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Corporate Partnerships Lead
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Corporate Partnerships Lead
Full Time/Permanent
Location: Hybrid working with a minimum of 1 day per week in our London office (Farringdon)
Hours: 35 hours per week
Salary:£51k - £55k (dependent upon experience)
Our offer to you
We pride ourselves in being a great place to work, providing a supportive culture with opportunities to grow and develop your career, achieve a healthy work life balance and to be recognised for the great work you do. You will receive:
- Competitive salary and pension scheme
- 33 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays) - increasing to 38 days over 5 years
- Hybrid, Flexible working
- Cycle to work scheme Electric Vehicle Scheme
- Health and Wellbeing portal – access to financial, health and wellbeing support and an Employee Assistance Programme
- Discounts – you will have access to Blue Light and NHS Discounts as well as discounts on mobile phones, gym membership, cinema tickets, restaurants, holidays and shopping
About Us
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a team of over 1,400 employees and over 28,000 volunteers, united by our goal of saving lives through essential first aid services, training and campaigning. As a charity with rich heritage and a long history of serving humanity, we are proud of our past and excited about creating a healthier, safer, more resilient future.
St John Ambulance works at the heart of communities, supporting and enabling them to access and receive physical and mental health first aid. We do this through developing and providing effective community response and outreach services (e.g. Ambulance response) and using our longstanding expertise to empower people with vital clinical skills and the confidence to use them (e.g. our Volunteers and Community Advocates, and Young Responders programmes).
Job Summary
St John Ambulance is entering an exciting new chapter. As we launch our ambitious three-year strategy, our goal is clear: to grow the power of first aid by 2028 by teaching more people life-saving skills and delivering expert care when it matters most.
This is a pivotal opportunity to lead and shape our Corporate Partnerships function at a time of significant growth potential. You will drive new business activity, develop compelling funding propositions, and secure income-led, multi-year partnerships that deliver meaningful impact for both St John and our corporate partners.
Leading a team of three, you will set clear strategic direction, build a strong prospect pipeline, and drive sustainable income growth. You’ll also strengthen and expand existing partnerships, maximise cross-selling opportunities, and collaborate across the organisation to develop values-aligned partnerships that generate both income and brand value.
We’re looking for a confident, strategic partnership professional with a proven track record of identifying, securing and managing corporate partnerships of varying scale. You’ll bring excellent communication and presentation skills, commercial insight, and a proactive, collaborative approach. Passionate about impact, you’ll play a key role within our fundraising, brand and communications team helping to build a high-performing culture and deliver against ambitious financial targets while advancing our mission to put first aid at the heart of every community.
About You
You’re a strategic and commercially minded partnership professional with a proven track record of securing and growing high-value corporate partnerships. You know how to turn insight into compelling propositions and win new business that drives sustainable income growth.
You bring experience of leading or supporting teams to perform at their best, creating a culture of ambition, accountability and collaboration. Confident managing budgets and income targets, you use data and insight to inform decisions and maximise performance.
An excellent communicator and relationship builder, you’re comfortable influencing and pitching to senior stakeholders and negotiating win–win partnerships. Highly organised and self-motivated, you manage competing priorities effectively and understand fundraising best practice and regulatory requirements.
You lead with compassion and emotional intelligence, are open to feedback, and role model a values-driven approach aligned with our HEART values.
It would be great if you also have:
- Experience working within the charity sector
- Experience engaging senior leaders such as Directors, Trustees or CEOs
- A degree/L7 qualification (or equivalent experience)
- Up-to-date knowledge of corporate partnership and social impact trends
About the Role
- Provide strong, values-led leadership to build a high-performing Corporate Partnerships team, fostering collaboration, inclusivity, ambition and excellence.
- Set clear objectives, KPIs and development plans; support, motivate and hold the team accountable to deliver annual income targets.
- Develop and deliver an ambitious corporate partnerships strategy focused on securing high-value new business while retaining and growing existing partnerships.
- Build and oversee a well-researched, strategically aligned prospect pipeline to drive sustainable income growth.
- Lead the creation of compelling, creative and commercially driven partnership propositions, proposals and pitches.
- Collaborate across fundraising, brand, communications, operations, finance and regional teams to maximise partnership opportunities and ensure integrated delivery.
- Oversee budgeting, forecasting, income monitoring and performance reporting, using insight to inform strategy and manage risk.
- Ensure strong governance and compliance, including due diligence, accurate CRM data management, regulatory adherence and high-quality impact and financial reporting to funders and senior stakeholders.
Please see the job description for more detail (this can be viewed on our website or once you click apply)
If you are a current St John Ambulance employee, please apply here: Click here
For all other candidates, or St John Ambulance volunteers wishing to apply: please apply below
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive high volume of applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
St John Ambulance are committed to increasing the diversity of our team and making sure we best reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. At St John, everyone is valued and supported to thrive, we have several networks including Multi Culture, Disability and Accessibility, Pride, Family and Carers and Women’s groups. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination and engender a sense of belonging for all, by creating an environment of mutual respect, where we value unique differences and demonstrate authentic allyship. We believe passionately in equality, diversity and inclusion.
St John Ambulance is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice. Therefore, all successful applicants will undergo pre-employment checks, including DBS Clearance, as part of the onboarding process, if applicable to the nature of the role
Please note: St John does not accept speculative CVs and will only review CVs sent in application for an advertised vacancy.
Hours: Part Time (21 hours per week)
Contract: Fixed term to end of January 2028.
Salary: £26,100 – £28,200 pro rata (£43,500 - £47,000 FTE)
This is an important project working in partnership with Government, the NHS, partners and affected communities as part of national memorial activities to reflect on the impact of Covid-19 for people across the UK.
The contract is linked to the anticipated development and delivery timeline of the Reflection Spaces project, which is the primary focus of the role.
Key Relationships: Programme Leads, COO, Director of Strategic Engagement, AD Finance and Operations, Trustees, External Partners
Overall Purpose
The Project Manager will work with NHS member charities and key stakeholders to design, lead and manage a high-profile programme of activity alongside key partners and those with lived experience to create memorial reflection spaces for communities most impacted by COVID-19. This is referred to in this document at the ‘Reflection Spaces’ project.
You will bring a dynamic, can do approach to support the design and delivery of the Reflection Spaces project, ensuring collaboration across a wide range of stakeholders, including our identified NHS Member Charities, voluntary sector organisations, funders, evaluators and government officials to create beautiful high quality and reflective spaces supportive of those experiencing bereavement with creative elements to mark their significance.
It involves working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders including our member charities, NHS trusts, funders, evaluators, and government officials, and ensuring initiatives are delivered successfully.
Overall Objectives
To support the design and implementation of new sensory reflection spaces that create a living memory and legacy for communities of those lost during the pandemic. The new COVID-19 memorials will be created across the country that reflect the importance of green spaces to the nation during the pandemic for health and wellbeing, and to bring people together in remembrance and commemoration to those who have experienced loss.
To convene and engage stakeholders to inform the national elements of the project including development of the creative brief, ensuring a golden thread that brings all of the locally funded projects together.
You will coordinate teams, stakeholders and partners to ensure high quality delivery, excellent interpretation and relevance through codesign to represent the user needs from established steering and engagement groups to ensure quality and impact.
You may also be required to oversee other NHS Charities Together initiatives successfully so they deliver on their objectives, managing stakeholders, and are delivered on time and to budget - in particular the Green Communities project, which is an existing grant programme with NHS Charities to create and improve green spaces and help improve the nation’s health.
Key Responsibilities
Project Design and Development
- Work with the Programme Leads and SRO to develop the Reflection Spaces project from design to implementation considering sustainability and legacy of local project design and implementation with NHS charity members.
- Managing high profile stakeholder relationships and partners across government, horticultural partners and bereavement organisations to codesign the programme of activity and/or high level design brief to guide local project delivery.
- Establish evaluation requirements for the programme and projects delivered at a local level and in line with partners involved, leading processes to convene, capture and share evidence, data and insight to support knowledge of impact for users of the spaces. Commission and manage external evaluations where appropriate, ensuring quality and alignment with project aims.
- Plan funding aspects of the programme allocating awards to chosen NHS Charities able to support the requirements of the spaces as per brief.
- Develop project plans with clear objectives, timelines, milestones and manage and monitor associated budget, ensuring that projects are financially sustainable and cover our costs.
Delivery and Management
- Lead initiatives, in particular the Reflection Spaces project, to ensure they are delivered on time, within scope and budget.
- Establish and oversee robust project governance, risk management, and reporting processes, maintaining strong administration and compliance throughout
- Regularly review and monitor impact against the goals of the programme, ensuring the benefits and impact we seek are being achieved
- Provide line management of staff where required, such as the Senior Projects Officer working across our other related greening projects
- Manage project resources and staff effectively, fostering a collaborative team culture and supporting and ensuring team members are empowered
- Support or lead the process of securing appropriate partnership propositions, selecting service contracts or grant arrangements where appropriate, with regard to considerations such as control and VAT efficiency. Where multiple potential partners exist, ensure we have effective decision making to select the most appropriate partnerships in line with our strategic criteria, either through procurement or application assessments and establish appropriate tender processes for artistic commissioning.
- Manage contracts or grant arrangements with external partners, including evaluators and delivery organisations, delegating as required; lead or support negotiations as needed and ensure partners meet their obligations.
- Oversee and manage the delivery of the Greener Communities project to completion.
Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration
- Convene and engage stakeholders, including member charities, NHS trusts and employees, funders and evaluators, to co-produce and steer projects collaboratively.
- Facilitating and supporting engagement to harness lived experience voice to inform the design and delivery of locally delivered projects to ensure relevance and suitability of spaces and also to support national commemoration events such as the National Day of Reflection.
- Manage stakeholder relationships throughout the lifecycle of each project, ensuring effective communication and engagement.
- Provide support and guidance to member charities through the projects we fund, enabling high quality spaces and user experience and outcomes.
- Represent the organisation externally, acting as a champion for NHS Charities Together and NHS charities
- Form professional and beneficial relationships with internal and external stakeholders – including at a senior level, representing the department internally and externally and bringing your experience of greening for health.
- Work collaboratively with teams across the organisation to plan commemorative events around the National Day of Reflection and to support the design of communication plans.
Creative Arts Installation
- Lead the creative arts commissioning aspects of the Reflection Spaces project in collaboration with partners to ensure spaces have interpretation and recognition around their purpose and also any installation artwork featuring across all sites acting as the golden thread for the programme.
- Identify and build effective relationships with new stakeholders and funders who are required for the artistic aspects of the Reflection Spaces project to support ambition, working collaboratively to secure income such Arts Council applications or equivalent for the devolved nations such as Creative Scotland.
- Establish creative steering groups that help to codesign artistic aspects that will establish interpretation of the spaces and create a ‘golden thread’ unifying the spaces
Other duties
- Visibly live NHS Charities Togethers values of Human, Collaborative and Pioneering, including our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Carrying out the duties of post in accordance with NHS Charities Togethers policies and procedures on Health and Safety and take responsibility for ensuring personal health and safety.
- Working flexibly, prioritising workload, and working effectively as part of a team. Demonstrating an ability to work calmly and effectively when under pressure of tight deadlines, to deliver work on time and to a high standard.
- Work with organisational systems to capture and share stakeholder interactions in a timely manner
- Adhere to relevant legislation, best practice, policies, and processes including, but not limited to charity law, the fundraising regulator, GDPR and professional codes and standards.
This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of duties. The need for flexibility is required, and the post holder is expected to carry out any other related duties that are within the employee’s skills and abilities whenever reasonably instructed.
REF-227 012
About the team
The Policy team is a small, collaborative and collegiate team looking to expand. We have a unique set-up, sitting separately to but working closely alongside the Communications team as part of the wider Public Affairs team. We influence key decision makers through direct engagement with senior officials, commissioning and sharing research and insight and supporting coalitions which include our portfolio charities to take their voice to decision makers to secure policy and funding commitments.
The team also works across the organisation, presenting insight to inform our investment decisions and making a compelling case to generate new financial commitments for our work.
About this role
The Research and Evidence Officer is a new and exciting role at Impetus, an organisation at the forefront of youth policy. Impetus is evidence led and impact focused and we take this approach to our policy and public affairs activity.
The successful candidate will provide the robust data and insights needed to help us build a better understanding of young people’s experiences across education and employment, support colleagues by providing accurate data, analysis and insight that informs policy development and communication designed to improve their outcomes, and support the team to create compelling cases for change tailored to a range of audiences. They will be line managed by the Head of Education Policy but work across both employment and education policy domains.
We are a busy team doing interesting and exciting work. Day-to-day you might be extracting insights from government published data, providing evidence for a policy briefing, drafting a report for a policy audience, or working with colleagues from across the team to communicate research findings in impactful ways, following agreed templates, processes and quality standards, and seeking clarification where needed.
We are looking for someone with a commitment to supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to get the support they need for a fulfilling life, whatever that means to them. You will have good knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods, have the skills required to analyse a range of data sets, including confidence applying quantitative research methods to conduct primary and secondary analysis of large and complex datasets, and the ability to present research findings clearly.
This is an exciting time to join a rapidly growing organisation. We work on tackling the barriers that hold back young people from disadvantaged backgrounds including reducing the numbers losing learning though absence and exclusion, improving GCSE attainment in English and maths and ensuring youth employment provision reaches those furthest away from work. Your contribution to this work will have a tangible impact
on these and other areas.
We are keen to see a demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and interested to hear how you have led or supported any initiatives or projects relating to this.
We welcome application from underrepresented groups, particularly those who were eligible for free school meals as children. If you would like to chat about the role, please find the link on the recruitment pack.
Key responsibilities
• Monitor monthly data releases and new research published across our areas of interest and record relevant information accurately following agreed templates and systems
• Use quantitative and qualitative research skills to support and contribute to the delivery of a range of research projects and reviews, conduct data analysis, and generate robust evidence across relevant policy areas and portfolio partner activity
• Translate complex data accurately into accessible reports, briefings, summaries, papers, presentations, and other content ensuring accuracy, clarity and adherence to organisational templates and approval processes
• Use research findings to provide accurate evidence and summaries that support colleagues in developing policy positions, evaluating proposals, and proposing evidence-based solutions
• Prepare accurate briefing materials and background notes to support senior colleagues on relevant policy areas ahead of meetings and events (speaking events, roundtables, and senior-level stakeholder meetings)
• Collaborate with the Communications team to develop content for external priority audiences to maintain and grow the profile of policy work, by preparing draft summaries, data points and visuals in line with agreed templates and style guides
• Support the policy team in gathering, organising, summarising and using evidence from portfolio partners
• Support internal team processes by monitoring an allocated set of information sources, providing content for internal and external newsletters, ensuring information management systems are kept up to date and accurate (e.g. briefing packs, team calendar)
• Contributing to a collaborative and inclusive team culture
• Support the Heads of Policy to build and maintain relationships with researchers, academics, and the education sector by writing briefings, maintaining a contact database, and representing Impetus’ interests at events
• Collaborate with peers to meet deadlines and deliver results, ask for clarification when needed, share information promptly, and work cooperatively to meet deadlines.
Person specification
Essential
• A strong commitment to improving outcomes for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and an understanding of the barriers they face across education and employment
• Good knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods, and how these can be applied to policy and practice
• Ability to support the development of research tools including surveys, interview guides, and tailored data collection plans
• Experience of analysing data and evidence (quantitative and qualitative), including working with large or complex datasets ensuring accuracy and following agreed guidance
• Experience using statistical or data analysis tools (e.g. Excel, R, Stata, SPSS, or similar)
• Ability to interpret research findings and translate complex data into clear, accessible outputs to improve clarity for non-technical audiences (e.g. briefings, reports, presentations)
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to draft clear, accurate, and well-structured content for policy or public audiences which are in line with agreed templates and processes
• Ability to gather and summarise evidence that supports colleagues in developing policy positions and decision-making
• Good organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and work across different projects simultaneously. Able to follow established processes, manage own tasks, and maintain accurate records
• A commitment to working with collaboratively with colleagues from diverse backgrounds, and to contribute positively to a team-based working culture
• A commitment to Impetus’ mission
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
Desirable
• Experience working in a policy, university or research environment, think tank, charity, or public sector environment
• An interest in education and/or employment policy and the use of evidence to drive systemic change and a willingness to build understanding
• Knowledge of the UK government and policy-making process, including the roles of departments, Parliament, and external stakeholders, and how research and evidence contribute to policy development and decision-making
About Impetus
At Impetus, our focus is on helping young people achieve positive education and employment outcomes to increase their chance of leading fulfilling and successful lives, irrespective of their background.
We tackle the three most difficult challenges that affect a young person’s ability to succeed in life in Britain today:
- Lost learning through absence, suspensions, exclusions from school
- Stagnation in education attainment outcomes, which means many are missing out on key qualifications like GCSE English and maths
- The large numbers of young people out of education, training and employment
We use our deep expertise and high calibre networks to give the best non-profits working in these sectors the essential ingredients to have a real and lasting impact on the young people they serve.
Through a powerful combination of long-term funding, direct capacity building support from our experienced team and our pro bono partners, alongside research and policy influencing to drive lasting systems change, we work towards a society where all young people can thrive in school, pass their exams and unlock the doors to sustained employment, for a fulfilling life.
We are resolutely focused on outcomes and impact, driven by quality evidence.
You would be joining a team that is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our portfolio partners and the young people we serve.
Impetus is a registered charity and our charity number is 1152262.
Our Values
In 2022 the Impetus staff agreed the following set of Values to act as our guiding principles as an organisation and help us to remain focused on achieving our mission to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
We are brave and curious
We are bold and brave in our pursuit of better outcomes for young people. We lead with curiosity and stay open to new perspectives. We support one another to take considered risks and learn together.
We bring high trust, high challenge
We build strong, long-term relationships through honesty, kindness, integrity, and respect. We create the space for open, constructive challenge, where colleagues, partners and supporters feel safe to speak up, hold each other to account, and bring their best in pursuit of our mission.
We are evidence led and results driven for young people
We pursue excellence for the young people we work with, are wholly committed to better outcomes, unapologetically results driven, and accountable for our actions.
We thrive through diversity
We seek to embed diversity of thought, background and experience in every aspect of our work. We are open, thoughtful and proactive in better understanding and challenging our assumptions to better deliver the change we seek.
We always seek collaboration
We will not succeed alone. We seek meaningful, productive partnerships with others to achieve our mission and drive systems change for young people.
Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
We believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more open, creative and gets better results.
We want our team at Impetus to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our team to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.
We want to reach a diverse pool of candidates. We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.
We recognise the importance of a good work/life balance. We do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, working part-time job shares and other arrangements.
Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.
Impetus is an equal opportunity employer and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We value diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.
Our employee benefits
Impetus appreciates the invaluable contribution made by all employees and wishes to encourage and reward loyalty, motivation and experience. We therefore offer a range of benefits and policies which aim to assist employees during various stages of their lives and careers. For more information on these, please download the job information pack from our website.
How to apply
Please click on the "Apply for this job" button.
You will need to:
- Complete the online form (including the equal opportunities monitoring form)
- Upload a comprehensive CV and supporting statement.
The supporting statement should be no more than two sides of A4 and should address the criteria in the person specification.
You should also include the contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be approached with your express permission.
As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at interview stage.
The deadline for applications is Monday 9th March 2026, 11:59pm.
Interviews:
1st Interviews will take place on w/c 16th March 2026.
2nd Interviews will take place on w/c 23rd March 2026.
You will also be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.
Personal Data
Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.
Impetus transforms the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds by ensuring they get support to succeed in school, in work and in life.
