Purpose of role: To support the Head of Partnerships in managing and retaining the charity’s existing donor base and in establishing new major donor partnerships to secure significant income for the Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN): an impactful fundraising and grant-giving wildlife conservation NGO focused on supporting grassroots projects across the Global South.
Reports to: Head of Partnerships
Contract: Full-time, permanent contract, working 5 days p/w
Deadline to apply: Friday 23rd May (but please apply at your earliest convenience). Initial interviews will be targeted for end of May.
Whitley Fund for Nature
Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) is a UK charity supporting grassroots conservation leaders across the Global South. Through project funding (Awards), training, and media profile, we support local solutions to the planet’s most pressing conservation challenges. Our winners are courageous changemakers, working alongside communities to save species and protect ecosystems. Established in 1993, we have channeled £24 million to +220 conservation leaders in 80 countries, benefitting wildlife, landscapes, and people. WFN is governed by a committed trustee board. Our team is dynamic, passionate about our mission, and ambitious. The charity benefits from high profile support from Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, and Ambassador Sir David Attenborough. Our funding is raised each year, mainly from family trusts and foundations, as well as from individuals, corporates, and international NGOs, with a current annual income of around £2.6m/year. We raise funds based on winner need, and in the coming years are seeking to steadily grow what we provide in support to winners, actively pursuing new partnerships to support our mission.
The Opportunity
We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Partnerships Manager to join our small and dynamic team. This new role will support the Head of Partnerships and wider WFN team in delivering our fundraising strategy, stewarding high-value donor relationships, and unlocking new opportunities for income growth.
The Partnerships Manager will work directly with some of WFN’s existing portfolio of 30 Major Donors made up primarily of Trusts, Family Foundations and High-Net-Worth Individual (HNWI) supporters, with some Corporates. The Partnerships Manager will maintain close professional relationships with supporters that are bespoke and require excellent interpersonal skills, with most meetings taking place in-person, in central London.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a highly respected conservation organisation making a real difference on the ground.
PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER - PERSONAL SPECIFICATION
Essential
· A proven track record of fundraising, donor management, and/or building relationships with stakeholders in the non-profit or philanthropic sector.
· Excellent writing and communication skills, with experience drafting donor materials and reports.
· A proven track record in the development of grant applications, including drafting objectives, activities, timelines, indicators, and budgets, as well as coordinating narrative content and inputs from across the team.
· Past experience coordinating and delivering fundraising and engagement events.
· Experience coordinating volunteer committees.
· Exceptional interpersonal qualities, and comfortable liaising with high-profile individuals and senior stakeholders.
· Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
· Proactive, dependable, and able to manage multiple priorities.
· A flexible ‘can do’ approach with the ability to chase opportunities, while remaining resilient and positive
· An open and collaborative working style, with a willingness to share information, communicate clearly, and contribute to a supportive small team environment.
· A genuine interest in conservation and/or passion for social and environmental equity through a grassroots approach.
Desirable
· Experience working with donor databases or Salesforce.
· Familiarity with trusts and foundations, HNWI fundraising, or corporate partnerships.
· Previous work in a small, agile team or start-up-style organisation.
Additional details and benefits
· Attractive holiday package totaling 30 days p.a. plus bank holidays.
· Training and professional development opportunities provided.
· Hybrid working opportunities
· The charity operates a Pension Scheme and a Life Assurance Scheme.
This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship. Only applicants who have the right to work in the UK at the time of application will be considered for this role.
Regrettably, due to limited resources and the high number of applications we receive, we are only able to contact short-listed candidates. If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.
Diversity and Inclusion
At WFN we are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse organisation, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. We celebrate and respect diversity in nature and among the people and partners with whom we work. We need more people and diversity across the environment sector, and to achieve our vision. We are therefore particularly keen to receive applications from Black, Asian or minority ethnic; disabled; LGBTQ+; or from lower socio-economic backgrounds. As a small organisation we are committed to progressing and continuing development across DE&I. Please contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application. Applications are considered solely on your demonstrated suitability
Whitley Fund for Nature is a fundraising and grant-giving nature conservation charity supporting grassroots practitioners across the Global South.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Heard is a multi-award-winning charity working at the intersection of storytelling and social justice. For over 15 years, we’ve inspired content and communication that shift public perspectives and drive real-world change on issues such as climate change, migration, trans rights, and more. Our work supports people to create compelling narratives that move hearts, change minds, and spark action.
We’re looking for a passionate and creative programme manager with TV experience to join our Climate team and lead the television strand of our Climate Stories That Work programme.
As programme manager, you’ll work closely with broadcasters, production companies, writers, and creatives to spark climate stories that resonate with audiences and inspire action.
You don’t need to be a climate expert. What matters most is that you understand how great TV gets made and that you're motivated to help translate climate and sustainability themes into narratives that people genuinely want to watch.
You’ll oversee the TV-focused work of the climate programme from concept to delivery. That includes shaping strategy, running story consultations, developing creative decks, facilitating workshops, and building partnerships that bring impact both on-screen and behind the scenes. You'll also play a key role in connecting climate issues with entertainment, working alongside campaigners, public figures, and cultural influencers to develop meaningful, relatable stories.
You’ll be supported by the senior programme manager, programme coordinator, and a network of consultants to ensure smooth delivery. You’ll also contribute your insights and experience to the executive team, helping guide the future direction of the programme.
At Heard, you’ll be part of a forward-thinking, creative, and supportive team. If this sounds like a fit for you, apply now!
OVERVIEW
Job Type: Fixed term contract (until 29 May 2026 with possibility of extension)
Working: Full time (35 hours per week, not including breaks)
We’re ideally looking for someone full-time, but we’re open to part-time or flexible options for the
right candidate.
Reporting to: Senior Programme Manager
Based at: Heard, The Green House, 244-254 Cambridge Heath Road, London, E2 9DA. Hybrid -- Staff are able to work from home for part of their week, and are required to be in the office for 2 days a week as we think it is important to stay connected as a team.
Salary: £36,720 pro rata
Staff benefits: 7.5% pension contribution and salary sacrifice scheme, 30 days holiday (pro-rata) plus bank
holidays, mentoring scheme, annual training budget, and hybrid working.
See job description for full details.
Heard is a charity working with people and the media to inspire content and communication that changes hearts and minds.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
To further develop, deliver and strengthen CSE’s Human Resources function, ensuring that the organisation complies with all relevant legislation and guidance while recruiting and retaining good quality staff. Instilling a collaborative culture of high performance where staff are encouraged and supported to perform at their best and we collectively achieve outstanding results.
Pay and conditions
• The role is full-time, permanent role (37.5 hours per week).
• The salary for the role will be £47,508 - £55,954 (starting salary is expected to be at the lower end of the range)
• You will be entitled to 25 days paid holiday (plus statutory holidays).
CSE offer a range of benefits including, subsidised bike purchase and Tech Scheme, Life Assurance, Health Cash plan, retail discounts and discounted breakdown cover and many more.
We will pay fees and expenses on relevant training courses.
Specific responsibilities
An applicant appointed to the role will be expected to:
• To deliver all aspects of CSE’s Human Resources function, from recruitment, staff welfare, wellbeing and associated support, staff records, training and professional development, oversight and advice on any conflicts or disciplinary matters; and to include the development and maintenance of all appropriate staff policies and processes, including performance management and staff appraisals, remuneration, role progression and all staff benefits.
• To ensure the Staff Handbook remains regularly updated, and to lead on all amendments / updates to this key document for staff. Additionally, working alongside the Director of Finance & Operations, the Chief Executive and other directors to ensure all HR-related policies and procedures across CSE are reviewed regularly and remain updated accordingly, supporting staff needs as effectively as possible while also reflecting the needs and strategic objectives of the whole organisation, its charitable status and mission.
• To maintain the organisation’s personnel records in accordance with appropriate data protection standards and recognised good practice (utilizing the Cezanne HR system). To provide overall ownership of this system – in terms of data contents, security and ongoing operations for the system. The postholder will also act as primary contact for the Cezanne software supplier, liaising with the Director of Finance & Operations and other interested parties where necessary.
• To maintain oversight of staff welfare and working with line managers and other relevant staff, provide and promote access to support and advice to sustain good staff mental and physical health and wellbeing.
• To play an integral role supporting both the Employee Voice (EV) group and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) group and take a lead on related operational functions including administrating the 6-monthly Staff Survey and highlighting issues and trends in staff feedback.
• Provide oversight and guidance in respect of staff recruitment, onboarding, induction development and training, supporting and advising other relevant staff across all associated processes.
• To issue accurate and timely employment contracts, offer letters, job descriptions, pay review letters for all internal changes. Manage and oversee internal paperwork flows from relevant managers, relating to any changes to individual employee terms of employment. Support the SLT in reviewing and amending standard terms of employment contracts to ensure CSE’s practices reflect current best practice.
• To ensure that all payroll documents such as starter forms and payroll amendment forms are completed and saved in the correct location and sent to the payroll bureau where appropriate, and support the Finance team with the administration of our payroll and payroll records and pension scheme contributions and other employee benefits. To accurately track all staff absence and ensure that self-certification and return to work meetings are completed in a timely manner. Update the Bradford factor grid to monitor score against policy and, support line managers and employees in understanding how CSE uses this as a tool at all stages of process.
• To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of applicable employment, equity and diversity, and Health and Safety laws (with support from professional advisors where appropriate), standards, guidance, and good practice, advising the SLT how these can best be reflected in the organisation’s policies and practices as they apply both to individual members of staff and to the organisation as a whole.
• To prepare accurate and accessible reports for the Senior Leadership Team and Trustees on relevant organisational, team, and individual staff HR matters to enable informed and timely monitoring and decision-making, principally on a set cycle to feed into a routine schedule of meetings and occasionally to meet an ad hoc need.
• To work with the Senior Leadership Team and other staff as appropriate to support change management processes. This may include reviewing remuneration policies, job evaluation and salary benchmarking, skills audits, EDI Practices and line management practices.
• To identify opportunities to improve CSE’s Human Resources processes and practices, informed by a sound understanding of our mission and strategic objectives and our operating context and by keeping up to date with advances in personnel management and human resources practices. To see a more detailed list of responsibilities please see the supporting documents attached. These documents are also available to download from our website.
Essential attributes for this role include:
• CIPD qualification (Level 5) or equivalent Human Resources qualification.
• At least 5 years’ post-qualification work experience, including at least 2 years’ proven experience in an advisory role.
• Experience of developing and implementing effective HR policies and practices across an organisation, including managing any associated change processes.
• Experience in supporting both the organisation as well as individual employees through challenging employee relation conflicts and issues.
• Applied knowledge of employment legislation and good HR practices.
• Experience in overseeing the maintenance of a live HR system.
• Experienced in developing and supporting line managers in managing challenging situations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with well-honed listening skills and an empathetic manner.
• Ability to explain often complex HR matters in a clear and concise manner, to audiences at all levels of seniority and experience across the organisation.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and act with discretion, tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to maintain and organise effective electronic and manual filing systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Good organisational and time management skills, with experience of working to tight deadlines and budgets.
Please note, the above is an overview of the skills required for this role. To see the full list of essential and desirable skills please see the attached job description.
How to apply
To apply, please download and complete the application form available from our website.
Your application should demonstrate your suitability for the role against the criteria outlined in the person specification.
To apply, please download and complete the application form available from our website and send it to our Jobs email address.
Your application should demonstrate your suitability for the role against the criteria outlined in the person specification and job description. To be considered for this role an application form must be sent directly to our Jobs email address.
The closing date for applications is 5pm on Wednesday 21 May 2025.
Interviews are expected to take place Tuesday 3 June and Tuesday 10 June 2025 though this is subject to change. If invited to interview, we will ask you to provide evidence of eligibility to work in the UK
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.