Director of Partnerships (Interim)

ABOUT SMART WORKS 

Smart Works is a dynamic, high profile and fast-growing UK charity that dresses and coaches unemployed women for success at their job interview. We empower each woman by giving her the clothes and the confidence she needs to succeed. 

After visiting Smart Works, 63% of clients secure a job within a month, gaining financial independence and transforming their lives. 

The Smart Works service is delivered in London, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Newcastle, Reading, Leeds and shortly we will be opening a new centre in Bristol. Over the course of this year, we will help 10,000 women. It is our mission that any woman who needs our service should be able to find her way to a Smart Works centre. 

To achieve our growth and maintain the quality of our service, our target income will be over £5m next year, with a balanced model across our key funding sources: corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations and high value events and activities. 

ABOUT THE ROLE 

Smart Works is looking for a dynamic, hands-on and inspirational fundraising professional to join our outstanding staff team and lead the Partnerships function in an Interim role. This position is anticipated to last for an initial period of 6 months, with the possibility of extension if required. We aim to fill this role as soon as possible, so applications will only be considered from those able to start in January. 

The successful candidate will be collaborative and lead by example, reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with other Senior Leadership Team members to achieve the charity’s short-term objectives during this transitional period. It will be crucial to have the seniority, credibility, and experience to lead the existing dynamic and passionate team of fundraisers, as well as stewarding long-term partnerships with top-tier brands, corporates and funders. Candidates will also need to demonstrate the entrepreneurial drive to look at new and innovative ways to grow income and the ability to thrive in a fast paced and changing environment. 

A core priority for this interim role will be supporting the Partnerships team, maintaining key relationships, and ensuring continuity during a period of change. 

A passion for our service and mission is a prerequisite. In practice, this means being as comfortable holding the stage in a FTSE 100 board room as engaging with clients at our centres. 

For the right candidate, this role offers a unique opportunity to lead, grow and deliver the most prestigious high-profile partnerships across the UK while ensuring the Partnership function remains strong during a period of leadership transition. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

This interim position will play a key role in delivering the shared objectives of the Senior Leadership Team and is specifically responsible for the income streams. In the interim period, this will focus on maintaining stability within the team and ensuring immediate priorities are met. Duties include: 

• Driving high-value income growth, focusing on maintaining key partnerships and ensuring continuity across the team and with external stakeholders. 

• Supporting and empowering the team to manage immediate priorities, while identifying opportunities for longer-term income growth. 

• Overseeing partnership management and stewardship plans, ensuring excellent relationship management is maintained across the team. 

• Providing immediate support for key fundraising events and activities, including International Women’s Day campaigns and other upcoming initiatives.  

• Working closely with the CEO and take an active part in the Senior Leadership Team to deliver stability-focused objectives for this transitional period. 

• Monitoring pipeline development, overseeing income tracking, budget-setting and forecasting, working closely and maintaining strong communications with the CEO, Director of Finance, Chair, Treasurer and Boards of Trustees. 

• Ensuring best fundraising practices in line with relevant legislation. 
   

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES 

Essential Criteria 

• At least 5+ years of experience in building and motivating high-performing teams. 

• Experience delivering an ambitious income growth strategy. 

• Significant experience working on corporate and commercial partnerships, plus at least one other income stream. 

• Experience of high-profile relationship management, including senior level partnership and stakeholder management. 

• Experience managing five, six and seven figure income relationships within a charitable setting.  

• Thrive working in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities. 

Desirable Criteria 

• Experience overseeing major fundraising events and campaigns. 

• Experience of business development – establishing and on-boarding financial partnerships that deliver for all parties. 

• Understanding and experience working in a complex structure or federated model. 

• Knowledge of brand and PR values in conjunction with fundraising activities. 

• Previous experience in interim roles or managing leadership transitions would be advantageous. 

Smart Works promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace. We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, disabled candidates, and candidates with lived experience of unemployment as we would like to increase the representation of these groups at Smart Works. 

 
BENEFITS, TERMS, AND CONDITIONS 

• Full-time role, based in our Smart Works centre in Islington, London. 
• Monday - Friday with typical working hours 9am - 5pm in line with centre opening times. Happy to discuss flexible working at the interview with a minimum of 3 days a week working from the centre. There may be occasional evening and weekend work required where senior representation is needed to support activities as well as occasional travel to centres across the UK. 
• Gross annual salary of £65,000-£70,000 FTE with flexibility depending on experience and fit. 
• 25 days annual leave (pro-rata), plus bank holidays and additional discretionary leave between Christmas and NY.  
• VIP access and discounts at some Smart Works sales, events and pop up shops. 
• All successful applicants must provide two satisfactory references and complete a Basic DBS check. 

HOW TO APPLY 

Application is via a cover letter (maximum two pages) and two page CV by Sunday December 8th. 

If you require any reasonable adjustments or alterations for the application and recruitment processes, please let us know. 

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