Partnership and Engagement Manager

Remuneration:	R30000 - R35000 per month basic salary
Benefits:	Retirement Annuity contribution
Location:	Durban
Education level:	Diploma
Job level:	Mid/Senior
Own transport required:	Yes
Travel requirement:	Occasional
Type:	Permanent
Reference:	#INNOVATEPEM-2024
Company:	Innovate Durban

Who we are and why work for us?

Innovate Durban is a non-profit organisation aimed at supporting innovators and developing the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem in KwaZulu-Natal. 

We are a small company with a bunch of people who are passionate about innovation and highly motivated to implement programmes that support innovators in Durban. We are driven by a continuous need to deliver high quality work and work that adds immense value and impacts the lives of others. Furthermore, collaboration within our company and with others is a critical part of how we work. Our work is fast paced, forward looking and highly rewarding!

We are needing to grow our team to ensure that we continue to deliver high value projects that meet the need of innovators. So, if you are a motivated, innovative individual, that is open to collaboration and has good work ethic and integrity, then you may fit right in!

Purpose of the position:

The purpose of the position is to grow, diversify and engage with Innovate Durban’s partner base, which consists of funders, partners and customers in order to grow the revenue for the organisation.

Outcomes of the position – what does the partnership and engagement manager need to accomplish?

The partnership and engagement manager will:

• Make effective initial connections using planned, organised and measured business development strategies to attract new partners and funders
• Build trust and develop long-term relationship with the partners and funders through consistent and rich engagement
• Actively convert leads and opportunities into new business, funding and partnerships with agreed revenue targets
• Meet partner’s requirements in line with organisational objectives
• Ensure that the marketing of the organisation is executed to promote the organisation and is aligned to the objectives of the organisation

Successful characteristics:

• Strong work ethic and high level of integrity
• Discipline, organisation and planning: Plans, organises, schedules and follows up in an efficient and productive manner. Focuses on key priorities and stays on track.
• Innovative: looking at projects with a new perspective 
• Perseverance: never giving up and striving to overcome every obstacle on your journey
• Tactful and diplomatic
• Builds trust and confidence
• Is excited by being a contributing member of a high performance team
• Proactivity: Acts without being told what to do. Brings new ideas to the business.
• Collaborative: able to work well together within a team and with stakeholders
• Attention to detail
• Results oriented

Experience and skills:

• Communication: Must speak and write articulately. Maintains this standard in all forms of communication including emails. Timing of communication is critical.
• Good management skills: ability to set the tone of projects and provide clear vision about its objectives
• Good decision-making skills: capable of thinking quickly and acting decisively
• Task delegation: ability to judge your teams skills and assign tasks in accordance to strengths
• Problem solving: mastery of handling issues in the most effective way
• Must speak English fluently.
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Negotiation skills
• Must have a minimum of three years' experience in B2B partnerships and be able to demonstrate that you are able to open doors with new prospective partners
• Must be able to engage with senior executives both virtually and in person.
• Must have a minimum of three years' experience in project management to set goals, plan and manage projects, manage the risks
• Must have at least two years' professional proposal writing experience
• Must have at least two years' experience in writing reports
• Must have business intelligence experience: knowing and understanding all about the organisation’s services and products
• Marketing and sales skills and experience
• Financial management: budgeting, forecasting, income and expenditure tracking, reporting – a minimum of two years' experience
• Team management: min of two years' experience in managing project teams

Additional requirements:

• Driver's licence and own car
• Advantageous: Experience working with digital project/sales/funder management tool
• Experience using online project management tools
• MS Office proficiency
• Advanced writing skills

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Company Description

Innovate Durban NPC is a registered non-profit company set up as a special purpose vehicle to support innovators, innovation and the innovation ecosystem through programmes, research and capacity building & skills development (as well as customised programmes e.g.design thinking workshops and sprints). The programmes and activities of the organisation is supported through the virtual and physical platforms (Innovation Co-Lab) and events.

Posted on 19 Aug 15:42, Closing date 30 Sep