Senior Investor Engagement & Growth Specialist Johannesburg, South Africa | Posted on 04/12/2026 SmartStart is a successful national network of NGOs and partners that is realising quality, affordable early learning for all children aged three to five. We are achieving this by scaling a network of and building a platform for providers, achieving specific ecosystem transformations with governments and partners, and promoting early learning as a priority societal cause. Job Description Pipeline Development & Opportunity Leadership Own and drive the development, prioritisation and progression of the funding pipeline in line with organisational strategy Identify, assess and advance funding opportunities based on strategic fit, value and likelihood of success Lead the progression of opportunities through targeted and strategic donor engagement Track and analyse pipeline performance, using insights to refine prioritisation and improve conversion Strategic Donor Engagement & Growth Engage strategically with funders to deepen relationships and position SmartStart for future funding opportunities Identify and drive opportunities to expand, extend and grow existing donor partnerships Lead donor interactions that advance relationships, unlock opportunities and strengthen long-term partnerships Define and drive donor engagement approaches and journeys aligned to growth objectives Proposal & Opportunity Development Drive the development of funding opportunities and shape proposal content, structure and key inputs Guide internal teams on proposal direction, framing and required inputs to ensure high-quality submissions Contribute to proposal positioning and strategic framing, aligned to organisational strategy and donor priorities Interpret donor and market intelligence to inform pipeline prioritisation and engagement strategies Identify, develop and manage strategic partnerships with prospective funders and collaborators Lead the scoping and development of funding opportunities for new initiatives Translate insights and organisational priorities into actionable funding opportunities Internal Coordination & Team Leadership Define required inputs, guide content direction, and align stakeholders for proposals and funding opportunities in collaboration with the Investor Portfolio & Grant Management Lead Coordinate across teams to ensure timely and high-quality development of funding opportunities Line manage and guide the Development Research Intern, ensuring research outputs effectively support pipeline development and donor engagement Requirements Qualifications & Experience Significant experience (6–10 years ) in institutional fundraising, business development, or a related field. Demonstrate experience in securing and managing significant funding (typically exceeding R1m annually per funder) from institutional or strategic funders, including high‑value grants and partnerships Experience raising unrestricted or flexible funding from high-value institutional or strategic funders is strongly preferred. Demonstrate experience in managing funding pipelines, including progressing opportunities through defined stages and designing and implementing donor engagement journeys Experience coordinating complex processes across multiple stakeholders and functions Specific Knowledge & Skills Ability to assess, shape, and advance funding opportunities. Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to interpret opportunities and position effectively with funders. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including proposal development and donor engagement. Ability to manage multiple opportunities, priorities, and timelines simultaneously. #J-18808-Ljbffr