ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, PARTNERSHIPS & PHILANTHROPY

HELP BUILD THE FUTURE OF PEAS USA

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the next chapter of PEAS USA (formerly Impact Network).

Following the 2025 strategic partnership between PEAS and Impact Network, the U.S. team is entering a new phase under the PEAS name, building on the strengths of two proven organizations with a shared commitment to expanding access to high-quality education across Africa.

Together, the combined organization now supports more than 300,000 students each year across Uganda, Zambia, and Ghana through direct school management, government partnerships, and innovative approaches to improving learning outcomes.

As PEAS USA enters this next chapter, we're looking to grow a broader community of philanthropic partners who share our belief that every young person deserves access to a quality education.

We are looking for an Associate Director, Partnerships & Philanthropy to play a central role in that growth.

This is a highly relational, hands-on role focused on building and stewarding partnerships across family foundations, donor-advised funds, corporate philanthropy, trusts and foundations, and other values-aligned funding partners.

You'll thrive in this role if you enjoy building from the ground up, opening doors, creating new relationships, and turning promising conversations into long-term partnerships. Success looks less like operating as a standalone fundraiser and more like becoming a trusted connector, relationship builder, strategist, and collaborator who helps bring new champions into PEAS' mission.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Associate Director will help diversify and grow PEAS' philanthropic funding base, with a particular focus on expanding our presence in the U.S. philanthropic landscape.

Working as part of one integrated global development team, you will:

• Build and manage a growing portfolio of U.S. philanthropic partners.

• Identify new funding opportunities and develop relationships with prospective partners.

• Steward long-term partnerships and help convert relationships into meaningful funding.

• Strengthen PEAS' visibility and positioning within the U.S. philanthropic community.

• Connect external opportunities with organizational priorities, working closely with colleagues across the U.S., UK, and Africa.

Success will be measured not only by revenue generated, but by the strength of relationships developed, the expansion of PEAS' philanthropic community, and our ability to attract new champions for our mission.

WHY NOW

PEAS has built a strong reputation among institutional funders and education partners through a track record of evidence, impact, and sustainable growth.

Following the partnership of PEAS and Impact Network, we see a significant opportunity to build on our existing base of supporters in the United States while expanding relationships with family foundations, donor-advised funds, corporate philanthropy, and other values-aligned funders.

As the philanthropic landscape continues to evolve, there is growing interest in organizations like PEAS that can demonstrate both impact and a clear pathway to scale.

This role has been created to help us seize that opportunity.

RESPONSIBILITIES Relationship Building & Fundraising

• Develop and manage a portfolio of current and prospective funders, building relationships from initial engagement through long-term partnership and renewal.

• Identify, cultivate, and secure new funding opportunities, with a particular focus on expanding PEAS' presence within the U.S. philanthropic landscape.

• Develop tailored cultivation, stewardship, and engagement strategies that resonate with U.S.-based funders and prospects.

• Partner on the planning and delivery of donor cultivation events, learning experiences, and other strategic engagement opportunities.

• Represent PEAS at conferences, donor meetings, events, and sector gatherings.

• Partner with senior leadership and colleagues across the organization on donor strategy, cultivation plans, and relationship management.

Pipeline Management & Donor Stewardship

• Maintain ownership of a portfolio of fundraising opportunities from identification through cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and renewal.

• Meaningfully contribute to annual fundraising goals by advancing opportunities through the pipeline and helping convert relationships into long-term funding partnerships.

• Coordinate donor outreach, meeting preparation, follow-up, stewardship activities, and relationship management.

• Draft and coordinate donor communications, meeting materials, cultivation plans, and other fundraising assets, partnering with colleagues as needed while maintaining ownership of deliverables.

• Work closely with global colleagues who provide support on prospect research, CRM management, proposal development, reporting, and donor communications.

• Track fundraising progress, key relationship milestones, and next steps, maintaining strong pipeline discipline and accountability.

Strategy, Collaboration & Team Leadership

• Serve as a core member of the global development team, contributing to fundraising strategy, organizational positioning, and growth planning.

• Work closely with colleagues across the UK and Africa to align fundraising priorities, coordinate relationship management, and share insights from the philanthropic landscape.

• Help strengthen fundraising systems, processes, and ways of working across the team.

• Bring a flexible, solutions-oriented approach, stepping into new projects and priorities as organizational needs evolve.

• Identify opportunities to improve fundraising effectiveness, strengthen donor engagement, and expand PEAS' visibility within philanthropic communities.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR What You Bring

• 6–10 years of experience in fundraising, partnerships, philanthropy, business development, or related relationship-focused roles.

• Strong understanding of the U.S. philanthropic landscape and a demonstrated ability to build relationships across family foundations, donor-advised funds, corporate philanthropy, and other values-aligned funding partners.

• A track record of identifying opportunities, building relationships, and converting them into meaningful partnerships, funding, or other forms of support.

• Experience managing fundraising opportunities from prospect identification through stewardship and renewal, with strong attention to follow-through, relationship management, and pipeline discipline.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to tailor messages, materials, and engagement strategies to different audiences.

• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and consistently deliver high-quality work.

• An entrepreneurial mindset. You are energized by the opportunity to build something new, bring fresh ideas, test new approaches, and drive successful initiatives from concept to execution.

• A hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves approach. You are as comfortable developing strategy and cultivating relationships as you are drafting follow-up emails, preparing meeting materials, updating pipelines, or coordinating next steps.

• Strong problem-solving instincts, sound judgment, and comfort navigating ambiguity in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment.

• Genuine enthusiasm for PEAS' mission and expanding educational opportunities across Africa.

NICE TO HAVE

• Experience working in international development, education, or other mission-driven organizations.

• Experience working across multiple countries, cultures, or time zones within a globally distributed team.

• Familiarity with CRM systems, fundraising operations, and donor stewardship processes.

• Experience supporting donor visits, learning journeys, events, or other high-touch engagement opportunities.

LOCATION

Flexible.

Candidates must be able to maintain a minimum of 4–5 hours of overlap with UK and East Africa working hours to support collaboration across the global partnerships team.

Preference will be given to candidates based in the New York City area, where PEAS maintains an office and operates a hybrid work environment.

The role requires periodic domestic travel for donor meetings, conferences, and events, along with occasional international travel to visit PEAS' programs in Africa.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

$80,000–$125,000, depending on experience and location.

Salary is competitive and will be determined based on experience and location. We benchmark compensation to local markets to ensure fair and equitable pay across our global team.