Senior Director, Philanthropic Partnerships

Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) is a leading product development partnership (PDP) in the field of antimalarial drug research and development. Its mission is to reduce the burden of malaria in disease-endemic countries by discovering developing and delivering new effective and affordable antimalarial drugs.

Over the past two decades MMV has worked with an extensive network of donors private and public sector partners experts and clinical centers in endemic countries to develop an outstanding portfolio of antimalarial projects.

Our portfolio is financed through funding support coming from government agencies private and corporate foundations international organizations corporations and private individuals. MMV is fortunate to have a solid standing with a healthy strategy already set for our resource mobilization in 2026 and beyond

For a newly created position we are currently seeking a Senior Director for Philanthropic Partnerships who will form a footprint in our success and play a critical role in driving MMVs next generation of funding growth. The Senior Director will lead on cultivating bold high-value philanthropic and innovative financing partnerships with a focus on diversifying MMVs donor base catalysing new sources of investment and expanding MMVs reach within the broader philanthropic and private capital ecosystem.

This role is not just about identifying prospects its about conceptualising and implementing entry points telling MMVs story in new and resonant ways and helping shape the organisations positioning in a shifting global health financing environment. It requires creativity influence discipline and deep familiarity with philanthropic motivations and trends.

The Senior Director will provide daily leadership to MMVs new revenue work across philanthropic donors working closely with the Head of Resource Mobilisation and will actively contribute to the development of MMVs long-term funding strategy

• Design and lead the execution of MMVs philanthropic engagement and growth strategy aligned with organisational objectives and revenue targets.
• Map and prioritise new foundation trust HNW and philanthropic network prospects.
• Cultivate new relationships through insight-driven engagement and tailored value propositions.
• Identify and pursue catalytic opportunities (e.g. challenge funds pooled funding platforms family office engagement etc.).
• Oversee preparation of concept notes investor briefings pitch decks and opportunity scans.
• Represent MMV externally at major philanthropic events and convenings.
• Build and steward a qualified pipeline of high-value prospects across philanthropic and adjacent fields.
• Collaborate closely with the Communications Advocacy Access and Science teams to ensure messaging is consistent and compelling.
• Engage with Business Development to ensure innovative financing model exploration is well managed and effective relationships are maintained.
• Support team learning and knowledge capture around donor intelligence relationship tracking and engagement strategies

• Value and diversity of new philanthropic funding secured
• Advancement of new donor prospects through the engagement pipeline
• Strategic fit of partnerships aligned with MMVs core and emerging priorities
• Visibility and positioning of MMV in the philanthropic ecosystem
• Internal collaboration and quality of cross-functional inputs into proposals and pitches

• Minimum 10 years of experience in fundraising philanthropy external relations or strategic partnerships.
• Proven success in securing large-scale funding from multiple philanthropic institutions or private wealth networks. The interview process will require demonstration of this.
• Deep knowledge of the philanthropic landscape (e.g. foundation governance donor motivation impact investing trends).
• Strong understanding of global health development finance and / or scientific research environments.
• Experience representing organisations at high-level external engagements

• High-level prospecting and strategic engagement
• Narrative development and pitch design
• Strategic communications and donor influence
• Understanding of CRM and donor pipeline management
• Philanthropic landscape fluency (institutional and individual)

• Entrepreneurial mindset with the discipline to execute
• Skilled relationship-builder with executive presence
• Creative thinker who brings fresh ideas and strategic framing
• Resilient and adaptable in complex environments
• Able to manage ambiguity and deliver under pressure
• Willing to travel consistent with the job requirements (at least 20%)

Earliest start date possible

Interested applicants should send their CV and a cover letter giving reasons for their interest in the position before 14 November 2025. During the interview process we will ask you to provide details about the types of funding sources you are connected with and the geographic locations of those networks.

We consider individuals for…