Market Development - Foundations
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. Roles & Responsibilities 1. Strategic Foundation Engagement & Portfolio Stewardship • 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 2. Capital Mobilisation & Sustainable Revenue Growth • 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 3. Market Development & Ecosystem Intelligence • 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 4. Representation & Influence • 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 Skills & Qualities Essential • 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 Desirable • Familiarity with impact investing, catalytic capital, or blended finance • Experience within a membership-based network or platform • Exposure to EU policy or multilateral environments What we offer • 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 impa