Head of community and events fundraising jobs in gosport, england

About VODG

The Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG) represents over 130 organisations within the voluntary sector whose work is focused on enabling disabled people of all ages to live the lives they choose. VODG believes that an ambitious, reliable and vibrant voluntary sector that works together is critical to achieving this aim.

VODG’s mission is focused on two key areas – enabling our members to be the best they can and improving the environment in which its members operate. VODG believes that our membership approach and operations should centre around the views of disabled people and be influenced by professional expertise.

Introduction to the role

Reporting to the Head of Membership and Operations, the Business Development and Partnership Manager will play a crucial role in driving sustainable growth and cultivating strategic partnerships that align with the organisation's core mission and values. This newly created position aims to strengthen our expansion efforts and help us adapt to the changing landscape of care and support for disabled people.

We are seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Business Development and Partnership Manager who will lead initiatives to identify, develop, and manage partnerships that can drive significant growth and enhance our market presence. This role will also focus on existing revenue streams and explore new areas for development and growth. The position requires exceptional relationship-building skills and a deep understanding of partnership management. It also requires a strategic approach that blends attention to detail and results-oriented delivery.

The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills to effectively engage with stakeholders at all levels, along with a proven track record of successful partnership management and revenue growth. As we continue with our growth plans, this role will be essential in advancing our organisational goals and objectives while fostering an environment both internally and externally that draws in expertise and insight from beyond our membership.

Purpose of role

The role will:

· Formulate and nurture strategic partnerships with corporate partners and non-profit organisations.

· Enhance the visibility and reputation of VODG among key stakeholders.

· Identify and pursue new business opportunities aligning with VODG’s mission and vision.

· Manage relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.

· Foster collaboration and create synergetic relationships for mutual benefits.

· Assess partnership effectiveness through detailed metrics and feedback.

· Negotiate corporate partnerships and secure commercial sponsorships.

· Build long-term relationships that promote shared goals and lead to the development of new business opportunities.

· Focus on exploring new areas for development and growth.

· Support internal colleagues, as necessary, on partnership grants and awards.

· Coordinate with colleagues for alignment of activities with organisational goals.

Specific responsibilities and duties

Business Development Strategy and Implementation 

· Develop and implement comprehensive business development strategies to identify and secure partnership opportunities. 

· Identify and explore innovative areas for development and growth.

· Set clear goals and objectives to measure the success of business development efforts. Analyse market trends and the competitive landscape to inform partnership strategies.

Partnership Development and Relationship Management 

· Identify and engage potential partners while building and maintaining strong relationships with existing stakeholders. 

· Serve as the main point of contact for key partners, ensuring their needs are met and expectations exceeded. 

Opportunity Identification and Market Research 

· Identify and evaluate new business opportunities and partnerships that align with organisational goals, including new membership opportunities.

· Conduct market research to recognise trends, opportunities, and challenges in the sector, analysing competitor activities to inform strategies.

· Deliver on existing opportunities and identify new ones, including sponsorship activities for events, projects, programmes, work, events and conferences, and smaller strategic roundtables.

Negotiation and Contract Management 

· Lead detailed negotiations for partnership agreements, ensuring favourable terms for both parties, and oversee contract management to ensure compliance and performance monitoring.

Collaboration and Project Management 

· Work closely with internal colleagues to align partnership initiatives with business objectives, managing execution to ensure initiatives align with organisational priorities. 

· Collaborate with internal teams to coordinate campaigns and promotional events effectively.

Performance Tracking and Financial Management 

· Monitor and analyse partnership performance, using data to refine strategies and maximise impact. Prepare regular updates on business development activities and partnership outcomes. 

· Prepare budgets and financial forecasts related to business development activities, monitoring and reporting on the financial performance of initiatives and partnerships.

Networking and Representation 

· Represent the organisation at industry conferences, trade shows, and networking events to promote business development initiatives and cultivate a strong professional network for future partnerships. 

·Engage in community outreach and represent the organisation in public forums to expand its network and promote its mission

Job purpose

This is an exciting time to join Action for ME. With developments in research and policy alongside delivering services which are in high demand, you will enjoy working in a fast-paced and continually changing environment. You will be responsible for overseeing operational programme design and delivery, reporting of progress, and measuring the impact of all Action for ME work to improve the lives of people affected by ME. Better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow. You will also assist the Chief Executive in implementing the organisational strategy, and by adapting and evolving delivery models on the ground. As you will have operational management and oversight for our Healthcare Services and hold the Designated Safeguarding Lead role for the organisation, you will bring considerable services-related experience at a management and leadership level. The Chief Executive will focus predominately on external matters and therefore you must have experience of managing an organisation to achieve high quality programmes with evidenced impact and motivated teams. You will act for the Chief Executive on topics, as agreed, and deputise during their absence.

Key duties

1. Leadership

• Ensure that children and adults with ME are at the heart of everything we do through meaningful engagement and participation to influence all aspects of our work.
• Deputise for the CEO and represent and promote the Charity at national meetings and events.
• Deputise for the CEO during periods of absence, and in relation to specific matters, issues or elements of operation as delegated from time to time by the CEO, ensuring a consistency of approach and decisions aligned with the organisation’s objectives.
• With the CEO and HR Business Partner, lead on implementing the People and Culture Strategy and ensuring our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging plan is achieved.
• To provide support, leadership and coaching to the Management Team to ensure the smooth running of the organisation and development of the Charity.
• Contribute to the development of the overall strategy for Action for ME, ensuring that the best use is made of available resources within agreed priorities. Ensure that agreed strategy is delivered to target and in line with agreed budgets.
• Work closely with the Chief Executive and Trustees to ensure effective reporting to the Board and sub-committees.

2. Operations & management

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Charity ensuring high quality service provision that meets all best practice, legal and regulatory frameworks and internal policies and procedures.
• Hold overall management responsibility for our Healthcare Services including the role of the CQC Nominated Individual, ensuring all regulatory requirements and compliance are met.
• Manage the staff and volunteer team, including holding regular meetings and ensure the efficient running of the office ensuring a culture that supports, inspires and motivates the team while ensuring required standards and quality are met at all times through effective performance management.
• Act as the organisational Designated Safeguarding Lead (children and vulnerable adults), working closely with the Designated Safeguarding Officers, colleagues and the Safeguarding Lead Trustee; facilitate the annual safeguarding audit (led by the Lead Trustee) and ensuring safeguarding standards across the organisation are maintained.
• Contribute to the learning and development of key personnel including coaching support (either directly or through the identification of external coaches) to enhance performance.
• Establish (where not already in place) and maintain a clear performance outcome-focused management system driving positive change and improvement across all teams.
• Ensure that policies and procedures are effectively implemented and kept up-to-date to enable the effective management of operations and support growth.
• Take the lead role for data protection, health and safety, compliance and risk management across the organisation and act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

3. Finance & income generation

• Hold financial leadership responsibility, working closely with the Finance Manager and the Fundraising Director to ensure sustainability for our work.
• Ensure effective financial management with procedures in place which are kept up-to-date and implemented accordingly.
• Provide support and engagement, where appropriate, to actively grow our income.

4. Working with others

• Lead, nurture and develop relationships with key stakeholder groups and partner organisations, both locally and nationally, supporting Action for M.’s place as the ‘go to’ organisation for people affected by ME
• Lead on new business ideas and pilot projects in line with the strategic objectives; with colleagues, develop the business case, identify and manage risks, lead implementation across teams, evaluate success and learning and make recommendations for future development.

5. Other key accountabilities

• Be proactive in keeping up to date with developments affecting operations and maintain and improve personal competence through continuous professional development.
• Take direction on projects and priorities from the CEO, which may vary from time to time.
• To ensure best value in all service delivery.

Person specification

Experience and Knowledge

• Proven experience in an operations, leadership, or senior management role, ideally within the charity service delivery or healthcare sector, with the ability to develop and implement strategic plans that drive organisational growth and reporting that demonstrates impact delivered. If you come from outside a support services background, you must demonstrate sound understanding of the regulatory and best practice requirements related to delivering support and/or healthcare services.
• An understanding of ME and associated/overlapping illnesses, the impact on people affected by it or a commitment and ability to understand the illness and lead services to meet the needs of children and adults with ME
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams, including remote workers, and fostering a supportive workplace culture where change is a constant.
• Safeguarding understanding at a management/decision-making level.
• Proven experience of building and nurturing strong relationships internally and externally at all levels.
• A sound understanding of outcome-focused, effective performance management, quality assurance and risk management.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, financial planning, and resource management in the voluntary sector.

Skills and Behaviours

• Experience of governance, risk management, and compliance, including within regulated services, ideally within a charity and/or service delivery setting.
• Proven ability to think strategically, balance competing demands, use initiative to solve problems and actively seek innovative approaches to problem solving and delivering results.
• Strong interpersonal skills including motivational, negotiating influencing and networking skills which build strong internal and external relationships.
• An ability to understand, analyse and make effective use of data across all of our work.
• A proven ability to coach and motivate staff and to build and lead teams reflecting organisational culture and values, a respectful, constructive and energetic style.
• Proven, strong MS Office skills that supports writing, email, internet and database use.
• Demonstrable ability to work within our organisational values

We are currently hiring for a new Trusts, Foundations and Corporates Manager, who will be responsible for managing income streams and maintaining a high standard of applications, reporting and stewardship for our trusted partners.

You will be joining a friendly team and your hard work will make an immediate, real impact for our inherited sight loss community.

Key responsibilities:

* Secure funding from Trusts, Foundations and Corporates sources to meet annual income targets and key performance indicators.

* Maintain existing relationships with Trusts, Foundations and Corporates and deliver growth opportunities by identifying new funding opportunities and monitor external trends regularly.

* Secure Corporate sponsorship for key events and projects including our Annual and Professionals’ conferences, our upcoming gala dinner and our Look Forward magazines.

* Write compelling cases for support and proposals, refreshing our case studies, impact and messaging regularly.

* Schedule, write and submit donor reports as part of our requirements and stewardship.

* Work with the Communications Manager and Head of Income Generation to create relevant case studies, news stories and social media content relevant to Trusts, Foundations and Corporates.

* Identify and cultivate new Corporate prospects and ensure that our database is kept up to date.

* Lead an exemplary stewardship programme for existing Corporate supporters and sponsors, to maximise income and establish donor loyalty.

* Collaborate with other internal teams to engage colleagues on the importance of Trusts, Foundations and Corporates by sharing successes and ways for colleagues to support these areas.

* Regularly measure the success of our outreach with pharmaceutical companies and Corporate prospects.

* Attend relevant networking events to grow our presence in the Corporate space and maintain an engaging post-event stewardship with all new contacts.

* Research and prepare applications and presentations for Charity of the Year partnerships and grow this area year-on-year.

* Create high quality, inspiring proposals, pitches, copy and other material for new opportunities, ensuring that all communications are on brand.

SPECIFICATION (E = essential, D = desirable):

Skills & Experience

Minimum of 1 year working in a similar role - E                                   

Working in a small team - D                                                                 

Educated to ‘A’ level standard or commensurate experience - E       

IT literate and highly adept in the use of MS Office Suite - E                   

Familiar with email and internet - E                                                     

High standard of written and verbal English and grammar - E           

Database experience - E                                                                     

Personal Attributes

Confident, polite and cheerful telephone manner  - E                           

Quick learner able to act on initiative and in the absence of managers - E                                                                                                   

An eye for detail and a flair for organisation - E                                 

Ability to empathise with people with disabilities (particularly visual impairment) - E                                                                               

Able to manage a busy workload - E                                                   

Commitment

Empathy with Retina UK’s aims and objectives - E                           

Willing to live Retina UK’s values - E     

About the Role

As Programme and Innovation Manager (all genders), you’ll play a pivotal role in designing and delivering an exceptional incubator experience for our startups. From refining the curriculum to coordinating mentors, events, and workshops, you’ll ensure that every founder receives the guidance, support, and connections they need to succeed. This is a unique opportunity to work with some of the most innovative food-tech startups globally—at the intersection of sustainability, entrepreneurship, and impact.

Job Details

Role: Permanent, Full-time 
Hours: 40 / week 
Location: Berlin or Remote (ideally within Germany, Poland, Netherlands, UK, South Africa or Czechia)
Reports to: Head of ProVeg Incubator

Responsibilities

• Programme Leadership: You will own and continuously evolve the structure, content, and delivery of the Incubator programme.
• Curriculum Development: You will curate and coordinate a world-class curriculum, including workshops, expert talks, and networking events.
• Startup Support: You will work hands-on with leading startups in the food tech space, coaching and supporting them during and after the programme on strategy, fundraising, and go-to-market topics.
• Impact & Knowledge Management: You will build and manage knowledge-sharing systems, KPIs, and programme impact tracking.
• Community Building: You will expand our global mentor network and stakeholder community.
• Startup Selection: You will contribute to the selection process of startups in close collaboration with the team.
• Trend Monitoring: You will stay ahead of trends in food innovation and identify high-potential startup teams early.
• Budget Management: You will manage the programme budget and ensure effective resource allocation.
• Representation: You will represent the Incubator at industry events and within the broader startup ecosystem.

Qualifications

• You hold a degree in Business, Economics, Innovation, Food Tech, or Biotechnology - or bring equivalent hands-on experience.
• You have 1-2+ years of experience in programme or project management, ideally within a startup incubator, accelerator, or entrepreneurship support organisation.
• You have a strong understanding of the startup ecosystem and the food innovation landscape.
• You bring excellent organisational and communication skills and thrive in fast-paced environments.
• You have an entrepreneurial spirit and a proactive, solutions-focused mindset.
• You have experience coaching or working with early-stage startups.
• You are passionate about sustainable food systems and supporting mission-driven founders.
• You are outgoing and confident and enjoy networking and representing the Incubator and ProVeg with professionalism.
• You are driven by a passion for entrepreneurship and food innovation and want to help startups succeed and build a more sustainable food system.
• You work proactively and think creatively to generate original and relevant ideas to continuously improve the incubation and acceleration programme.

Benefits of working with us

• The opportunity to work closely with groundbreaking startups from all over the world that are building the future of our food system 
• Build a strong foundation for a career in one of the most exciting areas of innovation and impact.
• A mission-driven team and work culture that values impact, autonomy, and creativity.
• Strong organisational focus on personal development and designated training budget with plenty of room for initiative, independence and responsibility
• Flexible, trust-based working arrangements and home office arrangements
• A supportive, open and diverse work environment

When?

Application deadline: 15.05.2025
Start: Ideally 15.06.2025 or 01.07.2025

Location: Remote in Europe

Salary: Depending on experience (including unpaid and other experiences) and capacity to take on responsibility, the salary range is:

• £73,135 - £79,230 for the United Kingdom

• €60,150 - €76,263 for France

• €83,439 - €89,399 for Netherlands

If the successful candidate is outside of the UK, France, or NL, the salary and benefits will be adjusted based on local market equivalencies.

About Us

The Sunrise Project is a global network of independent organizations united by a common mission: scaling social movements to drive the global transition beyond fossil fuels. We've developed a unique model that combines strategic grant-making with campaigning, supporting interconnected organizations to create powerful change aligned with our mission.

The Sunrise Project Inc. is a proud member of The Sunrise Project network. Our organizational culture is dynamic and adaptable. We're committed to supporting our team members to thrive as we tackle the urgent challenge of climate change. We believe that a diversity of experiences and perspectives strengthens our strategies, teams, and movements.

The Sunrise Project Inc. takes the broadest possible view of diversity and encourages First Nations people, people of colour, people living outside of cities, people living with disabilities, neurodiverse, and LGBTQIA+ people to apply. We are continually working on becoming a better workplace for everyone. Find out more here.

About the Program

The Europe Regional Finance program has evolved out of our Financial Regulation and Policy Program that began in 2019 with a narrow focus on European central banks. Since then, we've expanded to shape financial regulation and policy globally to accelerate clean energy and create lasting systemic change in how public finance addresses climate challenges. Now the Europe Regional Finance program will focus on EU Policy and Finance and UK Policy and Finance. 

About The Role

The purpose of this role is to contribute to achieving the objectives in the EU Financial Policy and Regulation project, specifically the work on public finance, fiscal policy and industrial strategy. Together with partners and allies, this role will help stop the political polarisation of net zero and contribute to building the broader case for public investment by establishing and propagating a narrative linking the opportunities of the clean energy transition with improving conditions for households and communities. This role sees the big picture and can translate it into actionable plans for maximum impact.

We support networks of organisations to work together to achieve outcomes that would not be possible by individual organisations acting alone. We expect all roles at Sunrise to actively support the capacity building of these networks and partner organisations. 

About You

You have experience working on public finance, fiscal policy, or industrial strategy. You understand what it takes to hold the big picture, and translate complicated campaign strategies into actionable steps. You enjoy digging into the policy details, but are able to focus on the key ways to move the campaign forward for maximum impact. You’re able to work with diverse networks of organisations from trade unions to business leaders. You have a strong understanding of the political context which dictates our work and what's possible, but also innovative in thinking through solutions and opportunities to do things differently. You have experience working in Europe. You’re flexible and willing to change course when needed and respond to opportunities, but are able to keep the systemic change we want to achieve in mind. 

Key Responsibilities

• Leads on the development and implementation of high-impact campaign strategies and tactics to achieve our programmatic goals, objectives, and key results, in accordance with our values and JEDI commitments. 

• Sources, builds, and maintains strategic relationships with key partners, facilitating collaborative efforts to co-develop and implement strategies.

• In collaboration with the research team, identifies and develops a plan to fulfill complex research and analysis to inform the development of effective campaign strategies and plans.

• Provides strategic advice to partners and community groups to enhance the strategic impact of their campaigns.

• Ensures alignment between global public finance work and associated projects across the wider Global Finance Program.

• Fosters the development and growth of a well-informed, effective, and powerful network and individuals dedicated to our cause, and contributes to the broader movement's progress.

• Designs and evaluates grant proposals and strategies in collaboration with partners, manages grants and oversees a portfolio of grantees ensuring the delivery of high-impact initiatives to support the movement's impact.

• Drives and facilitates inclusive and transparent strategic decision-making processes, including campaign evaluation and impact reporting.

• Acts as a key influencer, coach, and strategic advisor, and may manage consultants and/or teams with responsibility for the management, development and growth of others.

• Regularly evaluate projects at 3 months, 6 months and annually during the first year and every 6 months after that.

• Aligns programmatic strategies and OKR’s with Sunrise’s Values and mission.

Required skills and experience

• Advanced level campaigning experience in European public finance, industrial strategy, and fiscal policy in a similar role including unpaid, grassroots or lived experience.

• Proven experience researching, building, and incubating new strategies in consultation and coordination with partner organizations.

• Ability to work with the team to execute grants. 

• Ability to successfully manage across cultures, and a track record of creating inclusive work cultures, both internally and with partners.

• Demonstrated ability to work in a very dynamic environment with a high degree of flexibility and agility. 

• A high level of emotional intelligence with excellent interpersonal communication and group facilitation skills.

• A passion for action on climate change and a commitment to social justice, equity, diversity.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Experience grant making would be beneficial. 

• Experience working fundraising would be an advantage.

Job requirements

• You must have full working rights in the country in which you will be working. The Sunrise Project is unable to sponsor applicants for employment visas.

• Previous employment reference checks will be required for successful applicants.

• Attend local in person partner events as appropriate.

• Intermittent travel with advanced notice may be/is required.

How Sunrise supports its staff

The Sunrise Project is committed to creating a workplace that supports our staff to do their best work and develop professionally. Sunrise has the following in place to help us achieve that, noting pro rata will apply for part time staff and/or temporarily appointed-fixed term staff.  The successful candidate will be hired via a Professional Employment Organisation (PEO) on behalf of the Sunrise Project, so conditions of employment may vary.

• Statutory benefits and entitlements of the country/province in which you are employed.

• Sunrise may provide additional benefits, where in-country entitlements are less than our standard package, where applicable including:

  • Paid Parental Leave that is gender-neutral & inclusive of all types of families, incl. Parental Return To Work & Keeping In Touch Program

  • Life Leave (up to 40 days p.a. for significant personal reasons)

  • Public Holiday + Cultural Leave

  • Workspace Benefits incl: Macbook & accessories, initial $2,000* for home workspace & IT equipment + $800* every 2 years + up to $75/mth phone/data/internet (equivalent local currency) .

  • Shared office support

Additionally we offer:

• Flexible Working Policy

• VIDA - An AI tool to support your health and wellbeing

• Regular all-org and team meetings & retreats

• Learning & Development Program incl. a professional development budget for every staff member

• Coaching & manager support with regular 1:1 meetings

• Annual performance & development reviews with 360 feedback

• A co-developed work plan to ensure clarity on your role & key responsibilities

• We provide our staff with a voice on issues that concern them via consultation, caucuses, working groups, and surveys.

How to apply for this job

We recognise that racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, classism and other forms of discrimination creates structural barriers that impact opportunities to formal education and experience. 

You’ll be taken to Be Applied to complete your application.