Business Development & Partnerships Manager
Full Time | Toronto or Ottawa, Canada
Position Details
- Location: Toronto or Ottawa, Canada (hybrid)
- Contract Type: Full-time, one year fixed-term (renewable)
- Compensation: $100,000 CAD + benefits ($90k base + $10k annual performance incentive)
- Start Date: August or September 2025
How To Apply
Application Deadline:
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received, so we encourage early submissions. No phone calls or emails about the position can be accepted. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Background
Youth Challenge International (YCI) is accelerating youth innovation for good. Together with young leaders and innovators, we are creating a better future where people, planet and profit can thrive. We are going all in on the bold ideas, skills and ventures that will get us there. In over 30 countries, YCI has teamed up with young people and partner organizations to transform complex challenges into sustainable solutions; collectively, we learn fast, fail smart and turn insights into action. We believe that a better world can – and will – be built by the next generation.
YCI has a proven track record of successful programs, strong partnerships and a deep commitment to youth economic empowerment. With a solid foundation in Canada and Sub-Saharan Africa, YCI has built strong youth leadership and innovation ecosystems in collaboration with governments, funders and local partners.
As YCI expands its footprint and launches new initiatives across Canada and internationally, the organization is seeking a Business Development & Partnerships Manager to drive strategic growth, diversify revenue streams and strengthen high-impact collaborations.
Purpose of the Role
Reporting to the CEO, this position will lead YCI’s institutional business development and partnership building. This role is critical to identifying opportunities, designing fundable initiatives and mobilizing strategic relationships with donors, corporates, foundations and multilateral organizations.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Business Development
- Design and lead the implementation of YCI’s global business development strategy to achieve ambitious growth targets aligned with the organization’s mission and long-term vision.
- Stay up to date on the landscape for new funding and collaboration opportunities across bilateral, multilateral, philanthropic, corporate and impact investment sectors.
- Leverage insights from market trends, donor priorities and youth-focused sectors to shape innovative funding models and cross-sectoral initiatives.
- Lead the development of business cases and concept notes for new programs that align with YCI’s core pillars: youth innovation, climate action, gender equality and inclusive economic development.
Donor Engagement & Proposal Leadership
- Proactively build and maintain relationships with current and prospective funders to position YCI as a partner of choice for youth-centered solutions.
- Lead high-quality proposal development processes from concept through submission, including narrative writing, logic frameworks and cost proposals.
- Coordinate internal proposal support teams and manage external collaborators to strengthen competitive submissions.
- Develop proposal templates, knowledge repositories and proposal review processes to increase efficiency and organizational memory.
Partnership Cultivation & Stewardship
- Forge strategic partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including private sector, foundations, social enterprises, peer organizations and academic institutions to co-create high-impact initiatives and joint ventures.
- Structure and support senior leadership with negotiation of partnership agreements, including memoranda of understanding, revenue-sharing models and co-funding arrangements.
- Maintain an active partnership engagement calendar and develop tailored relationship cultivation plans.
- Represent YCI in national and international forums, funder meetings and collaborative platforms.
Organizational Leadership & Cross-Functional Integration
- Serve as a key advisor on business development strategy, growth pathways and partnership viability.
- Lead business development planning processes in coordination with YCI’s global strategy.
- Coordinate business development activities with staff and interns.
- Drive internal collaboration to ensure alignment with YCI’s brand, values and results-based approach.
Innovation & Portfolio Diversification
- Identify and incubate new lines of business, including fee-for-service offerings, social enterprise models and innovation funding platforms.
- Support adaptive programming and agile proposal design.
- Champion risk-informed decision-making in assessing new funding and partnership opportunities.
Expected Deliverables
- Annual business development strategy and partnership engagement plan.
- Quarterly pipeline reports and donor engagement summaries.
- Submission of high-quality funding proposals.
- Signed partnership agreements with new or renewed funders.
- Strategic input into new program concepts and organizational innovation.
Skills & Experience
Education
- Post graduate degree in International Development, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Public Policy, Social Innovation or a related field.
Professional Experience
- Minimum 8–10 years of progressively senior experience in business development or partnerships in the international development, non-profit or social enterprise sectors.
- Proven success leading funding acquisition with bilateral and multilateral donors and philanthropic foundations.
- Experience managing complex, multi-country or multi-partner proposals.
- Knowledge of youth livelihoods, gender equality, innovation and climate action.
Skills and Competencies
- Excellent written communication and proposal development skills.
- Strong relationship-building and donor engagement capabilities.
- Knowledge of partnership structures and funding mechanisms.
- Financial literacy and experience developing proposal budgets.
- Familiarity with CRM systems and business development tracking tools.
Values & Perspective
- Passion for YCI’s mission and commitment to equity, sustainability and systems change.
- Demonstrated alignment with youth-centered and inclusive development practices.
Protection Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Policy
Youth Challenge International (YCI) commits to a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and considers any such acts a gross misconduct and grounds for dismissal. YCI recognizes the unequal power dynamics inherent in international development work and our responsibility to protect the human rights of the communities we serve and provide an environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse.
Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) is everyone’s responsibility, and all employees are required to sign and adhere to the PSEA Policy and Code of Conduct, at all times. All employees must ensure that they understand and act in accordance with this clause.
How to Apply
Application Deadline: Sunday July 13, 2025
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received, so we encourage early submissions. No phone calls or emails about the position can be accepted. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Application Submission: Click the button below to start your application
YCI encourages applications from all backgrounds. To achieve our goals, we rely on the unique experiences and viewpoints of our staff, volunteers and partners. We understand that diverse perspectives are required for an inclusive culture to thrive - a culture that is respectful and welcoming to all. We are committed to creating a place of inclusion for employees, candidates, volunteers, partners and participants of all backgrounds, ages, religions, races, gender identities, physical abilities and sexual orientations.
YCI uses a people-focused approach to evaluating applicants. We do not utilize artificial intelligence during the recruitment process.
