Partnerships Manager

Company Description The Tech for Good Institute (TFGI) is a non-profit policy research institute working to advance the promise of technology and the digital economy for inclusive, equitable and sustainable growth in Southeast Asia (SEA). TFGI serves as a platform for research, conversations and collaborations focused on SEA, while staying connected to the rest of the world. Our work is centred on issues at the intersection of technology, society and the economy, and is intrinsically linked to the region's development. We seek to understand and inform policy with rigour, balance and perspective by using research, effective outreach and evidence-based recommendations.

TFGI works in partnership with the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth and Grab, to advance the vision of a thriving and innovative SEA for all. We welcome opportunities for partnership and support, financial or in-kind, from organisations and individuals committed to fostering responsible innovation and digital progress for sustainable growth in the region.

Position Overview: The Partnerships Manager leads TFGI's strategic partnership portfolio and business development strategy, converting the Institute's mission into sustainable, well-governed, and fully funded institutional relationships. The role owns the funding pipeline end-to-end—from lead origination and funder cultivation through to proposal development, commercial negotiations and closing, while rigorously safeguarding TFGI's intellectual independence and reputational standing.

Additionally, the Manager expands and nurtures TFGI's network partnerships to enhance regional collaboration and institutional credibility. This role demands high-level stakeholder management, sophisticated fundraising acumen, disciplined governance, and the capability to assist executive leadership with strategic resource planning, network development, and partnership stewardship.

This is a remote-friendly and contract role.

Key Responsibilities

1. Business Development and Partnership Management

• In collaboration with the Executive Director, strategise and implement TFGI's business development portfolio to secure long-term programmatic funding and institutional support aligned with the Institute's mission.
• Own funder sourcing end-to-end in collaboration with executive leadership—identifying prospective philanthropic, corporate, and multilateral partners, developing custom concepts, negotiating agreements, and closing grants.
• Manage formal handovers of secured grants to the Programme team for operational execution, maintaining overarching responsibility for funder relationship management and account renewal.
• Lead institutional reporting to funders and grantors, coordinating closely with the Institute Director and Finance team to ensure reporting accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with grant conditions.
• Co-create high-impact funding proposals and concept notes with research leads, ensuring full cost-recovery assumptions and strong value propositions.
• Sustain funder confidence across the relationship lifecycle to convert initial commitments into multi-year, strategic partnerships.
• Maintain a transparent, stage-gated business development pipeline with rigorous forecast metrics to support executive financial planning.
• Screen all funding opportunities against TFGI's independence guardrails and institutional Policies and Procedures (P&P).

2. Network Partner Relationships

• Cultivate and preserve key institutional relationships with think tanks, university research centers, and regional bodies across ASEAN to enhance TFGI's ecosystem presence.
• Conduct periodic performance and strategic alignment reviews of network partnerships to optimize collaborative value.

3. Support to Senior Leadership

• Provide executive briefing materials, partner mapping, and stakeholder preparation for the Board Chair and Executive Director.
• Oversee donation, grant, and sponsorship fulfillment workflows across internal teams.
• Support the strategic design and sponsor alignment for flagship convenings and partner events.

4. Budget Stewardship

• Steward the Outreach and Development budget prudently, adhering to internal financial controls.
• Drive revenue diversification across corporate, philanthropic, and development sector revenue streams to build long-term organizational resilience.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Policy, Finance, Economics, International Relations, or a related field; an advanced degree is an advantage.
• 8–10 years of progressive experience in business development, institutional fundraising, strategic partnerships, or corporate foundation management, preferably within a policy or non-profit setting.
• Demonstrated success in designing proposals, securing major research grants, and converting prospective leads into sustained partner commitments.
• Exceptional interpersonal and influence skills, with a track record of engaging senior executives, philanthropic leaders, and government officials.
• Solid understanding of financial stewardship, grant compliance, contract terms, and non-profit governance.
• Familiarity with Southeast Asia's digital economy policy priorities and technology ecosystem dynamics.
• Highly organized, entrepreneurial, and comfortable navigating complex external engagements with credibility and independence.