Senior corporate partnership officer jobs in Birmingham, west midlands

The Vacancies

We are seeking to appoint one registered medical practitioner and one business registrant (Companies Committee), one lay member (Education Committee) and one optometrist (Standards Committee) to our Advisory Panel Companies Committee.

About the GOC
We are the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Our purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education, performance, and conduct.  For more information about us please visit our website.

About the Advisory Panel
The Advisory Panel is a meeting of the four Council’s committees (Companies, Education, Registration, and Standards) in plenary session. They are established by statute for the purpose of giving advice and assistance to Council (whether or not in response to a request from them) on:

• matters relating to business registrants other than matters required by the Opticians Act to be referred to the Investigation Committee, the Registration Appeals, Committee or the Fitness to Practise Committee;
• matters relating to optical training, education, and assessment;
• matters relating to registration, other than matters required by the Opticians Act to be considered by the Registration Appeals Committee; and
• matters relating to the standards of conduct and performance expected of registrants or those seeking admission to the register.

Time Commitment and Remuneration

This role is part time with a commitment of approximately 2-3 days per year, including time spent preparing for meetings.  Meetings will usually take place via MS Teams but may on occasion be held at the GOC Offices in London or other suitable venues.

Members are paid up to £185 per meeting. This is taxable and subject to National Insurance (NI) contributions. This is in line with our member fees policy and member fee schedule.

How to apply

Please apply with the following:

• your CV outlining your employment history, any relevant voluntary work, public service, or other experience; together with any relevant professional, academic, or vocational qualifications (please keep this to two sides of A4);
• the application form (attached), stating how your experience matches the essential criteria for the vacancy you are applying for; and
• an EDI monitoring form (linked in the candidate pack) 

Please email your completed application quoting reference GOC01/26 to appointment@optical. org.

We would welcome applications from individuals who are disabled and from diverse ethnic backgrounds, as these are currently under-represented on our Council and committees.

For more information about these roles please download the candidate information pack attached.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: midnight Sunday 29 March 2026.

Online interviews will be held on 14,15,18 and 19 May 2026.

If you have any questions, please email them to appointment@optical. org and we will aim to respond to you within 48 hours. 

We strive to be as diverse as the public we protect and welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity, and geographical locations outside of London.

Location: Home based
Job Type: Full time
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £55,000 – £60,000 per annum
 
Scope and purpose
 
To implement MEI’s business development strategy, helping us secure sustained income to deliver our priorities and fulfil our mission to improve lives through maths education. This includes managing bid processes for major funding, working with senior leadership and business leads to write costed proposals, identifying tender and other funding opportunities, reviewing and finalising funding agreements, and working with the Director for Strategic Communications and Partnerships to nurture relationships and bring new opportunities to fruition.
 
Main duties and responsibilities
 
Support all aspects of MEI’s business development and fundraising activity.
 
Funding opportunities and competitor environment

• Scope external funding opportunities, reviewing these against MEI’s mission, objectives and key criteria.
• Report to MEI’s Senior Leadership Team and Board on the pipeline of new and potential opportunities and produce business cases for new ventures for MEI’s SLT/Board.
• Undertake research into donors, sponsors and other funders, reviewing suitability and conducting due diligence.
• Work with the Director for Strategic Communications and Partnerships to develop relationships and opportunities towards formal agreement.
• Provide advice and guidance to colleagues involved in developing new business, including how to model costs and pricing, and shaping and writing effective proposals.
• Build intelligence about the competitive landscape, identifying competitors, assessing potential threats and maintaining an up-to-date register for SLT and the Board.

 
Tenders, bids and proposals

• Manage a diverse set of funding opportunities and proposals on the go at any single time, ranging from conference sponsorships to grant applications, project bids, corporate partnerships and government programme bids.
• Participate in pre-market engagement for large tenders, clarifying funder expectations and requirements, guiding senior leadership decisions about priorities and bidding criteria.
• For competitive tenders, manage the process from tender launch to bid submission with input from business and operational leads, including: tender clarification; costs and budget; proposal writing, review and sign off; compliance requirements; and supporting documentation.
• Co-ordinate post-award processes through to contract signature, in line with Grant Manager responsibilities and in liaison with SLT and trustees, legal partners, finance and other partners/teams.
• Participate in post-tender feedback reviews and share learning across the team, using lessons learned to undertake revision and improvements.

 
Sponsor and donor management

• Support the account management and stewardship of donors and sponsors, liaising with appropriate teams, ensuring that objectives of donors and sponsors are fully met.
• Directly manage relationships with lead representatives of annual conference sponsor and exhibiting organisations, ensuring their objectives are met, arrangements are handled smoothly, and risks and issues are managed effectively.

 
Systems, records and reporting

• Shape the configuration and use of MEI’s CRM system and other internal systems for effective business development and fundraising.
• Ensure contact records are up to date, accurate and compliant.
• Produce regular reports for SLT and Board on progress in business development and fundraising, including conversion rates, KPIs, and risks.
• Contribute to MEI’s culture of evidence-driven decision-making, providing high quality evidence and intelligence which supports business strategy.

 
General leadership and management

• Work with trustees, SLT and business teams to ensure that business development and fundraising activity is coherent and aligned with broader strategy and delivery.
• Support the development of commercial skills, competencies and approaches across MEI.
• Undertake other duties assigned by the Director for Strategic Communications and Partnerships and keep them up to date through accurate and regular updates.

 
Key Relationships

• Director for Strategic Communications and Partnerships
• Chief Operating Officer
• Chief Learning Officer
• Financial Controller
• Business and Central Services Manager

 
Person Specification
 
Essential

• Demonstrable experience of fundraising across multiple income streams
• Strong track record of writing bids and securing grant and other funding
• Knowledge and experience of public sector procurement
• Excellent writing skills for bids and fundraising communication
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work autonomously
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across MEI and with external funders

 
Desirable

• Experience in the education or charitable sector
• Track record of securing large government contracts
• Experience collaborating with product development or programme design teams
• Familiarity with MEI’s mission and the education landscape

 
Personal Attributes, Values and Behaviours

• This is a list of personal attributes which are important for the role but also should encapsulate behaviours required to meet the MEI values of equity, credibility, commitment and service.
• Communicates with clarity and respect
• Commitment and ability to work with all stakeholders to deliver exceptional service
• Actively seeks to work collaboratively when required to achieve the highest service standards
• Self-motivated with a strong work ethic, proactive attitude, and commitment to continuous learning and skill development
• Supportive and collaborative, able to guide and motivate others to deliver high-quality work
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and foster positive, collaborative relationships with colleagues and stakeholders
• Highly organised, able to manage multiple tasks and adapt to changing priorities
• Dynamic, enthusiastic, and positive, bringing energy and a can-do attitude to the role

 
Additional Information
 
This role will involve some travel and occasional overnight stays away from home.
 
REF-227 227

About the role

Research has shown that there is significant potential for new and existing wealth holders to use their resources to fund climate action, and demand for trusted advisors to accelerate both the pace and efficacy of philanthropy. The Impatience Earth team has a track record of delivering quality philanthropy advisory for climate action, and with a growing team we have the capacity to take on new clients.

As the Philanthropy Catalyst Lead, you will be instrumental in building a strong pipeline of clients who would benefit from our climate advisory services. You are someone who is comfortable connecting with and engaging wealth holders, such as high-net worth individuals, family foundations and corporate foundations that have the potential to commit substantial resources (£200k+ year) to climate action. 

These clients may be based in the UK or Europe (as reflects the majority of our client base so far) although you will also work with colleagues engaged in catalysing philanthropy in other regions of the world. 

You will report directly to the Co-CEO, but also work closely with other members of the team and partners such as the Environmental Funders Network (EFN) to grow climate philanthropy. This is not a fundraising role for Impatience Earth: the primary focus will be to further develop and hone our business development strategy; to find, qualify and cultivate prospects; and to support the delivery of advisory services as needed once prospects are converted into clients. 

About Impatience Earth

Impatience Earth is a non-profit climate philanthropy consultancy founded in 2020 with a mission to educate, challenge and inspire wealth holders to take bolder funding decisions to address the climate emergency. 

Since 2020, our engagement with over 40 philanthropic foundations and businesses has supported them to make over £250m of new funding available for climate action, and we have already helped them make grants to over 200 different organisations. A great deal of these clients have come from word of mouth and from within our team’s existing connections, and we are now looking to expand our reach beyond our own network. 

We have ambitious plans to unlock greater funding for intersectional climate justice work, with bespoke advisory for new climate funders continuing to be a core pillar of our 2026-2030 strategic plan. 

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: 

• Further developing our business development strategy. This would include:

  • Reviewing and assessing previous and existing business development activities, and prioritising actions 

  • Identifying key target audiences and referral partners

  • Proposing realistic and stretch targets for our business development activities

  • Developing concise and effective communications for our target audience, for example, by crafting compelling outreach emails

• Researching, qualifying and engaging with prospective clients. This would include: 

  • Using your past experience of engaging wealth holders to suggest new business development or prospect research ideas

  • Reviewing funder databases for leads and relevant information 

  • Initiating a new (simple!) system of tracking client leads from identification to conversion

  • Arranging and joining scoping conversations with potential clients 

  • Identifying events and spaces to engage with prospective clients

• Initiating and managing key relationships. This would include:

  • Stewarding prospective clients who are not yet ready to engage with our services 

  • Re-engaging and managing strong relationships with key referral partners and intermediaries, such as EFN, private banks, wealth advisors, family offices and other philanthropy advisors

  • Representing Impatience Earth externally at meetings and events to meet our business development objectives 

• Working closely with colleagues to integrate business development across programmes. This would include:

  • Working with Impatience Earth colleagues who lead our Strategic Communications, Global South and International Partnerships work to guide and support their activities around business development 

  • General support and advice to strengthen all staff members’ business development knowledge and skills 

• Support client delivery. As and when you convert prospects into clients, we may need you to support client leads with delivery. This might include arranging and facilitating expert meetings and strategy sessions.

What we’re looking for

• At least 3 years previous experience of working in major gift fundraising, trust and foundation fundraising, private wealth advisory, or similar that gives you insight and knowledge into the philanthropic landscape, HNWIs, and the networks and ecosystem in which they operate

• Someone who enjoys engaging with philanthropists in-person and at events, and comfortable having interesting but sometimes challenging conversations 

• A proven track record of converting leads into confirmed high value clients (or funders) at the 6- or 7-figure level and managing successful relationships with them

• Strong research skills, including ability to use datasets and access information to find and qualify prospects

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• A self starter who is able to think both creatively and strategically about business development; able to work independently but also as part of a dynamic and highly collaborative team

• Confidence engaging with different types of stakeholders, especially high net worth individuals, and the emotional intelligence and social skills to build genuine, trusted relationships

• A good understanding of the role of philanthropy in the context of social, economic and climate injustices 

• Committed to tackling the climate crisis with a good grasp of its causes and solutions - though our team will provide training if you have not worked in a climate-focused role before

• Commitment to anti-oppression and social justice

You’ll have an advantage if you: 

• Have developed or contributed to the development of a successful fundraising or business development strategy 

• Have previously advised philanthropists, family offices, or foundations 

How you’ll know you’re doing a good job

• Impatience Earth is advising new clients that we had not previously engaged with

• You have converted prospects into clients that will contribute to our headline KPIs around funding catalysed and disbursed for impactful climate solutions

• You build and manage a high-quality pipeline of prospects

• You have stewarded trusted relationships with key partners turning them into a source of referrals and leads

• You have collaborated with the client delivery team to ensure a smooth handover from agreeing the terms of the client project to starting the engagement

• You contribute to increasing the team’s knowledge around business development, and understanding our Unique Selling Point 

How To Apply:

Unfortunately, we are not able to sponsor visas, nor are we able to have calls with candidates in advance of application. We are using CharityJob to accept applications, so please apply through the CharityJob portal. The only exception to this is if you would like to submit a video cover letter, in which case please email your full application to yelena @ impatience.earth

We are committed to inclusive recruitment. If you have any access requirements or need reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know so we can discuss how to support you. This might include extended time on the assignment or alternative formats for the interview. 

We recommend that you do not use AI for the content of your CV or cover letter. This is based on past recruitment rounds where applications that were written without the use of AI were more likely to go through to the next stage e.g. they were personalised with specific and relevant examples. 

Stage 1: Using CharityJob, please submit your CV and your short answers to the following two questions (no more than 1.5 pages): 

1. What experience do you have working with high-net worth individuals and are there any success stories you’d like to share as a result of their work with them?

2. What perspectives and skills make you a stand out candidate for this specific  role?

Stage 2: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a short initial video call carried out on Zoom to discuss your experience and what excites you about the role. We will send all candidates the interview questions in advance. 

Stage 3: You will be asked to complete a short assignment at a time that suits you. At this stage in the process, we will offer candidates a £50 stipend to cover the time invested in this exercise.

Stage 4: As part of the final interview stage, you’ll be invited to a full interview, and we will be sending all candidates the interview questions in advance. At this stage in the process, we will offer candidates an additional £50 stipend to cover the time invested in preparing for the interview.

As part of the interview process, you will meet our Co-CEO Yasmin Ahammad, Senior Manager Raysa Franca and People and Wellbeing Director, Heather Salmon. For more information, see our website impatience.earth.

Screening questions: 

Do you have the right to work in the UK or the EFTA/EU?

Have you worked with High-Net Worth Individuals before?

Have you contributed to a growing pipeline of clients or funders in your past work?