Market Development - Foundations

Impact Europe

About The Position

Starting in September in a part-time role (60-80%), we are seeking a strategic and purpose-driven Market Development Lead – Foundations to steward and grow our foundation community, deepen capital alignment, and contribute to the organisation’s long-term impact and sustainability. Operating at the intersection of relationships, strategy, and market development, you will engage leading foundations and philanthropic capital owners—positioning Impact Europe as a trusted platform for peer exchange, collaboration, and catalytic capital mobilisation. You will be accountable for the strength, growth, and long-term value of your member portfolio, contributing directly to membership growth and partnership revenue. This role is one of three Market Development Leads working across complementary capital segments. Together, the team is responsible for advancing Impact Europe’s market relevance, growth trajectory, and financial sustainability. This is a unique opportunity to operate at the forefront of catalytic grant making and impact investing in Europe—shaping how capital is deployed, influencing sector-wide collaboration, and contributing to solutions for some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

Requirements

Minimum 7 years’ experience within foundations, philanthropy, or social investment
Strong understanding of the impact capital ecosystem, including key actors, trends and dynamics
Strong understanding of foundation strategy, governance, and capital deployment models
Demonstrated experience managing a stakeholder portfolio with growth or revenue accountability
Proven track record of engaging and influencing senior leaders
Experience contributing to membership growth, partnerships, or resource mobilisation
Commercial awareness combined with mission-driven orientation
Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
Fluency in English

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with impact investing, catalytic capital, or blended finance
Experience within a membership-based network or platform
Exposure to EU policy or multilateral environments

Responsibilities

Lead the engagement, retention and growth of Impact Europe’s portfolio of foundations and deployers of philanthropic capital
Develop and manage a robust pipeline of prospective foundation members and partners
Build trusted, long-term relationships with foundation CEOs, programme directors, and investment leads
Design tailored engagement strategies aligned to member capital deployment and impact ambitions
Track engagement metrics and portfolio performance to ensure sustained value and renewal
Ensure foundation perspectives inform programme development, policy priorities, and field-building initiatives
Expand participation of philanthropic capital owners within the network
Identify and cultivate partnership, sponsorship, and co-funding opportunities aligned with shared priorities
Contribute to delivering agreed growth and revenue objectives across membership and partnerships
Translate ecosystem demand into initiatives that attract and retain philanthropic capital
Monitor trends in philanthropy, catalytic capital, impact investing, blended finance, and governance innovation
Identify opportunities to position Impact Europe as a strategic thought partner to foundations
Shape convenings and working groups that respond to market needs and generate sustained engagement
Contribute to long-term strategic planning and segment growth targets
Represent Impact Europe at foundation forums, ecosystem events , and sector convenings
Build senior-level visibility and credibility within the philanthropic ecosystem
Contribute to insights and publications advancing capital mobilisation practice
Strengthen collaboration with adjacent networks and institutional partners

Benefits

A part-time role (60-80%) starting in September
Influence how Europe’s leading foundations deploy capital for systemic change.
Help shape the evolution of philanthropic strategy at scale.
Operate at the centre of Europe’s impact capital ecosystem, engaging directly with CEOs, investment leaders, and policy actors.
Design and steward market-shaping initiatives that unlock catalytic, blended, and collaborative capital approaches.
Own and grow a high-value portfolio within a network that is redefining how capital serves people and planet.
Build credibility and visibility as a sector leader, contributing to thought leadership, convenings, and field-building efforts.
Be part of an organisation with clear growth ambition, combining mission integrity with financial discipline.
Join a high-trust, entrepreneurial team working at the forefront of Europe’s impact ecosystem

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