Manager – Social Impact & Strategic Partnerships

Hiring company: Guardian Group Source: LinkedIn The Manager – Social Impact & Strategic Partnerships leads the design, execution and performance management of Guardian Group’s social investment and foundation initiatives, in alignment with strategies and funding frameworks in alignment with approved governance structures, funding frameworks, and Executive leadership directives. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Social Impact & Foundation Strategy • Inform the development and periodic review of a Group-wide Social Impact and Foundation Strategy and support its implementation across operating strategies. • Lead the implementation and ongoing refinement of Guardian Group’s Social Impact and Foundation Strategy across operating territories. • Conduct environmental scanning and landscape analysis to identify emerging societal needs, partnership opportunities, and impact themes that may inform strategic evolution. • Translate approved strategic pillars and funding priorities into structured programmes, partnership models and multi-year implementation roadmaps across operating territories. • Develop recommendations for investment focus, programme design, and resource allocation based on portfolio insights, impact performance, and strategic fit. • Prepare funding analyses and structured recommendations for consideration by Executive leadership and relevant governance bodies. • Analyse portfolio distribution trends, thematic balance, and geographic allocation to provide insights that inform governance oversight and strategic decision-making. • Prepare performance analyses and forward-looking strategic insights to inform periodic reviews by Executive leadership and relevant governance bodies. Strategic Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement • Identify, cultivate and manage partnerships with NGOs, educational institutions, multilateral agencies, and community-based organisations. • Develop and maintain a pipeline of partnership opportunities that align with the Group’s strategic priorities, brand, and stakeholder commitments. • Negotiate and manage Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), funding agreements within delegated authority limits and in accordance with approved criteria. Maintain strong relationships with strategic partners, multilateral institutions, NGOs, industry bodies, community organisations and civil society partners to strengthen impact delivery and stakeholder trust. • Serve as a key point of contact for external partners and represent Guardian Group in engagements that advance the Group’s social impact agenda and strengthen external relationships. • Represent Guardian Group at relevant industry and community forums in alignment with approved messaging and strategic positioning. • Support the positioning of Guardian Group as a trusted and responsible corporate partner in the communities it serves. Governance, Risk & Compliance • Administer and operationalise approved funding frameworks, eligibility criteria, and delegation thresholds established by the Group’s governance structures. • Conduct structured due diligence and reputational risk assessments on prospective partners and initiatives prior to submission for approval. • Ensure implementation of social investment activities in accordance with approved governance, fiduciary, and risk parameters. • Maintain accurate, audit-ready documentation to support transparency, accountability, and compliance across jurisdictions. • Coordinate with Group Compliance, Legal, and Finance to ensure timely preparation and tracking of statutory filings, annual returns and regulatory reporting obligations across jurisdictions. • Manage reputational, financial, and operational risks associated with community programmes and partnerships. Impact Measurement, Reporting & ESG Integration • Design and implement impact measurement frameworks, tools and KPIs aligned to with approved strategic priorities and sustainability commitments and reporting standards. • Monitor and evaluate programme effectiveness, outcomes, and return on social investment. • Ensure accuracy and consistency of data for inclusion in sustainability, ESG, and integrated reporting disclosures. • Prepare structured impact and performance reports to support Board, Executive, and relevant governance body reporting and oversight requirements. • Support internal and external assurance processes by maintaining appropriate documentation and reporting records. • Monitor trends in responsible business and corporate foundations to inform continuous improvement of the Group’s social impact activities. • Generate insights to strengthen programme design, improve funding decisions and increase the overall effectiveness of the Group’s social investment portfolio. Programme Management & Delivery • Oversee the implementation of approved social programmes and flagship initiatives to ensure delivery within agreed timelines, budgets, and performance expectations. • Monitor expenditure against approved budgets and coordinate with relevant financial control functions to address and escalate variances in accordance with established protocols. • Partner with People Culture & Capability, Marketing & Communications, and Business Units to integrate approved social initiatives into employee engagement and communication platforms. • Drive continuous improvement in programme design, implementation quality, partner management, and impact delivery. • Support internal campaigns, learning sessions, and leadership engagement on ESG and social responsibility to promote internal understanding of Guardian Group’s social impact agenda and encourage a culture of responsible business and community stewardship. Qualifications EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE • Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Business Administration, Sustainability, Development Studies, Public Policy, Communications or a related field • 5–7 years’ experience in social impact, CSR, ESG, sustainability, or foundation management, development partnerships or a related field • Proven experience managing multi-stakeholder partnerships including external and internal institutions • Experience coordinating and delivering structured social or community investment programmes • Demonstrated experience in governance, reporting, and programme evaluation • Experience operating within a regulated or corporate environment Required Skills • Proven experience managing multi-stakeholder partnerships including external and internal institutions • Experience coordinating and delivering structured social or community investment programmes • Demonstrated experience in governance, reporting, and programme evaluation • Experience operating within a regulated or corporate environment • Highly organised, able to plan and prioritise multiple programmes, and deliver measurable social outcomes on time • Sound judgement, integrity, and professionalism when managing social investments, partnerships, and reporting • Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, demonstrating diplomacy, cultural sensitivity and approachability • Maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality and ethical conduct