Manager : Corporate Partnerships

Worldwide Fund For Nature; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 750 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading conservation organization in South Africa is seeking a Manager of Corporate Partnerships & Engagement. This role is crucial in securing long-term funding and delivering impactful conservation initiatives. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in relationship management and fundraising, alongside strong leadership skills. Applicants must demonstrate a passion for conservation and be adaptable in a dynamic working environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in relationship management, fundraising or corporate engagement.
• At least 5 years of management experience leading teams.
• Demonstrated success in developing and managing high-value corporate partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning and delivery of WWF-SA’s corporate partnership strategy.
• Build and manage relationships with corporate partners, ensuring sustainable funding.
• Oversee the corporate business network and related reporting.

Skills

Relationship management

Fundraising

Corporate engagement

Negotiation skills

Project management

Leadership

Presentation skills

Research abilities

Networking

Strategic thinking

Education

Postgraduate qualification in Business, Sustainability, Commerce, Finance or related fields

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Overview

WWF South Africa, the national office of the global WWF network, is looking for a Manager of Corporate Partnerships & Engagement (permanent, based in Cape Town / Johannesburg). The role leads the corporate engagement strategy to secure long‑term funding and deliver WWF‑SA's conservation impact.

Mission

WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth’s natural environment and build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.

Minimum Requirements

• Postgraduate qualification in Business, Sustainability, Commerce, Finance or related fields.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in relationship management, fundraising or corporate engagement.
• At least 5 years of management experience leading teams.
• Demonstrated success in developing and managing high‑value corporate partnerships.
• Strong knowledge of corporate sustainability trends, CSR/CSI, BBBEE, and shared‑value approaches.
• Ability to co‑develop high‑quality funding proposals, budgets and partnership concepts.
• Excellent presentation, negotiation and networking skills.
• Strong research, reporting and project management abilities.
• Proficiency in MS Office and database management.
• Strategic thinking, high emotional intelligence and strong leadership skills.
• Passion for WWF’s mission and conservation.
• Willingness to travel locally and internationally.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Manager will:

• Lead strategic planning and delivery of WWF‑SA’s corporate partnership strategy and fundraising initiatives.
• Build, manage and expand relationships with corporate partners, trusts and foundations, ensuring sustainable funding and high impact.
• Coordinate with the Environmental Programmes Team to align corporate fundraising with conservation priorities.
• Oversee the corporate business network and related reporting, including the Corporate Business Network and workshops.
• Represent WWF‑SA in meetings, forums and events with corporates, funders and stakeholders.
• Manage the corporate engagement team, providing leadership, training and performance management.
• Maintain accurate partner records, dashboards and provide monthly reporting on activity and income potential.
• Ensure compliance with WWF‑SA governance processes, including the Partnership Committee.
• Support the WWF‑SASSI programme, building partnerships with retailers, suppliers and networking partners.
• Collaborate cross‑organisationally with Communications, Finance & Business Support and other global WWF initiatives.

Additional Expectations

• Demonstrate strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
• Engage senior stakeholders internally and externally, influencing and inspiring.
• Maintain high levels of professional integrity, collaboration, adaptability and resilience.

Values & Commitment

You should recognise yourself in WWF’s values of Courage, Integrity, Respect, Collaboration and Inclusion, and share the commitment to conservation excellence.

Application Process

Combine your CV and cover letter into a single document that outlines your relevant skills, experience and creativity. Include the names, current email addresses and telephone numbers of three references. Submit online via the WWF careers portal. The application is considered complete when the document is received and references are included.