Actionaid jobs

Prospectus are excited to be working with our client to help them recruit for an interim Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships to join their team. The charity is a unique and dynamic membership organisation which comprises 15 of the UK’s leading humanitarian agencies: ActionAid, Action Against Hunger, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide (UK), Islamic Relief Worldwide, International Rescue Committee UK, Oxfam GB, Plan International UK, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision.

Since it was founded in 1963, the organisation has run over 78 fundraising appeals and raised more than £2.4 billion to help save lives and protect livelihoods in disaster-affected communities around the world.

This role is offered on a full-time 15 month maternity cover contract basis paying a salary of £50,000 per annum with flexible hybrid working arrangements available at their London office.

The postholder will lead the Philanthropy and Partnerships Team, driving strategies across corporate partnerships, trusts & foundations, major donors, and other high-value supporters. They will manage and develop the Rapid Response Network, retaining existing partnerships whilst also identifying and securing new partnerships. They will be expected to identify opportunities to maximise income throughout the life cycle of the appeal. In between appeals, the expectation is to retain supporters through excellent stewardship and to develop existing and new relationships leading to uplifts in support.

They are looking for someone with demonstrable experience in managing high-value relationships across corporate partnerships, major donors, trusts & foundations, and statutory bodies. They are looking for a candidate with a demonstrable track record of securing and growing long-term partnerships, including successfully negotiating six or seven-figure sums with corporate partners and/or major donors. The ideal candidate will have excellent understanding of current trends within corporate and high value fundraising and experience of working within the international sector.

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, or pregnancy/maternity. If you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the process, then please contact Firas El Dib at Prospectus.

If you feel you meet some of the criteria but not all, we really hope you'll enquire and learn more. Prospectus can advise and support on each part of the role and hopefully your application, so we look forward to hearing from you. 

In order to apply please submit your CV in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will arrange for a meeting to brief you on the role. You'll then have all the information you need to formally apply. We are looking forward to connecting with you soon. 

About the Role

In this leadership role, you will lead our Philanthropy and Partnerships Team, driving strategies across corporate partnerships, trusts & foundations, major donors, and other high-value supporters. With a focus on meeting income targets, appeal planning, and long-term forecasting, you’ll play a vital role in maximising our fundraising impact.

***Please download the job description for full details***

About You

To be successful in this role, you will bring proven experience in managing high-value relationships across corporate partnerships, major donors, trusts & foundations, and statutory bodies. You'll have a strong track record of securing and growing long-term partnerships, including successfully negotiating six or seven-figure sums with corporate partners and/or major donors. You'll bring outstanding communication and relationship-building skills, with a proven ability to engage high-value supporters and collaborate effectively across diverse stakeholders.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the corporate, trust & foundation, major donor and other high value supporter strategies.
• Manage and develop the Rapid Response Network, retaining existing partnerships whilst also identifying and securing new partnerships.
• Deliver excellent stewardship that retains and develops support.
• Take to completion and implement recommendations from strategic projects, to include the major donor review and the RRN / corporate support review.
• Continually hone “next appeal” plans that lead to successful appeal launches and maximise funds raised throughout the appeal life cycle.
• Achieve annual core cost income targets and put in place robust forecasting for future years.

About the DEC

The Disasters Emergency Committee brings together 15 of the UK’s leading humanitarian charities to raise funds and respond quickly to global disasters. Since our founding in 1963, we have raised over £2.5 billion through 79 appeals, providing life-saving assistance to millions of people around the world.

Our mission is to save, protect, and rebuild lives through effective humanitarian action. As a team, we operate with urgency, transparency, and compassion.

All roles at the DEC are based in our London office. We operate a hybrid working model, with some non-negotiable office attendance. Please note, during the two-week appeal launch period, staff are required to work long hours in a high-paced environment, with mandatory office attendance.

The DEC is an equal opportunities employer and provides opportunities to learn and grow in an inclusive, supportive, and productive environment. We encourage applications from anyone who can meet the criteria, regardless of gender, race, age, disability, sexuality, or religion.

What We Offer

• Flexible working hours (outside of appeal periods)
• Hybrid working model (some mandatory office days during appeals)
• 25 days annual leave, increasing with service
• Healthcare Cash Plan (value ~£1,660/year)
• Pension contribution (3%, rising to 8% post-probation)
• Wellbeing and mental health support
• Access to Wellhub, discounts, and ticket schemes
• Season ticket and hardship loans (post-probation)
• Cycle to Work and Car schemes (salary sacrifice)

How to Apply

If this role is of interest and meets your skills, experience, and knowledge, then please apply with your anonymised CV & cover letter by Thursday 2nd October 2025.

We are unable to support applications for our vacancies if you do not have the right to work in the UK

The DEC is committed to the safeguarding and protection of children and vulnerable adults and participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from successful applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. 

By applying, the job applicant confirms their understanding of, and consent, to these recruitment procedures.

Lead high-value fundraising at the heart of the UK’s emergency response. An excellent step-up for a corporate fundraising specialist ready to broaden their remit, as well as a compelling challenge for an experienced high-value leader.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) brings together 15 of the UK’s leading aid agencies to raise funds quickly and effectively when humanitarian crises strike overseas. DEC’s appeals are nationally recognised moments, uniting the public, government, and partners to generate extraordinary support.

This maternity cover offers a unique chance to combine the immediacy of appeal fundraising with the influence of long-term strategic leadership. You’ll guide high-value income across corporate partners, trusts, and major donors, while also shaping the future of DEC’s Philanthropy & Partnerships function through a mid-strategy review and a set of ambitious live projects.

This role blends urgency and delivery with breadth, oversight, and strategic impact – an excellent step-up for a corporate fundraising specialist ready to broaden their remit, as well as a compelling challenge for an experienced high-value leader.

Interviews will occur on a rolling basis, so please apply ASAP!

As Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships, you will:

• Lead high-value fundraising across corporates, trusts, and major donors, ensuring income is maximised whether or not an appeal is live
• During appeals (typically one or two per year), deliver high-value income during national emergencies
• Oversee stewardship and account management of DEC’s partners, supporting managers to deliver exceptional relationships.
• Drive key strategic projects, including:
  • Refreshing the Rapid Response Network framework and offers
  • Embedding a core costs ask across corporates and trusts
  • Developing an emergency fund outside appeals to allow funders to plan contributions
  • Contributing to a major donor review and overseeing investment in trusts & foundations
  • Introducing wealth screening and segmentation for the first time
• Lead the mid-term review of DEC’s five-year strategy, assessing pipeline, budget deployment, and future investment
  priorities
• Provide oversight, stability, and external perspective to a strong, long-standing team

About you

We’re looking for a dynamic, hands-on fundraising leader who can balance delivery with strategy and thrive in both steady-state and high-pressure contexts.

The role would best suit someone with: 

• Significant corporate fundraising expertise, with a strong track record in account management of complex, high-value partnerships
• Experience managing staff (minimum two people)
• Adaptable, proactive, and confident leading income delivery during fast-moving appeals
• Clear passion for DEC’s humanitarian mission and ability to inspire confidence with partners
• Trusts & foundations or major donor experience is desirable

Hybrid Working and Employee Benefits

Hybrid Working: 

Office location: 17-21 Wenlock Road, London, N1 7GT

DEC have 2 compulsory office days per month and 2 discretionary office days per month. These are diarised in advance, except for August, which is kept free from compulsory office attendance.

In the event of an appeal – typically one or two per year – DEC have a compulsory 2-week office attendance. Additional worked hours are paid as TOIL. For further information or if you have any questions, please discuss with Joe.

Employee benefits include: 

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• 8% employer pension contribution (post probation)
• HealthCare Cash Plan, with access to an Employee Assistance Programme
• Gym Pass. discounted access to various health club providers
• Discounts schemes via Reward Gateway and BHSN Extras
• Life isurance of 3 x annual salary
• Enhanced sick pay (post probation)