Foundation Partnerships Manager

Position description

The position is to be filled as soon as possible, with an unlimited contract duration. The role is remote and must be based in the United States, with a preference for the East Coast due to the nature of the work.

As Foundation Partnerships Manager, you will help advance Welthungerhilfe’s mission of Zero Hunger by building and strengthening relationships with U.S.-based philanthropic foundations. Working closely with colleagues in Germany and program teams worldwide, you will secure funding that supports sustainable impact across our humanitarian and development programs.

You will lead the execution of WHH’s foundation engagement strategy in the U.S., identifying and managing partnerships that align with shared priorities such as food security, resilience, and community-led development. Through proactive outreach, relationship management, and proposal development, you will position WHH as a trusted partner to U.S. philanthropies and strengthen a diversified funding base for our global mission.

You will be part of WHH’s Philanthropy & Partnerships team, which is primarily based in Germany, collaborating virtually on a regular basis across time zones.

Your responsibilities

• Drive and deliver WHH’s foundation fundraising strategy for the U.S., translating global objectives into actionable engagement plans.
• Identify, analyze, and prioritize foundation partners whose focus aligns with WHH’s programmatic priorities in Zero Hunger.
• Monitor and interpret trends in the U.S. philanthropic landscape to inform strategy, identify emerging opportunities, and strengthen WHH’s positioning among leading funders.
• Proactively cultivate and manage relationships with program officers, trustees, and senior decision-makers at U.S.-based foundations and philanthropic networks.
• Serve as WHH’s primary point of contact for foundation partners, ensuring consistent communication, strategic engagement, and long-term collaboration.
• Coordinate and prepare high-level donor meetings, briefings, and visits with WHH executives, technical experts, and country representatives.
• Manage active partnerships to ensure delivery of high-quality stewardship, compliance, and reporting that reinforces WHH’s reputation as a trusted and high-impact partner.
• Lead the development of compelling, evidence-based grant proposals in collaboration with country offices, technical teams, and HQ colleagues.
• Oversee timely and accurate submission of narrative and financial reports, ensuring transparency and accountability to funders.
• Represent WHH at relevant conferences, donor roundtables, and philanthropic events in the United States to enhance visibility and influence.
• Collaborate with the Communications team to strengthen WHH’s profile across U.S. media, foundation publications, and philanthropy platforms.
• Advise senior leadership on U.S. foundation trends, partnership opportunities, and engagement strategies.
• Maintain an up-to-date overview of partnerships and funding opportunities within the organization’s CRM system (Salesforce) and share insights across teams.

Your profile

We are seeking a relationship-driven professional with deep knowledge of the U.S. philanthropic sector and a passion for global impact. The ideal candidate combines strategic thinking with hands-on experience in cultivating and managing foundation partnerships.

• A Bachelor’s degree required; a Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. International Relations, Nonprofit Management, Development Studies, Marketing, or Communications) is strongly preferred, or similar.
• At least five years of progressive experience in foundation fundraising or institutional philanthropy, ideally within an international NGO or global development context.
• Demonstrated ability to secure six- and seven-figure grants from U.S.-based foundations and manage long-term donor relationships.
• Deep familiarity with the U.S. philanthropic ecosystem, including foundation decision-making processes, trends, and networks relevant to global development and humanitarian work.
• Strong analytical and strategic skills to translate complex programmatic information into compelling, impact-driven funding propositions.
• Experience using donor relationship management systems (e.g., Salesforce or equivalent) to maintain a structured partner pipeline and monitor engagement.
• Confidence and credibility representing WHH in external settings, donor meetings, and philanthropic events.
• Strong interpersonal, networking, and partnership-building abilities across cultures and hierarchies.
• High degree of independence, organization, and reliability, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results under pressure.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and adapt strategies to evolving philanthropic trends.
• You recognize the growing value of data in your field and are eager to build your awareness and skills to incorporate data-informed approaches into your work.
• Exceptional written and verbal English skills, with proven ability to develop persuasive, donor-oriented proposals and reports.
• Cross-cultural sensitivity and enthusiasm for working with diverse international teams; proficiency in additional languages is an asset.
• Genuine commitment to WHH’s values and vision of Zero Hunger.

What we offer

• Fair Compensation: A fair and equal remuneration based on a transparent salary scale.
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy flexible working arrangements to support a balanced lifestyle.
• Health and Wellness:Benefit from comprehensive health insurance coverage to support your overall well-being and provide peace of mind.
• Time for Rest and Recovery: Employees receive 30 paid annual vacation days.
• Modern & Agile Work Environment: Be part of a forward thinking organization that fully embraces digitalization and innovation across all areas.
• Personal & Professional Growth: Access diverse learning and development opportunities to advance your career.
• Team: Join our dedicated and diverse teams, where passion, expertise, and joy come together to create a better world.

Application instructions

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