About us:
Kiva is a global nonprofit, founded in 2005, with a mission to expand financial access and help underserved communities thrive. Kiva unlocks capital for borrowers through crowdfunded loans supported by individuals around the world. Lenders on Kiva can start with as little as $25 to support causes that matter most to them, whether that’s gender equity and support for women, refugees, climate change, small businesses, agriculture, and more. Since our founding, over two million people have invested over $2 billion in real dreams and real opportunity, spanning more than 100 countries and over 5 million borrowers
As we work toward our mission, Kiva invests in building and retaining a global team of talent to add to our values-driven and digital-first culture. Our organization is supported by over 700 volunteers and 130+ full time employees dispersed around the world, as well as within team hubs located in San Francisco, Nairobi, Bogota, and Bangkok. Kiva’s team is growing as we pursue exciting new opportunities to scale our impact and create a financially inclusive world.
Kiva's values:
Impact first - This is why we exist. This is the drumbeat we march to. Every day.
Extreme ownership - Own it; you, your relationships, your impact. Insist that others support you and hold you accountable.
Be curious and bold - Never stop learning. Question assumptions. Take Risks and dream big.
Inclusion. Equity. Diversity. - Without reservation and without caveat. In our hiring, in our workplace and in our impact in the world.
Honor and integrity - Do the most right thing in the most right way. Cherish diversity and respect each other.
Love and kindness always - Say what you mean. Mean what you say. And don't say it mean. Clarity. Courage. Kindness.
Role overview:
The Senior Strategic Partnerships Manager/Senior Business Development Manager at Kiva is a dual-focused role responsible for driving revenue growth and engagement across impact philanthropy and corporate partnerships, with a total fundraising target of $1,250,000 annually in unrestricted donations, grants, and lending contracts. This role blends high-level business development with hands-on relationship management, serving as a key external representative of Kiva and an internal connector across teams.
At this time, we can only consider applicants with authorization to work in the United States on a permanent, full-time basis; unfortunately we cannot provide visa sponsorship.
Key responsibilities include:
Business development and relationship management – impact philanthropy (60%)
- Develop and maintain relationships with 20-30 individual, foundation, family foundation, and/or philanthropic advisor prospects and partners, with a goal of raising $750k annually in unrestricted donations and new deposits from individuals and foundations
- Build customized engagement plans for higher-potential donors ($50,000+) and lead all outreach, engagement, solicitation, and stewardship for donors in your portfolio
- Develop, plan, and support group engagement opportunities (such as virtual/in-person events, gifts, site visits, customized content, membership groups) for smaller donors in your own portfolio and other Kiva donors/lenders in the Impact Philanthropy audience
- Liaise with finance team to ensure timely and proper recording and acknowledgment of offline gifts
- Help coordinate Kiva-wide end-of-year fundraising efforts to ensure alignment across products and audiences
- Support senior leaders in fundraising among HNWI by conducting prospect research, developing decks, writing emails, and ensuring effective outreach, moves management, and solicitation
- Maintain Salesforce, Google Drive, and Box with accurate relationship development records and information
- Represent Kiva externally with poise and professionalism and exercise the judgment to know when other Kivan knowledge partners are needed
- In partnership with relationship managers, suggest and implement ongoing improvements to automated user journeys to drive engagement, improve conversion, and secure gift upgrades
- Plan and execute visibility opportunities for Kiva leadership, including conference presentations, sponsorships, panels, webinars, and other speaking engagements
Business development and relationship management – corporate (40%)
- Manage a portfolio of ~20 corporate prospects and partners, raising grants, donations, and new lending deposits to meet overall $500k goal for corporate audiences
- Develop pitch decks and concept strategy documents for new partners, including creative ideas to engage their employees, clients/consumers, and other stakeholders through lending on Kiva
- In collaboration with other relationship managers and Kiva’s marketing and communications team, create new stewardship and engagement opportunities for corporate partners, such as virtual/live events, employee volunteer opportunities, custom storytelling/content, councils, etc.
- Manage all external and internal communications as it pertains to your portfolio, memos, grant writing, and ongoing reporting to ensure timeliness and high-quality relationships for Kiva
- Support proposal development and ongoing reporting for other large corporate accounts
- Ensure implementation and adherence to CRM best practices for individuals, donor advised fund accounts, bequests/planned gifts, etc.
Required qualifications:
- 5–7 years of experience in fundraising, business development, or partnerships, with a track record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts, grants, or contracts from HNWIs, foundations, or corporations.
- Demonstrated success in managing donor/partner portfolios and meeting ambitious revenue targets.
- Strong skills in relationship management, including cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and moves management.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to draft compelling proposals, decks, and donor-facing communications.
- Comfort representing an organization externally with senior-level donors, corporate executives, and philanthropic advisors.
- Experience collaborating cross-functionally (finance, marketing, communications, leadership) to deliver exceptional donor/partner experiences.
- High degree of professionalism, judgment, and discretion, especially when working with high-profile individuals and organizations.
- Proficiency with CRM systems (Salesforce preferred), project management tools (Asana preferred), and Google Suite.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex projects and competing priorities.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience succeeding in a fully remote position.
- Background in international development, financial inclusion, or social impact/CSR, with an understanding of donor motivations in these spaces.
- Experience with Salesforce Marketing Cloud.
- Experience designing creative engagement opportunities such as events, thought leadership platforms, and employee or community engagement programs.
- Familiarity with various giving vehicles (DAFs, bequests, QCDs) and corporate giving structures.
- Comfort working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and global nonprofit environment.
- Ability to think both strategically and tactically—balancing big-picture vision with day-to-day execution
What we offer:
- An opportunity to improve real lives, solve hard problems, and change the world
- Friendly, supportive, and adventurous environment with a team of engaged colleagues
- A comprehensive, industry-leading benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, parental leave, professional development, 401k matching, and unlimited PTO. Some of these benefits have eligibility requirements. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by Kiva.
- Opportunities to connect with and learn from colleagues and partners around the world
- Salary range: $83K - $115K; a final offer will be dependent upon a candidate’s location, skills and experience.
- Currently, we are not open to working from home employees residing in the following states: AL, AK, DE, HI, IN, KY, MS, MO, NE, NM, ND, OK, RI, SC, SD, VT, WV, WI, and WY
A diverse and inclusive workplace where we learn from each other is an integral part of Kiva's culture. We actively welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives. We are an equal opportunity employer and a great place to work. Join us and help us achieve our mission!
We will only accept applications directly from candidates. Kiva will not be responsible for any recruiting agency fees, absent a formal agreement.
