Corporate partnership coordinator jobs in bristol

Key Information:

LOCATION: Bristol, Newcastle, Nottingham, London and Manchester (hybrid working pattern). We are prioritising applications for the Nottingham and Newcastle locations in line with our regional development strategy.

HOURS: 37.5 hours per week (flexible working around core hours of 10am-4pm)

START DATE: 12th January 2026

DURATION: 18-month graduate programme with optional apprenticeship opportunity upon completion. Permanent contract from August 2025. 

SALARY: £27,375 per annum (Bristol, Manchester, Nottingham and Newcastle), £30,025 (London).

DEADLINE: Friday 24th October at 12pm (noon).

The application process: written application > telephone interview > assessment centre.

Assessment Centres will take place on w/c 10th November and w/c 17th November 2025. They will be conducted on Zoom and consist of 2 tasks over 70 minutes: An interview, and a pre-prepared presentation (we will send out the task brief upon invite to Assessment stage).

In keeping with upReach's mission and values we would particularly encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented groups and those with lived experience of barriers to social mobility.

We encourage all applicants to review our Application Pack before submitting your application.

About upReach

Do you think that your socio-economic background should determine your career prospects?

upReach’s vision is of a society in which everybody has an equal opportunity to realise their full career potential. Our work is important because right now a student from a disadvantaged background who gains a first-class degree from a top university is less likely to secure an elite job than a more privileged student with a 2.2.

We are an award-winning charity employer working to address this issue in partnership with employers and universities. We help undergraduates from lower socio-economic backgrounds achieve their career potential by providing an intensive programme of support that addresses socio-economic barriers to graduate employment. 

To find out more about how we support our students, visit our website and read our Annual Report, and Impact Report. 

About the Role

upReach is recruiting for our unique Future Charity  Leaders Programme (FCLP). This is a great opportunity for anyone who is passionate about social mobility, and looking to gain exposure to various aspects of charity management whilst working with university students who are exploring their career options. We welcome applications from those in the corporate world who are looking for a career change as well as recent graduates wanting to kick-start their career in the third sector.

About the FCLP

upReach’s Future Charity Leaders Programme (FCLP) is a graduate programme combining delivery work (supporting our Associates) with exposure to a range of aspects of charity management. 

As a Programme Coordinator on the FCLP you will be delivering personalised employment-focused support to a cohort of approximately 80 Associates, helping transform their lives by equipping them with the necessary skills to secure a top graduate job. During a typical week, you should expect to be working across a range of projects including 1:1 undergraduate coaching, group workshops, webinars (we refer to them as Video Forums), partnership management (with university partners or employer partners) and more!

In addition to this, the programme offers the opportunity to develop skills in key areas of charity management by participating in 3 rounds of six-month 'rotations'. After your initial 18 months and the completion of 3 six-month rotations, you will have the opportunity to undertake an apprenticeship in Leadership and Management to further develop your skills.

Throughout the programme, you will receive dedicated internal training developing your leadership skills and building your confidence in the role.

Through our partnership with The Circle Line, you will be part of a supportive peer group, offered regular personal development training workshops online and in-person on their '12 Tools for Life'. You will also be able to choose your own practitioner to support you with 1:1 sessions throughout the programme to help you unlock more of your unique potential.

What will I be doing?

The FCLP is a fast-paced but rewarding role. Programme Coordinators spend 80% of their time (4 days per week) working directly with Associates to enhance their career knowledge and skills and 20% (1 day per week) on a charity management rotation (or an apprenticeship after 18 months). No two days are the same, but your responsibilities may include:

• Building and maintaining strong relationships with Associates, helping them to achieve their career goals 

• Developing and delivering professional development-focused support

• Individual and small group work with Associates 

• Assisting Associates with their applications to undergraduate positions and graduate jobs 

• Developing sector and/or employability skill knowledge while building resources to aid all Associates 

• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with university and/or employer partners 

• Delivering informative workshops to enhance sector knowledge and employability skills

• Planning, delivering and reporting on events and workshops with partners

When applying for this role we ask that applicants are able to commit to the full 18-month training programme, and we encourage participation in the apprenticeship scheme beyond this. As you will be working directly with our beneficiaries throughout their degree, this consistency will allow you to build bonds with your Associates and ensure continuity, thus allowing us to have the most impact for the young people we work with.

What Skills and Experience do I need?

This programme would be suited to individuals who are committed to upReach’s mission, motivated to work with undergraduates and interested in learning about, and gaining experience in, charity management. We are looking for people who are passionate about social mobility and believe that background should not be a barrier to graduate employment. 

Essential Skills/Experiences:

• Working in a fast-paced environment and working independently to find solutions to problems

• Strong organisational and time management skills with a keen eye for detail and the ability to manage a varied workload

• A University degree in any discipline, or equivalent experience

• Self-motivation and an ability to work in a small team as well as solo

• Excellent communication skills and strong written English

• The ability to engage and communicate confidently with undergraduates, corporate volunteers (mentors) and employers via phone, email, and in person

• Experience of public speaking or facilitating workshops 

Desirable Skills/Experiences:

• Knowledge of the graduate labour market in the UK and experience supporting individuals through an application process 

• Strong negotiation skills and experience in roles requiring influence

• Working in one or more of the career sectors that upReach support Associates in applying to.

Team Culture & Benefits: 

By joining the upReach team, you will be joining a team who are dedicated to encouraging you in your career journey and fostering an inclusive culture. 

We offer: 

• Flexible working, hybrid working and reduced Summer Hours (June-August)

• Statutory Holiday Entitlement of 25 days, plus bank holidays. (This increases to 27 days entitlement after 2.5 years and then to 30 days after 5 years of working with us)

• Enhanced Parental Leave beyond statutory requirements for all team members

• Birthday leave, 1 day of Volunteering leave and annual wellbeing days

• Optional extended unpaid leave during summer months

• 3% Pension Contribution, this increases to 5% after 5 years of working with us 

• Cycle-to-work scheme, Tech loan scheme

• Monthly socials, Annual in-person Team Day

• Dedication to Staff Wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aid Training and Ethnic Minority Mentoring Scheme

• A range of discounts through the Charity Workers Discount and Tickets for Good websites

• The opportunity to participate in our fantastic staff networks: 

  • Disability and Inclusion Network

    Diverse Roots Network 

  • Green Network 

  • LGBTQ+ Network

  • Mindfulness Network

  • Parents and Carers Network

  • Socio-Economic Background Network

  • (Im)Migrants Network

Ready to apply?

We are dedicated to making our recruitment process inclusive. All applications will be blind screened, and our job packs are available in Braille, large text or another format upon request. We can provide reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment application process and on the job, and we'll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. 

Unfortunately, upReach is unable to offer Visa Sponsorship.

Applications close at 12 Noon on Friday 24th October.

Equal Opportunities

At upReach, we are committed to being an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate in employment matters on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, disability, social background or any other protected class. We celebrate and value the diverse perspectives that people from all backgrounds bring to our team. We are passionate about creating a workplace that is inclusive and reflects the diversity of communities across the UK. Thus, we encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented groups, including Black, Asian and other ethnic minority backgrounds, those with disabilities, those who are care-experienced, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, and those who are LGBTQIA+.

Job overview

The role will focus  on growing the value of funding from large trusts and foundations globally, as well as from corporate foundations and institutional funders via consortium partnerships with larger conservation actors.

The role will oversee grant and contract management with existing organisational and institutional partnerships, as well as grow this portfolio through developing a robust pipeline of new opportunities, finding creative ways to secure visibility and first meetings, developing relationships, compelling funding applications and ensuring strong contract management oversight.

The role will lead a team of two, work collaboratively with fundraising colleagues based in the US and UK to secure visibility with and develop strong long-term partnerships with new Trusts and Foundations; and work closely with colleagues in Kenya to ensure strong project delivery and grant management. Responsibilities include:

• Lead the implementation of the Trusts & Foundations (T&Fs) programme with a particular focus on growing the portfolio of large T&Fs in the USA, UK and European markets;
• Work with fundraising colleagues across priority markets and with communications colleagues, using innovative and proactive approaches to business development and relationship building to unlock visibility opportunities and develop relationships with new prospects; in order to develop and maintain a strong pipeline of high-value funding opportunities.  
• Continue to oversee the current ‘programme funding’ portfolio which includes existing institutional funding partnerships and corporate foundation relationships in Kenya, ensuring that ongoing and new opportunities where they exist are capitalised on.
• Collaborate closely with and provide technical expertise to Ol Pejeta’s Project Implementation function in Kenya to develop and embed ‘programme funding’ systems, policies, processes, to ensure that the organisation works to the highest standards in grant management;
• Oversee collaboration and co-working with Ol Pejeta’s Programme teams and other colleagues to ensure high quality  project design content is translated into  technical proposals and budgets for donors;
• Work closely with Kenya’s implementation function to support strong project delivery and contract management. 
• As a Head of, actively contribute to team and department objectives through decision making and action on planning, budgeting, monitoring and reporting.

Key Activities

• Support the Chief Fundraising Officer with overall strategy development, implementation and adaptation;
• Work closely with the Chief Fundraising Officer to ensure operational and budget planning, management and reporting of resources;
• Oversee the T&F team’s operational planning processes, annual reporting and core performance monitoring;
• Strategic coordination of multiple stakeholders in proposal development processes (programme experts, internal stakeholders, partners and donors);
• Build strong relationships across all departments of the organisation and with existing and new partners;
• Support the recruitment process/selection/appointment of fundraising staff across the department.

Strategic leadership delivery and management of Trusts and Foundations priority in the global fundraising strategy.

• Develop and implement tactics for T&Fs that support Ol Pejeta to meet its overall strategic objectives;  
• Ensure that the relevant parts of the Fundraising strategy, planning and practice is adaptive to both internal and external changes and that the team adopts innovative approaches to its work;
• Effectively integrate T&F team objectives and outcomes into wider Ol Pejeta income targets and programme priorities.

Business development and management

• Proactively cultivate relationships with key prospects, donors and partners (with particular focus on US, UK and European markets);
• Network both internally and externally to ensure relevant stakeholder participation and intelligence gathering in various fora;
• Lead and coordinate proposal development, including budgeting, with programme teams and finance;
• Collaborate with Ol Pejeta’s communications and marketing department to ensure communication activities appeal to donor interests, promote our partnerships and help to position Ol Pejeta as a partner of choice;
• Research and share trends and intelligence on T&Fs, and develop relationships that strategically position the organisation to mobilise resources from new and existing donors.

Support effective grant & risk management and compliance

• Support the development and implementation of improved business policies to facilitate improved management of and accountability for T&F funding and other larger institutional partnerships;
• Provide quality assurance and technical backstopping on reporting and general compliance, in line with organisational and donor requirements;
• Guide the negotiation of strategic grants/contracts to ensure the organisation signs up to appropriate contractual requirements;
• Advise on the interpretation and application of donor rules, regulations, processes and procedures;
• Provide guidance and capacity building on grant cycle management to colleagues across the organisation.

People Management, Financial Management and Departmental contributions

• Provide inductions to staff across the organisation on T&Fs and institutional funding opportunity;
• Build, motivate and effectively collaborate with teams remotely;
• Conduct probationary reviews and annual performance management reviews for direct line management staff;
• Support the Chief Fundraising Officer to have oversight of the team budget lines;
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in the global fundraising team based in different geographical locations
• Contribute to overall departmental processes and initiatives;
• Act within the parameters set by the organisation on financial policies and procedures.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Management

• Ensure effective cross-functional collaboration to strengthen fundraising and grant management skills across the organisation;
• Oversee the development and maintenance of information systems and tools for sharing donor policies and guidelines, funding opportunities and best practice across the organisation;
• Keep pace with international developments and engage with other INGOs to keep abreast of opportunities and global trends in T&F fundraising.

Education, Language & Qualifications

• Bachelors or equivalent in a relevant field preferably Fundraising / International Development;
• Excellent verbal and written communication with fluency in English;
• Language skills in Swahili and German advantageous.

Essential Knowledge, skills and Experience

• Relevant experience working in an international NGO or philanthropy environment with diverse workforce;
• Experience in Trusts & Foundation fundraising across international markets;
• Demonstrated experience cultivating and managing relationships with trusts and foundation donors (or others) to secure six figure grants;
• Substantial experience cultivating and managing donor and stakeholder relationships;
• Exceptional interpersonal, influencing and negotiation skills with demonstrable proactivity in business development;
• Strong technical proposal writing and budget skills;
• Strong ability to manage staff and influence team members remotely;
• Ability to manage and facilitate complex projects and processes;
• Experience working on the African continent with a deep knowledge of conservation and community development;
• Willingness to travel internationally as required;
• Willingness to be on call for donor enquiries out of hours.

Desirable Knowledge, skills and Experience

• Tendering and project management experience;
• Knowledge of conservation finance including the biodiversity credit market;
• Personal network of contacts and relationships in T&Fs;
• Experience in developing complex institutional funding bids;
• Understanding of developments in alternative finance for conservation;