Director of Partnerships & Insight

About UKCF

At UK Community Foundations (UKCF), we put inclusivity at the forefront of all we do, we put relationships first and we are ambitious for our members and the communities they serve.

Everyone should have the opportunity to have a fulfilling life and to feel they belong. This can’t be mandated by government, or done to people, only with them. Change needs to be driven by people who understand the local situation and our support makes this possible.

UKCF is a national network of community foundations based all over the UK. Community foundations connect philanthropic people with local causes that matter to them. They are charitable organisations focused on supporting a defined geographical area by leveraging funds to support community needs and local organisations making a difference. As well as supporting our members, at UKCF we explore social challenges, we provide national funding and we work with those who have the solutions to improve lives.

Benefits of working at UKCF include 30 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays, up to two days paid leave for volunteer days, season ticket loans available, enhanced pension and a flexible working plan. As a disability confident employer, we encourage applications irrespective of your age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender reassignment, sex or sexual orientation.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to join the senior leadership team at a time of growth, ambition and innovation. We are looking for a strategic, expert and collaborative Director of Partnerships and Insight to help us build and deliver impactful national partnerships that bring real, measurable benefits to communities across the UK.

You will be responsible for the development, delivery, and evaluation of high-value, strategic partnerships—whether with government departments (such as DCMS), major trusts and foundations (like the Henry Smith Charity), corporate partners, or other longstanding partners (such as the National Emergencies Trust).

You’ll work closely with community foundations to shape strong proposals and lead the end-to-end implementation of partnerships and programmes.

You’ll also play a key role in helping UKCF and the wider network become more insight-led and data-driven—strengthening our approach to programme design, learning, and impact evaluation. You’ll work closely with our Digital Transformation team to embed best practice in the use of data and evidence.

This role requires exceptional relationship-building skills, confidence working at a national level, and the ability to develop and articulate clear theories of change and evaluation frameworks. Subject expertise in areas such as philanthropy, AI, social cohesion, neighbourhood health or climate is desirable.

You will report to the CEO and be a key member of the Senior Management Team.

Key responsibilities

Strategic partnerships development

You will lead the identification, development, and stewardship of national strategic partnerships that align with UKCF’s mission and deliver meaningful outcomes for our partners and for communities across the UK.

This includes initiating and negotiating collaborations with government departments, large foundations, businesses, and sector partners. Working closely with community foundations across the country, you will co-create proposals and programme designs that draw on local expertise and deliver impact at scale.

From inception to evaluation, you will oversee the full partnership lifecycle, ensuring robust governance, clear communication, and high-quality delivery throughout.

Insight and impact

A central part of the role is to embed a strong culture of learning and evidence across UKCF’s national partnerships. You will shape and implement theories of change and robust evaluation frameworks, working with partners and community foundations to ensure that programme outcomes are clearly defined, measured, and communicated.

You will collaborate with the Digital Transformation team to improve our use of data and insight, driving forward a more evidence-led approach to programme design and influencing. Through this work, you will help generate actionable insights that inform future partnerships and strengthen our case for support with funders and policymakers.

Leadership and collaboration

You will manage our Programmes Officer, with responsibility for supporting their professional development. You will work closely with the Chief Executive to develop plans for growing the team, grounded in the need to ensure financial sustainability.

As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will play a key role in strategic decision-making and organisational development. You will provide visible leadership across UKCF, championing collaboration and innovation internally and externally.

You will cultivate strong, trusting relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including community foundation leaders, funders, and public sector partners. Representing UKCF at high-level events and forums, you will contribute thought leadership on place-based philanthropy and community-led change. In all your work, you will model inclusive leadership and ensure our partnerships reflect our values and commitment to equity and social justice.

Who we’re looking for:

We’re seeking a dynamic and experienced leader who thrives in collaborative environments and is motivated by the power of local action to drive national impact. You’ll combine deep subject knowledge with the ability to build coalitions and bring new ideas to life.

You don’t need to meet every single criterion to apply—we are keen to hear from people with a passion for this work and the ability to grow with the role.

See the full job description for more detail.