Junior Partnerships Manager

Job description

Job description ✈️ About Smart Freight Centre Think about the package that just arrived at your doorstep, the products on store shelves, or goods being shipped across oceans. Logistics powers the global economy and drives a significant share of global emissions. That’s where Smart Freight Centre (SFC) comes in. SFC works with businesses, governments, and global freight leaders to accelerate the transition to zero-emission logistics by 2050 or sooner. Our member network represents €15+ trillion in market capitalization and more than 10 million employees, making SFC one of the most influential platforms shaping the future of freight and transport. We don’t just advocate sustainability. We standardize it, measure it, and scale it. And in India – one of the world’s fastest-growing freight markets the opportunity is transformational. ⏰ Employment Type: Fixed-term ⚓ Location: New Delhi, India ⌛ Starting date: ASAP ⌛ Contract duration: The position is initially offered on a one-year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension or transition to a permanent contract following review and mutual agreement between both parties. ✈️ About SFC India SFC India is building a platform to support the decarbonization of India’s freight ecosystem across road, rail, maritime and aviation. We convene government ministries, regulators, industry leaders, research institutions, and global climate actors to accelerate the transition toward greener freight systems. Our ambition is to build a credible and scalable Green Freight platform for India, delivering impact at national scale. In India, SFC works across areas including zero-emission freight deployment, freight electrification and corridors, emissions accounting, sector-focused initiatives, financing and market development, and industry partnerships. A key platform is the India Zero Emission Freight Alliance (India ZEFA), which brings together companies and other stakeholders to accelerate collective action on freight decarbonization. ⭐ About the Role SFC India is seeking a motivated and proactive Junior Manager – Partnerships to support the growth and engagement of its corporate and ecosystem partnerships in India. The role will work closely with the India Programs & Partnerships team and will have a strong focus on India ZEFA engagement, corporate outreach, member development, partnership pipeline management, engagement with public policy and government stakeholders, and stakeholder coordination. The successful candidate should be comfortable engaging with companies, government bodies and public policy stakeholders, conducting structured outreach, maintaining relationships and follow-ups, coordinating partner activities, and translating SFC India’s programs into compelling engagement opportunities for different stakeholders. Over time, the role is expected to independently manage a portfolio of partners and contribute to expanding SFC India's corporate network and membership base. ✏️ Key Responsibilities India ZEFA Partner Engagement Support outreach to prospective India ZEFA partners across shippers, logistics service providers, fleet operators, OEMs, charging and energy companies, financial institutions, technology providers and other relevant stakeholders. Coordinate onboarding and ongoing engagement of India ZEFA participating organizations. Support the activities of India ZEFA working groups, including partner communication, meeting coordination, follow-ups and tracking of agreed actions. Maintain regular engagement with participating companies and identify opportunities for deeper involvement in SFC India initiatives. Support partner roundtables, workshops, webinars, working groups and other industry engagements under India ZEFA. Track partner participation, interests, commitments and potential opportunities arising from ZEFA engagement. India Membership & Partnership Development Support the development and rollout of SFC's future India Membership offering. Identify and build a pipeline of prospective India members, including existing India ZEFA participants, India-based companies and relevant global SFC members operating in India. Support preparation of membership presentations, engagement materials, proposals and tailored value propositions for prospective members. Coordinate membership conversations, follow-ups and internal actions required to progress prospective members through the engagement pipeline. Support member onboarding, engagement planning and renewal processes. Track membership pipeline, conversions, engagement levels and partnership opportunities. Corporate Outreach & Relationship Management Conduct regular and structured outreach to companies relevant to SFC India's programs and strategic priorities. Research potential partners and identify appropriate stakeholders and decision-makers within organizations. Coordinate introductory meetings and follow up systematically on discussions and agreed actions. Maintain an updated partnership and stakeholder database/CRM covering existing partners, prospective partners, engagement status and next steps. Develop familiarity with partner priorities and identify opportunities to connect them with relevant SFC India programs and services. Gradually take independent ownership of selected corporate and ecosystem relationships. Public Policy & Government Liaison Support engagement with public policy office(s), government ministries, regulators and relevant institutional stakeholders from a partnership lens, in coordination with SFC India's policy and program teams. Liaise with government bodies and relevant organizations as required for specific initiatives, working groups, consultations and events under India ZEFA and other SFC India programs. Track relevant government and regulatory stakeholders as part of the broader partnership mapping and pipeline, identifying opportunities for their involvement in SFC India initiatives. Coordinate logistics, briefings and follow-ups for meetings and interactions involving government and policy stakeholders. Ensure alignment between corporate/industry partnership engagement and public policy engagement, so that messaging and asks to government and industry stakeholders remain consistent. Partnership Support Across SFC India Programs Work with SFC India program teams to strengthen industry participation across initiatives such as: Zero-emission truck deployment and fleet electrification Green freight and charging corridors Freight emissions accounting and reporting Sector-focused programs, including hard-to-abate freight sectors Financing and market development for zero-emission freight Research, pilot projects and industry demonstrations Policy and industry engagement Capacity-building and knowledge initiatives The role will help identify appropriate partners for different initiatives, facilitate introductions, coordinate engagement and ensure consistent follow-through. Partnership Pipeline & Market Intelligence Maintain a structured pipeline of prospective partners, members and strategic opportunities. Track key company developments relevant to freight decarbonization, logistics, sustainability and electric mobility. Identify potential partnership opportunities arising from corporate sustainability commitments, fleet transition plans and logistics decarbonization priorities. Prepare periodic updates on partnership pipeline, engagement progress and upcoming opportunities. Support mapping of priority companies and sectors for SFC India's engagement. Partner Communications & Coordination Prepare meeting briefs, follow-up communications, partnership presentations and engagement materials. Coordinate internally with SFC India program teams and relevant global SFC teams to respond to partner interests. Support preparation of proposals and concept notes for strategic corporate partnerships. Ensure timely follow-up after partner meetings and maintain clear documentation of decisions and next steps. Support partner communications around events, research, working groups and SFC initiatives. Ideal candidate We are looking for someone who combines strong communication and relationship-building skills with the discipline required to systematically build and manage a partnership pipeline. The ideal candidate would have: Approximately 2-3 years of relevant professional experience in partnerships, business development, stakeholder engagement, sustainability, mobility, logistics, consulting, climate or a related field. A postgraduate degree in business, sustainability, public policy, economics, development studies or a related discipline is preferred. Experience engaging with corporates and senior external stakeholders. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to confidently conduct company outreach and initiate new relationships. Comfort engaging with government bodies, regulators and public policy stakeholders, in addition to corporates and the ability to liaise between these different stakeholder groups as needed for specific initiatives. Strong coordination and follow-up skills, with attention to detail. Ability to understand different stakeholder priorities and articulate a relevant value proposition. Ability to prepare clear presentations, meeting notes and concise stakeholder communications. Interest in climate action, freight, logistics, electric mobility and sustainability. Ability to work across multiple projects and stakeholders in a fast-moving environment. What We Would Particularly Value Experience in B2B and B2G partnerships, membership organizations, industry associations or corporate engagement. Familiarity with the logistics, transport, EV, energy or sustainability ecosystem in India. A proactive approach to identifying and pursuing new partnership opportunities. Someone who is comfortable picking up the phone, reaching out to new organizations and consistently following through. An ability to move beyond coordination and understand why a company should engage with SFC and where SFC can create value for that organization . What Success Would Look Like Within the first year, the Junior Manager – Partnerships should be able to: Independently manage regular engagement with a portfolio of India ZEFA partners. Build and maintain a healthy pipeline of prospective India ZEFA partners and future India members. Ensure structured and timely follow-up across corporate engagements. Support conversion of relevant ZEFA and corporate relationships into deeper SFC partnerships and membership opportunities. Support effective liaison between SFC India's partnership function and relevant government/public policy stakeholders on priority initiatives. Connect companies effectively with SFC India's programs based on their needs and priorities. Maintain reliable partnership data, engagement histories and next steps. Independently lead introductory and follow-up discussions with selected companies. Become a dependable interface between SFC India program teams and external corporate partners. Why This Role Matters Through this role, you will help SFC India build the partnerships that make this collaboration possible . Your work will contribute to growing India ZEFA, developing SFC India’s membership and corporate network, and connecting companies with practical opportunities to participate in and accelerate the transition toward greener freight. Why us? ❤️ Join a culture of collaboration, innovation, and sustainability. What you will get: At Smart Freight Centre, we believe in collaboration, creativity, and sustainability. We value everyone’s ideas and create a welcoming space where you can grow and make an impact. Take time for yourself: Enjoy 27 days of holiday and 10 public holidays to relax, recharge, and do what matters most to you. Grow with us: We provide learning opportunities; you can keep building your skills and knowledge Care for your mind: Full access to OpenUp means you can connect with psychologists, join mindfulness classes, and explore courses to support your mental health. Good times guaranteed: Whether it’s a creative workshop, a fun challenge, or some drinks and bites, join our team-building activities and enjoy time with your colleagues.