Fundraising & External Engagement Specialist, LEAD at Krea University

Location: Chennai/Bangalore / Hybrid (India)
Organisation: LEAD at Krea University
Reports to: Executive Director, LEAD at Krea University

About LEAD at Krea University:

LEAD is an action-oriented research centre of IFMR Society (a not-for-profit society registered under the Societies Act), leverages the power of research, innovation and co-creation to solve complex and pressing challenges in development. LEAD specialises in developing in-depth granular understanding of socio-economic contexts and harnessing actionable insights that have a wide range of applications in industry, policy, and academia. LEAD is a collaborative hub that brings experts from diverse disciplines and sectors together to develop innovative solutions by harnessing innovation, technology and analytics.

Position Overview:

The Fundraising & External Engagement Specialist will lead LEAD’s resource mobilisation strategy to support its mission of advancing high-impact, action-oriented research. The role demands a strategic thinker and dynamic relationship-builder who can develop long-term partnerships with donors, foundations, corporates, and multilateral agencies.

The ideal candidate will combine strategic vision, operational discipline, and storytelling ability to articulate LEAD’s value proposition to diverse audiences—ranging from philanthropic investors to institutional funders.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Fundraising Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with LEAD’s mission and growth plans;
• Proactively identify new outreach funding opportunities from bilateral and multilateral agencies, foundations, CSR arms, high-net-worth individuals and global philanthropies;
• Build a robust and diversified funding pipeline to ensure the sustainability and flexibility of research initiatives;
• Seek core/institutional/ unrestricted funding to build and strengthen core functions;
• The ideal candidate should bring an existing network of potential donors and funding partners, leveraging their established relationships to support key fundraising initiatives.

Donor/External Engagement

• Cultivate, manage, and steward relationships with current and prospective donors and institutional partners;
• Prepare compelling concept notes, proposals, and presentations tailored to funder priorities;
• Represent LEAD in high-level meetings, forums, and external networks to enhance visibility and credibility;
• Lead Impactful communication strategy & activities for fundraising.;
• Explore strategic partnership opportunities for LEAD/IWWAGE/Catalyst.

Internal Collaboration and Alignment

• Work closely with the Executive Director, research leads, and communications teams to align fundraising priorities with research strategy and impact goals;
• Anchor the collaboration process end-to-end and work with the team on proposal development, budgets, and reporting to ensure compliance and timely delivery;
• Support thought leadership and knowledge-sharing initiatives that showcase LEAD’s work to funders and partners.

Systems, Data, and Reporting

• Build systems to track prospects, commitments, and donor engagement;
• Ensure timely submission of proposals with quality and due diligence materials;
• Maintain transparency and accountability through regular documentation and performance reporting.

Qualifications and Experience:

Essential

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Development Studies, Public Policy, Communications, or a related field;
• Minimum 10–15 years of professional experience, with at least 5 years in fundraising or business development within the development, academic, or research sectors;
• Proven track record of securing large-scale grants and managing donor relationships;
• Excellent proposal writing, communication, and negotiation skills;
• Strong understanding of India’s development funding ecosystem, including CSR, philanthropic, and international donors.

Desirable

• Prior experience working with corporates/institutions, think tanks, or social impact organisations;
• Exposure to donor fund/proposal/tender management systems and compliance frameworks (e.g., FCRA, CSR, bilateral funders);
• Demonstrated ability to take full ownership of assigned responsibilities, work independently, and drive outcomes within tight timelines;
• Ability to bridge technical research insights with persuasive storytelling for non-technical audiences;
• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring skills in building and managing teams.

Desired Characteristics

• Strategic, entrepreneurial, and outcome-driven mindset;
• Strong relationship-building and networking ability across diverse stakeholders;
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills;
• High emotional intelligence, adaptability, and professional integrity;
• Deep interest in inclusive development, evidence-based policy, and LEAD’s thematic focus areas.

Application Instructions:

Deadline: Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis till the position is filled. To apply, please collate your resume, a cover letter and writing sample in a single PDF and apply in the form here. 

Note: Due to the large volume of applications we receive, we are unable to contact each candidate individually regarding the status of their application. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview purposes.