Senior Business Development & Client Engagement Manager (Partner)

Job Role & Person SpecificationOur client is seeking a dynamic, results-driven Senior Manager, Business Development & Client Engagement to lead efforts in building, maintaining, and expanding strategic partnerships across Africa and beyond.This role is key to ensuring that no opportunity slips through the cracks, from initial pitch through relationship stewardship by acting as both a business concierge and a deal closer. The ideal candidate will combine strong business acumen with excellent relationship management and follow-up discipline, ensuring our client remains a top-of-mind partner among donors, corporates, and ecosystem enablers.ResponsibilitiesBusiness Development & Partnership GrowthIdentify, cultivate, and close new partnership opportunities aligned with our client’s mission and growth targets.Collaborate with leadership to refine and execute a partnership acquisition strategy, including mapping stakeholders, value propositions, and impact narratives.Manage and track incoming leads, opportunities, and follow-ups, ensuring no warm lead goes cold.Develop compelling concept notes, proposals, decks, and other materials to support partnership outreach.Client & Partner Engagement (Concierge Function)Act as the central point of contact for our client’s key partners, ensuring seamless communication, follow-through, and delivery of agreed value.Proactively manage partner accounts, checking in regularly, tracking deliverables, and anticipating needs.Set up and maintain structured partner engagement calendars and feedback loops.Internal Coordination & ReportingWork with Programme, Communications, Operations, and Finance teams to align partnership commitments with execution.Maintain a real-time pipeline of prospects and ongoing relationships, supported by dashboards and CRM tools.Provide timely updates and reports to leadership on partner status, risks, and next steps.Support the leadership team in preparing for high-stakes partnership meetings.Who You AreYou have an entrepreneurial mindset and approach challenges with a can-do attitude.You’re a proactive problem-solver who sees opportunities others might miss.You’re culturally fluent, with a deep understanding of Africa’s innovation and development landscape.You build and nurture relationships with emotional intelligence, authenticity, and trust.You work independently and take initiative but thrive when collaborating across teams.You bring a global outlook, with the confidence to engage diverse stakeholders and funders across regions.You are technologically proficient in the use of AI and productivity tools.Qualifications, Skills, and Experience RequiredMinimum of 7 years' experience in business development, partnership management, fundraising, or client services, preferably in non-profit, development, or innovation ecosystem sectors.Demonstrated success in closing and managing high-value partnerships or client relationships.Strong writing, storytelling, and pitch development skills, with the ability to distil complex ideas into crisp messaging.Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, including experience working with executives, funders, and ecosystem leaders.Detail-oriented with strong organizational, CRM, and follow-up systems.Experience working across African markets and/or with international partners is strongly preferred.