Manager, Community Partnerships

Job Posting Organization:
The Wikimedia Foundation is a nonprofit organization that operates Wikipedia and other Wikimedia free knowledge projects. Established with the vision of a world where every individual can freely share in the sum of all knowledge, the Foundation believes in the potential of every person to contribute to shared knowledge and the necessity of free access to that knowledge. The organization hosts Wikipedia and various Wikimedia projects, develops software for reading and contributing to Wikimedia content, supports volunteer communities and partners, and advocates for policies that promote free knowledge. As a charitable organization, it relies on donations from millions of individuals globally, with an average donation of about $15, alongside institutional grants. The Wikimedia Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization based in San Francisco, California, USA, and operates with a diverse workforce across 40+ countries, emphasizing inclusivity and equity in its hiring practices.

Job Overview:
The Manager, Community Partnerships plays a crucial role within the Community Investment and Partnerships management team, providing leadership and strategic oversight for building local and regional partnerships. This position is pivotal in ensuring that partnerships align with the Wikimedia Foundation’s strategic goals and the broader Wikimedia Movement’s 2030 objectives. The Manager will oversee a portfolio of partnerships designed to enhance awareness, readership, and content of Wikimedia projects, as well as provide financial and operational support to Movement Organizations. The role emphasizes community-informed partnerships and effective collaboration across various regions, teams, and volunteer communities, contributing to the overall mission of the Wikimedia Foundation and its affiliates. The Community Partnerships team currently focuses on regions including Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and East and South Asia and the Pacific, while also collaborating globally.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Manager will be responsible for several key areas: Leadership & Strategy, where they will contribute to the strategic decision-making and culture-building of the Community Investment and Partnerships team. They will drive the development and implementation of regional and local partnership strategies, ensuring alignment with the Foundation’s priorities and global trends. In Partnership Management, the Manager will oversee all aspects of strategic partnership scoping, establishment, implementation, and reporting, while supporting the development of partnership systems for measurement and evaluation. They will standardize practices across regions while respecting local needs and build strong relationships with strategic partners and volunteer communities. In terms of Operational Excellence, the Manager will identify and implement improvements to enhance operational effectiveness and promote a culture of learning and continuous improvement. Lastly, in Team Management & Development, the Manager will lead a geographically distributed team of 5 Regional Community Partnership Managers, providing direction, coaching, and professional development opportunities, while fostering inclusive and collaborative working practices.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as international development, nonprofit management, or public administration, or have equivalent experience. A minimum of 8 years of experience in partnership development and people management is required, preferably within a global nonprofit context. Demonstrated experience in leading multi-regional or multi-stakeholder partnership programs is essential, along with a strong background in community-led partnership development. The ability to lead and develop diverse, distributed teams with inclusive practices is crucial, as is the capacity to connect with partners across various time zones and undertake international travel. Candidates should also have experience balancing global frameworks with local contextual needs, alongside excellent strategic thinking, relationship-building, and organizational skills. A commitment to free knowledge ecosystems and volunteer-driven work, as well as experience in multicultural environments, is also necessary.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as international development, nonprofit management, or public administration. An advanced degree in a related field is preferred, which may enhance the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience, particularly in partnership development and people management within a global nonprofit context. Candidates should have a proven track record of leading multi-regional or multi-stakeholder partnership programs and experience in community-led partnership development.

Languages:
While fluency in English is mandatory, additional language skills are considered a plus, particularly in languages relevant to the regions the Manager will be working with, such as Spanish, Portuguese, or Arabic.

Additional Notes:
The Wikimedia Foundation is a remote-first organization, allowing for flexibility in work location. The anticipated annual pay range for this position for applicants based in the United States is between US$112,981 and US$138,814, with adjustments made for applicants located outside the US based on their country of hire. The Foundation is committed to equitable compensation practices and does not consider salary history in determining pay. The role may require making 3-5 international trips each year, and the organization values diversity and encourages applicants from various backgrounds to apply.