Job title: Director of Strategic Partnerships
Department: Development        
Responsible to: Executive Director, working closely with the Director of Development
Location: This role is based in the USA - remote working with occasional international travel
Working pattern: Full-time, 38.5 hours per week
Duration of contract: Permanent 
Start date: As soon as possible

Are you a hands-on fundraising leader with a proven track record in securing major gifts and cultivating high-value donor relationships? 

We are seeking a visionary Director of Strategic Partnerships to join our mission-driven charity, advancing global education through a network of schools and colleges. Based primarily in the USA, you will lead on private and institutional giving, with a particular focus on growing the UWC Endowment and driving strategic, donor-centric engagement. Your ability to build inclusive philanthropic networks, foster long-term donor relationships, and lead high-level giving strategies will be instrumental in shaping the future of our movement.

This is a rare opportunity to join a global organisation at a pivotal time of growth and transformation. You will work at the highest levels of philanthropy, bringing operational rigour and thought leadership to our Development team. As a senior ambassador for our mission, you will work closely with our executive team, schools leadership team, and international partners to inspire transformational support. If you are a collaborative, entrepreneurial fundraiser who thrives on impact, values-driven work, and global engagement, we would love to hear from you.

About us

Changing the world takes passion and dedication

UWC is a global movement of 18 schools across four continents with a shared mission: to make education a force for peace and a sustainable future. Each year, we bring together young people from over 150 countries and diverse backgrounds to live and learn together in richly diverse, international settings – developing not only academic excellence, but cross-cultural understanding and a drive for social impact. UWC students don’t just prepare for exams, they prepare to lead change. Through real-world challenges, they build the skills, compassion and courage to make a difference. 
 

Our students go on to become leaders in politics, NGOs, business, education and grassroots movements – people shaping a more just and sustainable world. Today, our global network includes more than 85,000 changemakers united by the values they lived at UWC. 

About UWC International 

UWC International is the operational arm of UWC, a UK-registered and Germany-registered charity at the heart of the global UWC movement. Based in London and Berlin, our team works closely with stakeholders across the UWC network and supports a global alumni community of over 85,000 changemakers.

Our work includes global fundraising, communications, promotion and support for the network of more than 150 UWC national committees. We also lead on global strategy and provide key services to UWC schools and colleges.

We are proud to reflect the diversity we champion. Our international team represents over 25 nationalities, bringing a wide range of perspectives and lived experiences. We are committed to anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion (ARDEI) across all aspects of our work – ensuring our organisational culture reflects the values we promote across the UWC movement.

What we offer

As part of a commitment to our employees, we offer the following:

UWC International London, Berlin and other strategic remote locations

• Hybrid working -  we operate hybrid working arrangements, with at least 20% of the week worked in the office and up to 80% worked from home. 
• Flexible working hours - our standard working hours are 38.5 per week. We support flexible working and are happy to discuss different working patterns.
• Generous annual leave allowance – we offer 28 days holiday per year plus 8 public holidays (pro rata for part-time or fixed-term contracts).
• Paid leave for personal growth - up to 2 days per year for volunteering or up to 2 days per year for study leave. 
• Learning & development opportunities – we have access to various learning and development platforms to support your professional growth.

Visa requirements

Anyone who applies to work at UWC International in London, Berlin or USA must have a work visa before starting employment, in compliance with the relevant immigration rules. Candidates should state which UWC International office location they would like to work from in their application. Please provide confirmation of your eligibility to indefinitely work or reside in the UK, Germany or USA in your application. Any offers of employment made by UWC International will be subject to a right-to-work check on your immigration status.

Application Process

Do you want to be part of our team? To apply, please submit an up to date copy of your CV along with a cover letter in English (each a maximum of 2 pages) to vacancies@uwcio.uwc.org. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, if you are interested submit your application as soon as possible. 

Your cover letter must:

• Outline your experience, skills and competencies against the Person specification section in the attached Job Description.
• Explain why you want to join UWC International.
• Provide confirmation of your eligibility to work or reside in the USA.
• Provide the name and contact details of two professional referees, including their job title, email address and the capacity in which you are known to them. References are taken up prior to the second round interviews.  We will not contact your referees without first letting you know.

Please note that CVs received without a cover letter, including the information requested above will not be considered. 

Deadline for application: 11.59 AM (UK time) on Sunday 22 June 2025

Interview and/or assessment dates:     

• First round interviews on the week beginning 23 June 2025
• Second round interviews  (date and time to be confirmed)

For further information on this opportunity, please see the detailed job description attached.

Safeguarding Statement

The job holder might have to travel to UWC schools and colleges. Therefore, a Basic DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service) or international equivalent will be required before any job offer is made. We will also take up references before the second stage of the interview process. Referees will not be contacted without your consent.

Diversity Statement

UWC places deliberate diversity at the heart of our educational model because of its critical importance in our mission ‘to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future’.

At the UWC International Office, we believe this commitment to deliberate diversity must be reflected within our team, organisational practices, policies and culture. We recognise people with different backgrounds, skills, attitudes and experiences bring fresh ideas and perceptions, and we encourage and leverage these differences to make our work more relevant and accessible.

We will not discriminate or tolerate discriminatory behaviour on any grounds such as, but not limited to, race, gender, disability, nationality, national or ethnic origin, religion or belief, marital/partnership or family status, sexual orientation, age or socioeconomic background. 

We strive to be an inclusive workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging, has a voice, can raise concerns, and feels comfortable and confident. We expect everyone who works with us to share this commitment and to act accordingly as we aspire best to serve the UWC mission and our global community. It is an ongoing journey and we welcome all those ready to travel with us.