Room to Read
Website:
roomtoread.org
Job details:
Location: Mumbai, India
Position Overview
The Head of Philanthropy and Resource Mobilisation is responsible for leading high-value resource mobilisation efforts across India while serving as a strategic partner to resource mobilization efforts across the AMESEA region (Africa, Middle East, South & Southeast Asia). The role is responsible for securing philanthropic investments from high-net-worth individuals (HNIs), ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), family offices, family foundations, corporate partners, and other strategic philanthropic partners. This role builds, manages, and grows a portfolio of high-value donors while identifying new funding opportunities that support Room to Read's strategic priorities.
Reporting to the Senior Development Director, AMESEA, this role sits within the International Business Development (IBD) team and works closely with Global Partnerships, Marketing & Communications, and India Country Leadership to deliver ambitious revenue goals aligned with program priorities. The Head of Philanthropy and Resource Mobilisation works closely with the CEO, senior leadership, and Board members to cultivate and steward key donor relationships. The successful candidate will have the executive presence, credibility, and relationship management skills to independently support CEO donor engagements, manage high-profile donor visits, and represent Room to Read with confidence among India's philanthropic and corporate communities.
Key Responsibilities
Resource Mobilisation
- Personally lead a portfolio generating $2M annually while jointly leading a $5M+ India fundraising program.
- Build, manage, and grow a portfolio of HNIs, UHNWIs, family businesses, family foundations, corporate partners, and strategic philanthropists, , raising US$ 1.5- 2MM+ annually through major and transformational gifts from both individuals and corporates within India and select geographies beyond.
- Identify, cultivate, solicit, negotiate, and steward high-value philanthropic investments.
- Develop and execute tailored donor engagement strategies that strengthen long-term relationships and increase philanthropic support.
- Build and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified prospects while accurately forecasting revenue.
- Personally manage the full donor lifecycle from identification through stewardship.
- Collaborate with other team members both within AMESEA region and globally on India-focused investment opportunities to raise US$1MM+ annually in collaborative revenue.
CEO & Executive Engagement
- Serve as a trusted fundraising partner to the CEO and Leadership team by planning, coordinating, and independently managing donor meetings, cultivation visits, and strategic engagements.
- Prepare high-quality donor briefings, meeting materials, and follow-up strategies for the CEO and senior leadership.
- Build productive relationships with Board members and senior volunteers to strengthen donor engagement.
- Drive the Regional Board strategy, annual goals, and engagement plan aligned with the overall market plan.
- Manage key relationships of HNWI donors on the India Regional Board, including the planning of regular board meetings and related board communications during the year. Represent Room to Read confidently with philanthropists, HNIs, UHNWIs, family businesses and offices, corporate leaders, and influential stakeholders.
Leadership & Team Management
- Provide leadership, coaching, and mentoring to two Relationship Managers located in India.
- Jointly accountable for the India fundraising team’s annual fundraising target of US$5MM+ with the Senior Director AMESEA, including clear strategy, KPIs, and professional development support.
- Partner with the India Country Office on the country strategy and related resourcing of their goals, vision, and ambitions for the remainder of the strategic plan. Drive processes that align programme needs and fundraising KPIs.
- In conjunction with other DevComm sub-teams, develop and implement annual India fundraising goals and strategy, including (but not limited to): fundraising and awareness-raising events, marketing and communications strategy, pipeline development, individual and corporate fundraising.
- Collaborate closely with Senior Director AMESEA on the fundraising strategy, VP of Global Business Development and Operations, Director of Global Partnerships, and VP of Marketing and Communications to support the overall performance of India fundraising and achievement of annual goals.
- Lead and deliver the annual fundraising Gala in partnership with the India Regional Board and the Global Events team
- Conceptualize and execute market-specific events focused on donor stewardship, thought leadership, and pipeline generation.
Strategic Partnerships
- Develop new philanthropic partnerships with individuals, family businesses and offices, family foundations, corporate CSR leaders, and other strategic funding partners.
- Collaborate with Programs, Finance, and senior leadership to develop compelling funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
- Negotiate and manage multi-year philanthropic partnerships.
- Represent Room to Read at donor meetings, conferences, networking events, and sector forums.
- Review and ensure compliance in donor partnerships and contracts with FCRA and CSR regulations.
Portfolio Management & Collaboration
- Maintain accurate donor records, pipeline activity, forecasts, and reports using Salesforce.
- Monitor fundraising performance across the team and recommend strategies to strengthen resource mobilisation efforts.
- Ensure timely stewardship, reporting, and donor communications.
- Contribute to annual planning, budgeting, and fundraising strategy.
- Collaborate across global and country teams to deliver an exceptional donor experience.
What Success Looks Like
Within your first 12–18 months, you will:
- Build one of Room to Read India's strongest portfolios of high-value philanthropists, generating a robust pipeline of transformational giving opportunities from HNIs, UHNWIs, family businesses, family offices, family foundations, and strategic partners.
- Serve as the trusted fundraising partner to the CEO and senior leadership, independently leading sophisticated donor engagements and positioning Room to Read for high-value philanthropic investments through exceptional preparation, relationship management, and follow-through.
- Drive significant revenue growth by personally cultivating, soliciting, negotiating, and securing major philanthropic commitments that consistently achieve or exceed ambitious annual resource mobilization targets.
- Expand Room to Read's influence within India's philanthropic ecosystem, forging enduring relationships with leading philanthropists, business families, corporate leaders, and strategic partners that strengthen the organization's reputation and long-term fundraising capacity.
Qualifications
Required
- 10+ years of progressive experience in resource mobilisation, major donor fundraising, or strategic philanthropy within the nonprofit or development sector.
- Demonstrated success managing relationships with HNIs, UHNWIs, family businesses and offices, family foundations, and other high-value donors, including personally cultivating, soliciting, negotiating, and securing significant philanthropic commitments.
- Experience directly supporting or managing relationships with CEOs, Boards, and senior executives, including independently planning and managing executive donor meetings and visits.
- Proven track record of developing and executing resource mobilisation strategies that generate sustainable philanthropic income.
- Strong experience building relationships with corporate CSR leaders, philanthropists, family businesses and offices, and strategic funding partners.
- Exceptional executive presence, communication, influencing, and relationship management skills, with the confidence and credibility to engage CEOs, promoters, philanthropists, Board members, and senior corporate leaders.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple high-value donor relationships while exercising sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.
- Experience collaborating across fundraising, programs, finance, and senior leadership to develop compelling funding proposals and partnership strategies.
- Experience using Salesforce or another CRM to manage donor portfolios, pipeline forecasting, and reporting.
- Bachelor's degree required; postgraduate degree preferred.
- Willingness to travel across India and internationally, including accompanying the CEO and Leadership on donor visits and representing the mission as required.
Compensation: Salary will be determined based on relevant experience, qualifications, and internal equity.
Benefits: Room to Read offers a comprehensive benefits package in accordance with local policies, including paid leave, health benefits, and opportunities for professional development.
Room to Read is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds.
Room to Read is a child-safe organization; all personnel must adhere to Room to Read’s Child Protection Policy, Child Protection Code of Conduct and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Policy.
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