Head of Philanthropy and Resource Mobilisation
New Delhi or Mumbai, India
Position Overview
The Head of Philanthropy and Resource Mobilisation is responsible for leading high-value resource mobilisation efforts across India while serving as a strategic partner to resource mobilization efforts across the AMESEA region (Africa, Middle East, South & Southeast Asia). The role is responsible for securing philanthropic investments from high-net-worth individuals (HNIs), ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), family offices, family foundations, corporate partners, and other strategic philanthropic partners. This role builds, manages, and grows a portfolio of high-value donors while identifying new funding opportunities that support Room to Read's strategic priorities.
Reporting to the Senior Development Director, AMESEA, this role sits within the International Business Development (IBD) team and works closely with Global Partnerships, Marketing & Communications, and India Country Leadership to deliver ambitious revenue goals aligned with program prioritiesThe Head of Philanthropy and Resource Mobilisation works closely with the CEO, senior leadership, and Board members to cultivate and steward key donor relationships. The successful candidate will have the executive presence, credibility, and relationship management skills to independently support CEO donor engagements, manage high-profile donor visits, and represent Room to Read with confidence among India's philanthropic and corporate communities.
Key Responsibilities
Resource Mobilisation
Personally lead a portfolio generating $2M annually while jointly leading a $5M+ India fundraising program.
Build, manage, and grow a portfolio of HNIs, UHNWIs, family businesses, family foundations, corporate partners, and strategic philanthropists, , raising US$ 1.5- 2MM+ annually through major and transformational gifts from both individuals and corporates within India and select geographies beyond.
Identify, cultivate, solicit, negotiate, and steward high-value philanthropic investments.
Develop and execute tailored donor engagement strategies that strengthen long-term relationships and increase philanthropic support.
Build and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified prospects while accurately forecasting revenue.
Personally manage the full donor lifecycle from identification through stewardship.
Collaborate with other team members both within AMESEA region and globally on India-focused investment opportunities to raise US$1MM+ annually in collaborative revenue
CEO & Executive Engagement
Serve as a trusted fundraising partner to the CEO and Leadership team by planning, coordinating, and independently managing donor meetings, cultivation visits, and strategic engagements.
Prepare high-quality donor briefings, meeting materials, and follow-up strategies for the CEO and senior leadership.
Build productive relationships with Board members and senior volunteers to strengthen donor engagement.
Drive the Regional Board strategy, annual goals, and engagement plan aligned with the overall market plan.
Manage key relationships of HNWI donors on the India Regional Board, including the planning of regular board meetings and related board communications during the year.Represent Room to Read confidently with philanthropists, HNIs, UHNWIs, family businesses and offices, corporate leaders, and influential stakeholders.
Leadership & Team Management
Provide leadership, coaching, and mentoring to two Relationship Managers located in India.
Jointly accountable for the India fundraising team’s annual fundraising target of US$5MM+ with the Senior Director AMESEA, including clear strategy, KPIs, and professional development support.
Partner with the India Country Office on the country strategy and related resourcing of their goals, vision, and ambitions for the remainder of the strategic plan. Drive processes that align programe needs and fundraising KPIs.
In conjunction with other DevCom sub-teams, develop and implement annual India fundraising goals and strategy, including (but not limited to): fundraising and awareness-raising events, marketing and communications strategy, pipeline development, individual and corporate fundraising.
Collaborate closely with Senior Director AMESEA on the fundraising strategy, VP of Global Business Development and Operations, Director of Global Partnerships, and VP of Marketing and Communications to support the overall performance of India fundraising and achievement of annual goals.
Lead and deliver the annual fundraising Gala in partnership with the India Regional Board and the Global Events team
Conceptualize and execute market-specific events focused on donor stewardship, thought leadership, and pipeline generation.
Strategic Partnerships
Develop new philanthropic partnerships with individuals, family businesses and offices, family foundations, corporate CSR leaders, and other strategic funding partners.
Collaborate with Programs, Finance, and senior leadership to develop compelling funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
Negotiate and manage multi-year philanthropic partnerships.
Represent Room to Read at donor meetings, conferences, networking events, and sector forums.
Review and ensure compliance in donor partnerships and contracts with FCRA and CSR regulations.
Portfolio Management & Collaboration
Maintain accurate donor records, pipeline activity, forecasts, and reports using Salesforce.
Monitor fundraising performance across the team and recommend strategies to strengthen resource mobilisation efforts.
Ensure timely stewardship, reporting, and donor communications.
Contribute to annual planning, budgeting, and fundraising strategy.
Collaborate across global and country teams to deliver an exceptional donor experience.
What Success Looks Like
Within your first 12–18 months, you will:
Build one of Room to Read India's strongest portfolios of high-value philanthropists, generating a robust pipeline of transformational giving opportunities from HNIs, UHNWIs, family businesses, family offices, family foundations, and strategic partners.
Serve as the trusted fundraising partner to the CEO and senior leadership, independently leading sophisticated donor engagements and positioning Room to Read for high-value philanthropic investments through exceptional preparation, relationship management, and follow-through.
Drive significant revenue growth by personally cultivating, soliciting, negotiating, and securing major philanthropic commitments that consistently achieve or exceed ambitious annual resource mobilization targets.
Expand Room to Read's influence within India's philanthropic ecosystem, forging enduring relationships with leading philanthropists, business families, corporate leaders, and strategic partners that strengthen the organization's reputation and long-term fundraising capacity.
Qualifications
Required
10+ years of progressive experience in resource mobilisation, major donor fundraising, or strategic philanthropy within the nonprofit or development sector.
Demonstrated success managing relationships with HNIs, UHNWIs, family businesses and offices, family foundations, and other high-value donors, including personally cultivating, soliciting, negotiating, and securing significant philanthropic commitments.
Experience directly supporting or managing relationships with CEOs, Boards, and senior executives, including independently planning and managing executive donor meetings and visits.
Proven track record of developing and executing resource mobilisation strategies that generate sustainable philanthropic income.
Strong experience building relationships with corporate CSR leaders, philanthropists, family businesses and offices, and strategic funding partners.
Exceptional executive presence, communication, influencing, and relationship management skills, with the confidence and credibility to engage CEOs, promoters, philanthropists, Board members, and senior corporate leaders.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple high-value donor relationships while exercising sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.
Experience collaborating across fundraising, programs, finance, and senior leadership to develop compelling funding proposals and partnership strategies.
Experience using Salesforce or another CRM to manage donor portfolios, pipeline forecasting, and reporting.
Bachelor's degree required; postgraduate degree preferred.
Willingness to travel across India and internationally, including accompanying the CEO and Leadership on donor visits and representing the mission as required.
Compensation: Salary will be determined based on relevant experience, qualifications, and internal equity.
Benefits: Room to Read offers a comprehensive benefits package in accordance with local policies, including paid leave, health benefits, and opportunities for professional development.
Child Protection Principles
Room to Read is committed to the education and welfare of children and protecting them from abuse and exploitation
Room to Read has zero tolerance for child abuse and exploitation.
All children have the right to be free from abuse and exploitation, including neglect, maltreatment, and physical, mental or sexual violence, injury or abuse.
All children should be treated with respect and dignity.
The well-being of the child is Room to Read’s first priority when dealing with all identified or suspected cases of child abuse.
Room to Read shall integrate child protection into all its organizational strategies, structures and work practices.
Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Principles
Room to Read Representatives must create and maintain an environment that prevents sexual exploitation and sexual abuse.
Room to Read has zero tolerance for adult sexual exploitation and abuse.
Sexual exploitation and abuse are serious violations of fundamental human rights and will not be accepted or tolerated.
All adults should be treated with respect and dignity.
Room to Read implements a survivor-centered approach, putting the survivor’s rights and dignity at the forefront.
Survivors referred to available professional assistance (e.g. mental health counselling), upon consent.
About Room to Read:
Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children®, Room to Read envisions a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality, where all children have room to read, learn and grow – creating lasting change. Through our Literacy Portfolio, we train and coach teachers of the early grades in literacy instruction; create and publish quality books and curricular materials in local languages; and establish children’s libraries filled with diverse children’s books that can be enjoyed at school and home. Our Gender Equality Portfolio supports adolescents, particularly girls, in developing life skills that promote gender equality, helping them to pursue lifelong learning and make informed decisions.
We support young people of all genders to overcome gender biases and build the knowledge and skills to create a gender-equal world. Room to Read collaborates with local communities, partner organizations, publishers, and governments to test and implement innovative models that can be integrated into the education system to deliver positive outcomes for children at scale. To date, Room to Read has benefited more than 50 million children in 28 countries.
Learn more at www.roomtoread.org.
