Manager/Deputy Manager (Fundraising) - Development Team

Job Description

Job Title: Deputy Manager/Manager (Fundraising), Development Team

Reports to: Senior Director, Development Team

Location: Okhla, New Delhi

Experience (in years): 4-8 years

Nature of work: Full - Time

About Ashoka University: https://www.ashoka.edu.in/

About the Development Team:

The Development team works directly with Ashoka leadership, including Ashish Dhawan, Founding Chairman of the Board of Trustees, to raise philanthropic funds for the University. Funds are raised by engaging high net high-net-worth individuals and organisations in India and overseas.

Role Overview

The Manager/Deputy Manager will be a pivotal member of the Development team, responsible for driving the momentum of our fundraising efforts. This role sits at the intersection of strategic outreach, high-stakes relationship management, and operational excellence. You will work closely with the Relationship Manager (RM) and University Leadership to identify, engage, and steward a pipeline of high-net-worth individuals (HNIs), Ultra-HNIs, and corporate donors to support the university's growth and vision.

Key Role and Responsibilities:

Prospecting & Pipeline Management

• Strategic Research: Conduct deep-dive research on corporate CSR trends, UHNIs, and HNIs to identify alignment with the university's mission.
• Active Monitoring: Stay ahead of the curve by monitoring financial dailies (e.g., Economic Times, Mint), LinkedIn updates, and India's Rich/Philanthropy Lists (Hurun, Forbes) to identify emerging prospects.
• Pipeline Growth: Collaborate with the RM to build and nurture a robust prospect pipeline in Indian markets, moving leads from identification to deal closure.
• Data Stewardship: Manage and update the CRM (Salesforce) diligently, ensuring data integrity and generating MIS reports for leadership review.

Proposals & Collateral Development

• Proposals/Presentations: Design high-impact PowerPoint presentations and Word-based proposals tailored to the specific interests of target donors.
• Internal Liaison: Act as a bridge between the development office and on-campus academic/administrative teams to gather data, impact stories and project details.
• Closing Documentation: Draft and manage critical documents including Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), Pledge Letters and Grant Agreements.

Donor Relations & Impact Reporting

• Stewardship: Lead the donor reporting process, providing proactive updates on scholarships, project progress & impact and lead impact assessments for CSR contributors
• Engagement Tracking: Maintain a central repository of donor contact details and engagement
• Campus Experience: Plan and execute bespoke campus visits for prospective and existing donors to showcase university life and infrastructure.

Events & Outreach

• Event Curating: Plan and execute high-level fundraising events (dinners, roundtables, and galas) involving University Leadership and Ashoka founders.
• Event Management: Curate exclusive guest lists and manage end-to-end event logistics, including invites and venue coordination with the Ashoka communications team.

Qualifications and Skills required:

• Technical: Advanced proficiency in MS Office (PowerPoint & Excel) and Salesforce CRM.
• Communication: Exceptional written and spoken English; ability to draft boardroom-ready documents.
• Mindset: Critical thinker with an analytical lens; Ability to connect donor interests with university needs.
• Organization: Strong process orientation; ability to juggle multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Interests: A keen interest in Economics, Current Affairs and the Indian Higher Education landscape.