Head of Partnerships & Communications

The Head of Partnerships & Communications role at WWF Kenya provides strategic leadership for all external engagement areas, including corporate engagement, private sector resource mobilization, strategic partnerships, marketing, and communications. This senior leadership position is crucial for driving organizational growth, financial sustainability, and brand coherence.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership for all external engagement areas including corporate engagement, private sector resource mobilization, strategic partnerships, marketing and communications.
• Lead the development and execution of a performance-based resource mobilization plan aligned with organizational strategy and financial targets.
• Ensure internal integration of brand, communications, marketing, donor and stakeholder engagement for coherence and strategic impact.
• Directly engage and influence high-level stakeholders, build and maintain high-level outcomes-focused relationships and support the CEO and board in strategic, impact-driving relationship management in the private and public sectors in Kenya.
• Establish and oversee workplans, Key Performance Indicators, and deliverables for the team, using data and market insights to drive decision-making at all levels and junctures.

Resource Mobilization & Donor Engagement

• Develop a multi-channel fundraising strategy that includes local donors, community-based campaigns, corporate partnerships, trusts & foundations, and earned income streams.
• Achieve defined revenue and sustainability targets by securing funding from corporates, foundations, high-net-worth individuals, and the public.
• Lead local donor cultivation, develop proposals for local donors and support public sector fundraising working closely with the Conservation team, and oversee reporting and relationship management to strengthen and grow donor engagement.
• Broaden the donor base through segmentation and outreach and design CRM-driven strategies for donor retention and upgrade.
• Advice on investments in digital fundraising tools and CRM systems to optimize donor engagement and retention.
• Build financial models with contingency planning and develop and implement an overheads policy to ensure sustainability.

Strategic Partnerships

• Diversify partnerships to include private sector actors, philanthropic foundations and trusts, and build flexible funding models.
• Identify, build, and manage output-driven partnerships with government, corporates, bilateral and multilateral donors, and philanthropic actors.
• Strengthen local engagement and community partnerships, clarifying WWF-Kenya’s unique value proposition for different stakeholders.
• Drive representation of WWF-Kenya in key platforms, donor forums, and policy dialogues in close consultation with the Senior Leadership Team, including the CEO who is the official spokesperson of the organization.

Brand and Marketing

• Support the ongoing design and implementation of a national brand strategy aligned with WWF's global identity and local resonance.
• Oversee development, management, and execution of media campaigns, digital activations, and flagship initiatives to grow public support and brand visibility.
• Lead or support the development of targeted campaigns for different audiences and conduct regular local stakeholder consultations.
• Use data and audience segmentation to engage diverse audiences and advance strategic objectives.

Communications

• Provide the strategic direction of all communication functions, including content planning, media relations, and crisis communications.
• Streamline key messaging for public, donor, partner, and other audiences across platforms.
• Position WWF-Kenya as a thought leader and trustworthy brand in conservation.
• Ensure alignment between internal brand behaviors and external communications.
• Provide leadership on communications for conservation, fundraising, and impact reporting.

Team Leadership and Management

• Inspire and manage a multidisciplinary team through effective performance management, coaching, and talent development.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability across functions and drive organizational values and brand advocacy across all internal stakeholder groups.

Qualifications and Experience

Education and Certifications:

• At least a Master’s degree in Business Administration, Communication, Strategic Management, Marketing, Environmental Management, International Relations, Development Studies, or related field.
• Additional certifications in fundraising and resource mobilization, digital marketing and CRM Systems, brand management and strategic communications, or project management are an added advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years’ progressive experience in resource mobilization, partnerships, brand, and communications; with at least 5 years in senior leadership.
• Demonstrated success in multi-channel fundraising, securing funding from bilateral, multilateral, philanthropic, and corporate sources.
• Proven track record in leading brand campaigns and communication initiatives in the corporate, nonprofit and/or conservation sectors.
• Experience in managing strategic stakeholder relationships at senior levels; own network an added advantage.
• Expertise in digital fundraising and CRM systems.
• Proven ability to lead diverse and high-performance teams.