Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Manager - Strategic Partnerships

at Resilient Cities Network

🏢 About Resilient Cities Network

Resilient Cities Network (R-Cities) is a global network connecting over 100 cities across 46 countries, dedicated to sharing innovative solutions and building resilience in urban communities. Working here offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible global impact by helping cities adapt to climate change, social inequality, and other urban challenges. The organization's collaborative and mission-driven culture attracts professionals passionate about sustainability and urban development.

About This Role

As Senior Manager for Strategic Partnerships, you will own the full lifecycle of partnership development, from identifying prospects to securing funding, ensuring R-Cities has the resources to expand its impact. This role is pivotal in building intelligence and systems that position the organization proactively with diverse funders, directly enabling cities worldwide to benefit from proven resilience strategies. Your work will directly contribute to the network's growth and sustainability, making you a key driver of its mission.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with checking emails and updating the partnership pipeline, then moving into a virtual meeting with a potential funder or a brainstorming session with program teams to align on proposal needs. You'll spend a significant portion of your day drafting or reviewing concept notes, coordinating with partners across time zones, and analyzing data to refine your outreach strategy, all while keeping leadership informed of progress.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Resilient Cities Network Is Looking For

  • You have 5+ years in strategic partnerships, business development, or fundraising, with a proven track record of securing multi-contributor funding from philanthropic, corporate, multilateral, or institutional sources.
  • You are a master coordinator, skilled in managing complex proposal processes from concept note to submission, ensuring quality and timeliness while juggling multiple priorities.
  • You possess excellent writing and editing skills in English, with the ability to craft compelling, funder-facing narratives that clearly articulate impact and alignment.
  • You are analytical and systems-oriented, comfortable maintaining a pipeline and using data to inform strategy, with proficiency in CRM tools and reporting.
  • You thrive in a global, remote environment, demonstrating proactive communication and collaboration across time zones and cultures.

📝 Tips for Applying to Resilient Cities Network

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific examples of managing multi-contributor proposals, quantifying outcomes (e.g., funds raised, success rate). Use keywords from the job description like 'pipeline,' 'concept notes,' and 'multilateral funders'.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly mention your experience with different funder types (philanthropic, corporate, multilateral) and provide a brief example of a successful submission you led, emphasizing your coordination role.

3

Showcase your familiarity with urban resilience or international development topics—even if not direct, connect your background to the mission. Mention any relevant volunteer work or personal interest.

4

Since the role is remote, emphasize your remote work experience, self-discipline, and ability to communicate asynchronously. Provide examples of managing projects across time zones.

5

Research R-Cities' recent projects and funding partners. Mention in your application how your skills can help them achieve specific goals, like expanding into new regions or scaling a particular initiative.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for urban resilience and how your partnership skills can directly contribute to R-Cities' mission of connecting cities and scaling solutions.", 'Your proven experience in end-to-end proposal management, including coordinating multi-stakeholder inputs and meeting tight deadlines, with a concrete success story.', 'Your ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse funders, demonstrating your understanding of what each sector (philanthropic, corporate, multilateral) looks for in partnerships.', "Your strategic mindset—how you've used data and systems to improve partnership pipelines and reporting, and how you can bring that to R-Cities to enhance their efficiency."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore R-Cities' website to understand their current focus areas (e.g., climate resilience, urban health, water) and recent projects, so you can align your examples and ideas.
  • → Look at their annual reports or impact summaries to see which funders they already work with and how they report outcomes—this helps you speak their language.
  • → Check their social media and news section for recent announcements or new initiatives, and consider how your skills could support those efforts.
  • → Research the team structure on LinkedIn to understand who you'd be working with and the broader organizational culture, especially for a remote role.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through a time you managed a complex proposal with multiple funders. How did you ensure alignment and meet the deadline?
2 How do you prioritize and manage a pipeline of opportunities when you have competing deadlines? Give an example of a time you had to make trade-offs.
3 How would you approach building intelligence on potential funders for R-Cities? What sources and tools would you use?
4 Describe a situation where you had to influence internal stakeholders to support a partnership opportunity. How did you handle resistance?
5 What do you know about R-Cities' current partnerships and initiatives? How would you enhance their existing pipeline?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't submit a generic cover letter that doesn't mention R-Cities or the specific role. Show you've done your homework and are genuinely interested in their mission.
  • Avoid focusing solely on your desire to work remotely—emphasize your ability to deliver results and collaborate effectively in a distributed team.
  • Don't underestimate the importance of the pipeline management aspect. Avoid giving vague answers; instead, demonstrate your proficiency with specific tools (e.g., Salesforce, Asana) and your systematic approach.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Resilient Cities Network!

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