Develop engagement plans and monitor sector trends to inform donor approaches.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING:

Expertise (Certificates / Education, Professional Experience / Language):

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in International Development or a related field
• 6 years of experience in international development, ideally with strong knowledge of global education and demonstrated success in foundation fundraising within the U.S. market
• Proven track record in securing and managing partnerships with major U.S. foundations and impact partners, supported by an established network and ability to lead funding conversations to results and a strong understanding of the U.S. philanthropic landscape and foundation funding trends
• Skilled in coordinating cross-functional teams to develop high-quality proposals, reports, and budgets aligned with donor requirements and organizational priorities
• Experienced in international and cross-cultural contexts, with strong relationship-building and collaboration skills across diverse regions
• Proficient in budgeting, financial planning, and understanding the strategic impact of resource allocation
• Fluent in spoken and written English
• Technically proficient with Microsoft Office and 365 tools, and donor management systems such as Microsoft CRM, Raiser’s Edge, or Salesforce

Core Competencies:

• Collaboration: Proven success in managing and building relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including institutional partners, donors, and cross-functional teams, ensuring productive collaboration and trust. Known for fostering an inclusive, respectful, and collaborative work culture.
• Growth Mindset: Is willing and able to learn about new funders, new methods and strategies for identifying and tracking funders, and new tools to help streamline their work, including developing proposals.
• Resilience: Ability to work independently, take initiative, and excel in a results-oriented environment with minimal supervision. Proven ability to quickly respond to evolving priorities and challenges in a fast-paced environment.
• Professionalism: Has meticulous attention to detail, ensuring high-quality, error-free work across various communication materials, proposals, and reports. Demonstrated ability to lead and manage multiple projects simultaneously, including the ability to set priorities, manage resources, and meet deadlines.
• Management and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent verbal communication abilities, with a talent for conveying ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences. Strong writing, editing, and analytical skills. Strong presentation and public speaking skills.

WHAT YOU’LL GET:

The opportunity to collaborate with an innovative global team who are passionate about working with children and youth. You will gain experience working for a globally recognized organization with a healthy culture premised on our Culture Code (accept everyone, make things happen, display courage, demonstrate care and be playful). You will be immersed in an environment where learning and development is encouraged and valued, and “play” is appreciated as a core avenue to building community.

• Generous paid vacation and sick leave
• Health insurance (including dental & vision)
• Life and disability insurance
• 403b employee savings plan
• Professional development opportunities as they arise
• Opportunity to connect with employees across our offices
• Playful activities and events