Director of Partnerships

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Director of Partnerships

🔹 Company: D-tree

🔹 Location: Flexible, with preference for time zone overlap with Sub-Saharan Africa

🔹 Job Type: Full-time

🔹 Category: Non-profit Organizations

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-16

🔹 Experience Level: 7-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading fundraising and communications efforts to secure resources for growth and impact
• Shaping D-tree’s growth strategy and positioning as a leading voice in digital health for systems change
• Building and stewarding long-term relationships with donors, including foundations and corporations
• Managing a team of 2-3 fundraising and communications professionals
• Collaborating across teams to ensure proposals are technically sound, financially accurate, and aligned with organizational capacity

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on execution, with a focus on building relationships and securing funding to drive organizational growth.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead the design and implementation of a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with organizational priorities

✅ Identify and secure funding from a diverse set of donors, with a specific focus on foundations and corporations

✅ Manage the full proposal process, from qualification to submission, working closely with program, technical, and finance teams

✅ Track and analyze pipeline progress, ensuring strong win rates and strategic fit

✅ Build, nurture, and steward long-term relationships with existing and prospective donors, with a specific focus on foundations and corporations

✅ Develop compelling donor-facing communications, including pitches, reports, and updates

✅ Oversee a clear BD pipeline, and the use of donor CRM tools to track engagement and coordinate across departments

✅ Serve on the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to overall strategy, priorities, and growth planning

✅ Collaborate across teams to ensure proposals are technically sound, financially accurate, and aligned with organizational capacity

✅ Provide thought partnership to the CEO and Board on positioning and resource mobilization

✅ Manage and mentor the fundraising and communications team, fostering a culture of collaboration, ownership, and innovation

✅ Design and lead internal trainings on proposal writing, project design, donor engagement, and storytelling

✅ Develop tools, templates, and systems to improve fundraising efficiency and quality

✅ Oversee the Communications Manager to ensure consistent, strategic messaging across platforms

✅ Help shape D-tree’s narrative and presence with external stakeholders, including donors, partners, and the public

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong blend of strategic thinking, relationship-building, and execution skills, with a focus on securing funding to drive organizational growth and impact.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Non-profit Management, International Relations) or equivalent experience

Experience: 7-10 years of progressive fundraising experience in global health, international development, or a related field

Required Skills:

• Proven success securing six- and seven-figure grants from foundations and corporations
• 2-3 years in a business development leadership or team management role
• Strong proposal development skills across diverse funders (e.g., foundations, corporations, bilateral donors)
• Demonstrated ability to build and steward donor relationships and close high value opportunities

Preferred Skills:

• Experience managing or contributing to communications strategies and brand positioning
• Experience working with globally distributed teams or in Africa-based contexts

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong track record in fundraising, proven leadership skills, and experience working with diverse stakeholders will be best suited for this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 USD (based on experience and location)

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement savings plan with employer contribution
• Generous paid time off
• Professional development opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements

Working Hours: Full-time, with flexible hours and a preference for time zone overlap with Sub-Saharan Africa

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is based on industry standards for similar roles in non-profit organizations, with consideration for the required experience level and location flexibility.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: D-tree is a digital health organization focused on expanding access to high-quality, essential healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa by enabling better decision-making at every stage of a person’s health journey.

Company Size: 51-200 employees

Founded: 2004

Company Description:

• D-tree is committed to improving health decisions in Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia
• The organization uses digital tools to transform care and strengthen health systems
• D-tree celebrates 20 years of improving health for all in 2025

Company Specialties:

• Mobile health
• Decision support tools
• mHealth
• Mobile technology
• Global health
• ICT4D
• Health system strengthening
• Health systems
• Digital health

Company Website: d-tree.org

ASSUMPTION: D-tree's focus on digital health and improving health decisions in sub-Saharan Africa makes it an attractive opportunity for candidates interested in global health and technology-driven solutions.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior Leadership Team

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer

Work Arrangement: Full-time, with flexible hours and a preference for time zone overlap with Sub-Saharan Africa

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to shape D-tree’s growth strategy and positioning as a leading voice in digital health for systems change
• Opportunity to mentor and develop a team of fundraising and communications professionals
• Potential to expand the organization’s impact and reach through successful fundraising efforts

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a meaningful impact on D-tree’s mission and growth.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Flexible, with a preference for time zone overlap with Sub-Saharan Africa

Office Location(s): Norwell, Massachusetts (USA), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Lilongwe (Malawi), Zanzibar (Tanzania), Lusaka (Zambia)

Geographic Context:

• D-tree operates in multiple countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with a head office in the United States
• The organization works to improve health decisions and strengthen health systems in its target countries
• Candidates with experience working in Africa-based contexts may find this role particularly appealing

Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours and a preference for time zone overlap with Sub-Saharan Africa

ASSUMPTION: D-tree's flexible work arrangement and global presence offer candidates the opportunity to work remotely and engage with diverse stakeholders across multiple countries.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screen with the HR team
• In-depth interviews with key stakeholders, including the CEO and other senior leadership team members
• Reference checks and background verification

Key Assessment Areas:

• Fundraising and business development skills
• Strategic thinking and planning
• Relationship-building and communication skills
• Leadership and team management abilities
• Alignment with D-tree's mission and values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your fundraising experience, leadership skills, and alignment with D-tree's mission
• Prepare examples of successful fundraising campaigns and donor relationships you've built and stewarded
• Be ready to discuss your strategic vision for D-tree's fundraising efforts and growth

ATS Keywords: Fundraising, Partnerships, Donor Relations, Strategic Planning, Business Development, Team Management, Non-profit, Global Health, Digital Health

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should emphasize their fundraising experience, strategic thinking, and alignment with D-tree's mission and values to increase their chances of success in the application process.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Donor CRM software (e.g., Bloomerang, Network for Good, DonorPerfect)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
• Communication and collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with donor CRM software and project management tools will be beneficial for candidates applying for this role.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Innovation: We embrace new ideas and approaches to improve health outcomes
• Collaboration: We work together to achieve our mission
• Excellence: We strive for the highest standards in all that we do
• Integrity: We act with honesty and transparency in all our interactions
• Empowerment: We support and invest in our team members to help them grow and succeed

Work Style:

• Strategic and forward-thinking
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity
• Mission-driven and passionate about improving health outcomes

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How have you demonstrated innovation in your previous fundraising roles?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you collaborated effectively with a cross-functional team to secure a significant grant?
• How do you stay organized and focused when working on multiple projects with varying deadlines?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with D-tree's values and work style, and can provide concrete examples of their fit, will be strong contenders for this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a team remotely, with members based in multiple countries
• Securing funding from diverse donors with varying priorities and requirements
• Balancing strategic planning with day-to-day execution and management
• Adapting to a dynamic and evolving organizational landscape

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to address these potential challenges and demonstrate their ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike traditional fundraising roles, this position requires a strong blend of strategic thinking, relationship-building, and execution skills
• D-tree's focus on digital health and improving health decisions in sub-Saharan Africa sets it apart from other non-profit organizations
• This role offers significant growth opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact on D-tree's mission and growth

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider the unique aspects of this role and how their skills and experience align with D-tree's mission and growth objectives.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a multi-year fundraising strategy that secures significant funding from foundations and corporations
• Building and stewarding long-term relationships with donors, including regular communication and updates on D-tree's impact and progress
• Managing a team of fundraising and communications professionals, including mentoring and coaching to support their growth and development

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with similar projects and how they align with the responsibilities and requirements of this role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does this role fit into D-tree's overall strategy and growth plans?
• What are the biggest challenges facing the fundraising team, and how can this role address them?
• How does D-tree support the professional development and growth of its team members?
• What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role?
• How does D-tree measure the success of its fundraising efforts, and how can this role contribute to improving those metrics?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should use the interview process to gain a deeper understanding of D-tree's mission, culture, and growth objectives, and how this role can contribute to its success.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your fundraising experience, leadership skills, and alignment with D-tree's mission
• Prepare examples of successful fundraising campaigns and donor relationships you've built and stewarded
• Be ready to discuss your strategic vision for D-tree's fundraising efforts and growth
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.