Job Description: Manager / Sr. Manager – Partnerships

About the Role

The Manager – Partnership will:

• Influence and engage a wide range of donors, build long-term relationships, and execute short-term, medium-term, and long-term fundraising strategies through partnerships with HNIs, Corporates, and Small business donors that will directly contribute to the strategic goals of MDRF, SRDSC, and DIRECT.
• Develop new ways to harness the strengths and collective impact of the work of the scientists and care givers, finding new ways of working in partnership with donors to raise unrestricted funds, grants, and CSR support from Major Donors and Philanthropic institutions.

Objective Result Areas

• Conduct research to identify and pursue opportunities to establish partnerships with private and public sector CSR initiatives.
• Cold-call and network to proactively identify high-potential partners and grants opportunities, including representing MDRF/DIRECT/SRDSC at conferences, seminars, and events.
• Grow and manage a network of CSR partners and consistently develop partnerships.
• Meet and surpass monthly, quarterly, and annual targets by winning new and renewal partnership agreements.
• Faithfully and accurately record all revenue/grants activity calls, conversations, meetings, WhatsApp and SMS texts, and other messages into an Excel sheet that can become a donor management tool.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive major gift fundraising plan, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Build and manage relationships with major donors, ensuring that they are engaged and informed about the organization’s work.
• Work closely with senior staff and other stakeholders to advance the major gifts program.
• Analyze data and make informed decisions about fundraising strategies, tracking progress and reporting on results.
• Meet a minimum of 10 Major CSR, Donors & Foundations in the first 90 days.
• Provide corporate partners with timely and accurate information about project progress; proactively report to the President on challenges and recommend solutions.
• Build and maintain a comprehensive communication portfolio comprising, among others, an up-to-date website, digital versions of brochures/annual reports/newsletters, and video representation of the work of MDRF/SRDSC/DIRECT.
• Collect positive feedback and testimonials from satisfied donors / prospective donors.

Attributes and Skills

• A top performer in a high-growth environment, with a sense of drive and satisfaction.
• Self-motivated and strategic in approach to meet objectives.
• Enjoys meeting new people and deepening existing relationships consistently.
• Adept at the concept of revenue/grants and has a knack for painting a picture with words, getting prospects and donors excited about the potential of partnerships.
• Possesses the maturity, confidence, and communication skills to build rapport with C-level executives and top leaders.
• A genuine commitment to the mission and values of the organization and a desire to make a positive impact.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in sales and marketing, business, science, and/or related field (preferred, not essential).
• 5 to 10 years of professional experience in business development, relationship management, and/or fundraising.
• Strong concept selling skills, especially in the business-to-business (B2B) environment.
• Exceptional customer service skills in addressing client questions promptly, managing client expectations, and resolving complaints.
• Excellent communication skills in English, including strong presentation, proposal writing, and negotiation skills.
• Must meet the highest standards of ethics and personal integrity.
• Willingness to be on the field and meet with prospects and partners on a daily basis.

ICMR Project Research Scientist – I (Non-Medical)

Study Title

Achieving Regression of Elevated 1-Hour Plasma Glucose to Prevent
Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes in India: The PREVENT Trial

Investigators

Principal Investigator:
Dr. Sathish Thirunavukkarasu – MDRF

Position Overview

• Number of Posts: 1
• Project Duration: 4 years (01/10/2026 – 30/09/2030)
• Job Title: Project Manager
• Location: Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF), Chennai
• Job Type: Full-time, project-based
• Reporting To: Principal Investigator, Dr. Sathish Thirunavukkarasu
• PhD Opportunity: Possibility of pursuing a PhD as part of the project

Position Description

The Project Manager will play a central role in coordinating and overseeing the implementation of the PREVENT Trial across all three participating sites.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Principal Investigator and the multidisciplinary study team to ensure the smooth and timely delivery of trial activities, including participant recruitment, retention, and follow-up, staff coordination, data management, quality assurance, site coordination, reporting, and study dissemination.

This position offers an excellent opportunity to gain comprehensive experience in multicentre RCTs, diabetes prevention research, project management, clinical research, data management, and implementation science.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Postgraduate degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Clinical Research, Health Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 2 years of post-qualification experience in research and/or project-related activities.
• Strong proficiency in English and Tamil; proficiency in Hindi is preferred.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, and coordination skills.
• Willingness to travel to the study sites in Bangalore and Goa, as required.

Desirable Experience

• Experience in diabetes or other non-communicable disease research.
• Experience in conducting or coordinating RCTs.
• Experience working with multicentre or multidisciplinary research teams.

What This Opportunity Offers

The Project Manager will have the opportunity to:

• Work on a nationally funded, multicentre randomized controlled trial.
• Gain hands-on experience in the design, implementation, and management of a large-scale clinical research project.
• Work with leading institutions and multidisciplinary research teams.
• Develop expertise in diabetes prevention, lifestyle interventions, clinical trials, data management, and implementation research.
• Contribute to scientific publications, conference presentations, and dissemination of trial findings.
• Potentially pursue a PhD as part of the project, subject to eligibility and institutional requirements.

How to Apply

Interested candidates who meet the requisite qualifications and
experience may submit their CV by email to:

sasikala@drmohans.com
drsathish@mdrf.in

Last Date to Apply: 17 October 2026

Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview.