Philanthropy and partnerships officer jobs in Nottingham

Help shape the future of Ocean Literacy. We're looking for a commercially minded Partnerships Manager to grow our portfolio of corporate supporters and trusts while developing new partnerships that generate sustainable income. If you're an experienced relationship-builder who thrives on creating meaningful partnerships and generating income for a cause you care about, we'd love to hear from you.

About Ocean Generation

Ocean Generation is a UNESCO-endorsed Ocean education charity turning Science into Storytelling. We make Ocean Literacy accessible through film, pop-culture, and education programmes that empower practical action. Most people grow up unaware that the Ocean is keeping us all alive: Ocean Generation exists to change that.

Established in 2009 by film producer Jo Ruxton MBE, our award-winning documentary ‘A Plastic Ocean’, was named by Sir David Attenborough as “one of the most important films of our time” and ignited mass public awareness about the impact of plastic pollution. Today, we address a full range of human-made threats impacting the Ocean, with a particular focus on programmes for young people across the world.

Our Ocean Intelligence approach, how we translate complex Ocean science into engaging content through Science and Storytelling, has been endorsed by the Intergovernmental Oceanic Commission of UNESCO as a project under the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

Our vision is a world where society understands, values and acts for the Ocean.

Our mission is to improve Ocean Literacy by translating complex science into engaging content, programmes and practical actions.

As our Partnerships Manager, you'll help secure the funding that enables more people around the world to understand, value and act for the Ocean.

Role Summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join a small, ambitious charity where you'll have genuine ownership of a portfolio of corporate partners and trust funders while helping to shape Ocean Generation's fundraising strategy and long-term growth.

Account Management & Stewardship

• Manage and grow a portfolio of corporate partners and selected trusts and foundations, delivering excellent relationship management, stewardship and reporting.
• Prepare and deliver high-quality partnership reports, impact updates and funding reports that demonstrate the value of support and strengthen long-term relationships.
• Act as the Funding Relationship Lead for their portfolio, ensuring reporting commitments, stewardship activity and internal coordination are managed throughout the life of each partnership or grant.
• Identify opportunities to renew, grow and enhance existing partnerships, maximising income and engagement.
• Maintain accurate partnership activity, reporting deadlines and pipeline information within Salesforce, monitor partnership performance, manage the fundraising pipeline, and contribute to income forecasting and pipeline reporting.
• In addition to partnership management responsibilities, manage community fundraising activities and events when required, contributing to the wider fundraising programme.

Business Development & Income Generation

• Develop and secure new corporate partnerships by identifying, cultivating and converting prospective supporters into long-term partners.
• Prepare compelling funding proposals, partnership pitches and applications tailored to corporate and trust funding opportunities.
• Develop attractive ESG partnership opportunities and other funding propositions that align with Ocean Generation's mission and strategic priorities.
• Work closely with the Co-Executive Director (Partnerships) and Philanthropy Lead to identify, develop and secure strategic fundraising opportunities.

Partnership Activation & Organisational Collaboration

• Collaborate with colleagues across the organisation to develop engaging partnership opportunities and ensure the successful delivery of partner benefits.
• Work with the Communications team to create partnership resources, campaigns, newsletters and impact content/case studies that strengthen engagement and increase visibility.
• Ensure fundraising activity complies with charity regulations, fundraising best practice, and Ocean Generation's values and ethical standards.
• Contribute as a proactive member of a small, agile team, supporting colleagues and identifying opportunities to maximise the impact and profile of fundraising activity.

Skills & Experience Required

Essential

• Experience in corporate fundraising, partnerships, business development/sales or account management.
• Proven ability to secure, manage and grow fundraising partnerships to achieve income targets.
• Excellent relationship management, communication and proposal writing skills.
• Strong organisational skills, with experience using a CRM and managing multiple priorities.
• Commercially minded, proactive and able to work independently within a small team.
• Confident interpreting budgets and fundraising performance data.

Desirable

• Some experience working with trusts and foundations and/or major donors.
• Knowledge of ESG, CSR or corporate fundraising partnerships.
• Experience using a fundraising CRM such as Salesforce, Beacon or Raiser's Edge.
• An interest in environmental or conservation issues and a commitment to Ocean Generation's mission.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience.

What We Offer

• Salary of £30,000–£35,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• A permanent role, full-time (37.5 hours per week), with consideration given to candidates seeking a part-time equivalent over four days.
• A flexible, remote-first working environment, with the freedom to work from anywhere in the UK.
• Core collaboration hours of 10am–4pm, Monday to Thursday, with flexibility over when you work your remaining hours.
• 25 days' annual leave, plus bank holidays (pro rata for part-time employees).
• A workplace pension scheme with automatic enrolment for eligible employees.
• A collaborative, ambitious and purpose-driven team committed to improving Ocean Literacy through science, storytelling and education.
• Opportunities for occasional UK travel to meet colleagues, partners and supporters.

Application Deadline

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Thursday 6 August 2026.

We will review applications as they are received and reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Ocean Generation is committed to being an inclusive and equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If there is anything we can do to make the application or interview process more accessible, please let us know.

RIVET is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven fundraiser to grow, steward, and activate a community of ~100 donors, focused on high-net-worth individuals and family foundations. As we scale towards a future powered by Gen Z, RIVET’s philanthropic community plays a critical role in funding, advising, and growing this movement. 

The Director of Philanthropy leads RIVET’s fundraising and donor engagement strategy - responsible for securing significant philanthropic investment while stewarding a highly engaged network of families and individuals. Working closely with the CEO, Impact, and Marketing teams, you will lead on frontline fundraising and manage a robust donor pool to ensure members feel deeply connected to RIVET’s mission, people, and impact. This is a hands-on role for someone who is excited to shape a global philanthropic community. RIVET currently has four offerings: Leadership Council (for families), Youth Impact Council (designed for individuals), Youth Impact Fund (for family foundations), and Social Innovator Accelerator (for firms).

This new, evolved role will focus on three work streams:

1. Drive philanthropic revenue: Lead frontline fundraising across the organization by identifying and developing a donor pipeline, moving prospects through the cultivation cycle, and closing gifts.

2. Steward & strengthen RIVET’s donor community through effective communication and programming: Build, manage, and deepen relationships with RIVET donors, ensuring members, including teen & young adult family members, feel highly engaged, valued, and connected to RIVET’s mission and people.

3. Activate donors as a force for organizational growth: Design and deliver meaningful engagement experiences to leverage donors’ networks, insights, and influence to support RIVET’s broader growth, including across new foundations, firms, and brand partnerships.

You will join a dedicated, low-ego team in launching a first-of-its-kind philanthropic movement led by youth. Supported by the CEO and admin team, this role works across the organization and volunteer leadership.

Lead the operations, governance and compliance that enable Solving Kids' Cancer UK to deliver its mission and impact for children and families affected by neuroblastoma. Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will play a critical role in ensuring the charity operates effectively, compliantly and sustainably.

This broad and varied leadership role spans governance, risk, HR, IT, data protection and organisational operations, supporting delivery of the charity's strategy through robust systems, policies and processes. Acting as Company Secretary, you will work closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees, providing advice on governance, regulatory requirements and best practice. As a member of the Leadership Team, you will oversee key operational functions, lead cross-organisational projects and deputise for the CEO where required.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a strategic, highly organised and values-driven leader with strong experience in charity operations, governance and compliance. You will have a track record of ensuring organisations are well run, compliant and effectively managed, with the ability to oversee multiple operational areas and support strong governance and decision-making at Board level.

You will be comfortable working across a broad remit, including governance, risk, HR, IT and data protection, and confident providing clear, practical advice to senior leaders and trustees.

Person specification

Key requirements include:

• Significant senior-level experience in operations, governance or compliance within a charity or similar environment. 
• Strong understanding of charity governance and regulation, with experience supporting boards and senior leadership. 
• Experience overseeing organisational functions such as HR, IT, data protection or risk. 
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and lead cross-organisational work effectively. 
• Strong judgement, integrity and the ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion. 

See our Recruitment Pack for the full role description and specification and for information about Solving Kids' Cancer UK. 

This is an opportunity to make a significant contribution at the heart of a small, ambitious charity where strong operations are a vital enabler of impact for children and families.

Location: Home-based, within easy reach of London, with regular travel to the London office and occasional UK-wide travel.

First-stage interview: Thursday 6 August 

Second-stage interview: Thursday 13 August