Vp – partnership

Role Overview

We are looking for an experienced and strategic Vice President – Partnerships to lead and scale Soul Ace's partnership and business development function from Mumbai.

The role will be responsible for building and nurturing strategic relationships with corporates, CXOs, foundations, institutions and other key stakeholders; identifying new business opportunities; strengthening existing partnerships; and driving revenue growth aligned with Soul Ace's CSR

The ideal candidate should have a strong network within the corporate ecosystem, excellent relationship-building and negotiation skills, a strong understanding of CSR/ESG, and a proven track record of driving large-value partnerships and business growth.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Partnerships & Business Development

Develop and execute the organisation's partnership and business development strategy in alignment with Soul Ace's growth objectives. Identify and build relationships with potential corporate, institutional and strategic partners. Develop a strong pipeline of prospective clients and partnership opportunities. Drive the complete business development cycle—from lead generation and engagement to proposal development, negotiation and closure. Explore new markets, sectors and partnership opportunities to expand Soul Ace's footprint.

2. Corporate & CXO Engagement

Build and maintain strong relationships with CXOs, CSR Heads, HR Leaders, Foundations and senior decision-makers. Leverage existing networks and industry relationships to generate strategic opportunities. Represent Soul Ace at industry forums, conferences, networking events and relevant corporate platforms. Position Soul Ace as a trusted partner in CSR, and social impact consulting.

3. Revenue & Growth

Own partnership-led revenue and business development targets. Develop strategies for increasing the value and scope of existing client relationships. Identify cross-selling and up-selling opportunities across Soul Ace's service offerings. Monitor the partnership pipeline, conversion rates, revenue projections and business development performance.

4. Strategic Account Management

Build long-term relationships with key strategic accounts. Ensure strong client engagement and satisfaction throughout the partnership lifecycle. Work closely with internal teams to understand client requirements and ensure effective delivery. Identify opportunities to deepen existing relationships and create long-term partnerships.

5. Proposal & Solution Development

Work closely with the Research, Impact, CSR Platform and other internal teams to develop customised solutions for prospective clients. Lead high-value proposals, presentations, pitches and commercial negotiations. Ensure proposals effectively communicate Soul Ace's capabilities, impact, differentiation and value proposition.

6. Team Leadership

Lead, mentor and build a high-performing Partnerships team. Set clear objectives, targets and performance metrics for the team. Develop team capabilities in relationship management, consultative selling, negotiation and strategic account management. Foster a culture of ownership, collaboration and result orientation.

7. Market Intelligence & Thought Leadership

Stay updated on evolving CSR, sustainability and social impact trends. Track market developments, competitor activities and emerging partnership opportunities. Identify new service areas and business models that can contribute to Soul Ace's growth. Contribute to Soul Ace's thought leadership and industry positioning.

Key Deliverables / KPIs

Achievement of annual partnership and revenue targets. Growth in the corporate client and strategic partner portfolio. Number and value of new partnerships acquired. Conversion of qualified leads into long-term engagements. Growth and retention of strategic accounts. Average deal value and pipeline health. Client relationship and satisfaction levels. Team productivity and achievement of business development targets. Expansion into new sectors, geographies and partnership segments.

Candidate Profile

Education

MBA / PGDM in Business Management, Marketing, Strategy, Social Impact or a related discipline preferred. Relevant professional experience may be considered in lieu of specific educational qualifications.

Experience

12–18+ years of relevant experience in partnerships, business development, strategic sales, consulting, CSR or key account management. Proven experience in managing large corporate relationships and closing high-value deals. Strong existing network among corporate decision-makers and CXO-level stakeholders will be an advantage. Experience in CSR consulting, sustainability, social impact or allied sectors is highly preferred.

Key Competencies

Strategic thinking and business acumen Strong corporate and CXO relationships Consultative selling Partnership development Negotiation and influencing skills Excellent communication and presentation skills Revenue and target orientation Stakeholder management Team leadership and mentoring Strong understanding of CSR ecosystem Ability to operate independently and build a function from the ground up

What We Offer

Opportunity to lead and shape Soul Ace's strategic partnership function. Direct exposure to senior corporate and industry stakeholders. Opportunity to work on high-impact CSR engagements. High degree of ownership and autonomy. A collaborative, entrepreneurial and impact-driven work environment. Opportunity to contribute directly to Soul Ace's growth and strategic direction.

Ideal Candidate: A strategic business leader who combines strong corporate relationships with a passion for social impact and the ability to translate relationships into meaningful, long-term partnerships and sustainable business growth.