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JOB TITLE:
Fundraising & Partnerships Manager
RESPONSIBLE TO:
Director of Fundraising
LOCATION:
Home based
DURATION:
30-35 Hours Per Week - Permanent
SALARY/GRADE:
Grade 6.4 (£36,043) PA FTE
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
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Fundraising Team
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Nation Directors
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Public Affairs and Communications Team
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Membership Team
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Donors, Volunteers and families
ABOUT YOU
You will have proven experience in fundraising, business development, or partnership management, with a track record of generating income and building strong external relationships. Ideally, you will have experience developing fundraising plans, pipelines, or income streams from an early stage, and will be comfortable working in an environment where processes, opportunities, and supporter journeys are still evolving.
You will be confident identifying and pursuing new opportunities, developing compelling proposals and cases for support, and managing relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including corporate partners, community fundraisers, volunteers, and individual supporters.
We are looking for someone who is proactive, self-motivated, and creative, with strong communication and relationship-building skills. You should be comfortable working independently while also collaborating effectively with colleagues across fundraising, marketing, and operational teams.
Most importantly, you will be motivated by the opportunity to help grow sustainable income that supports children, young people, and families across the UK.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
We are looking for a confident, ambitious, and entrepreneurial Fundraising Manager to help grow sustainable income for Adoption UK by building and developing strong relationships with corporate partners, supporters, volunteers, and local communities.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys creating fundraising plans from the ground up, developing new partnerships, and turning ideas into sustainable income. The role is ideally suited to someone who thrives in a developing fundraising environment and is motivated by the opportunity to shape and grow underdeveloped income streams into long-term success.
This is an opportunity to help shape the development of a strategic and sustainable approach to fundraising, while continuing to deliver hands-on income across a diverse portfolio.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
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Supported by the Director of Fundraising, take ownership of developing, delivering and monitoring fundraising events and activities in line with our fundraising strategy.
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Lead on key income streams to maximise net income and develop sustainable income streams for short, medium and long-term growth.
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Monitor and evaluate progress against plans using management information and budgets to produce reports and forecasts as required
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Deliver effective supporter journeys to improve supporter experience, retention, and long-term engagement.
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Work alongside the Director of Fundraising to develop and implement processes and policies.
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Grow and diversify income across corporate partnerships, community fundraising, events, individual giving and digital activity.
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Develop compelling proposals and pitches for corporate partners, clearly articulating social value, impact and return on investment.
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Build and manage a strong corporate prospect pipeline using research, data and structured follow-up to convert opportunities. Identify opportunities to sponsor projects and activities.
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Collaborate with marketing colleagues to develop assets and digital campaigns to support fundraising appeals and events.
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Work with all Adoption UK teams to support local fundraising activities in each of the four nations including membership and community teams.
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To ensure good working practices in line with Equality and Diversity policies and a pro-active approach is taken to equality, diversity and inclusion issues.
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In compliance with the Code of Conduct, demonstrate high standards of personal conduct, courtesy and integrity.
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Ensure full compliance with Adoption UK’s Safeguarding policies and procedures, reporting concerns in line with internal policies.
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Any other duty as required by the line manager commensurate with the post.
Person Specification criteria
Knowledge And Experience
- Experience of a fundraising, marketing, or event management role (E)
- Experience of delivering multiple projects on time and to budget (E)
- Ability to devise operational plans and deliver them effectively, and proven experience of planning and managing income generating activities and events (E)
Qualificationsand Education
- Professional fundraising qualifications (D)
- Marketing qualifications (D)
- Event Management qualifications (D)
- CIOF Diploma in Fundraising Management/equivalent professional experience/membership of CIOF (D)
Skills and Abilities
- Delivers high quality work with minimal supervision and direction (E)
- Able to demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills, be competent with Microsoft Office (E)
- Ability to assimilate and analyze financial and statistical information, including budget monitoring, management, and financial control (E)
- An exceptional administrator and coordinator with excellent organisation and writing skills (E)
- Communicate, engage and secure positive external relationships with stakeholders and supporters (E)
- Has the capacity to deal with complex issues and is good at problem solving (D)
- Self-starter, used to working to deadlines and delivering against KPIs (E)
- Able to work communicate and engage with internal senior stakeholders effectively (E)
Accountability
- Developing fundraising opportunities (E)
- Event administration (D)
- Stewardship and relationship management (E)
- Contribute to departmental strategic goals, in liaison with the Director of Fundraising (E)
Behaviours
- Takes pride in Adoption UK and promotes its values and mission in all interactions with external stakeholders.
- Demonstrates commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of role at all times.
- Contributes to an open and honest culture
- Encourages challenge and creativity, transparency and consistency.
- Leads by example.
- Offers outstanding service to members.
- Promotes cross functional team working, sharing skills and knowledge
- Communicates clearly, seeking clarity when unclear and valuing the opinion of others.
- Valuing the opinion of other. Treating colleagues and other stakeholders with respect.
- Takes pride in own development, committed to achieving high standards and agreed objectives.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Adoption UK is the leading charity for adopted and care experienced people and adoptive families.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Join SmellTaste and lead the development of the charity’s involvement in research, shaping how lived experience of those affected by smell and taste impairment is integrated in research projects. As Research Development and Engagement Manager, you will lead engagement with researchers, our patient community, and external partners to develop and support new research collaborations. This includes leading the Public and Patient Involvement activity for a 12-month National Institute of Health Research-funded Programme Development Grant, the ICAST Programme: Improving Care for patients with Smell & Taste Disorders, and undertaking planning work for the prospective Programme Grant which is expected to follow this.
This post is funded for 2 days (15 hours) per week for an initial 12-month period, with the potential for the contract to be extended and for it to become a full-time role subject to further funding being secured.
You will be joining a small, friendly and ambitious team that will support your professional development as part of the charity’s ongoing growth.
If you are passionate about making a difference to an underserved patient community and want to be part of a pioneering and collaborative organisation that values and empowers the people it represents then we would love to hear from you. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.
Application instructions:
Please apply by providing both a CV and a covering letter which clearly states how you meet all the points in the Personal Specification.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the SmellTaste contribution to a 12-month National Institute of Health Research-funded Programme Development Grant, led by Prof Carl Philpott at the University of East Anglia (the ICAST Programme: Improving Care for patients with Smell & Taste Disorders).
- Develop a Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) strategy for the above project, including evaluation of impact and dissemination
- Manage a PPI panel for the NIHR project, organise PPIE meetings and ensure participants and panel members are remunerated for activity.
- Develop a detailed, costed delivery plan for the national survey element of the planned Programme Grant which is expected to follow on from the Programme Development Grant, including marketing and publicity, recruitment and dissemination.
- Work with the charity’s CEO and honorary Director of Research and Medical Affairs to develop a research strategy for the charity that aligns with the research priorities identified in the James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership for Smell and Taste Disorders.
- Work with the charity’s CEO, honorary Director of Research and Medical Affairs and external researchers to identify opportunities for new collaborative research opportunities.
- Develop funding applications for research projects.
- Oversee all of the charity’s collaborative research activity, including PPIE activity.
- Evaluate and report on the impact of research projects, ensuring inclusivity and ethical standards.
Personal specification
- Degree (or equivalent experience) in biological sciences or a related field
- Experience leading or supporting public and patient involvement and engagement initiatives in research
- Experience leading or supporting involvement in research
- Experience of writing grant applications
- Ability to communicate and interpret complex scientific research clearly
- Experience working with diverse and underrepresented communities
- Confident relationship builder with researchers and other external stakeholders
- Excellent organisational skills, including strong project management skills
Hours: Part-time, 15 hours per week
Salary: £40,000, pro-rata
Holiday allowance: 25 days pro-rata, plus bank holidays
Location: Home working. Some travel will be required to attend in-person meetings and events
Interviews expected to be held during the week commencing 22nd June.
Registered Charity
1 - 5
SmellTaste is the charity for all those living with impaired smell and taste.
Thank you!
What does it take to lead the national voice for special schools at a time of real change?
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – National Association of Special Schools (NASS)
National – home-based, with regular travel across England and Wales, particularly London
£90,000–£110,000 per annum
Full-time, permanent.
About NASS
The National Association of Special Schools (NASS) is the membership association for special schools in England and Wales. We bring together independent special schools, non-maintained special schools, special academies, maintained special schools and multi-academy trusts with specialist provision.
We exist to inform, support and represent our members, helping specialist schools improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND and secure the place of specialist provision within the wider education system. NASS is known for being accessible, responsive and personal, combining national influence with practical support that members value as timely, human and trustworthy.
This is a pivotal moment for the organisation. In February this year, the Department for Education published a major white paper on SEND reform which will require NASS to both influence national policy on behalf of our members and children and young people, as well as support them to navigate the changes. Our new CEO will need to review our strategy while building on our strong platform and momentum to further deepen our influence and strengthen our internal capacity.
As our next Chief Executive, you will:
- Strategy & Impact: Lead NASS through a period of policy and structural change, ensuring the organisation remains clear on purpose, responsive to members and influential in the SEND landscape.
- Governance & Finance: Work closely with the Board of Trustees to provide strong governance, prudent financial stewardship, robust risk management and clear strategic oversight.
- Operational Leadership: Provide confident leadership to a small, remote team, strengthening collaboration, accountability, resilience and a positive, high-trust culture.
- Income Generation: Oversee budgeting, planning and reporting while developing thoughtful opportunities to diversify income through membership, partnerships, events and related activity.
- Community & Partnerships: Build and sustain trusted relationships with government, parliament, regulators, sector bodies and member schools, ensuring NASS remains relevant and well connected.
- Member Services: Protect and enhance the practical offer to members, from briefings and special interest groups to conferences, webinars, training and peer-to-peer learning.
- Brand & Profile: Act as a credible public ambassador for NASS, helping to modernise communications and broaden the organisation’s voice beyond a founder-shaped model.
- Future Growth: Shape a distributed leadership profile and support a more varied, accessible and engaging approach to membership, advocacy and communications.
- A seasoned senior leader with experience in a charity, membership body, education or public sector setting, and a clear track record of leading through change.
- A strong strategic thinker, able to absorb complex information quickly and translate it into clear, practical direction.
- A confident communicator with the gravitas to represent NASS with members, staff, trustees, MPs, peers, media and national partners.
- A politically astute relationship-builder, comfortable navigating a complex and fast-moving external environment.
- Experienced in governance, with a sound understanding of working with boards or trustees and supporting effective decision-making.
- Numerate and commercially minded, with experience of budgets, financial planning, income generation or partnership development.
- Credible, approachable and resilient, with the emotional intelligence to lead well in a high-profile, remote and sometimes uncertain context.
- Direct SEND experience would be a significant advantage, alongside understanding of specialist education or similarly complex stakeholder environments.
Why NASS?
- This is a chance to lead a respected, member-led organisation with a strong national reputation and a clear public purpose.
- You will help shape the future of specialist education at a time when SEND reform is high on the agenda.
- NASS has a loyal, experienced and collegiate remote staff team, supported by an active Board of Trustees.
- The organisation offers a genuinely influential platform, with strong connections across the sector and with government.
Application
For full details of the role including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill via apply button with times to speak and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile which will be treated with the strictest confidence.
Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 8th June 2026
As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.
