Vacancy: Senior Partnerships Manager

We are recruiting a Senior Partnerships Manager to join a dynamic and committed team in a growing field of AI & Society. This new role will develop our philanthropic partnerships, advocate for greater philanthropic engagement in AI and society work overall and develop and deliver a strategy for our next phase of our growth. 

The European AI & Society Fund works to shape Artificial Intelligence to better serve people and society. Supported by 15 funding partners, including some of the largest philanthropic foundations in Europe and the US, our goal is to empower a civil society ecosystem to shape AI in the public interest and to galvanise philanthropy to engage in this work.    

Since being set up in 2020 our partners have committed over €7.5m to support over 40 organisations across Europe to have a transformative impact on the debate on Artificial Intelligence. We fund organisations with deep technical and policy experience, as well as social justice groups and the communities most affected by the impacts of AI to ensure that their voices are heard at the decision table.   

We are now in a unique moment of opportunity, where AI governance is recognised as a major global challenge. Europe is leading the world in regulating Artificial Intelligence and has the potential to establish a new set of democratic norms for how to direct technologies in the public interest. As a Fund, we want to meet this opportunity with new ambition: we want to grow our budget so we can sustain and grow the civil society field and we want to advocate for greater philanthropic engagement in AI and society work overall.   

To support this, we are looking for someone with enthusiasm, energy and commitment to take on the new role of Senior Partnerships Manager and collaborate closely with the Director to develop and deliver the strategy for our next phase of our growth. You will work with our existing philanthropic partners to deepen our relationships, research new potential partners and scout opportunities to influence the philanthropic field by sharing the Fund’s unique perspective.   

This role can be part time or full time. The job can be based in Brussels, in the office of our host organisation, the Network of European Foundations, or remote (+/- 1 hour Central Europe Time). It will require frequent travel to events around Europe, something we try to do by train where possible.   

We welcome applicants with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. This is a dynamic and growing field which will benefit from people who bring fresh ideas and perspectives. We value diversity and especially encourage applications from people who consider themselves underrepresented in this sector.    

 If you are interested in applying but uncertain if it’s right for you, please contact the Fund director Catherine Miller catherine.miller@europeanaifund.org    

What you will do:   

• Translate the Fund’s strategic priorities into a development strategy and implementation plan, with support from the Director  
• Build and deepen relationships with the Fund’s philanthropic partners, ensuring we understand their priorities  
• Identify opportunities for new funder relationships, partnerships and collaborations to grow funding to our grantees  
• Develop internal systems to support funder relations and grants management  
• Draft grant applications and reports in collaboration with relevant team members  
• Organise events – in person and remote – and represent the Fund at international forums  
• Work closely with the Networks and Communications Manager to produce a regular output of tailored and group updates and assets.  

What you will bring to the role:   

We’re a small team delivering a big, challenging and urgent mission. We are looking for someone who will bring passion and initiative, with a practical and positive approach.   

• A strong commitment to the mission and values of the European AI & Society Fund    
• Demonstrable expertise and experience of delivering foundation income growth, especially in Europe and North America  
• Strong strategic thinking and the ability to spot opportunities and respond to them swiftly  
• A deep understanding of philanthropy and of what it takes for a foundation to engage with an emergent and cross-cutting issue like AI   
• Strong interpersonal skills, and experience building new relationships, and deepening existing ones, with foundation partners  
• Native level English with excellent writing skills across different formats and for a range of audiences. Additional languages are welcome.    
• Strong communication skills and powers of persuasion, both in person and online  
• Highly proactive and organised, able to work independently and prioritise a busy workload and stakeholders to deadline with consistent quality  
• A collaborative way of working, a hands on approach and the ability to connect with and be at ease with people from a wide range of backgrounds, both in person and online.   

What we offer:   

• A gross salary of €66,000 – €68,000 per annum (part time pro-rata) depending on level of experience, accompanied by a benefits package;;   
• A 2- year contract with the potential to become permanent, or contract if preferred   
• Full time or part time work (minimum 60% FTE)  
• Flexibility to work remotely    
• An inclusive culture and a competent, self-motivated, self-managed and sympathetic team   

How to apply:   

 Please submit a cover letter and CV (each no more than 2 pages) here by 28th November 2023. Please state your preferred location and whether you wish to work full time or part time.  Interviews will be held by Zoom 7th and 8th December.

The Fund is not in a position to sponsor visa applications. Please confirm in your application that you have the right to work in your chosen location, and that you have visa free travel within Europe.