Corporate Partnerships Manager

Foundation for Future London (FFL) seeks an ambitious and strategic Corporate Partnerships Manager to shape and lead our brand-new corporate giving programme. This is a rare opportunity to join a small, dynamic charity working at the heart of regeneration, culture and inclusive growth – and to build a high-impact fundraising stream from the ground up.

Reporting directly to the Director of Fundraising and Development, you’ll lead on identifying, engaging and securing partnerships with a diverse range of businesses – particularly property developers and corporates based in East London, the Docklands, Canary Wharf and the City – whose values align with ours.

You’ll be creative, confident and proactive in approaching cold prospects and skilled at developing compelling partnership propositions that drive income and impact.

We especially welcome applications from people from marginalised communities including Black, Asian and people of colour, disabled people, working-class, LGBTQ+ and people with lived experiences.

Why join us?

• Build something new – shape strategy, design approaches and leave a legacy
• Work on issues that matter – from inclusive regeneration and the environment to education, skills and culture
• Collaborate with purpose – be part of a values-led team where your voice is heard
• True flexibility – hybrid and compressed hours, tailored to how you work best
• Local impact, national reach – lead corporate fundraising in East London and across FFL’s UK Culture Exchange

What you’ll bring

• Experience in developing new corporate partnerships and securing income from cold leads
• Strong relationship-building, communication and negotiation skills
• Strategic thinking, entrepreneurial flair and the confidence to open doors
• A genuine interest in community-led change and place-based giving

About the role

Position: Corporate Partnerships Manager, initial 6-month contract with the possibility of permanent

Salary: £42,000–£46,000 pro rota dependent on experience

Type: 4-day week, flexible working

Location: Hybrid – East London/home-based

Reports to: Director of Fundraising and Development

The Corporate Partnerships Manager will lead the development of a new corporate partnerships programme. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced relationship builder to shape and grow a corporate income stream from the ground up, targeting a broad range of potential partners across East London and beyond.

The postholder will play a pivotal role in identifying and engaging corporates across key geographies – especially property developers and businesses in Docklands, Canary Wharf and the City of London – whose interests align with FFL’s work in placemaking, inclusive growth and cultural regeneration.

You will also support joint fundraising initiatives with partners including Greater London Authority, University of East London and the Royal Docks.

You’ll be confident approaching new prospects, comfortable navigating complex stakeholder environments and passionate about creating meaningful partnerships that deliver social impact for East London’s diverse communities.

This role may require occasional evening or weekend work to attend meetings and events. Time off in lieu can be taken.

FFL supports flexible working and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We welcome applications from candidates with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

About us

Foundation for Future London is a charity that builds and creates community equity and empowerment using the vehicles of arts, culture, heritage, sport and the environment to help communities realise their potential.

The Foundation’s work centres on programme delivery and fund giving, through capacity building, community leadership and exchange, safer spaces, grassroot programming, strategic investment, advocacy and policy change. Our work is vital to tackle inequalities and provide opportunities. We do this with a unique partnership approach, connecting, genuine co-design and participatory practices.

To date, we work with over 400 grassroots organisations and have provided over 35,000 training, employment, young people and entrepreneurial opportunities. Our user-centred theory of change determines the direct social impact the Foundation’s work is making.

Key responsibilities

1. Strategy and Development

• Lead the development and implementation of a new, agile corporate partnerships strategy aligned with FFL’s strategic priorities and values.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of prospective partners, with a particular focus on:
  • Property developers and construction firms active in East London
  • Corporate businesses in Docklands, Canary Wharf and the City of London
  • Companies with a strong commitment to social impact, the environment, skills development, education, culture and place-based investment.

2. Relationship Building and Income Generation

• Proactively approach and develop relationships with cold prospects through tailored, creative and strategic outreach.
• Craft persuasive pitches, proposals and presentations tailored to corporate audiences at different levels of seniority.
• Secure a diverse range of partnerships, including sponsorships, strategic collaborations, employee engagement, gifts in kind and project-specific funding.
• Lead on stewardship, ensuring all corporate partners are appropriately recognised, engaged and retained.

3. Internal and External Collaboration

• Work closely with colleagues across the organisation to shape partnership opportunities that support programme delivery, strategic objectives and community impact.
• Represent FFL externally at corporate networking events, briefings and presentations, particularly within the Docklands, City of London and East London areas.
• Contribute to the wider fundraising and development strategy, supporting team-wide initiatives and cross-cutting campaigns.

4. Reporting and Compliance

• Maintain accurate CRM (using Raiser’s Edge) records and income forecasts, working with the Director of Fundraising and Development to track engagement and manage risk for reporting to the Fundraising Sub-Committee.
• Ensure partnership activity complies with charity fundraising regulation and FFL’s internal ethical fundraising policy.
• Prepare clear, timely reports and impact updates for internal and external stakeholders.

5. Contribution to Team and Culture

• Participate actively in FFL’s collaborative team culture, contributing to a supportive, innovative, high-performing environment.
• Be flexible, solutions-focused and comfortable working in a small charity where responsibilities may overlap or evolve. 

Person specification

Essential

• Demonstrable experience in developing and securing new corporate partnerships, ideally in a fundraising, CSR or business development context.
• Strong understanding of relationship-building from cold outreach through to negotiation and account management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present compelling cases for support.
• Confidence and professionalism when networking and representing the charity externally.
• Experience working independently and flexibly in a small or medium-sized team.
• High level of initiative, resilience and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work to tight deadlines.
• Commitment to FFL’s values of equity, inclusion and diversity.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and CRM systems (e.g. Raiser’s Edge or similar).

Desirable

• Knowledge of the East London regeneration landscape, particularly stakeholders in Docklands, Canary Wharf and the City of London.
• Understanding of how property, infrastructure and corporate sectors engage in place-based giving and CSR.
• Experience working with or within cultural, education or community development organisations.

How to apply

Please see our website for full details: https://future.london/article/join-our-team-as-a-corporate-partnerships-manager/

The deadline for applications is Monday 16 June 2025 at 10am.

If you have access requirements, please get in touch to arrange support for your application and/or interview.

Photo credit: Dalston’s Radical History by Future Hackney