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Strategic Business Development Director

Strategic Business Development Director
Location:District of Columbia
Division:Business Development/Innovation
Status:DC-Based Full Time
Position Number:12:175
  
Project Description:
IFES seeks an experienced, professional, motivated, and self-directed team player for the position of Strategic Business Development Director. The Director will lead and oversee the management of the business development function within IFES.

The Director is responsible for the development and management of external relationships with donors and partners, US and non-US to support IFES programs and its goal of donor diversification.

The Director directs and supports HQ and field office business development efforts. S/he will coordinate new business development activities with IFES’s regional directors, country directors, and functional unit directors.
Job Responsibilities:
Planning:

In close collaboration with country directors, the regional directors, other business unit directors and the Vice President for Programs, the Director will contribute to IFES’strategic planning process and annually develops a practical operational plan and implementation schedule for proactive business development, drawing on the needs identified by the field and HQ. Such plans will include measurable objectives, strategies, tactics, and steps consistent with a proactive business development program. Such plans plan will reflect any strategic changes or resource limitations that may affect the plan’s implementation. In parallel, the individual will work with field offices to coordinate the execution of business development program /annual plans and to measure the progress made in their implementation.

Communications, Research, and Assessment of Project Opportunities:

The Director will initiate, develop, and maintain regular contact and communications with all country programs and the regional business development director for the purpose of identifying and developing new business for the organization. S/he will work with unit directors, country directors, and the regional directors to promote research and investigation leading to the identification of new business opportunities.

Proposal Development:

The BDD oversees and coordinates the preparation of IFES’ concept papers and responses to solicitations issued by U.S. government agencies and other donors suchas DFID, EU, CIDA, and the UN as well as foundations and the private sector. Such activities may include: writing elements of proposals, liaison with partner orgainizations and consultants, recruitment of staff and consultants, gathering and formatting required materials, and production of the proposals.


Supervision and Training:

The Director will be responsible for building and leading a strong team of development professionals to support IFES’ programs and its goal of donor diversification. In addition, the Director assists in the training of new staff in business development procedures, including country directors, project managers, and program staff.

Reporting:

The BDD prepares all required reports for IFES’ business development activities, including progress reports for quarterly Board of Director’s meetings, monthly internal updates of the status of business development initiatives, summaries of business activity of key donors upon request, and any other relevant reports that may be required.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in business, international relations, political science, or related field;
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in international development with an NGO and/or for-profit – preferably in the Democracy and Governance sector;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Excel required;
• Proven organizational skills and a capacity to handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines;
• Demonstrated leadership, management and team mentoring skills;
• Team player with excellent interpersonal skills;
• Excellent negotiating skills;
• Experience with both Headquarters and Field offices;
• Foreign language skills desirable;
• Ability to travel, as needed;
• Familiarity with the donor environment, including USAID, the U.S. State Department, and other donors including foundations and corporations;
• Experience responding to solicitations and/or working on projects funded by these donors;
• Demonstrated experience in partnership negotiations, and successful proposal development, demonstrated by a successful new business capture rate;
• Excellent conceptualization, design, and writing skills
• Strong communication and organizational skills; attention to detail;
• Proposal development experience;
• Ability to work within deadlines and with frequently shifting priorities
Strategic Business Development Director