Manager - Institutional Partnerships

Fundraising
Written By Upaya

Reports to: Co-CEO

Salary Range: 8-10 years

Salary Range: INR 18L to 25L

Time Commitment: Full-time

Location: Bangalore, India

Expected Start Date: December 1, 2025

Summary:

Manager - Institutional Partnerships will play a pivotal role in advancing Upaya’s institutional partnership strategy. The role combines relationship management, market research, program development, and high-quality documentation to strengthen Upaya’s visibility, partnerships, and fundraising pipeline. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator, systems thinker, and proactive networker passionate about leveraging partnerships for social impact.


Responsibilities:

1. Institutional Partnerships Strategy & Management

  • Support the design and execution of Upaya’s institutional partnerships and fundraising strategy across programs. 

  • Manage existing donor and partner relationships, ensuring consistent communication, reporting, and stewardship.

  • Identify and pursue new partnership opportunities with foundations, corporates, and multilateral institutions aligned with Upaya’s mission.

2. Networking and Advocacy

  • Represent Upaya in external forums, conferences, and ecosystem events to build visibility and forge strategic alliances.

  • Collaborate with communications and leadership teams to strengthen Upaya’s positioning in the inclusive jobs and impact investing ecosystem.

  • Build and maintain a network of key stakeholders, including funders, ecosystem enablers, and sectoral alliances.

3. Market Research and Program Development

  • Analyze market and ecosystem trends to identify partnership opportunities and thematic priorities.

  • Research partner organizations’ strategic needs to co-develop tailored program offerings.

  • Support the design of proposals and concept notes that align Upaya’s capabilities with donor priorities.

4. Documentation, Reporting & Data Management

  • Produce high-quality documents, concept notes, donor proposals, presentations, progress reports, and case studies for external stakeholders.

  • Coordinate with internal teams to ensure timely reporting and data-driven insights for partners.

  • Maintain organized partnership records, pipelines, and databases for monitoring progress and outcomes.

5. Internal Collaboration and Feedback Loops

  • Gather and share feedback from partners to inform organizational learning and program improvement.

  • Work closely with investment, accelerator, communications, operations and impact measurement teams to ensure alignment of messaging and outcomes across programs

Why Join Upaya:

  • Be part of a mission-driven organization creating dignified jobs and fighting poverty through enterprise.

  • Collaborate with a diverse and passionate global team.

  • Opportunity to shape high-impact partnerships and initiatives that influence an inclusive growth ecosystem.

Experience, Qualifications & Skills:

  • 8-10 years of professional experience in partnerships, fundraising, program development, or business development, ideally in the social impact, development, or sustainability sectors.

  • Strong analytical and research skills with the ability to translate insights into actionable strategies.

  • Deep understanding of the international donor ecosystem, especially on themes of job creation, poverty alleviation, enterprise development, future of work and digital transformation 

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to produce compelling proposals and presentations.

  • Highly organized, and a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and relationships simultaneously.

  • Previous experience of working with consulting/advisory firms will be preferred 

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office/Google Workspace; familiarity with CRM tools (e.g., HubSpot, Salesforce) is a plus.

  • Passion for social impact, inclusive entrepreneurship, and poverty alleviation.

  • Ability to handle high pressure situations with grace and respect.


How to Apply:

Interested candidates should send their resume along with a cover letter outlining their interest in this role and why they are a suitable candidate. The cover letter should not be more than one page (font size 11).

Please send your application to careers@upayasv.org, with the subject line: “Application for Manager - Institutional Partnerships”


About Upaya Social Ventures:

Upaya Social Ventures is building a dignified economy by providing investment and support to early-stage businesses creating sustainable livelihoods for people living in the most extreme poverty.

Upaya’s award-winning impact-first model seeks out and supports oft-overlooked companies creating work that is safe, stable, inclusive, and rewarding — generating a transformative impact on families, communities, and economies.

Since its founding in 2011, Upaya’s portfolio companies have created over 50,000 dignified jobs across India.

Upaya