Job ID: 287722

Senior Fundraising & Strategic Partnerships Lead

Watershed Organization Trust (WOTR)

Location: Pune, Maharashtra

Apply by: 31 Mar 2026

Relevant Sectors

Administration, HR, Management, Accounting/Finance

Fundraising, Business Development, Grants Writer

Job Title: Senior Fundraising & Strategic Partnerships Lead

Location: Pune, Maharashtra

Organization: Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR)

Reporting to: Senior Leadership/ Executive Director

About WOTR

WOTR is a nationally and internationally recognized organization working on landscape and ecosystem restoration, water management, nature-aligned agriculture, sustainable livelihoods, climate resilience, health, sanitation, nutrition and institutional development. It undertakes on-ground project implementation, transdisciplinary applied research and training and capacity building. We partner with communities, institutions, corporates, and philanthropies to drive large-scale, measurable impact. Do look up: www.wotr.org

Position Overview

WOTR is seeking an experienced and dynamic Senior Fundraising & Strategic Partnerships Lead to spearhead institutional and philanthropic fundraising efforts in India and internationally.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 8 years of proven fundraising experience, strong access to foundations (Indian and international), corporates (private and public sector), international donors, family offices and HNI philanthropists. A demonstrated track record of raising substantial funds from these donor segments is an essential requirement.

This role requires strategic thinking, relationship-building excellence, strong presentation and marketing skills, and the ability to work cross-functionally to design and execute a comprehensive fundraising and donor engagement strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Fundraising Leadership

Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with WOTR’s mission and growth plans that includes building a robust and diversified donor pipeline.
Identify, reach out to and secure funding from various donors as indicated above.

Donor Relationship Management & Retention

Leverage existing networks and access to high-value donors to generate funding opportunities.
Drive long-term donor engagement and retention strategies.
Represent WOTR at donor forums, conferences, CSR platforms, and philanthropic networks.
Ensure high-quality stewardship, reporting, and impact communication.

Partnership Development

Build and maintain strategic partnerships with institutional and philanthropic stakeholders.
Lead negotiations and closure of funding agreements.
Identify co-creation opportunities with partners for multi-year engagements.

AI-Enabled Lead Generation & Conversion

Use AI tools and data-driven approaches to identify potential donors and funding trends, generate and qualify leads, optimize outreach strategies and improve donor conversion rates
Maintain and enhance CRM systems for effective relationship management.

Cross-Functional Collaboration, Marketing & Representation

Collaborate with Program and Research teams to develop compelling proposals and concept notes aligned with donor priorities.
Work with Communications to craft impactful messaging and produce high-quality fundraising collateral (pitch decks, case studies, impact reports, digital content).
Confidently present WOTR’s vision, impact, and strategy to senior decision-makers.
Position WOTR as a trusted, credible and innovative development partner.
Travel to meet donors and partners and attend key industry forums and philanthropic events.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Minimum 8 years of experience in fundraising, business development and strategic partnerships within the development, CSR, or philanthropy ecosystem.
Proven track record of raising significant funds from various donors .
Demonstrated access to and strong networks within the philanthropy, donor and CSR ecosystem (India and globally).
Strong presentation, storytelling, and marketing skills.
Experience representing organizations in high-level donor forums.
Ability to develop and execute multi-year fundraising strategies.
Familiarity with AI tools for lead generation, donor intelligence and CRM optimization.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.
Willingness to travel extensively

Desired Attributes

Strategic thinker with entrepreneurial mindset and strong negotiation and closing skills
Results-driven with measurable fundraising outcomes
Deep commitment to sustainable development and climate resilience

Send your application to careers@wotr.org.in with the subject line"Senior Fundraising & Strategic Partnerships Lead, Pune"and fill the Form:https://forms.gle/tkrcwZsxpHtVEEgX8