Community, Partnerships & Market Access Lead Jobs – Dormi Arts Initiative

Job Title: Community, Partnerships & Market Access Lead

Organisation: Dormi Arts Initiative

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

About Organisation:

Dormi Arts Initiative is a licensed Ugandan social enterprise founded in 2012. We use creativity, art, and innovation to develop people, generate livelihoods, and create lasting change in our communities. We are not a traditional arts NGO — we are a creative enterprise that earns commercial income while delivering social impact.

Job Summary: The Community, Partnerships & Market Access Lead is the person who builds the world around Dormi Arts Initiative — the schools, the partners, the clients, the networks, and the platforms that allow our artists and artisans to do their work at scale. You will be the external face of Dormi Arts Initiative in Kampala and beyond. You will find, approach, pitch, and secure the partnerships and commercial relationships that generate income for our artists and artisans, fund our programmes, and build our reputation. You will also lead our community engagement — the school partnerships, community presence, and creative networks that give our programmes a home. This is a role for someone who is genuinely excited about the intersection of creativity and commerce — someone who can walk into a corporate boardroom and a community hall with equal ease and confidence.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

• Build and manage Dormi Arts Initiative’s presence in schools, communities, and creative networks in Kampala and surrounding areas
• Identify, approach, and maintain active school partnerships — coordinating with the Inspiring Generations
• Programme Lead on scheduling and delivery
• Represent Dormi Arts Initiative at community events, creative sector gatherings, and public forums
• Develop and maintain a community stakeholder database — tracking relationships, conversations, and opportunities
• Coordinate volunteer and community ambassador networks that extend the organisation’s reach

PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

• Research, identify, and approach potential corporate, NGO, hospitality, and government partners
• Prepare and present partnership proposals — including Founding Partner pitches, MoU discussions, and sponsorship packages
• Manage the full partnership pipeline from prospect to signed agreement, working with the CEO on all formal agreements
• Maintain active partner relationships — delivering quarterly impact reports, attending partner events, and identifying expansion opportunities
• Track partner commitments and ensure the organisation fulfils every obligation on time
• Support the Bridge Fund campaign by managing outreach to prospective corporate partners and donors

MARKET ACCESS & COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT

• Identify and open new commercial markets for Dormi Arts Initiative’s products and services — exhibitions, trade fairs, hospitality procurement, interior design, and corporate gifting
• Build relationships with art collectors, interior designers, corporate procurement officers, and event organisers
• Develop and manage exhibition opportunities — working with the CEO and Production team to plan, promote, and execute
• Manage enquiries from prospective commercial clients and coordinate handover to the Productions team
• Track the commercial pipeline and report monthly on leads, conversions, and revenue generated

VISIBILITY, COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING

• Manage Dormi Arts Initiative’s social media channels (Instagram, Facebook) — content planning, posting, and community engagement
• Write and distribute press releases, newsletters, and public communications in line with organizational messaging
• Coordinate media coverage opportunities — journalists, bloggers, photographers, and documentary-makers
• Maintain the Dormi Arts website content, ensuring it is accurate, current, and well-presented
• Create and manage a monthly impact story for external publication — a real story from the organisation’s work that demonstrates value to partners and donors

REPORTING & STRATEGY

• Submit a Department Monthly Report by the 3rd working day of each month
• Track and report on partnership pipeline, market access progress, social media reach, and community engagement
• Contribute to the organisation’s Annual Impact Report by providing partnership and market data
• Bring partnership and market intelligence to the CEO’s monthly strategic review

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• This role needs someone who is three things at once: a relationship builder, a commercial thinker, and a genuine champion of creative enterprise. The right person will be comfortable in formal boardrooms and
• community halls. They will be comfortable talking about art, impact, and money in the same breath.

ESSENTIAL

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in Business Development, Marketing, Communications, or a related field
• Minimum 2 years experience in partnership development, business development, community engagement, or a related role
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships — including with senior stakeholders
• Strong written and verbal communication in English able to write a proposal and deliver a presentation with confidence
• Experience managing social media for an organisation or brand
• Genuine interest in and respect for Uganda’s creative sector and the arts
• Highly organised, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple relationships simultaneously
• Comfortable working with limited supervision in a lean, growing organisation
• Experience working in a creative, cultural, or social enterprise context
• Existing relationships within Kampala’s hospitality, corporate CSR, or arts sector
• Experience with grant writing, fundraising, or donor relations
• Graphic design or content creation skills
• Knowledge of art or craft — as a practitioner, enthusiast, or professional
• Experience managing CRM systems or partnership tracking tools
• Fluency in Luganda or other Ugandan languages in addition to English

THE KIND OF PERSON WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• You open doors
• You make contacts easily and follow through consistently.
• You know that a relationship is only as strong as the last interaction you had.
• You are commercially minded
• You think about return on investment — for the organisation and for the partners you bring in. You don’t mistake activity for results.
• You communicate clearly
• You write well. You speak confidently. You know how to adapt your message for a corporate audience and a community audience without losing your authenticity.
• You champion creative people
• You genuinely believe that Uganda’s artists and artisans deserve better markets and more recognition. That belief drives how you work.
• You are organised under pressure
• Multiple partnerships, multiple leads, multiple conversations — and you keep track of all of them.
• Nothing falls through the cracks.
• You are honest
• You report what is working and what is not. You do not over-promise to partners. You flag problems early instead of hiding them.
• You are an initiator
• In a lean organisation, you will not be waiting for instructions. You will be coming to the CEO with ideas, opportunities, and plans.
• You are proud to be part of this
• You will carry the Dormi Arts Initiative story into every room you enter — with knowledge, pride, and conviction.

How to Apply:

Send your application by email to: Apply by Email

Subject line: Application — Community, Partnerships & Market Access Lead

Your application must include:

A cover letter (maximum 1 page) — tell us who you are, why this role is right for you, and one specific

partnership or market access idea you would pursue at Dormi Arts Initiative

Your CV— focus on relevant experience in partnerships, community engagement, and market development

One example of your work — a proposal, a report, a social media campaign, an exhibition, or another piece of work that demonstrates your skills in this area

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a two-stage interview: a skills assessment and a panel interview with the CEO.

NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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Level of Education: bachelor degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 24