Chief Partnerships Officer

WHY KENES:

At Kenes, we foster a family-like work environment within a global company. We understand the significance of work-life balance and strive to create an atmosphere that supports personal well-being and professional growth. We believe in empowering our employees with knowledge and skills that propel their careers forward. Join Kenes and embark on a rewarding journey where you’ll thrive both personally and professionally.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Chief Partnerships Officer (CPO) will lead WSAVA’s global fundraising and partnerships strategy, growing sustainable income and advancing mission-aligned collaborations. This role will elevate WSAVA’s global presence, develop innovative funding channels, and help position the association as the veterinary partner of choice. WSAVA people resources are provided by Kenes Association Management. The role is available on a self-employed contractor basis only.

Location: Remote with occasional global travel.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Fundraising Strategy and Delivery

• Design and implement a multi-year global fundraising strategy and budget to drive sustainable, long-term income growth across multiple fundraising channels
• Identify, research, and develop a robust pipeline of prospective donors and funders from across sectors, regions, and fundraising channels
• Craft compelling cases for support and tailored proposals aligned with WSAVA’s mission and impact
• Lead the execution of annual campaigns and donor engagement initiatives in collaboration with the Chief Communications Officer
• Pilot innovative approaches to fundraising, including digital giving, crowdfunding, and cause-related marketing
• Explore opportunities with foundations, grant-makers, and social impact investors
• Monitor fundraising performance and return on investment (ROI), delivering data-informed reports to WSAVA leadership and stakeholders
  
  

Strategic Partnership Development

• Build and manage a sector-leading partnership programme that positions WSAVA as a trusted and mission-driven, collaborator that delivers change and ROI
• Foster long-term relationships with industry and institutional partners, delivering shared value and deepening engagement
• Develop non-financial partnerships that support WSAVA’s strategic goals (e.g., in-kind contributions, knowledge-sharing)
• Collaborate with internal teams to embed partnership value into core WSAVA programmes and activities
• Work with the department leads and committees to highlight partnership impact stories that build visibility and inspire future engagement
• Work closely with WSAVA’s Professional Congress Organiser (PCO) to align and integrate association-wide and congress-specific partnership opportunities
  
  

Global Engagement and Outreach

• Represent WSAVA externally, building visibility and trust among potential partners, funders, and stakeholders
• Adapt fundraising and partnership approaches for regional contexts, including underrepresented and low-/middle-income regions
• Cultivate culturally responsive, inclusive strategies that resonate with WSAVA’s global membership and partners
  
  

Impact, Insight, and Reporting

• Establish KPIs and systems to track the outcomes and impact of fundraising and partnership activities
• Produce clear, professional reports for donors, partners, and governance committees
• Support the Executive Director and WSAVA Board with insights to inform strategic decision-making
  
  

Internal Collaboration and Capacity Building

• Collaborate with internal teams (e.g., Education, Membership, Communications) to align and integrate fundraising and partnership work
• Support WSAVA working groups, committees, and regional representatives in identifying and pursuing regional or theme-based partnerships
• Build capacity across WSAVA by sharing tools, templates, and guidance to support partnership and fundraising success
  
  

Ethics, Governance, and Compliance

• Ensure all fundraising and partnership activity complies with relevant legal, regulatory, and ethical standards (e.g., GDPR, anti-corruption)
• Contribute to the development of internal WSAVA policies on sponsorship, ethical fundraising, and due diligence
  
  

General

• Work within association policy and process as outlined in the WSAVA Policy and Process Manual
  
  

Undertake any other tasks or responsibilities as may reasonably be expected in line with the role and the evolving needs of WSAVA.

REQUIREMENTS:

Essential Criteria:

• Fluent in written and spoken English
• Proven track record of successful fundraising and partnership development in a global or non-profit context
• Experience cultivating and managing high-value relationships with corporate and philanthropic partners
• Strong proposal-writing, budgeting, and storytelling skills to develop persuasive funding cases, including grants
• Excellent verbal and written communication, with confidence in engaging cross-culturally and at senior levels
• Strategic thinker with strong planning, project management, and delivery skills
• Digitally literate, with proficiency in core programmes such as Microsoft Office and confidence working in virtual environments
• Ability to work independently within a remote global team
• Strong ethical compass and commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and mission-driven work
• Genuine compassion for companion animals and belief in the value of the human–animal bond

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience in or knowledge of the veterinary, scientific, healthcare, or animal welfare sectors
• Familiarity with the funding landscape for international NGOs or professional associations
• Knowledge of digital fundraising platforms, CRMs, and analytics tools
• Fluency in a second or third language (Spanish or Mandarin are advantageous)
• Ability to communicate complex ideas simply and engagingly to diverse audiences
  
  

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