Head of philanthropy and partnerships jobs in Milton keynes, england
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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.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
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Strategic Partnerships Manager
Are you ready to take on a new challenge at a leading UK charity and help make a real difference for brain tumour patients and their families?
One in three people in the UK knows someone affected by a brain tumour. Brain Tumour Research is determined to change this. We are the only national charity focused on finding a cure for all types of brain tumours.
We are campaigning to increase the national investment in research to £35 million per year and funding sustainable Centres of Excellence across the UK.
Since the Charity was launched in 2009, we have invested £37.5 million in research into brain tumours, supporting game-changing science that with benefit patients in years to come. We are the leading voice of the brain tumour community, influencing governments and larger charities to invest more in this devastating disease.
Our last financial year was our most successful fundraising year to date, and we’re building on that momentum and looking ahead with ambition. We are now searching for passionate people to help us achieve the next steps on our journey to get closer to a cure.
We are recruiting for a Strategic Partnerships Manager to join our team. This role will play a crucial part in the Income Generation and Development team and support the wider charity to achieve our strategic aims.
- Are you passionate about making a difference for brain tumour patients and their families?· Would you like to work for an innovative and influential UK medical research charity?
- Do you live within a commutable distance from Milton Keynes?
- Do you have proven experience in fundraising, partnerships or philanthropy roles?
If you answered yes to these questions and you’re ready to take the next step in your career, we’d love to hear from you.
To learn more about this position, the required skills and experience, and the Charity, please read our Recruitment Pack.
We look forward to receiving your application.
We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process. Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face-to-face second interview, held at our head office in Milton Keynes.
We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.
Closing Date: 26th June 2026
We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
To find a cure for all types of brain tumours To increase the UK investment in brain tumour research
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.