Foundation Relations Manager at African Wildlife Foundation

Position Summary

The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is an Africa-based conservation organization protecting wildlife and their habitats as essential to a modern and prosperous Africa. We articulate a unique vision of African-led conservation, focusing on solutions that create opportunity for people — not at the expense of wildlife and their habitats, but because of them.

The Foundation Relations Manager will report to the Vice President, Foundation Relations and work in matrixed management with the Director, Foundation Relations in building and maintaining relationships with foundation funders. As AWF continues to execute the strategic vision for its growing foundations program, there is increasing opportunity and need to engage current and prospective donors with stewardship and relationship building. The incumbent will manage a small portfolio of foundation donors, and an important dimension of this role will be to support increased writing needs across the Foundation Relations department as well as lead on donor stewardship, grant administration and account management processes.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing organization at a critical time for conservation on the African continent.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Working closely with VP and Director, manage research and qualification of foundation donors with a goal of growing the Foundation donor pipeline and overall support from foundations, from $5M - $10M/ann by 2030. Develop a thorough knowledge of AWF’s Foundations portfolio, both current donors and prospects.
• Manage a small portfolio of 10-15 donors with an estimated annual value of $500K, with the potential to grow the portfolio as new opportunities are identified.
• Partner with Vice President, Director, and other organization leadership in cultivating and stewarding donors. Prepare initial drafts of donor meeting briefs and other strategic materials, and assist in meeting preparation and scheduling as needed.
• Lead on donor stewardship processes with accountability for meeting reporting deadlines across the entire Foundations portfolio. Monitor deadlines and manage production schedules, ensuring quality control and compliance with donor and AWF requirements and quality standards. Contribute to writing and editing donor reports across the Foundations portfolio as needed.
• Manage grant administration and project kickoff in line with AWF’s Account Management Framework.
• Record and manage key action items from internal and external meetings, and coordinate follow-up with relevant staff.
• Play a lead role in writing solicitation materials and developing/adapting updates and stewardship materials. Provide thorough and responsive information requested by foundations as needed.
• Manage accurate records and responsibly document all work with prospects and funders into the constituent relationship management database in a timely manner in accordance with the policies and procedures of the External Affairs department.
• Support annual budgeting process and assist in providing regular updates on annual targets and cash flow projections.
• Establish and maintain strong and effective relationships with AWF’s major internal constituencies, which includes the Executive Leadership team, Country Directors, field teams, and members of key administrative units such as finance and communications.
• Remain competent and current through self-directed professional reading and attending professional development courses and trainings.
• Other duties as assigned. Contribute to AWF’s overall success by assuming responsibility for special projects, and performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned in a timely, thorough, and professional manner.

Requirements and skills

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years relevant experience in funder engagement, fundraising, and/or grant writing; a minimum of two years’ experience working with private foundations.
• Superb verbal and written communication skills. Ability to communicate instructions and provide or solicit feedback. Collegial, collaborative team player with exceptional interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships.
• Demonstrated strength in organizational and project management skills, with an appetite for action and results. You are a natural self-starter, self-disciplined, with excellent time management skills. You are skilled at setting and tracking short- and long-term plans and priorities, juggling multiple schedules and projects, and thriving in a fast-moving, goal-driven environment.
• Strategic mindset with ability to understand the bigger picture and translate abstract concepts into actionable strategies that drive philanthropic goals.
• Adaptability with a desire for continuous learning, self-awareness, and an ability to adapt and grow in response to new challenges and opportunities.
• Ability to handle confidential information professionally.
• Ability to work independently and take direction. Open to constructive guidance and feedback around professional growth and development opportunities.
• Knowledge of and proficiency with standard computer software (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and office equipment. Familiarity with Raisers Edge or other CRM software a plus. Comfortable and nimble in learning new systems, processes, and protocols.
• Intellectual curiosity and ability to work in a multicultural environment with diverse stakeholders. Global experience in conservation, international development, or related field strongly preferred. Strong interest in environmental philanthropy. Connection to our familiarity with Africa is a plus.