Help Build the Future of PEAS USA
This is a rare opportunity to help shape the next chapter of PEAS USA (formerly Impact Network). Following the 2025 strategic partnership between PEAS and Impact Network, the U.S. team is entering a new phase under the PEAS name, building on the strengths of two proven organizations with a shared commitment to expanding access to high-quality education across Africa. Together, the combined organization
now supports more than 300,000 students each year across Uganda, Zambia, and Ghana through direct school management, government partnerships, and innovative approaches to improving learning outcomes.

As PEAS USA enters this next chapter, we’re looking to grow a broader community of philanthropic partners who share our belief that every young person deserves access to a quality education. This role will play a central part in building those relationships and helping unlock the next phase of our impact.

We are looking for an Associate Director, Partnerships & Philanthropy to help lead this next phase of growth.

This is a highly relational, hands-on role focused on building and stewarding partnerships across family foundations, donor-advised funds, corporate philanthropy, trust-based philanthropy networks, and other values-aligned funding partners. You will help identify new opportunities, deepen existing relationships, and strengthen PEAS’ position within the wider philanthropic ecosystem. You’ll thrive in this role if you enjoy building from the ground up, opening doors, creating new relationships, and turning promising conversations into long-term partnerships.

Success in this role looks less like operating as a standalone fundraiser and more like becoming a trusted connector, relationship builder, strategist, and collaborator who helps bring new champions into PEAS’ mission.

Role Purpose
This role exists to help diversify and grow PEAS’ philanthropic funding base. Working as part of one integrated global development team, the Associate Director will build on PEAS’ existing fundraising strengths by expanding relationships with family foundations, donor-advised funds, corporate philanthropy, trusts and foundations, and other values-aligned funders.

The Associate Director will identify new opportunities, steward long-term partnerships, and help position PEAS as a leading investment opportunity for funders seeking scalable, evidence-driven approaches to improving educational outcomes across Africa. Success will be measured not only by revenue generated, but by the strength of relationships developed, the expansion of PEAS’ philanthropic community, and the organization’s ability to attract new champions for its mission.

Working closely with colleagues across the US, UK, and Africa, the Associate Director will connect external opportunities with organizational priorities and help ensure strong coordination across fundraising, programs, and leadership.

We are looking for someone who is naturally curious, enjoys solving problems, and is excited by the opportunity to grow alongside a dynamic organization. The strongest candidates will be relationship builders who take initiative, embrace complexity, and are eager to contribute beyond a narrow job description.

In your first two years, you will build and manage a growing portfolio of U.S. philanthropic partners while helping expand PEAS’ fundraising presence in the United States. This is an opportunity to play a central role in shaping PEAS’ philanthropic community and supporting the organization’s next phase of growth.

Why Now
PEAS has built a strong reputation among institutional funders and education partners through a track record of evidence, impact, and sustainable growth. Over the years, the team has developed a strong base of supporters, particularly across the UK and Europe, which continues to play a critical role in funding the organization’s work.

Following the partnership of PEAS and Impact Network, the organization sees a significant opportunity to build on an existing base of supporters in the United States while expanding relationships with family foundations, donor-advised funds, corporate philanthropy, and other values-aligned funders. As the philanthropic landscape continues to evolve, there is growing interest in organizations like PEAS that can demonstrate both impact and a clear pathway to scale.

This role has been created to help PEAS strengthen its presence in the U.S. market by stewarding existing relationships, identifying new opportunities, and expanding the organization’s visibility across key philanthropic networks. Working closely with colleagues across the broader partnerships team, the Associate Director will help connect PEAS’ mission and evidence base with new funders and champions who can support the next phase of growth.

Responsibilities of the Role
Relationship Building & Fundraising
● Develop and manage a portfolio of current and prospective funders, building relationships from initial engagement through long-term partnership and renewal.
● Identify, cultivate, and secure new funding opportunities, with a particular focus on expanding PEAS’ presence within the U.S. philanthropic landscape.
● Develop tailored cultivation, stewardship, and engagement strategies that ensure PEAS’ positioning, communications, and donor experiences resonate with U.S.-based funders and prospects.
● Partner on the planning and delivery of donor cultivation events, learning experiences, and other strategic engagement opportunities.
● Represent PEAS at conferences, donor meetings, events, and sector
gatherings.
● Partner with senior leadership and colleagues across the organization on donor strategy, cultivation plans, and relationship management.

Pipeline Management & Donor Stewardship
● Maintain ownership of a portfolio of fundraising opportunities from
identification through cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and renewal, ensuring strong follow-through and clear next steps at every stage of the donor journey.
● Meaningfully contribute to annual fundraising goals by advancing opportunities through the pipeline and helping convert relationships into long-term funding partnerships.

● Coordinate donor outreach, meeting preparation, follow-up, stewardship activities, and relationship management.
● Draft and coordinate donor communications, meeting materials, cultivation plans, and other fundraising assets, partnering with colleagues as needed while maintaining ownership of deliverables.
● Work closely with global colleagues who provide support on prospect
research, CRM management, proposal development, reporting, and donor communications.
● Track fundraising progress, key relationship milestones, and next steps across a portfolio of opportunities, maintaining strong pipeline discipline and accountability.

Strategy, Collaboration & Team Leadership
● Serve as a core member of the global development team, contributing to fundraising strategy, organizational positioning, and growth planning.
● Work closely with colleagues across the UK and Africa to align fundraising priorities, coordinate relationship management, and share insights from the philanthropic landscape.
● Help strengthen fundraising systems, processes, and ways of working across the team.
● Bring a flexible, solutions-oriented approach, stepping into new projects and priorities as organizational needs evolve.
● Identify opportunities to improve fundraising effectiveness, strengthen donor engagement, and expand PEAS’ visibility within philanthropic communities.

Who We Are Looking For
What You Bring
● 6–10 years of experience in fundraising, partnerships, philanthropy, business development, or related relationship-focused roles.
● Strong understanding of the U.S. philanthropic landscape and a demonstrated ability to build relationships across family foundations, donor-advised funds, corporate philanthropy, and other values-aligned funding partners.
● A track record of identifying opportunities, building relationships, and converting them into meaningful partnerships, funding, or other forms of support.
● Experience managing fundraising opportunities from prospect identification through stewardship and renewal, with strong attention to follow-through, relationship management, and pipeline discipline.
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to tailor messages, materials, and engagement strategies to different audiences.
● Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and consistently deliver high-quality work.
● An entrepreneurial mindset. You are energized by the opportunity to build something new, bringing fresh ideas, testing new approaches, and driving successful initiatives from concept to execution.
● A hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves approach. You are as comfortable
developing strategy and cultivating relationships as you are drafting follow-up emails, preparing meeting materials, updating pipelines, or coordinating next steps.

● Strong problem-solving instincts, sound judgment, and comfort navigating ambiguity in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment. You enjoy figuring out what needs to happen and then making it happen, and you thrive in a culture where everyone pitches in, takes ownership, and contributes beyond their formal role when needed.
● Genuine enthusiasm for PEAS’ mission and expanding educational
opportunities across Africa.

Nice to Have

● Experience working in international development, education, or other mission-driven organizations.

● Experience working across multiple countries, cultures, or time zones within a globally distributed team.
● Familiarity with CRM systems, fundraising operations, and donor stewardship processes.

● Experience supporting donor visits, learning journeys, events, or other high- touch engagement opportunities.

Contract
Full-time

Location
Flexible. Candidates must be able to maintain a minimum of 4-5 hours of overlap with UK and East Africa working hours to support collaboration across the global partnerships team. Preference will be given to candidates based in the New York City area, where PEAS maintains an office and operates a hybrid work environment. The
role requires periodic domestic travel for donor meetings, conferences, and events, along with occasional international travel to visit PEAS’ programs in Africa.

Compensation and Benefits
$80,000 – $125,000 depending on experience and location
Salary is competitive and will be determined based on experience and location. We benchmark compensation to local markets to ensure fair and equitable pay across our global team.

Apply here https://forms.gle/YUr5By9VD6yF9WAu9