Senior Manager - HNI & Foundational Fundraising

About ISDM

The Indian School of Development Management (ISDM) is a pioneering management school dedicated to strengthening leadership and management in social development work, producing the future CEOs and founders of impactful social purpose organisations. Since 2016, ISDM has worked across three strategic pillars: preparing talent, influencing practice, and building knowledge for Development Management.

With the rapid growth of India's economy and the rapid growth of development capital in the country, there is a huge opportunity to make a difference to over a billion people over the next couple of decades. However, this burgeoning development capital will need high-quality leadership and management talent to translate this possibility into real impact - talent that understands the complex nature of society and the complexities of driving social change, that can design interventions within these complexities, and that has the knowledge and skills to build and lead development organisations and translate their work into deep, sustained impact at scale.

Development Management needs to bring the head, heart, and hand together to engage with diverse communities, build on their agency, work with limited resources and divergent societal aspirations, and move towards a shared vision of a desirable society. India needs Development Management talent and capabilities across the Samaaj, Sarkaar, and Bazaar to translate this opportunity into reality on the ground, transforming the lives of over a billion people in the country, and eventually offering this discipline to countries across the Global South.

ISDM invites individuals who share its vision to join in creating a dynamic, catalytic ecosystem and positioning India as a thought leader in Development Management, ultimately enabling sustainable social impact at scale. Know more at www.isdm.org.in.

Role Purpose

The Senior Manager – HNIs & Foundations will build ISDM’s strategy to engage with High Net-worth Individuals, family offices, and Indian and international foundations, and own the day-to-day execution. This is a delivery-focused, relationship-driven role: building and managing a pipeline of HNI and foundation prospects, developing tailored pitches and proposals, and stewarding funder relationships through to renewal.

The role works closely with the Associate Director – Fundraising & Partnerships, who owns the overall fundraising strategy, sets annual targets and leads the most senior institutional relationships. The Senior Manager translates that strategy into an active HNI and foundation portfolio, and brings philanthropic landscape insight and relationship intelligence back into strategic planning.

Key Responsibilities

Implement the HNI, family office and foundation fundraising strategy in line with ISDM's overall fundraising direction set by the Associate Director, and recommend refinements based on funder feedback.

Conduct research to build a strong landscape understanding of HNI, family office and foundation philanthropic interests and priorities, and align them with appropriate ISDM funding opportunities.

Analyse market trends, philanthropic giving patterns and foundation funding priorities (national and international) to identify new fundraising avenues within this vertical.

Engage with internal stakeholders to understand strategic priorities and research focus, and co-create project-level proposals suited to HNI and foundation funders.

Build and maintain a healthy pipeline of prospective HNI, family office and foundation funding partners.

Proactively identify, engage and build strategic relationships with HNIs, family offices, and Indian and international foundations, converting them into long-term funding partners.

Work with the marketing team to prepare pitch materials and proposals tailored to HNI and foundation audiences and ISDM's value proposition.

Participate in and help organise networking events and philanthropy forums to position ISDM within HNI and foundation giving circles.

Track commitments and reporting requirements for HNI and foundation funders, manage deadlines, and work with project leads to prepare donor reports.

Conduct due diligence on HNIs, family offices and foundation partners to ensure engagements and donations are legally compliant and in line with codes of practice.

Contribute actively towards meeting the annual fundraising targets set for the HNI and foundation vertical.

Educational Qualifications & Experience Required

Master's degree in Management, Business Administration or Economics.

13–15 years of work experience, preferably in not-for-profit fundraising, philanthropy advisory, or high-value relationship management (B2B or B2C).

Outstanding relationship management skills and the ability to present and influence at a range of seniority levels, including HNIs, family office principals and foundation leadership.

Comfortable working with ambiguity and adapting to evolving trends in the philanthropic landscape.

Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills.

Ability to collect and assess information rapidly, identify key points and draw conclusions.

Strong attention to detail and financial acumen.

Experience utilising organisational brand and programmes for donor communication and engagement.

Understanding of the national and global fundraising landscape, including the issues and challenges of working with HNIs and foundations.

Open to extensive travel.

Preferred Background

Prior experience managing a portfolio of HNI, family office or foundation relationships, ideally within the social sector or a mission-driven organisation.

Existing relationships with Indian or international foundations, family offices or philanthropy advisory networks are an advantage.

Remuneration for this role will be commensurate with qualifications & experience.

ISDM is an equal opportunity organization with a particular emphasis on affirmative action. The culture of the organization is one of professionalism while also one that greatly values relationships.