Managing Director, Partnerships & Business Accelerator

Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) invites applications for aManaging Director, Partnerships & Business Acceleratorto join our dedicated and talented Finance team in our mission to create business solutions to poverty!

MEDA's work is built on a foundation of Mennonite business roots and faith-based values, within the global context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We believe business solutions are effective interventions to address poverty. Through a market-systems approach and strategic partnerships, MEDA enables access to finance and provides business and technical expertise to build transformative agri-food market systems that create decent jobs, allowing traditionally excluded groups to become active participants in a sustainable economy. MEDA welcomes all who share our values and want to join us in our mission. To find out more about MEDA, please visit our website atwww.meda.org.

Position Summary

The Managing Director, Partnerships and Business Accelerator (PBA) supports MEDA's new business development work globally, reporting to the Senior Vice President (SVP), PBA.

As part of the Partnership and Business Accelerator team, the Managing Directorwill be tasked with building of new partnerships and opportunities, and acquisition of funding contracts for MEDA's programming. He/she will work with the SVP PBA and other Managing Directorto set up and advance needed business development infrastructure, systems and resources.

• Job Status: Full-Time
  
• Location: Remote
  

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

RESPONSIBILITIES

New Partnership Opportunities and Contract Acquisition (65%)

The role holder will work directly on bid leadership, serving as capture lead and proposal manager for complex and multi-country proposals. They will offer technical assistance and manage the teams that are pulled together, including consultants for large bids.

• Lead the implementation of MEDA's PNBD Strategy across the Region achieving revenue targets from new and existing donors through solicited and unsolicited work.
• Establish strong, value-based partnerships with potential co-implementing organizations in targeted markets.
• Initiate and build relationships with representatives of key funding organizations to develop long-term programming in the Region.
• Coordinate the proposal development process, from capture strategy formulation and team coordination to partner engagement, staff recruitment, and document finalization, and after-action evaluations. This role involves both proposal design and writing.
• As proposal lead for large and complex bids including multi-country and global opportunities, will frequently manage and lead substantial project teams of core staff from the organization, consultants, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development of new partnership opportunities for business development (BD), particularly with contractors to major donors, having direct and indirect contributions to the generation of new revenue.
• Ensure successful transition/handoff of new proposal wins to the programs team for implementation.
• Participate in networking and fundraising from institutional donors, including leading or supporting scoping missions and proposal preparation/submission
• Contribute to re-engineering of business development systems for identifying, assessing, and capturing new business opportunities.

Donor Strategy & Relationship (25%)

• The role holder will drive strategies and support various institutional donors. This will involve strengthening the organization's global positioning and capacity to successfully secure large awards and contracts.
• Nurture local partnerships with existing donors (USAID, GAC, Mastercard Foundation, BMGF, etc.) in the region and lead developing and delivering bid strategies for new donors.
• Support the development and execution of a USG business development plan including identification of target markets, training MEDA staff, supporting a USG-specific marketing strategy, building a network of potential partners, and leading specific USAID proposal efforts.
• Monitor industry trends to ensure competitive positioning in the market, with close interface with MEDA's Program leadership.
• Act as the key organizational expert on business development with key donors in the region, providing advice, guidance, and capacity strengthening to others across the organization.

Region Program Partnership Transition (10%) Phase 2 for role; expected to start after 12 months of PNBD work.

• Facilitate the handover of project and partner relationships to the project team.

REQUIREMENTS

Education: A graduate-level degree in a field relevant to the role, such as Business Administration, International Economic Development, Finance, or a related area.

Experience:

• 10-15 years of professional experience in business development, with significant leadership roles.
• Proven track record in business development, including successful negotiation and closure of deals.
• Technical Expertise/experience in 1 or more of MEDA's technical areas - innovative finance and or agribusiness targeting growth-oriented SMEs- with knowledge or willingness to gain competence in other areas for business development purposes
• Extensive experience in leading unsolicited bids, competitive proposal processes, proposal writing, and understanding resources required for competitive bidding.
• Experience in building partnerships and working partnership/consortium models and co-creation of initiatives including leading the design of such complex initiatives at scale in a consortium model.

Additional Qualifications:

• Appreciation, understanding and commitment to MEDA's mission, creating business solutions to poverty
• Demonstrate MEDA's Core Performance Values: Collaboration, Respect, Entrepreneurship and Accountability

• Familiarity with the US market, particularly the Washington/DC area, and experience working with key US donors and markets. USAID experience and connections preferred.
• Fluency in Spanish is preferred.
• Experience in either the Asia region or LATAM, with deep understanding of Latin American, Caribbean, and/or Asian markets, including cultural and business nuances. Experience in both regions is advantageous.
• Experience in winning contracts and achieving significant funding targets.
• Skilled in matrix management.
• Demonstrates adaptability and flexibility in dynamic work environments.
• Exhibits a high tolerance for ambiguity and a willingness to learn from failures.
• Resilient individual with the ability to bounce back from setbacks.
• Entrepreneurial mindset.
  

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, March 15, 2024 at 4:00 pm Eastern Time

MEDA is an equal opportunity employer and accommodations are available during all phases of the recruitment process. We ask that any applicants requiring accommodation make their needs known in advance.