Smile Train
Website:
smiletrain.org
Job details:
1. POSITION VACANT: Director – Development & Strategic Partnerships, Smile Train, New Delhi/NCR
2. ORGANISATIONAL BACKGROUND:
Headquartered in New York, Smile Train is an international not-for-profit, with the mission of transforming the life of every child impacted by cleft lip and palate. The organization trains and supports doctors and medical professionals to provide free, life-changing, and comprehensive, cleft treatment, to afflicted children.
Smile Train’s sustainable model has helped improve the lives of 1.5 million children in 90+ countries, to date. The organization is committed to changing the world, one smile at a time. The organization has been operational in India for the past 22 years and successfully carried out more than 700,000 free cleft surgeries to date.
For more details about Smile Train, please visit: https://www.smiletrainindia.org/
3. JOB DESCRIPTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Director – Development & Strategic Partnerships (DDSP) will play a pivotal role in advancing Smile Train India's mission by driving sustainable revenue growth and building strategic partnerships that expand access to life-changing cleft care across the country. The position will lead efforts to identify, cultivate, and secure high-value partnerships with corporate CSR programmes, foundations, philanthropic institutions, family foundations, and other institutional donors.
The ideal candidate will be a strategic and entrepreneurial fundraising leader with a proven ability to build meaningful relationships, develop compelling partnership opportunities, and convert them into long-term support. Leveraging a strong network within the philanthropy and CSR ecosystem, the individual will proactively identify new funding opportunities, steward existing partners, and collaborate with internal stakeholders to create impactful, mutually beneficial partnerships.
Reporting to the Senior Vice President and Regional Director, Asia, the Director – Development & Strategic Partnerships (DDSP) will serve as a key ambassador for Smile Train, strengthening the organisation's visibility, expanding its supporter base, and generating the resources needed to ensure that every child born with a cleft has access to safe, high-quality, comprehensive care. The Director will work closely with the India leadership team and will have 1–2 team members reporting directly to the position.
Key Responsibilities
(A) Fundraising & Strategic Partnerships:
(1) Lead the fundraising process for a portfolio of corporate and foundation donors to secure, grow and/or diversify their giving. This includes building appropriate strategies to manage existing relationships, initiating new ones, and re-engaging lapsed partners to achieve long-term relationships;
(2) Lead the development of strategic partnerships with corporate CSR programmes, corporate foundations, family foundations, philanthropic institutions, trusts, and bilateral or multilateral funding agencies to expand and diversify Smile Train India's funding base;
(3) Lead new business outreach strategy to develop and expand a pipeline for high-value partnerships, through cold outreach as well as effectively leveraging networks. Ensure strong engagement of existing donors and partners to enhance retention, strengthen long-term relationships, and increase funding support over time;
(4) Manage, in collaboration with relevant internal stakeholders, all stages of the new business development cycle including outreach, meeting planning, proposal and presentation development, contract development, and securing and onboarding new partners;
(5) Lead and manage cause-related marketing partnerships that align with Smile Train’s values and advance its goals and brand.
(B) Planning, Performance & Portfolio Management:
(1) Lead, in collaboration with the India leadership team, the fundraising annual budget preparation and team goal-setting processes to drive sustainable revenue growth from corporate and foundations;
(2) Oversee fundraising performance metrics and report regularly to executive leadership on revenue progress and portfolio health;
(3) Oversee portfolio activity in Salesforce and the structured Moves Management process, and report on performance to senior leadership with status updates and revenue projections.
(C) External Engagement & Sector Expertise:
(1) Represent Smile Train India, alongside relevant leadership and programme colleagues as appropriate, at philanthropy, CSR, healthcare, and development sector forums to strengthen visibility and cultivate prospective funding relationships;
(2) Serve as the internal corporate and foundations giving expert, staying current on the sector landscape with an effective understanding of corporate and foundation interests, consumer trends, and alignment with organizational priorities.
(D) Cross-functional Collaboration:
(1) Collaborate closely with Finance, Programmes, and Grants teams to ensure effective donor relationships, timely fulfilment of grant commitments, compliance with donor requirements, and high-quality reporting on programme impact.
(E) Team Leadership & Culture:
(1)Develop fundraising team members and consultants through mentoring and performance management, fostering a high-performance, collaborative, and results-oriented culture;
(2) Collaborate with colleagues across the organisation to foster a positive, collaborative, and performance-oriented growth mindset work environment grounded in accountability and continuous improvement.
4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:
Qualifications and Experience:
(1) Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Communications, Social Sciences, Public Health, Development Studies, Marketing, or a related field. A postgraduate qualification would be an advantage;
(2) 10–15 years of experience in fundraising, resource mobilisation, institutional partnerships, business development, or CSR engagement within the development sector.;
(3) Demonstrated track record of securing, managing and growing high-value institutional partnerships and grants from Indian corporates and CSR foundations, philanthropic and family foundations, and international funders;
(4) Experience working with healthcare, public health, child welfare, disability, or related social sector programmes would be an advantage;
(5) Experience across the new business development cycle, including qualification, research, proposal development, solicitation, closing and ongoing partner engagement;
(6) Experience in revenue forecasting, pipeline management, and reporting against key fundraising performance indicators;
(7) Experience managing, coaching and driving performance from a team of fundraising professionals.
Skills and Competencies:
(1) Strong knowledge of India’s CSR regulatory framework and corporate funding landscape, including CSR funding requirements, compliance considerations and corporate giving practices;
(2) Strong understanding of the wider philanthropy and institutional funding landscape in India, including emerging donor priorities, funding trends and partnership models, with the ability to translate these into fundraising opportunities aligned with Smile Train’s mission and global health priorities;
(3) Strong working knowledge of donor compliance, grant management, reporting requirements and partner relationship management;
(5) Entrepreneurial and self-driven, with the ability to develop and execute strategies independently;
(6) Expertise in developing effective partnership proposals and presentations and articulating alignment between Smile Train’s objectives and those of corporate, foundation and institutional prospects;
(7) Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and negotiation skills;
(8) Excellent oral and written communication skills to be able to share complex information to a variety of audiences;
(9) Excellent time management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines while maintaining a keen attention to detail;
(10) Interest and commitment to the work of Smile Train and knowledge of international / humanitarian issues.
5. ACCOUNTABILITY EXPECTATIONS:
(1) Ownership of Outcomes: Take full responsibility for one’s own performance, ensuring alignment with Smile Train’s mission and objectives.
(2) Transparent Communication: Communicate openly and effectively with team members, fostering trust and a shared understanding of expectations and priorities.
(3) Emotional Intelligence: Demonstrate empathy, understanding, and cultural sensitivity to contribute to an inclusive and supportive team environment.
(4) Empowerment: Effectively communicate with supervisors to ensure you are equipped with the resources, guidance, and autonomy you need to excel in your role.
(5) Team Cohesion: Contribute to a culture of collaboration, mutual respect, and shared accountability, helping the team to thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment
6. COMPENSATION OFFERED:
The compensation offered for the position is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. (Smile Train team members enjoy a full range of innovative benefits.)
7. LOCATION: This is a full-time position based in New Delhi/NCR, with approximately 25%+ travel across India as required.
8. REFERENCE: DDSP-ST
9. CONTACT INFORMATION:
Team SAMS
Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.
1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar
New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110 025
Phone Nos.: 011- 4081 9900; 4165 3612
10. APPLICATION PROCESS:
Eligible candidates interested in the position are requested to apply by or before September 10, 2026.
Apply Link: https://www.samsstc.com/Jobs/job-description/director-development-strategic-partnerships-smile-train-new-delhi/772
Smile Train is an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage candidates from all groups and communities to apply.
Click on Apply to know more.
