Head of development jobs in Liverpool, merseyside

About GSG Impact 

GSG Impact is a global network of National Partners working to build impact economies that mobilise capital for measurable social and environmental impact. Through its network spanning more than 48 countries, GSG Impact works with governments, investors, regulators, development finance institutions, and ecosystem actors to strengthen the enabling conditions for impact-oriented economies, where capital flows to create positive social and environmental outcomes. 

Position Summary 

The Head of Fundraising will lead GSG Impact’s fundraising function at a critical stage of organisational growth and income diversification. The role is responsible for delivering GSG Impact's fundraising strategy, supporting the achievement of annual income targets of approximately £3 million per year, converting strategic priorities into fundable propositions, and building the systems, processes, relationships, and team capabilities required to secure sustainable long-term funding.

Working closely with the Chief of Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, senior leadership, fundraising team, Trustees, and National Partners, the Head of Fundraising will oversee the development of a diversified funding portfolio and will be responsible for building and managing a robust fundraising pipeline, strengthening donor stewardship, improving cost recovery, and ensuring fundraising activity is aligned with organisational priorities and financial sustainability goals.

This role requires a proactive fundraiser who can originate opportunities, open senior relationships, develop compelling narratives, lead complex proposal processes, and create a culture of shared fundraising responsibility across the organization.

Key Responsibilities 

Business development, Prospecting and Pipeline Conversion

Build and maintain a prioritized list of top institutional, philanthropic, bilateral, multilateral, DFI, corporate, and family-office, and high-net-worth prospects aligned with GSG Impact's strategic priorities.

Proactively identify, research, qualify, and cultivate new prospects, with a particular focus on funders aligned with impact economies, domestic capital mobilisation, climate adaptation and resilience, impact transparency, policy reform, investment vehicles, and emerging markets.

Develop and manage a rolling pipeline of high-quality funding opportunities, moving prospects from initial identification through cultivation, concept development, proposal submission, negotiation, and grant close in collaboration with programme staff and National Partners.

Translate GSG Impact’s strategy into compelling fundable propositions, including unrestricted/core support, restricted programme grants, regional funding, National Partner support, and special initiatives.

Personally lead the development and conversion of the highest-value opportunities, especially prospects requiring senior-level cultivation.

Identify and develop new revenue opportunities, strategic partnerships, and funding models that support GSG Impact's long-term sustainability and income diversification

Proposal Development and Grant Acquisition

Lead the development of high-quality funding proposals, concept notes, and donor engagement materials.

Ensure strategic alignment of all proposals with organisational priorities and donor interests.

Ensure all proposal budgets meet or exceed GSG Impact's cost-recovery targets

Set and ensure implementation of standards for proposal quality, narrative framing, and budget methodology across the fundraising team

Donor Management and Stewardship

Support the Chief of Engagement and Partnerships with relationship management of GSG Impact's most significant donors and strategic prospects

Lead the annual stewardship strategy, ensuring renewal and growth of key funding relationships

Oversee narrative and financial reporting, ensuring high quality, consistency, and timeliness

Functional Leadership

Manage the fundraising team, providing coaching, oversight, performance management, and professional development

Ensure compliance with Fundraising Regulator, GDPR, and relevant UK legislation

In collaboration with colleagues across the organisation monitor and update the information in CRM for fundraising contacts and other relevant information.

Implement strong financial tracking, reporting, and forecasting processes

Foster a culture of fundraising responsibility across GSG Impact teams

Innovation & Growth

Identify new funding opportunities and diversify income streams

Explore digital fundraising and emerging trends

Drive continuous improvement in fundraising performance, effectiveness and operational excellence.

External Representation

The Head of Fundraising plays a key role in relationship management with GSG Impact's most significant funders and prospects. They represent the organization at key sector events and convenings as delegated by the Chief of Engagement and Partnerships.

Qualifications

Demonstrable track record of originating new donor relationships and converting them into six- or seven-figure grants.

Experience in building prospect pipelines from a limited starting base.

Strong understanding of institutional philanthropy, bilateral and multilateral funding, DFIs, and/or impact investing funders.

Proven ability to develop fundable propositions from complex, technical, organisational strategies, including on policy, systems-change, market-building, or ecosystem-development initiatives

Experience working directly with CEOs, Boards, Trustees, or senior principals on donor cultivation.

Strong commercial discipline: pipeline management, probability weighting, forecasting, and cost recovery.

Ability to write or lead the development of high-quality proposals under tight timelines.

Competencies

Alignment with GSG Impact mission and values

Proven fundraising track record in international development, impact investment, philanthropy  or social sector

Strategic thinking and fundraising planning

Senior donor relationship management

Team leadership and coaching

Strong written communication and proposal development

Budget and cost-recovery literacy

Collaborative working style

How to apply

Please send your CV and a covering letter of no more than two pages outlining how your skills and experience meet the essential criteria for this role.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on 22 June 2026.

We are committed to equality and diversity of opportunity and positively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. All applicants will also be asked to complete a short equality and diversity monitoring form, which is held separately from your application and plays no part in shortlisting decisions.