1 Outdoor learning leader jobs in Charing Cross, Greater London

The Outward Bound Trust’s mission is to inspire young people to believe in themselves and achieve more than they ever thought possible. For over 80 years, its outdoor learning and adventure programmes have helped hundreds of thousands of young people build confidence and resilience.

Around 25,000 young people take part each year at its five heritage outdoor centres, and around 80% of school participants receive bursary funding. It’s a cause that’s easy to explain and easy to get behind, with a hopeful message.

Following a recent restructure, corporate partnerships and community fundraising now come together under a new Head of Corporate & Community. Reporting to the Director of Fundraising, and one of three income generation heads on the Fundraising Leadership Team, you’ll lead a team of seven, covering new business, account management and community fundraising.

The Outward Bound Trust has a strong base to work from, including long-standing supporters with scope to do more, and a commercial team that works with some of the UK’s best-known businesses. There are some great opportunities ahead, too. Companies are already keen to be part of its show garden at the 2027 Chelsea Flower Show, the modernisation of its centres gives partners something tangible to fund, and a three-year marathon sponsorship is a model for OBT’s own event, Rusty Rally. A key focus will be turning opportunities like these into ambitious, multi-year strategic partnerships.

Community fundraising is a natural fit for an organisation built on challenge and adventure, and the restructure has freed up investment in marketing, product and digital to develop it. Outward Bound’s circa 10,000 alumni also sit within the team, which brings additional potential.

You’ll work closely with commercial and estates colleagues on a joined-up approach to income and brand. OBT moves quickly and encourages everyone to lead, much like the young people on its courses. With the 2026-27 plan in place and growth needed from 2027-28, there’s time to make your mark, supported by a 12-month development programme for the team and its leaders.

As Head of Corporate & Community, you will:

• Lead OBT’s corporate and community fundraising strategy, deciding where to focus and building the pipeline for growth from 2027-28
• Win new, high-value, multi-year partnerships across a wider mix of sectors and partnership types, leading pitches to senior business leaders
• Develop long-standing partnerships, with account management tiered to each partner’s value
• Bring partners into the Chelsea Flower Show garden, the centre modernisation programme and Rusty Rally
• Develop community, challenge event and supporter-led fundraising, testing new ideas with dedicated investment
• Develop OBT’s approach to its alumni community
• Lead, develop and challenge a team of seven, through three direct reports
• Work with commercial and estates colleagues to grow both voluntary and earned income
• Represent OBT with businesses, alumni and supporters, and play a full part in the Fundraising Leadership Team

Essential skills and experience:

• A track record of personally winning new, high-value, multi-year corporate partnerships (strategic partnerships rather than charity of the year)
• Experience of growing existing partners’ support and running proportionate account management
• Experience of setting and delivering a corporate fundraising strategy, including pipeline, forecasting and income targets
• Experience of leading a team through managers, developing people and challenging performance
• A good understanding of brand, marketing and digital, and how to offer companies brand value in return for their support
• Experience of developing new fundraising products or supporter experiences
• Credibility with senior business leaders, and strong pitching and presentation skills
• Sound budget management and knowledge of fundraising regulation
• Plenty of ideas, the drive to turn them into income, and a collaborative, self-aware style

Employee benefits include: 

• 10% employer pension contribution
• 24 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising by one day per year to 30
• Life assurance, long-term disability and personal accident cover
• Employee Assistance Programme and a Medicash health cash plan
• 8 weeks’ sick pay at full salary in any 12 months
• Childcare voucher scheme, and staff bursaries for family members
• Berghaus kit and discounts
• Personal Adventures: a positive attitude to extended unpaid leave