Partnership development executive jobs in London, greater london

About the team

The Philanthropy Team raises income for Impetus and for Impetus partner charities. The team consists of 15 staff. Impetus has an annual income of c.£11 million which we are looking to grow significantly within the next few years. The team is led by two Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships. 

The Philanthropy Team works with major donors, corporates and grant making trusts, as well as collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to ensure we make a compelling case to generate new financial commitments and wider support for our work. The team also deliver a high-quality engagement programme of volunteering and pro bono for Impetus’s corporate supporters.   

Impetus is driven by a shared belief in tackling the barriers that hold back young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in education and employment. Alongside investing extensive financial and non-financial support in our charity partners through our Investment Team we also seek to influence decision makers to design and implement evidence led policy and direct new resources to get young people the support they need through our Public Affairs team. We are resolutely focused on outcomes, driven by quality evidence.

You would be joining a team that is passionate, ambitious, determined and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our charity partners and the young people we serve. 

About this role

The Development Director (New Business) provides strategic leadership for Impetus’ new business development, prospect pipeline and high-value funding opportunities. The postholder will have responsibility for identifying, cultivating and converting new corporate, trust and foundation, and high-net-worth donor relationships, as well as continued relationship management for key, established relationships.

In 25/26, the Philanthropy and Partnerships team generated £11m in philanthropic income, alongside £2.8m in probono contributions. The Development Director will play a key role in delivering Impetus' growth ambitions, helping to increase philanthropic income to £14m by 2029. 

Working closely with the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships, the role will translate the fundraising strategy into clear new business priorities, pipeline plans and prospect engagement approaches, ensuring a strong flow of qualified opportunities and sustainable growth in high-value income.

Working closely with colleagues across Philanthropy and Partnerships, the postholder will personally lead and support significant six and seven-figure prospects and strategic funding opportunities, while overseeing the stewardship and retention of current partners. 

Working collaboratively across the Philanthropy and Partnerships team and with colleagues across the organisation, the Development Director will ensure a joined-up approach to donor acquisition, pipeline development, prospect conversion and stewardship, maximising income, partnership value and long-term impact within the agreed fundraising strategy.

Key responsibilities

New Business, Pipeline & Conversion

• Personally lead on six and seven-figure level priority prospects and strategic funding opportunities, managing the full fundraising cycle from qualification to close.
• Work with trustees, senior volunteers, and networks to unlock introductions and new opportunities, providing clear support and follow-up to maximise success.
• Evolve Impetus’ new business strategy, driving the identification, cultivation, and conversion of new high-value donor and partner relationships.
• Translate Impetus’ impact, evidence base, and venture philanthropy model into compelling propositions for new audiences and sectors.

Strategic Relationship Management & Growth 

• Own and oversee select donor relationships at six and seven-figure levels within the philanthropy portfolio, ensuring high levels of retention, satisfaction, trust, income growth and long-term value.
• Ensure your donors receive timely, consistent, high-quality and relevant engagement and communications throughout their relationship with Impetus.
• Work closely with the wider team to ensure a smooth transition between new business, and long-term stewardship.
• Ensure account plans for priority donors and partners include clear renewal and growth pathways; engagement and risk-management plans.
• Act as senior relationship owner where required, modelling strong stewardship and coaching the Head of Development and other colleagues to navigate complex or sensitive relationships.

Research, Insight & Pipeline Development

• Provide strategic leadership for the Research & Insights function, ensuring prospect research, donor intelligence and market insight inform fundraising strategy, pipeline development and organisational planning.
• Lead the strategic development of fundraising pipelines, ensuring focus on opportunities with the greatest potential for long-term income growth, impact and strategic fit.
• Ensure donor intelligence and prospect research are used effectively to identify, qualify and prioritise new funding opportunities.
• Maintain oversight of gift acceptance, due diligence and fundraising compliance in relation to fundraising opportunities, ensuring adherence to relevant regulatory requirements and organisational policies.
• Identify and escalate strategic, reputational or compliance risks associated with donors and partners.

Leadership and Team Performance

• Line manage and develop the Head of Development, providing strategic direction, coaching and performance oversight.
• Establish the Head of Development as the operational lead on new business, ensuring capability, succession and high performance across the wider team.
• Set clear objectives and success measures for new business growth, aligned to Impetus’ wider income strategy.
• Build and sustain an inclusive, evidence-led and high-performing team culture that balances pace and ambition with quality, learning and collaboration.
• Build fundraising capability across your team through leadership, coaching and consistent, fair, and high-quality performance management, including objective-setting, feedback and development planning.

Pro Bono, Events, Volunteering & Partnership Value

• Ensure engagement opportunities, including volunteering, pro bono and events, strengthen strategic partnerships and support long-term income growth through strong collaboration with colleagues.

Operational Excellence, Governance & Risk

• Ensure new business activity complies with due diligence, gift acceptance and risk management requirements.
• Oversee accurate pipeline reporting, forecasting, and performance tracking, using Salesforce and other systems to ensure insights inform decision making.
• Work with Finance and Operations to ensure income is contracted, invoiced, and reported accurately and on time in line with financial controls.
• Identify and escalate strategic or reputational risks associated with prospective partnerships.

Cross-Organisational Leadership & Representation

• Act as a senior ambassador for Impetus, representing the organisation credibly with new donors, partners, and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to organisational strategy, income planning, and senior leadership discussions.
• Lead philanthropic work on Impetus funds including identifying funding opportunities and risks; shaping prospect pipelines; contributing to cases for support and donor presentations; and develop fund stewardship.
• Champion collaboration across the Philanthropy team, ensuring opportunities are shared, relationships are leveraged and expertise is used to maximise income and impact.
• Back Impetus’ values, evidence-led approach, and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion across the Philanthropy team.

Strategic leadership

• Work in partnership with the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships to contribute to the fundraising strategy.
• Translate strategic priorities into clear operational plans, objectives and delivery, ensuring new business delivers against organisational priorities, income targets and long-term growth ambitions.
• Provide strategic oversight of annual forecasting, budgeting, pipeline performance and resource planning, ensuring risks and opportunities are identified and addressed proactively.
• Maximise the contribution of trustees, committees, senior volunteers and wider networks to support strategic relationship building and new business development.
• Act as a trusted senior adviser to the Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships, providing insight, challenge and solutions to strengthen organisational fundraising performance and capability.
• Deputise for the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships where appropriate, within agreed delegations and priorities.
• Build a positive, collaborative and high-performing culture across the Philanthropy team, modelling Impetus' values and supporting continuous improvement.

Person specification

Essential:

Fundraising & new business leadership

• Significant experience in major donor and/or corporate fundraising at six and seven-figure gift level, with a strong track record of securing new income and managing complex partnerships.
• Ability to lead and personally deliver the full fundraising cycle, from prospecting and cultivation through to solicitation, negotiation, and close.
• Proven experience of building, managing, and converting a new business pipeline, balancing ambition with delivery.
• Strong ability to leverage internal and external networks, including trustees, senior volunteers, and professional contacts.

Senior stakeholder engagement

• Experience of operating at a senior level and leading high value or complex stakeholder relationships (trustees, board members, senior external partners).
• Ability to influence and build credibility with senior audiences through clear, confident and evidence led communication.
• Excellent negotiation skills, with the ability to secure mutually beneficial outcomes while protecting organisational values and reputation.

Leadership & people management

• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing teams, including developing senior colleagues and building leadership capability.
• A strong track record as a collaborative senior team member, contributing beyond own area of responsibility and supporting wider organisational success
• Ability to build a high-trust, high-challenge culture that supports excellence, inclusion, and learning.
• Strong performance management capability and ability to handle complex people issues, giving strategic feedback, and addressing underperformance constructively.
• Ability to deputise for the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships when appropriate.

Strategic & intellectual capability

• Strong strategic thinker with the ability to translate agreed strategy and insight into clear plans and execute them effectively.
• Ability to grasp, interpret apply and communicate complex information and ideas, including Impetus’ venture philanthropy and impact-led funding models.
• Evidence of an innovative and creative approach, with the ability to adapt in changing contexts.

Financial, operational & delivery capability

• Solid financial management, with experience contributing to budget-setting, managing agreed budgets, supporting forecasting and identifying efficiencies.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to delivery, with the ability to manage multiple priorities to a high standard
• Able to use insight and data (including CRM systems such as Salesforce) to inform decisions and strengthen performance.
• Sound judgement in identifying, managing, and escalating risk, particularly in relation to donor relationships and reputation.

Communication, values & ways of working

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate clearly, persuasively, and with impact.
• Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish, maintain, and leverage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• A strong commitment to Impetus’ mission and to improving outcomes for young people.
• A clear commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, demonstrated through inclusive leadership and professional practice.

Desirable 

• Experience working within venture philanthropy, impact investing, or systems-change funding models.
• Familiarity with private equity, professional services.
• Experience contributing to income growth, donor strategy or portfolio development within an agreed organisational fundraising strategy.
• Knowledge of the UK charity or social impact sector, particularly education, employment, or youth-focused work.
• Experience using CRM systems (e.g. Salesforce) to manage pipelines, performance, and forecasting.

About Impetus

At Impetus, our focus is on helping young people achieve positive education and employment outcomes to increase their chance of leading fulfilling and successful lives, irrespective of their background.

We tackle the three most difficult challenges that affect a young person’s ability to succeed in life in Britain today:

• Lost learning through absence, suspensions, exclusions from school
• Stagnation in education attainment outcomes, which means many are missing out on key qualifications like GCSE English and maths
• The large numbers of young people out of education, training and employment

We use our deep expertise and high calibre networks to give the best non-profits working in these sectors the essential ingredients to have a real and lasting impact on the young people they serve.

Through a powerful combination of long-term funding, direct capacity building support from our experienced team and our pro bono partners, alongside research and policy influencing to drive lasting systems change, we work towards a society where all young people can thrive in school, pass their exams and unlock the doors to sustained employment, for a fulfilling life.

We are resolutely focused on outcomes and impact, driven by quality evidence.

You would be joining a team that is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our portfolio partners and the young people we serve.

Impetus is a registered charity and our charity number is 1152262.

Our Values

In 2022 the Impetus staff agreed the following set of Values to act as our guiding principles as an organisation and help us to remain focused on achieving our mission to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

We are brave and curious

We are bold and brave in our pursuit of better outcomes for young people. We lead with curiosity and stay open to new perspectives. We support one another to take considered risks and learn together.

We bring high trust, high challenge

We build strong, long-term relationships through honesty, kindness, integrity, and respect. We create the space for open, constructive challenge, where colleagues, partners and supporters feel safe to speak up, hold each other to account, and bring their best in pursuit of our mission.

We are evidence led and results driven for young people

We pursue excellence for the young people we work with, are wholly committed to better outcomes, unapologetically results driven, and accountable for our actions.

We thrive through diversity

We seek to embed diversity of thought, background and experience in every aspect of our work. We are open, thoughtful and proactive in better understanding and challenging our assumptions to better deliver the change we seek.

We always seek collaboration

We will not succeed alone. We seek meaningful, productive partnerships with others to achieve our mission and drive systems change for young people.

Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

We believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more open, creative and gets better results.

We want our team at Impetus to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our team to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.

We want to reach a diverse pool of candidates. We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.

We recognise the importance of a good work/life balance. We do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, working part-time job shares and other arrangements.

Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.

Impetus is an equal opportunity employer and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We value diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

Our employee benefits

Impetus appreciates the invaluable contribution made by all employees and wishes to encourage and reward loyalty, motivation and experience. We therefore offer a range of benefits and policies which aim to assist employees during various stages of their lives and careers. For more information on these, please download the job information pack from our website.

How to apply

Please click on the "Apply for this job" button.

You will need to:

• Complete the online form (including the equal opportunities monitoring form).
• Upload a comprehensive CV and supporting statement.

The supporting statement should be no more than two sides of A4 and should address the criteria in the person specification.

You should also include the contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be approached with your express permission.

As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at interview stage.

The deadline for applications is Sunday 20th September 2026, 11:59pm.

Interviews:

1st Interviews will take place on w/c 5th October 2026.

2nd Interviews will take place on w/c 12th October 2026.

You will also be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.

Personal Data

Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.

About the team

The Philanthropy Team raises income for Impetus and for Impetus partner charities. The team consists of 15 staff. Impetus has an annual income of c.£11 million which we are looking to grow significantly within the next few years. The team is led by two Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships. 

The Philanthropy Team works with major donors, corporates and grant making trusts, as well as collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to ensure we make a compelling case to generate new financial commitments and wider support for our work. The team also deliver a high-quality engagement programme of volunteering and pro bono for Impetus’s corporate supporters.   

Impetus is driven by a shared belief in tackling the barriers that hold back young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in education and employment. Alongside investing extensive financial and non-financial support in our charity partners through our Investment Team we also seek to influence decision makers to design and implement evidence led policy and direct new resources to get young people the support they need through our Public Affairs team. We are resolutely focused on outcomes, driven by quality evidence.

You would be joining a team that is passionate, ambitious, determined and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our charity partners and the young people we serve. 

About this role

The Development Director (Philanthropy) provides strategic leadership across Impetus’ philanthropy and stewardship portfolio, with responsibility for relationship management, renewal, growth and selected new business activity. The postholder will work with high-value funders, including corporate partners, trusts and foundations, and high-net-worth individuals.

In 25/26, the Philanthropy and Partnerships team generated £11m in philanthropic income, alongside £2.8m in pro bono contributions. The Development Director will play a key role in delivering Impetus’ growth ambitions, supporting the increase in philanthropic income to £14m by 2029. 

Working closely with the Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships, the role will translate the fundraising strategy into clear stewardship, renewal, relationship-growth and selected new business plans, ensuring strong donor retention, high-quality engagement and sustainable growth in high-value income.

Working closely with the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships, the postholder will oversee the donor lifecycle across the philanthropy portfolio, with particular focus on strategic stewardship, renewal, relationship growth and the effective transition of selected prospects into long-term donor relationships. They will personally lead and support significant six and seven-figure donor relationships and selected funding opportunities, while working with colleagues to ensure the philanthropy pipeline, stewardship plans and account management disciplines are strong.

Working collaboratively across the Philanthropy and Partnerships team and with colleagues across the organisation, the Development Director will ensure a joined-up approach to donor stewardship, renewal, relationship growth and selected donor acquisition, maximising income, partnership value and long-term impact within the agreed fundraising strategy.

Key responsibilities

Strategic Relationship Management & Growth

• Own and oversee strategically significant donor and partner relationships at six and seven-figure levels, ensuring high levels of retention, satisfaction, trust, income growth and long-term value.
• Set and embed best practice stewardship standards, ensuring donors receive timely, consistent, high-quality and relevant engagement and communications throughout their relationship with Impetus.
• Work closely with the wider team to ensure a smooth transition between new business, and long-term stewardship.
• Ensure account plans for priority donors and partners include clear renewal and growth pathways; engagement and risk-management plans.
• Act as senior relationship owner where required, modelling strong stewardship and coaching the Head of Philanthropy and other colleagues to navigate complex or sensitive relationships.

New Business: Pipeline & Conversion 

• Personally lead on select six and seven-figure level priority prospects and strategic funding opportunities, managing the full fundraising cycle from qualification to close.
• Work with trustees, senior volunteers and networks to support warm introductions, relationship development and follow-up, in line with agreed new business and stewardship priorities.
• Work with colleagues to translate Impetus’ impact, evidence base and venture philanthropy model into compelling propositions for donors, prospects and priority audiences.

Performance and KPI Reporting

• Accountable for ensuring effective implementation, monitoring and continuous improvement of fundraising performance frameworks, KPIs and reporting disciplines.
• Use performance data and insight to improve team effectiveness, inform portfolio planning and resource recommendations, and identify opportunities for retention, renewal and growth.
• Oversee philanthropy portfolio data quality, reporting and forecasting, ensuring robust systems and processes.
• Ensure robust systems, processes and performance disciplines are in place to support delivery of agreed philanthropy portfolio objectives and wider fundraising goals.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and evidence-led decision-making across the philanthropy portfolio and direct team.

Donor Communications

• Provide strategic oversight of donor communications for the philanthropy portfolio, ensuring messaging is clear, compelling, timely and aligned to Impetus’ voice, values and evidence base.
• Work with Communications and Philanthropy colleagues to design and continuously improve philanthropic communications, including cases for support, proposals, pitches, stewardship materials and donor updates.

Leadership and Team Performance

• Line manage and develop the Head of Philanthropy, providing direction, coaching and performance oversight within agreed strategy and priorities.
• Develop the Head of Philanthropy as the operational lead for stewardship, ensuring capability, succession and high performance across their team.
• Set clear objectives and success measures for stewardship, renewal, relationship growth and portfolio delivery, aligned to Impetus’ wider income strategy.
• Build and sustain an inclusive, evidence-led and high-performing culture across the philanthropy portfolio, balancing pace and ambition with quality, learning and collaboration.
• Build fundraising and stewardship capability across the team through coaching and consistent, fair and high-quality performance management, including objective-setting, feedback and development planning.

Pro Bono, Events, Volunteering & Partnership Value

• Ensure engagement opportunities, including volunteering, pro bono and events, strengthen donor relationships, partnership value and long-term income growth through strong collaboration with colleagues.

Operational Excellence, Governance & Risk

• Ensure philanthropy and selected new business activity complies with due diligence, gift acceptance and risk management requirements.
• Oversee accurate philanthropy pipeline reporting, forecasting and performance tracking, using Salesforce and other systems to ensure insight informs portfolio planning and decision-making.
• Work with Finance and Operations to ensure income is contracted, invoiced, and reported accurately and on time in line with financial controls.
• Identify and escalate strategic, financial or reputational risks associated with donors, prospects and partnerships.

Cross-Organisational Leadership & Representation

• Act as a senior ambassador for Impetus, representing the organisation credibly with new donors, partners, and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to organisational strategy, income planning, and senior leadership discussions.
• Lead philanthropic work on Impetus funds including identifying funding opportunities and risks; shaping prospect pipelines; contributing to cases for support and donor presentations; and develop fund stewardship.
• Champion collaboration across the Philanthropy team, ensuring opportunities are shared, relationships are well managed and expertise is used to maximise income and impact.
• Model Impetus’ values, evidence-led approach and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion across the philanthropy portfolio.

Strategic Leadership

• Work in partnership with the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships to contribute to the fundraising strategy.
• Translate strategic priorities into clear operational plans, objectives and delivery, ensuring stewardship, renewal and relationship growth contribute to organisational priorities, income targets and long-term growth ambitions.
• Provide strategic oversight of philanthropy portfolio forecasting, budgeting input, pipeline performance and resource recommendations, ensuring risks and opportunities are identified and escalated proactively.
• Maximise the contribution of trustees, committees, senior volunteers and wider networks to support donor stewardship, relationship growth and selected new business development.
• Act as a trusted senior adviser to the Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships, providing insight, challenge and solutions to strengthen philanthropy portfolio performance and wider fundraising capability.
• Deputise for the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships where appropriate, within agreed delegations and priorities.
• Build a positive, collaborative and high-performing culture across the philanthropy portfolio, modelling Impetus’ values and supporting continuous improvement.

Person specification

Essential:

Fundraising & new business leadership

• Significant experience in major donor and/or corporate fundraising at six and seven-figure gift level, with a strong track record of securing new income and managing complex partnerships.
• Ability to lead and personally deliver the full fundraising cycle, from prospecting and cultivation through to solicitation, negotiation, and close.
• Proven experience of building, managing, and converting a new business pipeline, balancing ambition with delivery.
• Strong ability to leverage internal and external networks, including trustees, senior volunteers, and professional contacts.

Senior stakeholder engagement

• Experience of operating at a senior level and leading high value or complex stakeholder relationships (trustees, board members, senior external partners).
• Ability to influence and build credibility with senior audiences through clear, confident and evidence led communication.
• Excellent negotiation skills, with the ability to secure mutually beneficial outcomes while protecting organisational values and reputation.

Leadership & people management

• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing teams, including developing senior colleagues and building leadership capability.
• A strong track record as a collaborative senior team member, contributing beyond own area of responsibility and supporting wider organisational success
• Ability to build a high-trust, high-challenge culture that supports excellence, inclusion, and learning.
• Strong performance management capability and ability to handle complex people issues, giving strategic feedback, and addressing underperformance constructively.
• Ability to deputise for the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships when appropriate.

Strategic & intellectual capability

• Strong strategic thinker with the ability to translate agreed strategy and insight into clear plans and execute them effectively.
• Ability to grasp, interpret apply and communicate complex information and ideas, including Impetus’ venture philanthropy and impact-led funding models.
• Evidence of an innovative and creative approach, with the ability to adapt in changing contexts.

Financial, operational & delivery capability

• Solid financial management, with experience contributing to budget-setting, managing agreed budgets, supporting forecasting and identifying efficiencies.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to delivery, with the ability to manage multiple priorities to a high standard
• Able to use insight and data (including CRM systems such as Salesforce) to inform decisions and strengthen performance.
• Sound judgement in identifying, managing, and escalating risk, particularly in relation to donor relationships and reputation.

Communication, values & ways of working

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate clearly, persuasively, and with impact.
• Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish, maintain, and leverage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• A strong commitment to Impetus’ mission and to improving outcomes for young people.
• A clear commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, demonstrated through inclusive leadership and professional practice.

Desirable 

• Experience working within venture philanthropy, impact investing, or systems-change funding models.
• Familiarity with private equity, professional services.
• Experience contributing to income growth, donor strategy or portfolio development within an agreed organisational fundraising strategy.
• Knowledge of the UK charity or social impact sector, particularly education, employment, or youth-focused work.
• Experience using CRM systems (e.g. Salesforce) to manage pipelines, performance, and forecasting.

About Impetus

At Impetus, our focus is on helping young people achieve positive education and employment outcomes to increase their chance of leading fulfilling and successful lives, irrespective of their background.

We tackle the three most difficult challenges that affect a young person’s ability to succeed in life in Britain today:

• Lost learning through absence, suspensions, exclusions from school
• Stagnation in education attainment outcomes, which means many are missing out on key qualifications like GCSE English and maths
• The large numbers of young people out of education, training and employment

We use our deep expertise and high calibre networks to give the best non-profits working in these sectors the essential ingredients to have a real and lasting impact on the young people they serve.

Through a powerful combination of long-term funding, direct capacity building support from our experienced team and our pro bono partners, alongside research and policy influencing to drive lasting systems change, we work towards a society where all young people can thrive in school, pass their exams and unlock the doors to sustained employment, for a fulfilling life.

We are resolutely focused on outcomes and impact, driven by quality evidence.

You would be joining a team that is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our portfolio partners and the young people we serve.

Impetus is a registered charity and our charity number is 1152262.

Our Values

In 2022 the Impetus staff agreed the following set of Values to act as our guiding principles as an organisation and help us to remain focused on achieving our mission to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

We are brave and curious

We are bold and brave in our pursuit of better outcomes for young people. We lead with curiosity and stay open to new perspectives. We support one another to take considered risks and learn together.

We bring high trust, high challenge

We build strong, long-term relationships through honesty, kindness, integrity, and respect. We create the space for open, constructive challenge, where colleagues, partners and supporters feel safe to speak up, hold each other to account, and bring their best in pursuit of our mission.

We are evidence led and results driven for young people

We pursue excellence for the young people we work with, are wholly committed to better outcomes, unapologetically results driven, and accountable for our actions.

We thrive through diversity

We seek to embed diversity of thought, background and experience in every aspect of our work. We are open, thoughtful and proactive in better understanding and challenging our assumptions to better deliver the change we seek.

We always seek collaboration

We will not succeed alone. We seek meaningful, productive partnerships with others to achieve our mission and drive systems change for young people.

Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

We believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more open, creative and gets better results.

We want our team at Impetus to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our team to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.

We want to reach a diverse pool of candidates. We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.

We recognise the importance of a good work/life balance. We do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, working part-time job shares and other arrangements.

Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.

Impetus is an equal opportunity employer and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We value diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

Our employee benefits

Impetus appreciates the invaluable contribution made by all employees and wishes to encourage and reward loyalty, motivation and experience. We therefore offer a range of benefits and policies which aim to assist employees during various stages of their lives and careers. For more information on these, please download the job information pack from our website.

How to apply

Please click on the "Apply for this job" button.

You will need to:

• Complete the online form (including the equal opportunities monitoring form).
• Upload a comprehensive CV and supporting statement.

The supporting statement should be no more than two sides of A4 and should address the criteria in the person specification.

You should also include the contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be approached with your express permission.

As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at interview stage.

The deadline for applications is Sunday 20th September 2026, 11:59pm.

Interviews:

1st Interviews will take place on w/c 5th October 2026.

2nd Interviews will take place on w/c 12th October 2026.

You will also be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.

Personal Data

Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.

Shape the future of Fréa – a unique partnership of three Irish charities working together to create greater impact.

We’re looking for an ambitious, creative fundraiser to build on a strong foundation and develop Fréa’s next generation of income and partnerships.

Fréa brings together three established Irish charities with a shared commitment to supporting Irish communities across the North of England. We believe that, by working together, we can achieve more than any of us can alone.

We are now looking for an exceptional Head of Fundraising and Development to help us realise that ambition.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced fundraiser who enjoys building relationships, spotting opportunities and turning ideas into sustainable income. You will have the freedom to shape Fréa’s fundraising approach, develop new partnerships and funding streams, and help establish the partnership as an increasingly influential and sustainable organisation.

You will build on a strong platform already created by Fréa’s existing fundraising work, while bringing fresh thinking and new energy to its next stage of development. You will work closely with senior colleagues and Boards across the three partner charities, developing compelling propositions and identifying opportunities where Fréa can achieve more by working collectively.

Importantly, this is collaborative fundraising, not competitive fundraising. Fréa’s role is to complement and add value to the excellent fundraising already undertaken by its three partners. You will need the judgement to recognise when an opportunity is best pursued by Fréa, by an individual partner, or jointly – always respecting existing relationships with funders, donors and corporate partners.

We are looking for someone who combines fundraising expertise with relationship-building, creativity and excellent partnership skills. You will be comfortable working strategically while also getting stuck into the practical business of developing networks and events, cultivating relationships and securing income.

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the fundraising direction of an emerging partnership with an established history, a strong network and significant potential for growth.

If you are excited by the idea of building something collaboratively, creating new opportunities and helping three organisations achieve greater impact together, we would love to hear from you.

If you would like an informal chat about the role please contact any of the Fréa Trustees: Ant Hanlon Chief Executive at Leeds Irish Health and Homes, Breege McDaid, Director at Irish Community Care or Patrick Morrison, Chief Executive at Irish Community Care Manchester.

Are you someone who thrives on developing new opportunities, building strategic partnerships and turning ideas into meaningful services and support for local communities?

HolidayEntitlement:25 days per year rising to 27 days after 2 years (pro-rata)

West Sussex Mind Values: Excellence, Equitable, Open, Together, Curious, Unstoppable

National Mind Excellence Awards 2025: Winner for Equality & Diversity; Highly Commended for Effective Services

Overview:

West Sussex Mind and Mind in Brighton & Hove are embarking on an exciting programme of growth and expansion into Surrey.

Hosted by West Sussex Mind on behalf of the Mind in Surrey Partnership, the Head of Development and Partnerships, Surrey will lead the establishment, development and growth of the partnership's work across Surrey, identifying and creating opportunities to improve mental health support, tackle stigma and increase access to services for local communities.

The role will involve:

• Developing relationships with Surrey and Sussex ICB, local authorities, VCSE organisations and other key stakeholders.

• Identifying and securing opportunities through grants, commissioning, tenders and partnership development.

• Involving people with lived experience in the development and design of proposals to ensure they meet the needs of local people with mental health challenges.

• Growing our mental health training offer across Surrey, including both paid-for training and community-based awareness initiatives.

• Establishing and supporting a Surrey Steering Group and maintaining excellent partnership working with Mind in Brighton & Hove.

• Leading the development and launch of the programme's profile, relationships and future opportunities.

• Reports on progress and impact to the Steering Group.

We are looking for someone who is motivated, self-sufficient and able to work independently while building strong and lasting relationships across a wide range of organisations and communities.

The successful candidate will have:

• Experience of developing partnerships across health, social care, public sector or voluntary organisations.

• Experience of securing funding, contracts, grants, commissioning opportunities or other sources of income.

• Excellent networking, relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Experience of developing and delivering projects, services or programmes.

• Strong written communication skills, including report writing, funding applications or business cases.

• The ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and take initiative.

• A commitment to improving mental health outcomes and reducing inequalities.

Experience of working within Surrey's health and social care landscape and existing local networks would be particularly advantageous.

As this role involves regular travel between multiple locations, you will be required to hold appropriate business-use vehicle insurance to ensure you are fully insured while undertaking work-related travel. Travel expenses covered: We have designated Guildford as your base point. Any travel required beyond the cost of your normal journey from home to this location will be reimbursed in accordance with expenses policy.

Are you interested in learning more about managing Corporate Partnerships? Are you great at building relationships? Do you want to use your excellent communication and project management skills to deliver great partnerships? 

Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity is hiring for a Senior Corporate Partnerships Executive. This role is a 7-month contract position, responsible for the development and delivery of a portfolio of staff engagement, commercial and transactional partnerships.

Salary
The salary for this position is £38,770 pro rata and we operate a hybrid working policy of a minimum of 2 days per week in the office.

In line with our EDI strategy and Total Reward policy, we calculate our salaries based on benchmarking data across the charity sector. To ensure fairness for existing staff and new joiners, we do not offer salaries above the advertised rate.

Key Responsibilities

• Working with internal and external stakeholders to deliver creative partner activities.
• Ensuring engagement from corporate supporters and maximising fundraising opportunities.
• Providing corporate partners with an exceptional experience of working with the Charity. 
• Supporting the Partnerships Manager with the delivery of our large retail partnerships, ensuring a first class stewardship journey.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Experience in successful relationship building with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience of project management.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong time management skills and able to prioritise varying tasks.
• Understanding of the principles of monitoring budgets.
• Creativity to bring new ideas to long standing partnerships.

DBS - note that a Basic DBS check is required for this role. 

The Talent Set is delighted to be partnering with Back Up to recruit a new Head of Partnerships. As Back Up celebrates its 40th anniversary, this is an exciting opportunity to join an ambitious and growing charity at a pivotal stage of its development. 

Head of Partnerships
Salary: £50,000-£55,000 dependent on experience
Location: Hybrid, 2dpw in Wandsworth

Back Up supports people affected by spinal cord injury and their families to rebuild independence, confidence and a sense of purpose after injury. Through services delivered in spinal injury centres, hospitals, communities and through innovative digital platforms, the charity helps people to live the life they choose after spinal cord injury.

As the organisation continues to deliver its ambitious strategy, Limitless Ambition, they have invested significantly in the charity’s infrastructure, leadership and systems, creating the foundations for long-term growth while maintaining the strong culture, values and lived experience that underpin its work.

The current strategy focuses on three key ambitions:

• Living confidently
• Everyone thriving
• Meaningful connections

Alongside continued service development, the organisation is investing in regional expansion across the UK, digital transformation and the development of strategic partnerships that will help increase both impact and income. With organisational income currently standing at approximately £3.2m, Back Up has ambitious plans to grow income to £5m by 2030, with this role playing a key part in these plans. 

Reporting into the senior leadership team, the Head of Partnerships will lead a team of five colleagues across Trusts & Foundations, Corporate Partnerships and Special Events. The charity benefits from a well-established trusts programme, an engaged Development Board, strong existing relationships and a healthy fundraising pipeline. The opportunity now is to build on these solid foundations and unlock the significant growth potential that exists across the entire partnerships portfolio.

The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the next phase of fundraising growth, strengthening existing relationships, developing compelling partnership propositions and creating a more joined-up approach across trusts, corporates, special events and wider fundraising activity.

This is a highly visible leadership role requiring someone who can think strategically whilst remaining actively involved in relationship management, opportunity development and fundraising delivery. The successful candidate will be comfortable moving between development board-level discussions, team leadership and hands-on fundraising activity.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, develop and inspire the Partnerships team across Trusts & Foundations, Corporate Partnerships and Special Events.
• Develop and deliver ambitious fundraising plans that contribute to Back Up's target of growing income to £5m by 2030.
• Build and steward high-value relationships with trusts, foundations, statutory funders, corporate partners and senior stakeholders.
• Develop compelling funding propositions aligned to organisational priorities, service development and strategic objectives.
• Drive the growth of strategic partnerships and identify new opportunities for sustainable income generation.
• Work closely with colleagues across fundraising, communications and service delivery to maximise opportunities and strengthen collaboration.
• Engage effectively with Back Up's Development Board, leveraging networks and connections to unlock new relationships and opportunities.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

• A strong track record of delivering growth within high-value fundraising, with significant experience in either Trusts & Foundations or Corporate Partnerships fundraising.
• Experience of leading, developing and motivating successful teams.
• Exceptional relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• The ability to identify and develop strategic fundraising opportunities.
• Strong proposition development skills and the ability to translate organisational priorities into compelling cases for support.
• Experience of working with senior stakeholders, volunteers, board members or corporate leaders.
• The ability to operate confidently at both strategic and operational levels.
• Experience of Special Events fundraising would be advantageous but is not essential.

Above all, we are looking for someone who shares Back Up's values and commitment to creating opportunities for people affected by spinal cord injury to thrive.

How to Apply
The deadline for this role is Wednesday 9th September, with 1st stage interviews to take place on 22nd September. To express an initial interest, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the 'apply now' button (please do not apply via email). We aim to get back to all successful candidates within 48 working hours.

Commitment to Diversity
The Talent Set is committed to inclusive recruitment practices and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. We actively encourage applications from people with diverse experiences and are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments required throughout the recruitment process.

Job summary including context 
Young Women’s Trust champions young women on low or no pay. We’re here to create a more equal world of work and raise young women’s incomes. We tackle sexism and misogyny, with and for anyone who has experienced this.  

We offer young women free coaching, feedback on job applications and information to help them get where they want to be. We bring together a thousands-strong network to support each other, build their self-belief, and have their voices heard. We work with young women and anyone who experiences misogyny and sexism to campaign for equality in the workplace. And our research provides insight into what young women’s lives are really like, fuelling our campaigns for change.  

These are not easy times to be a young woman. The rights and freedoms previous generations fought for can feel up for grabs – sexism is growing louder, online abuse is on the rise, and too many young women are still held back by low pay, insecure work and unequal caring responsibilities. At Young Women's Trust, we believe it doesn't have to be this way, and we're growing our fundraising ambition to match the scale of the challenge. 

You will lead a newly united fundraising programme that has brought together corporate partnerships, major donors, and trusts & foundations - an area that already contributes over 80% of our fundraised income. You'll strengthen existing relationships and secure new partnerships to support our mission: creating a more equal world of work and increasing young women's incomes. 

EDI statement and sense of flexible working and workplace culture 
Young Women’s Trust strives to be an inclusive and representative organisation. We are committed to appointing individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, lived experiences and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from racially minoritised candidates. We use positive action under section 159 of the Equality Act in relation to race. This means that if we have two candidates of equal merit in our process, we will seek to take forward the racially minoritised candidate in order to diversify our staff team. 

You’ll be joining a team that will embrace your ideas and support and encourage you to bring your whole self to work. 

We can make reasonable adjustments throughout the application process and on the job. If you have particular accessibility needs, please get in touch and let us know any requirements you may have. 

Young Women’s Trust is a Living Wage employer and we commit to Show the Salary for every job we advertise. Non-graduates are welcome and we offer a wide range of flexible working options including job share, part-time and compressed hours, different start and finish times and working from home. 

We offer: 

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays – rising annually to a maximum of 30 days
• Enhanced parental leave irrespective of length of service 
  • Up to 52 weeks maternity leave - 26 weeks at normal rate of pay, 13 weeks statutory maternity Pay, 13 weeks unpaid 
• 2 annual wellbeing days
• Employee Assistance Programme 
• Learning and development budget 
• Flexible working which is fully embedded in our working culture

You must have the right to work in the UK to apply for this role. We are not able to sponsor work visas for non-British applicants. 

Deadline to apply: 9am Monday 14th September.
Interview dates: 16th, 17th September

Salary: £60,000 - £80,000 FTE (£48,000 - £64,000 Pro rata for part-time), commensurate with experience

Contract: Permanent | Part-Time (0.8 FTE) | Year-round (Flexible working patterns considered)

Reporting to: The Head

St Catherine’s is seeking a visionary Director of Strategic Partnerships & Development to join our Senior Leadership Team. In this pivotal executive role, you will lead the strategy for our fundraising, external relations, corporate partnerships, and business development initiatives—shaping the future financial resilience and educational ambition of the School.

You will be responsible for securing philanthropic support, cultivating major donors, developing strategic partnerships and generating sustainable income opportunities. Whether your background is in corporate partnerships, high-value fundraising, commercial growth, hospitality, or professional services, this is an extraordinary opportunity to leverage your relationship-building expertise to make a lasting impact. Prior experience in the education sector is not required.

The Opportunity

As a senior ambassador for St Catherine’s, you will shape and execute an ambitious strategy to diversify income, engage key stakeholders, and maximize the value of the School’s brand and physical assets.

Reporting directly to the Head, you will oversee our Development and Alumnae Relations functions while collaborating closely with Admissions, Marketing, and Finance.

Key Priorities:

• Philanthropy & Major Gifts: Build and steward a pipeline of prospective donors, leading capital campaigns, grant applications, and major gift initiatives across alumnae, parents, and benefactors.
• Strategic Partnerships & Commercial Growth: Identify and secure mutually beneficial collaborations across business, technology, arts, sport, and the wider community.
• Alumnae & Community Engagement: Deliver an exceptional engagement strategy that turns network affinity into meaningful advocacy, mentorship, and support.
• Asset Optimization: Partner with executive colleagues to identify commercial opportunities within the School’s Site Masterplan and facilities.
• Data-Driven Strategy: Champion CRM systems and performance insights to track growth, evaluate potential initiatives, and guide executive decision-making.

About you:

• Senior Commercial Leadership: Proven success in a brand-led, growth-focused, or customer-centric organization.
• Relationship Mastery: Outstanding networking, negotiation, and influence skills with high-net-worth individuals, foundations, or executive stakeholders.
• Strategic Vision & Execution: The ability to translate big-picture strategy into clear, measurable execution frameworks.
• Data Literacy: Comfortable utilizing data insights, CRM systems, and performance dashboards to track pipeline conversion and guide choices.
• Ethos & Integrity: Alignment with St Catherine’s values, a commitment to holistic education, and an uncompromising dedication to child safeguarding.

Why Join Us?

At St Catherine’s, we offer a collaborative environment and a competitive benefits package, including:

• Flexible Working: Part-time (0.8 FTE) with flexible working patterns considered.
• Pension Scheme: Generous employer pension contributions (up to 12% employer).
• Holiday Allowance: 25 days plus Bank Holidays (pro-rata), available to book year-round.
• Fee Remission: Discounted school fees for daughters attending St Catherine’s.
• Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive Health Cash Plan, complimentary lunches during term time, and a Cycle to Work scheme.
• Convenience: Free ample on-site parking.

How to Apply

Please submit your application online via My New Term by 10:00 AM on Tuesday 1st September 2026.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be scheduled prior to the closing date. Early application is strongly recommended.

St Catherine’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to child protection screening, including checks with past employers and an Enhanced DBS with Barred List check. St Catherine’s is an equal opportunities employer.

Partnerships Executive

Salary: £35,000 - £38,000 pro rata
Hours: Part-time, 21 hours per week
Location: Remote-based with regular attendance at partner visits, events and meetings in London (approximately 2-3 times per month)
Contract: Permanent

Are you a relationship-focused professional who enjoys building partnerships, managing key accounts and creating engaging experiences for stakeholders?

We are recruiting on behalf of a respected UK membership organisation seeking a Partnerships Executive to join their friendly and collaborative team. This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of a portfolio of commercial partners, sponsors and supporters, ensuring they receive an exceptional experience whilst helping to identify opportunities for future growth.
Working closely with senior colleagues, you will play a key role in retaining existing partners, supporting sponsorship activity and helping to deliver events, campaigns and engagement initiatives that create value for both partners and members.

This role would suit someone with experience in partnerships, sponsorship, membership, business development, account management, stakeholder engagement or events.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and nurture relationships with commercial partners, sponsors and supporters
• Respond to partnership and sponsorship enquiries via phone, email and virtual meetings
• Ensure partners receive the benefits and services included within their packages
• Gather feedback from partners and identify opportunities to enhance the partnership offering
• Support partner retention and renewal activity
• Work collaboratively with marketing colleagues to deliver partnership campaigns and promotional opportunities
• Source content and opportunities for partner promotion through newsletters, social media and events
• Arrange and attend partner visits and networking events
• Support the delivery of high-profile industry events and sponsorship programmes
• Monitor partnership activity and maintain accurate records and reporting
• Contribute ideas for developing and enhancing partnership products and services

About You
We are looking for someone who enjoys building relationships and delivering excellent stakeholder experiences.

You will bring:

• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills
• Confidence engaging with stakeholders by phone, email and in person
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Experience managing multiple priorities and deadlines
• A proactive and solutions-focused approach
• Commercial awareness and a customer-focused mindset
• Experience working with members, partners, sponsors, clients or supporters
• The ability to work independently whilst contributing positively to a small team

Benefits

• 23 days annual leave (pro rata), plus birthday leave
• Additional annual leave for long service
• Health Cash Plan
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection Scheme
• Annual training and development budget
• Monthly co-working allowance
• Time off in lieu for evening and weekend events
• Flexible remote working

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a purpose-driven organisation where you can develop strong partnerships, support an engaged professional community and make a real impact within a small and supportive team.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.

This is a pivotal senior leadership role with full strategic and operational accountability.  Leadership and exceptional communication skills will be critical as The DBR Foundation establishes and grows.  Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Chief Executive Officer will have a proven track record and experience as a CEO or in a similar executive leadership position.  An extensive knowledge of the implementation of charity governance will be essential in this role. 

The Chief Executive Officer will be responsible for the drafting and implementation of policies and procedures, ensuring financial sustainability, overseeing activities, memberships, fundraising and advocacy.

The Chief Executive Officer will have responsibility for recruitment and establishing a new team, resources and managing key relationships in line with the overall strategic policies, direction, goals and budget, for the purposes of advancing The DBR Foundation’s objectives, purpose and identity worldwide.

The DBR Foundation’s objectives are:

• The improvement of health by furthering the advancement of the theory and practice of Deep Brain Reorienting ("DBR")
• The relief of emotional and psychological distress wherever it may arise by the provision of appropriate DBR training and therapy
• The relief of poverty and distress wherever it may arise by the provision of humanitarian aid, by supporting other like-minded charities

Key Responsibilities

Leadership, Strategy & Organisational Direction:

• Lead strategic initiatives and sustainable organisational long-term development
• Drive sustainable growth and measurable impact
• Lead organisational strategy and service development
  

Operations & Service Quality:

• Oversee all operational delivery
• Ensure members are equipped with relevant, up-to-date, and impactful resources

Financial Management, Corporate Governance & Regulatory Compliance:

• Provide strong financial oversight and sustainability planning
• Ensure regulatory, and governance compliance
• Performance and risk overview to the Board of Trustees

Business Development & Commissioning:

•  Income strategy and fundraising
• Grant applications and partnership funding
• Building relationships and funder partnerships

 People & Values:

• Build a high performing operational team
• Establish a culture that reflects the core values and culture of the Foundation

External Engagement & Stewardship:

• Act as senior ambassador and spokesperson
• Represent the Foundation across statutory, voluntary, education and health sectors
• Strengthen partnerships and influence

Essential Skills:

• Senior leadership experience in the charity, public or social sector
• Strong organisational and operational management experience
• Experience working with a Board of Trustees
• Proven financial oversight and budget responsibility
• Experience delivering organisational strategy
• Fundraising or income generation leadership experience
• Strong partnership and stakeholder management skills
• Commissioning and contract delivery experience

ThinkForward is recruiting an Director of Fundraising and Strategic Partnerships to help lead our team delivering our unique programme supporting young people into further education and employment. 

About the Role

Our Director of Fundraising and Strategic Partnerships is a pivotal executive leadership role, that will transform income generation into a partnership-led growth engine for ThinkForward.

Purpose: To lead and embed a strategic partnership ecosystem that delivers sustainable, diversified income growth; access to commissioned and place-based funding; scalable delivery routes; and increased influence in policy
and practice. The post holder will personally originate, shape and close major funding and partnership opportunities with senior stakeholders.

Strategic Focus: Act as executive relationship lead for government, local authorities, commissioners and major stakeholders; increase access to public-sector funding, commissioning and multiyear partnership agreements; diversify income across statutory, corporate and trusts and foundations funding streams; turn system-level partnerships into delivery settings, national reach and more young people supported.

Why it Matters: The role enables ThinkForward to move from transactional partnerships to system-level influence and secure a share of £1bn+ public funding flows linked to youth outcomes.

What We're Looking For

Experience: Senior leadership in fundraising, partnerships or public-sector engagement; securing six- and seven-figure multi-year partnerships; Board-level influence across public, private and voluntary sectors.

Executive Capability: Exceptional relationship-building, commercial thinking and the ability to shape complex funding propositions in political, policy and commissioning environments.

Leadership: Able to lead high-performing teams, build pipeline and CRM discipline, and balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.

Knowledge and Attributes: Understands public-sector commissioning, place-based funding and the charity funding landscape; outward-facing, entrepreneurial, values-driven, collaborative and systems-oriented.

Application Details

Contract: Full Time, Permanent
Salary: £75,000PA
Location: London/Hybrid

For more information about ThinkForward and the role you could play as our Director of Fundraising and Strategic Partnerships, please download the attached job specification. 

To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter (maximum two pages) either via Charityjob. Your covering letter should tell us why you're interested in the role and how your skills and experience match the person specification outlined in the job description.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Social entrepreneurs scaling their ventures face a specific set of challenges including income generation, hiring, governance, hard calls about growth and risk, all alongside scaling their social impact. We’re recruiting learning and enterprise development managers who’ve lived that journey themselves, to bring first-hand credibility and challenge directly to the entrepreneurs on our scale-up and scale-up-plus programmes.

You’ll hold ownership of SSE’s scale-up approach, shaping our learning content on strategy, profitability and the systems that hold a growing venture together – grounded in what actually works, not just what’s written down. Facilitation sits at the heart of this role. You’ll design and deliver learning programmes and group sessions for cohorts of entrepreneurs as well as leading 1-2-1 coaching and diagnostics, and delivering Action Learning Sets, SSE’s long-standing peer-coaching method (training provided).

We’re looking for people who’ve founded or led a VCSE with an annual turnover of £100,000 or more and held financial accountability such as statutory reporting to the Charity Commission and, where relevant, Companies House, reporting to a board or funders, and making hard calls about growth, income and risk.

You’ll succeed in this role if you believe in what social entrepreneurship can achieve and want to turn your experience into supporting social ventures to scale and create more impact in their communities and beyond

Are you looking for a life mission and a rewarding career where you can help find ways of tackling social and environmental problems in the UK and globally? Do you want to change the world and people’s lives? 

Bridges Outcomes Partnerships is looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals who are intellectually curious and understand the value of how collaborative design, flexible delivery and clear accountability can contribute to achieving a positive social, health and environmental impact.

Bridges Outcomes Partnerships is a mission-driven not-for-profit social enterprise. We work with Government, community groups and specialist partners to design and deliver vital services that support people to improve their lives, in areas ranging from education and wellbeing to housing, employment and environmental protection.

Bridges Outcomes Partnerships is a not-for-profit subsidiary of Bridges Fund Management, a specialist impact-driven fund manager. Over the last decade, we have had the privilege of working on 100+ outcomes contracts, supporting over 1,400,000 people, delivering £200m+ worth of outcomes across the globe and creating £1.9bn+ of public value in the UK

There is a strong case for expanding Social Outcomes Partnerships in the UK and other high-income countries: Needs in our communities are increasingly complex and interconnected. Traditional service provision and delivery often struggle to tackle wicked social problems. There has been an unprecedented rise in referrals to children social care, populations who are experiencing homelessness, people managing multiple chronic conditions, facing domestic abuse challenges in their households, and many other multi-faceted issues. Public resources are stretched – making long-term holistic funding for comprehensive services challenging. Traditional input-based models often fail to improve lives of communities and achieve poor value for public money. This is why Social Outcomes Partnerships can be part of the solution – offering holistic, localised, and personalised solutions with our communities. With more than fifteen years of experience, Bridges Outcomes Partnerships can play a role in galvanising more outcomes-based approaches, creating long-term impact through accountability, collaborative design, and flexible delivery while achieving better value for money for outcomes payers.

The role of Bridges Outcomes Partnerships spans project development (working with outcome funders and others to design and launch the delivery), partnership coordination, project and delivery management (coordinating the delivery phase and liaising with the various stakeholders) and project finance (sourcing social investment to fund the project until it starts to earn outcomes payments). Our own funding comes from a group of pioneering social investors, including The Office for Civil Society, Better Society Capital, UBS Optimus Foundation, Pilotlight, Trust for London, who, like us, are motivated by improving lives and changing the system for the better.

In the year to come, we are focused on growing our direct and systemic impact nationally and internationally, and we are incredibly excited about your help on this journey!

We would love to hear from you if you are:

· Curious, analytical, highly numerate, and great at solving problems 

· Exceptional at building strong working relationships with team members and across a range of stakeholders

· Flexible and adaptable team player with a can-do attitude

· Able to undertake a variety of activities with a substantial degree of personal responsibility and autonomy

About the opportunity:

We are looking for someone exceptional to join our team as we build new projects and partnerships.

As a Social Investment Manager, you will work on the outcomes contracts activity in both the UK and other high-income countries. You will develop new projects and partnerships along with ongoing management of the existing portfolio.

Here’s a taste of what you’ll do:

> Initiate and execute the development of outcomes partnerships opportunities: Identifying and engaging with challenges faced by central and local government and delivery partners to develop impactful delivery models which tackle those challenges.

> Lead on the implementation of a full project lifecycle of an outcomes-based project and a portfolio of outcomes partnerships, including tasks such as leading on initial assessment and investment processes in project development, developing outcome contract models, leading operational and financial analysis, managing complete legal negotiations and documentation processes.

> Innovating in our delivery: Proactively engaging with key stakeholders to develop and implement delivery innovations while considering any key assumptions around operations, impact, and finance; supporting teams to solve problems using first principles. This includes working with delivery partners to help create the best possible impact in sustainable ways, by identifying issues and opportunities, initiating projects, and developing delivery innovations.

> Creating and maintaining excellent stakeholder relationships: Engage in strong rapport-building with commissioners, outcome funders, and delivery partner teams; identify best delivery team structure for our internal operational teams; and contribute to social investor meetings to present project and market development activities.

Key attributes we are looking for:

> A genuine passion to drive social change: We are constantly searching for new ways to dramatically change the status quo. This requires someone with excellent attention to detail and who will demonstrate the ability to lead on impact and value creation.

> Ability to deliver more than the system expects: We believe that more is possible than the current system is achieving, and we need to demonstrate this in practice. This requires tenacity and relentless optimism.

> Ability to think differently: We will not succeed by copying existing models or structures. Our projects and investments all require the team to think through each problem from first principles and find the most effective and efficient new solution in each case. This requires logic, analytical rigour, and a willingness to question assumptions. It also requires the desire to work in a dynamic environment, along with the ability to be solutions-focused and work in a small team.

> Ability to build and maintain trust: We aim for the edge of what we believe is possible, from ourselves and our partners; this can only be achieved through mutual trust. Everything we do must be open to scrutiny and full transparency. This requires excellent interpersonal skills and absolute integrity.

>  A self-starter comfortable working through complexity and co-ordinating diverse sets of stakeholders against tight deadlines and competing priorities.

Suitable candidates will have:

> 7+ years of experience working in social investment, financial and senior operational roles within the VCSE sector, management consulting, public sector delivery, or similar sectors.

> Excellent financial and modelling skills, with extensive experience in supporting the development of comprehensive business/financial plans.

> Strong delivery and investment, advisory and/or operational track record.

> Higher degree level education or equivalent experience.

> Exceptional interpersonal skills, adept at working with multiple stakeholders.

> Experience supporting the development of comprehensive value creation strategies.

> Strong strategic, commercial and entrepreneurial judgement.

> Experience of working with government partners to develop social change projects is desirable.

> Experience of the social sector is desirable.

> Experience of impact investing is desirable.

> Experience working on projects tackling developmental challenges, preferably in areas like education, health and employment is desirable.

> Dutch language skills are desirable (as this role is anticipated to work on an outcomes partnerships in the Netherlands).

Safeguarding Commitment: As part of Bridges, you will help create a safe, supportive, and empowering environment for everyone we interact with. We believe safeguarding is a shared responsibility, where all colleagues play an active role in promoting wellbeing, identifying safeguarding concerns, and working together to ensure these are addressed promptly and respectfully. This includes maintaining professional boundaries, reporting concerns promptly in line with organisational policies, and completing all required safeguarding training.  All colleagues must remain vigilant, model safe practices, and contribute to a culture where people are valued, listened to and where safety, dignity, and wellbeing are prioritised at all times.

Data Protection Commitment

As part of Bridges, you will play an important role in protecting the privacy, rights, and personal information of the people we support, our colleagues, and our partners. We expect all team members to handle data with care, respect, and confidentiality, following our organisational policies and the requirements of data protection legislation. This includes using information appropriately, storing and sharing it securely, and reporting any concerns or breaches promptly. You will be supported with training and guidance to help you contribute to a culture where trust, transparency, and responsible data practices are embedded in our services and decision making.

What we will offer you

• We are a flexible employer and we will support you to ensure you achieve a healthy work life balance.

• You will be joining an incredibly dedicated, vibrant, dynamic and talented team of people who are deeply passionate about services which improve people’s lives and public sector reform.

• You will get 25 days’ annual leave plus 8 days for bank holidays and 2 additional ‘gifted’ day/s between Christmas and New Year

• We offer a Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme

• We offer Life Insurance, Income Protection Insurance and wellbeing benefits & resources

• We also offer Private Medical Insurance on successful completion of your probation period

• You will be able to access Learning and development opportunities

Application process/next steps

You’ll answer some questions that are related to the day-to-day job and will be asked to upload your CV. Your answers will go through our sift process: all answers will be anonymised, randomised and then reviewed by a panel of reviewers.

NB We value authenticity and are looking for applications that genuinely reflect your own experience, skills, and motivation for the role. While we recognise that some candidates may use AI tools for light support (for example, to check grammar or structure), we ask that all answers and application content are predominantly your own work. This helps ensure a fair and meaningful assessment of every application.

If you are shortlisted, we’ll invite you to the next step, which will be first and second round interviews with the hiring team. First round interviews are anticipated to take place w/c 28th September.

Bridges Outcomes Partnerships is an equal opportunities employer and ensures that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and will make reasonable adjustments for any part of the recruitment process for candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the role. 

Thames Rivers Trust (TRT) is part of The Rivers Trust movement. We focus on the promotion and delivery of an ecosystem-based approach to improving the River Thames, working with partners including Thames Water, The Rivers Trust, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and a network of Catchment Partnerships across the Thames Basin, to deliver an integrated approach to managing the river basin for people, biodiversity and the environment.

We are recruiting a Programme Manager to lead day-to-day delivery of the Water Company Partnership: a developing arrangement between TRT, The Rivers Trust, Thames Water and ZSL that works alongside and helps coordinate support for the 27 Catchment Partnerships of the Thames Basin. You will oversee delivery across all five of the Partnership's workstreams and be accountable to the Partnership Board for progress, combining day-to-day programme management with support to the Board's strategic oversight.

In practical terms, this role exists to help integrate Catchment Partnership hosts and partnership members with Thames Water's delivery programme, and to upskill those partnerships so they are equipped to plan, fund and deliver more on the ground themselves, building the same kind of productive relationships with other funders and partners too, not just Thames Water. It is a genuine opportunity to shape how a major water company and its environmental partners work together, and to help turn that partnership into real, measurable improvements for rivers and the wider environment across the Thames Basin.

Your responsibilities will span five workstreams:

● Governance: catchment partnership maturity and tiering, network structure and governance models

● Monitoring and Evaluation: river health scorecards, monitoring standards and evidence for investment decisions and Thames Water's PR29 submission

● Capability and Capacity, including CaPS: TRT's own Catchment Partnerships Support Programme, learning and development, and running the Thames Catchment Forum

● Catchment and Nature-based Solutions: supporting delivery of wetland, river restoration and storm overflow projects

● Blended Finance: developing environmental market mechanisms and diversified funding for Catchment Partnerships

You will also service the Partnership Board, coordinate quarterly reviews with individual catchment hosts, and act as TRT's key liaison with Thames Water, The Rivers Trust, ZSL and Catchment Partnerships across the region.

We're looking for someone with experience delivering environmental, catchment or nature-recovery programmes, strong partnership working and facilitation skills, and the ability to coordinate complex, multi-organisation programmes through influence rather than line management. Knowledge of the water sector, WINEP or AMP planning, nature-based solutions or blended finance would be an advantage, as would a project or programme management qualification.

Please note that we are interested in receiving and considering applications from candidates who may not tick every box. You may be just who we are looking for.

The details

Salary: £40,000–£42,000 per annum, dependent on experience

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week

Contract: Initially funded for one year, with planned funding for a further two years

Location: Thames Basin, home-based, with regular travel across catchments and to partner offices in London

Reports to: Chief Executive, Thames Rivers Trust

How to apply

Please send your CV and a covering letter, explaining why you're interested in the role and how you meet the person specification. More details in the full job description is available.

Closing date: 10pm, Sunday 30th August 2026

Interviews: Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th September 2026