IFLA is looking for a Business Development Manager

Who We Are

IFLA (the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) is the global voice of libraries and the library and information profession with around 1500 members in 150 countries. From our headquarters in The Hague, we work with members, partners and more than 1100 volunteers across the globe to support professional development and standards and ensure that libraries are a part of key policy discussions and included as critical and vibrant community assets for the societies they serve.

Business Development Manager

As Business Development Manager, you will play an essential role in building IFLA's Business Development Capacity by identifying and securing strategically aligned funding, while leveraging existing strengths. You will support IFLA's sustainability by ensuring diversified, long-term financial resilience. 

The role

• Leads in building on existing work around project pipelines, broading the range of sources covered and identifying particularly promising avenues, with a particular focus on EU funding;
• Advises and makes recommendations to the Manager Policy and Advocacy and wider Senior Leadership Team on a broader strategy on relationship development for business development, as well as updates on business pursuit and review of partnership landscape;
• Identifies new partnership opportunities pursuit;
• Identifies foundations and/or charities for business pursuit;
• Submits grant applications, mobilising colleagues and volunteers in order to maximise quality and relevance;
• Provides overall advice on how to build IFLA's potential as a grant-receiving organisation on behalf of the wider library field;
• Contributes alongside colleagues to developing strong narratives of success building on IFLA's existing work and strengths tailored to potential funders;

The colleague we want has the following aptitudes and skills

• Ability to coordinate and craft compelling grant applications;
• Proven ability to secure and grow external funding;
• Ability to work with colleagues and external partners to mobilise their knowledge and skills;
• Ability to take a long-term perspective on IFLA’s business development;
• Ability to articulate IFLA’s unique value add for partners, and work with communication colleagues to develop relevant tools;
• Ability to build mutually beneficial relationships with funders;
• Entrepreneurial skills and initiative

The following are required

• At least Bachelor's degree in a relevant domain
• At least 5 years' experience on projects and business development
• Project Management qualification
• High level of English
• Good written and oral communication skills within the context of the role,
• Demonstrate and behave in line with IFLA’s values – Collaboration, Accountability, Innovation and Respect;
• Applicants must be able to work immediately in the Netherlands.

The following are desirable

• Familiarity with IFLA as an organisation
• Written and verbal communication skills in another of IFLA’s official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Russian, Spanish).

We offer

• Gross salary in accordance with your experience and skills between € 4,803 and € 5,218 a month and other benefits such as 8% holiday allowance and 5% year-end-allowance as well as commuting costs;
• Opportunity to meet and work with partners and colleagues across the globe
• A multilingual, international, and committed team working from an office in a central location in The Hague;
• Hybrid working – we currently require HQ staff to be present in the office at least 2 days per week;
• Opportunities for learning and professional development.
• A fixed-term contract

How to apply

Interested candidates are requested to provide both a cover letter and CV in English, setting out how you would demonstrate your experience and why you are the perfect candidate for us.

In the job application process, we may want to check any references but only after your consent.

The application should be submitted to IFLA  [email protected]  by 15 October 2025.

For questions relating to this job, please contact Stephen Wyber at [email protected]

We will only contact shortlisted candidates

IFLA is the global voice of libraries, representing the interests of the profession and working to improve services worldwide. We benefit from a strong membership, a vibrant professional community, and close collaboration with partners.

IFLA does not discriminate against any person based on gender, ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability or any other individual characteristic. In our recruitment, we aim to encourage a diverse and talented pool of candidates, where our HQ staff, as far as possible, is as diverse as those whom we support and represent.