Strategic Engagement & Partnership Lead – United Kingdom and Ireland

About WEConnect International

WEConnect International is a global nonprofit that helps women-owned businesses succeed in local and global markets by connecting them with major corporations and institutions committed to inclusive sourcing.

Our members include multinational corporations, multilateral institutions, and government agencies—such as global companies, development banks, and public sector organizations—that collectively represent more than $4 trillion in annual purchasing power. Through their engagement with WEConnect International, these organizations expand opportunities for women entrepreneurs while strengthening global supply chains.

What you'll do

Corporate Partnerships & Market Development

• Build and manage a pipeline of corporate and institutional partners across the United Kingdom
• Develop and deepen relationships with companies, industry bodies, public-sector organisations and other strategic stakeholders
• Convert prospects into active partners and identify opportunities to expand existing relationships
• Maintain a structured partnership pipeline and provide relevant market intelligence
• Promote the value and business case for inclusive sourcing and supplier diversity

WOB/WBE Engagement & Development

• Build strong relationships with Women-Owned Businesses (WOBs) and Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) across the United Kingdom
• Support the growth, engagement and retention of the WOB/WBE community, ensuring businesses understand and can access relevant opportunities, resources and programmes
• Identify the needs, challenges and opportunities facing WOBs/WBEs and ensure these insights inform programme development and corporate engagement
• Support WOBs/WBEs in strengthening their readiness to engage with corporate and institutional buyers
• Identify and develop opportunities to increase the visibility of WOBs/WBEs within relevant procurement and business networks

Buyer–Supplier Engagement & Inclusive Sourcing

• Create meaningful connections between corporate buyers and WOBs/WBEs, helping translate corporate demand into tangible opportunities for diverse suppliers
• Design and deliver initiatives that promote inclusive sourcing and responsible procurement practices
• Develop roundtables, workshops, matchmaking activities, forums and other engagements that bring buyers and WOBs/WBEs together
• Engage senior procurement and business leaders to strengthen commitment to inclusive sourcing
• Work with corporate partners to identify opportunities to integrate WOBs/WBEs into procurement and supply-chain strategies
• Capture feedback from both buyers and suppliers to improve engagement and outcomes

Programme & Project Delivery

• Lead partnership, supplier-development and donor-supported initiatives across the United Kingdom
• Develop project plans, budgets, risk trackers, timelines and measurable outcomes
• Coordinate with internal teams, corporate partners, WOBs/WBEs and other stakeholders to ensure effective delivery
• Monitor participation, engagement and impact and identify opportunities to improve programmes

Funding & Partnership Development

• Identify corporate, philanthropic and other relevant funding opportunities
• Develop proposals, partnership concepts and funding applications that support both corporate engagement and WOB/WBE development
• Build relationships with prospective funders and strategic partners
• Identify opportunities for collaboration with organisations that can strengthen the wider ecosystem supporting women-owned businesses

Market Intelligence & Representation

• Track developments in inclusive sourcing, responsible procurement, supplier diversity and the UK WOB/WBE landscape
• Monitor relevant corporate, public-sector and policy developments and identify implications and opportunities for members and WOBs/WBEs
• Represent the organisation at industry events, conferences, roundtables and WOB/WBE forums
• Build the organisation's visibility and network across corporate, procurement, entrepreneurial and women-owned business communities

Reporting & Communication

• Provide regular updates on corporate partnerships, WOB/WBE engagement, programmes and funding opportunities
• Track engagement and outcomes across both corporate partners and the WOB/WBE community
• Prepare reports, presentations, briefing materials and stakeholder communications
• Capture insights, success stories and lessons from both buyers and suppliers to inform future strategy and demonstrate impact

Expected Outputs

• Corporate and institutional partnership pipeline
• WOB/WBE engagement and development pipeline
• Buyer–supplier engagement activities and outcomes
• Stakeholder and event summaries
• Programme and project reports
• Funding and partnership briefs
• Market intelligence updates
• Monthly performance and impact summary

Qualifications

• 6–8+ years' experience in partnerships, business development, supplier engagement, entrepreneurship, programme delivery or a related field, ideally within the United Kingdom
• Strong experience building relationships across corporate, SME/entrepreneurial and institutional stakeholder groups
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage strategic partnerships and stakeholder communities
• Experience supporting SMEs, entrepreneurs, diverse suppliers or supplier-development initiatives would be highly advantageous
• Understanding of procurement, supply chains, supplier diversity, inclusive sourcing or responsible business would be advantageous
• Strong understanding of the UK business environment and the challenges and opportunities facing SMEs and women-owned businesses
• Experience designing and delivering events, programmes or initiatives involving multiple stakeholder groups
• Strong project, budget and stakeholder management capabilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior corporate leaders and entrepreneurs alike
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within an international team

Originally posted on Himalayas