Partnership director jobs

CDMT is looking for a talented, ambitious and driven education and arts professional to energetically build on the company’s success over the past decade and imaginatively take forward and elevate our mission and vision for the years ahead. The role is accountable to the Chair of Trustees.

CDMT’s position in the sector and the requirements of the role are described in the job pack and on our website.

ABOUT THE ROLE OF DIRECTOR

CDMT is the industry body for world-class professional schools, conservatoires and awarding organisations in the performing arts, and we are a strong advocate on behalf of the sector.

The Director of the CDMT plays a strategic role in performing arts training, education and assessment nationally and manages the staff and resources of an organisation of UK-wide standing. The CDMT is financed primarily by membership subscriptions. As this source of income is restricted, the successful applicant will need to demonstrate a strategic business sense and a successful income-driven record that will enable the CDMT to create, diversify and take full advantage of developing opportunities.

The Director must be able to liaise effectively with all sectors of the dance, drama, music and musical theatre education communities.  They will have wide knowledge and experience of arts education at all stages of development from entry level, through Further/Higher Education to post-graduate level, and will also require an understanding of qualification frameworks in the UK. Knowledge and experience of inspection and self-assessment mechanisms similar to those operated by the Office for Students, Ofsted and Ofqual, is desirable.

The role includes advocacy on behalf of the sector and requires an ability to offer support and advice to professional schools, conservatoires and awarding organisations as well as informing the thinking of regulators, civil servants and parliamentarians. This demands a high level of tact, diplomacy, professional understanding and tenacity as well as intellectual rigour and integrity.

This is a time of change and challenge for the performing arts education community.  The post of Director of the CDMT requires a talented, ambitious and self-driven professional able to offer and energetically deliver an exciting vision for the company’s future, and manage the journey required to successfully achieve it.

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE MUST DEMONSTRATE

• Experience of management at a senior level in the education and/or arts sectors, with an awareness of national assessment and inspection frameworks
• Staff management skills and a motivating and inclusive style
• Ability to identify opportunities, take initiative, and command the respect of peers and associates, demonstrating honesty and integrity in all dealings
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal abilities, and strategic thinking and planning
• Knowledge and experience of financial procedures and regulatory compliance and responsibilities
• Proficiency in influencing, negotiating, and finding common ground and agreement
• Resilience, self-motivation, clear vision and the ability to defend and promote CDMT’s mission
• Commitment to equal opportunities and the charity’s values
• Education to a minimum of Degree level
• The guile to engage with the pertinent issues of the time and to endeavour to shape the future for the benefit of CDMT

SUMMARY OF DIRECTOR’S ACTIVITIES

• Set CDMT strategy, vision and direction with Board support
• Establish corporate values, rewards quality and success in a culture of equal opportunity
• Create business plans, allocates capital in support of aims, produces budgets and monitors finances
• Cultivate key relationships, influences decision-makers, develops suitable partnerships and networks
• Strengthen CDMT’s reputation through representations to government, industry bodies and media
• Lead, inspire and build teams of highly qualified staff, consultants with effective use of resources
• Chair meetings and ensures success of operational policies, membership committees and inspections
• Utilise sector intelligence to reinforce the company’s standing through targeted initiatives
• Oversee reports to the Charity Commission, Companies House, HMRC, Pensions Regulator etc (acting as Company Secretary)
• Manage risk assessments and mitigating actions, seek legal and professional advice where necessary.

Our University has a proud history of philanthropy stretching back to its foundation in 1900. With a clear vision to change the lives of the people of Birmingham, Joseph Chamberlain raised the funds required to build the University from citizens and corporations based locally and around the globe. Since then philanthropy has continued to play an important role in shaping the University. There have been a number of fundraising campaigns, including a £1m urgent capital appeal after the Second World War and a £1.4m campaign to fund the Vale ‘student village’ in the 1960s. In 2015 we closed the Circles of Influence Campaign, raising £193 million, making it the largest HE fundraising campaign outside Oxbridge and London.

DARO exists to support our academic and student community by engaging, inspiring, and celebrating alumni, individuals, and charitable funders who give their money, time, and networks to support the University’s strategic priorities. The Office, which is comprised of five teams, is focused on fundraising and volunteering from alumni, organisations and individuals who are passionate about changing lives, through funding various research projects, supporting student bursaries, mentoring students, and providing internships, as well as providing a versatile programme of engagement opportunities for our global alumni community.

There is a rare opportunity to join the DARO Senior Leadership team at this exciting time in our current campaign.

We are looking for an Associate Director of Charitable Partnerships to maximise our enormous income generation potential; coach, nurture and challenge the well-established Charitable Partnerships team; and deliver a bold and innovative strategy to support this exciting campaign, raising significant gifts yourself from an established and growing portfolio. You will lead a team of expert trust and corporate fundraisers to work across the campus and deliver an institution-wide service to generate income, networks and influence from corporates, charities, trusts and foundations. You will be responsible for creating a motivational and supportive environment for your team with professional development opportunities for all members. You will maintain oversight of all significant charitable relationships, including your own portfolio, and be the first point of contact for the amazing opportunities in this space. As a key member of DARO’s Senior Leadership team you will help shape the strategic direction of the function and work collaboratively with other Associate Directors to take our campaign to the next level. 

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. 

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) is looking for someone to lead our Philanthropy & Partnerships programmes. It’s an exciting role, and an exciting time for SAS. We’re about to launch our new organisational strategy, and we’re in the final stages of implementing a new CRM (Dynamics).

We’re lucky to work with some of the most dynamic and innovative funders and partners in the UK and abroad, this role will maintain existing partnerships and develop new ones.

You’ll come into a well-established, talented and friendly team. We’re passionate about developing our people, and we’ll work with you to make you the best leader and fundraiser you can be. We’re looking for someone who has a caring and empathetic management style and enjoys coaching & mentoring their teams to help them grow and excel.

Working closely with the Director of Fundraising you’ll be responsible for developing strategies to inspire donors, and cultivating these relationships towards securing major gifts. You’ll take the lead on managing our larger Trust & Foundation & Corporate relationships, ensuring excellent relationship management to foster long term support for our work.

You’ll be a great communicator and influencer able to work effectively across the organisation, bringing together key stakeholders and working collaboratively to bring our work to life for existing and potential donors.

Working with our colleagues in Campaigns & Policy and Communities you’ll gain an excellent understanding of our work and impact and have the ability to use this information to craft compelling applications, donor materials and reports.

​Underpinning your success will be a positive and proactive attitude, a solutions-oriented approach and a willingness to undertake hands on work. 

• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors with a primary focus of gifts of £100,000+
• Build excellent collaborative relationships with internal colleagues to collate information for funding proposals, impact reporting and stewardship opportunities.  
• Build and develop excellent relationships with our donors
• Work with our communications team to ensure we celebrate the support of our donors appropriately
• Maximise the use of SAS engagement opportunities (Parliamentary events, volunteer conferences, beach cleans, etc.) to cultivate prospects and steward donors to an exceptional standard
• Management of income & expenditure budgets and KPI tracking mechanisms 
• Leadership, line management and development of a team of 3 passionate fundraisers
• Development of strategy into detailed work plans and KPI tracking 

Excellent stakeholder management skills and ability to work with, and communicate effectively and professionally with a wide range of individuals from internal colleagues, institutional leaders and external collaborators, stakeholders and donors.

An ability to assimilate complex information and translate this into compelling funding bids and impact reporting through excellent written communication skills.

A working knowledge of major gift, corporate & trust & foundation fundraising, including identification, research, solicitation and stewardship.

Experience of managing, coaching and mentoring a team to develop individuals to be the best they can be.

Location: Home based however this is a national role and will require travel to all EF sites

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Salary: £76,000 per annum

About us

Emerging Futures works nationally with people affected by addiction, encouraging them to make positive changes to their lives.

We believe that no one should suffer the stigma associated with addiction, and that everyone seeking support should feel valued and respected.

We provide homes for people to connect with others and make the necessary changes to move towards independent, healthy living. Our behaviour change services provide a confidential space to share experiences, and offer practical support to those who want to change. The Emerging Futures accredited coach training develops the skills of our volunteers, motivating people to give back and reconnect with their community.

About the role

This is a pivotal leadership role, supporting the Chief Executive and Board with organisational development, risk oversight, and the consistent delivery of high-quality, person-centred services.

This executive leadership role shapes the strategic direction of Emerging Futures, overseeing HR, Quality, Safeguarding, and Performance functions. It drives organisational strategy across people, culture, innovation, and service delivery, ensuring alignment with the charity’s values and sector trends in substance misuse and homelessness.

Key responsibilities include leading HR strategy—covering recruitment, workforce development, staff wellbeing, inclusion, and compliance—and overseeing quality assurance, clinical governance, and safeguarding to ensure robust risk management and continuous improvement.

The role also leads the development of outcome measurement frameworks, promotes data-driven decision-making, and collaborates with operational leaders to support service innovation and performance. Externally, it represents the organisation in strategic forums and partnerships, while internally fostering integration and supporting cross-functional initiatives.

This role is home based, however as you are leading remote teams across the country, very regular travel to EF sites/offices will be required.

About you

You will have proven senior leadership experience in HR (ideally at Head of HR or Director level) in the voluntary, housing, health, or social care sector. You should also have:

• Level 7 CIPD Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management or equivalent, plus relevant experience
• Strategic understanding of workforce, service delivery, and governance issues in substance use, homelessness, or complex needs sectors
• Demonstrated success in embedding quality and assurance frameworks across complex, dispersed services.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, regulatory compliance, risk management, and performance improvement frameworks.
• Track record of driving organisational culture change and operational excellence.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing, and stakeholder engagement skills, including Board-level reporting.

Key Dates

Application deadline: 10 November 2025

Anticipated interview dates are to be confirmed

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Variety, the Children's Charity is excited to recruit for a Corporate Partnerships Manager to join the fundraising team as we launch a new multi-year partnership in January 2026. This role is a new position to support our ambitious growth to deliver award winning partnerships and raise money from corporate partners across the Northeast region. This key role on our team will ensure our work to fund life-changing practical support to disabled and disadvantaged children and young people continues across the UK.

You will be joining the charity at an exciting time as we are launching a three-year strategy to drive growth with lots of new fundraising plans in place alongside a great team and a new Director of Fundraising. You will have a large partnership in the property sector to manage, and with your experience you will develop new partners in the Northeast of England, ensuring we maximise leads and introductions. You will play an important role in our collaborative and high-performing team to deliver the partnership strategy.

ABOUT VARIETY

There are 1.8m children living with disabilities in the UK with 600,000 children living in poverty. Variety exists to improve their lives. We believe every child has a right to live their best life and reach their full potential, whoever they are. We fund and deliver life-changing programmes that enhance their quality of life and give children and young people across the UK a better future.

Over the past 75 years we have supported over one million children by funding almost 6,000 Sunshine Coaches, almost the same number of wheelchairs, and giving thousands of grants to individual children, schools, youth clubs and other organisations for specialist equipment.

In addition, each year thousands of children take part in day trips, special events and educational activities as part of our Variety Great Days Out programme and every single day we are improving more young lives. We do it with practical, tangible help, that makes a real and immediate difference.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

● Lead account management of a large national corporate partnership, delivering a six-figure fundraising target and giving first class stewardship to ensure engagement with all staff across multiple sites in the UK

● Develop engaging marketing and communications for the partnership and develop new business materials for their suppliers and customers, to get them involved in the partnership

● Travel across regional offices for fundraising and volunteering, engaging staff and working with our beneficiary schools on engagement events

● Write and deliver quarterly impact reporting, making presentations at head office with partnership updates

● Track income and expenditure for the partnership

● Develop new business by introductions from the partnership and also work across the Northwest to develop new leads for the corporate fundraising pipeline

● Plan volunteering days for corporate partners, coordinating with our school’s network, sending briefs and attending some events to ensure smooth coordination

● Attending regular partnership meetings and keeping all account plans up to date utilising our CRM system Salesforce

● Attend Variety fundraising and awareness events representing the charity and speaking confidently about our work

● Collaborate with the programmes team to plan partner Sunshine Coach presentations, Great Days Out, and visits to partner schools

● Participate in staff meetings, fundraising team meetings and contribute to the success of Variety’s fundraising strategy

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Essential

• Two years’ experience working on a charity fundraising team

• Experience managing corporate partnerships at a national level

• Experience of excellent donor stewardship

• Good writing and communication skills

• Good organisational skills and multi-tasking during busy periods

• Enthusiastic, energetic, self-motivated and passionate about the Third Sector

MAIN BENEFITS, TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Reporting to: Director of Fundraising & Communications

Salary: £35,000-£38,000 per annum

Location: Remote working (must be in the Northeast area) (with 2-4 days per month working from a corporate partner office in Newcastle)

Hours: 9am to 5pm, Monday - Friday

25 days holiday (we also normally give between Christmas and New Year off, but this is not contractual). In addition, after one year's continuous service, there will be an extra 2 days annual holiday added for every complete year of service, up to a maximum of five days' extra holiday.

Employer Pension contributions of 7% (Employee 2%), Life Assurance scheme of 4 x annual salary, Company sick pay scheme, Medicash scheme.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your CV with a cover letter explaining why you’d make a great candidate for this role. Applications will close on Thursday, 6 November at 5pm with first round interviews taking place week commencing 10 November and second round of interviews on 17 November 2025. Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements or need any adjustments for the interview.

EQUALITY DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Inclusion is one of our key values and it is our ambition to recruit great people from diverse communities.

We welcome and encourage applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment/identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy/maternity and or marriage/civil partnership status, race, religion or belief.

Please let us know if you have any access requirements which we might need to consider in relation to the selection process.

Freshwater Habitats Trust is the UK’s leading charity for all freshwaters. We are an
evidence-based organisation that protects freshwater wildlife through practical and innovative nature conservation projects across England and Wales.

The Director, Central Team, will develop and oversee programmes across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, playing a key role in realising our vision of building the Freshwater Network.

As a member of the Senior Management Team the postholder will lead the Central Team and work across the following areas:

· Strategic development

· Leadership and management

· Fundraising

· Project delivery

· Partnership development

· Technical supervision

· Finance

This position requires a creative, dynamic and enthusiastic person who works well as part of a team whilst being self-motivated and ambitious. 

The Director will have the ability to think on their feet, steer the direction of the
programme teams and support them to achieve the long-term goals of the organisation.

Executive Director Partnerships

We are seeking an Executive Director Partnerships to join the team.

If you want to join an impact-driven organisation, improving outcomes for vulnerable children and families, then apply today!

Position: Executive Director, Lincoln Social Outcomes Partnership (LSOP)

Location: Lincolnshire/hybrid

Hours: Full-time

Salary: £70,200

Contract: 12-month fixed-term contract, becoming a permanent position pending successful setup of the CIC and continued funding

Closing Date: 7th November 2025

The Role

The Executive Director will lead the Lincolnshire Social Outcomes Partnership CIC (LSOP CIC), driving its mission to improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities across Lincolnshire. This is a strategic and operational leadership role, responsible for managing partnerships, governance, and delivery of the organisation’s innovative Community Transformation Fund and Anchor Programme.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading fundraising and investor engagement
• Overseeing daily operations
• Ensuring strong governance and financial management
• Building trusted relationships with stakeholders including the Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board, Social Finance, Macmillan Cancer Support, and local VCFSE organisations
• Champion collaboration and co-design
• Support community-led service development and investment proposals
• Mentor partners in social investment approaches
• Measure impact

The Executive Director will also lead the transition toward locally rooted leadership, ensuring the CIC remains sustainable, community-driven, and focused on equitable health transformation.

About You

We are looking for someone with experience of:

• Working with or within health systems with an understanding of processes and systems associated with service delivery
• Developing and delivering fundraising and investment opportunities (for example, grant-based or investment bids to charities, foundations or philanthropic organisations)
• Developing and managing cross-sector partnerships, including collaboration with public sector, legal, financial, and community stakeholders.
• Overseeing financial modelling, risk analysis, and investment planning in complex programme environments.
• Commissioning, contracting, and negotiating with external partners and professional advisors.
• Designing and delivering programmes that prioritise equity, lived experience, and inclusive service design.
• Presenting proposals and performance updates to governance boards or advisory groups.
• Supporting capacity building within organisations or communities in multi-agency settings.
• Developing and delivering programmes in partnership with community-based or place-based institutions.
• Facilitating inclusive approaches to service development that reflect community needs.

About the Organisation

Since 2007, the organisation has helped to pioneer a series of programmes to improve outcomes for individuals with complex needs. These innovations, including the social impact bond model, have mobilised more than £500 million globally. With sister organisations in the US, Israel, the Netherlands and India the organisation has network of partners across the world.

Equality, diversity and inclusion 

We actively encourage applications from under-represented and minoritised groups, including those with lived experience of the social issues we are working to address. The organisation is an equal opportunities employer and support a range of flexible working options.

The application process uses Applied, a platform developed by the Behavioural Insights Team, to record your application. Applied is focused on using behavioural and data science to improve hiring decisions and minimise unconscious bias in the recruitment process. You will be asked to respond to four situational based questions, which will allow you to express your ability.

You may have experience in other areas such as Executive, Director, Director of Partnerships, Partnerships Director, Health, Fundraising Director, Grants, Bids, Foundations, Philanthropy, Executive Director, Deputy Director, Director of Operations, Operations Director, Strategic Operations.

This role is currently unable to offer sponsorship. Please ensure you have the right to work in the UK before applying.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

At Headway, our mission is simple: Improve life after brain injury.

Every 90 seconds, someone in the UK is admitted to hospital with a brain injury. Our job is to support survivors and their families from the moment brain injury strikes – and to do that, we need your help and expertise!

We’re seeking a determined, values-driven Director of Fundraising to drive income generation across several different disciplines, helping to ensure we can continue delivering vital support to people affected by brain injury.

This role isn’t just about setting strategy; it’s about being actively involved in in a hands-on capacity as you build relationships and lead fundraising efforts across community, individual giving, corporate partnerships, events, legacies and trusts fundraising.

You will also oversee and support the Head of Retail, ensuring that income from our charity shops contributes effectively to the organisation’s overall financial sustainability and growth.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will also have the opportunity to shape Headway’s future and contribute to key decisions across the charity, including working with trustees and contributing to board meetings.

Key areas of accountability

• Develop, maintain, and evolve a multi‑year fundraising strategy (3‑5 years) aligned with Headway’s strategy, priorities, and risk appetite.
• Lead the development and delivery of income generation plans across all fundraising channels (retail, individual giving, corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, events, legacies, and community fundraising), translating organisational objectives into clear annual targets, growth strategies, and actionable fundraising plans.
• Personally lead on key fundraising initiatives, cultivating and stewarding donor relationships while overseeing a diverse portfolio of fundraising activities.
• Use data-driven insights to evaluate performance, inform strategy, and identify opportunities for growth.
• Manage and inspire a fundraising team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and professional development.
• Oversee the Head of Retail and ensure the effective operation and strategic development of Headway’s charity shops.
• Monitor fundraising performance and report on progress to the Chief Executive and Board of Trustees.
• Play an active role within the Senior Leadership Team, contributing insight and expertise on income generation, fundraising performance, risk, scenario planning, and resource allocation, while working closely with colleagues to support decision-making and drive organisational priorities.
• Act as a key ambassador for the organisation, representing its mission and values to external stakeholders, partners, and donors.

About you

We’re looking for an experienced fundraiser who has performed at a director level or equivalent, ideally at a charity with a UK-wide reach.

You will be able to nurture and develop the fundraising team, building a strong culture in line with the organisation’s values, and motivating others to achieve shared goals by using your working knowledge of various fundraising disciplines.

You will be a skilled communicator, able to build relationships with and instil confidence in internal and external stakeholders including donors, supporters, and colleagues.

You will be confident and proficient in using CRM systems and fundraising platforms to manage supporter data, analyse performance and support donor engagement with data-informed decision making.

And you will be able to combine a strategic and analytic mindset with proactive, hands-on fundraising.

Benefits

• You will be automatically enrolled into the People’s Pension. This is based on your contribution of 5% and with Headway UK contributing 3%. For every 1% you increase above this, Headway UK will increase its contributions by 1% up to a total maximum of 6%.
• We offer 25 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising incrementally after two years to a maximum of 30 days. We also offer a range of special leave entitlements.
• Access for you and your immediate family members to an employment assistance programme offering life support, legal and medical information, and counselling services.
• Death in service benefit of two times your salary.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 5 November 2025

First interview: Wednesday 12 November via Teams/Zoom

Second interview: Monday 17 November in Nottingham (NG6 8SF)

About the Role

Thee Talent Set are very excited to be working with an excellent charity in their search for a Director of Communications, Campaigns and Partnerships. This role is pivotal in leading the organisation’s external voice and strategic influence. This role combines leadership, storytelling, and partnership development to enhance visibility, drive advocacy, and strengthen impact across key audiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver the organisation’s overall strategy in partnership with the CEO and executive team.
• Lead and inspire a high-performing, values-driven team that delivers measurable results.
• Represent the organisation internally and externally, modelling inclusive and collaborative leadership.

• Develop and implement a powerful communications and campaigns strategy that enhances reputation and drives change.
• Oversee media, digital, and internal communications to ensure a clear, consistent narrative.
• Act as a senior spokesperson and advocate for the organisation’s mission and priorities.

• Build strategic partnerships with corporate, community, and policy stakeholders to expand reach and amplify impact.
• Lead movement-building and partnership initiatives to support sector-wide collaboration.
• Foster an inclusive culture that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning.

• Use data and insight to evaluate and improve communications, campaigns, and partnerships.
• Lead on crisis and reputation management, ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards.
• Monitor performance against strategic objectives, identifying and addressing risks proactively.

Person specification

• Proven experience leading communications, campaigns, or partnerships within a complex, high-profile organisation.
• Strategic thinker with strong commercial, political, and analytical acumen.
• Experienced leader skilled in motivating, developing, and supporting high-performing, dispersed teams.
• Track record in building impactful partnerships and delivering measurable social or policy change.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and media engagement skills.
• Collaborative, values-driven, and adaptable, with a growth mindset and strong personal integrity.

What’s on offer

• A salary of up to £90,000.
• A flexible hybrid working pattern is on offer with 2-3 days in their London office per week.
• A 12-month contract in a fantastic organisation.

Interested?
To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by applying via our website.

Commitment to Diversity:
The Talent Set and our partner charity are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, sexual orientation, disability, age, or gender. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process

We are looking for a bold, creative, and strategic fundraising leader to work alongside the CEO to rebuild and grow our income — securing existing partnerships while opening up new streams of support. 

Like many UK charities, Opportunity International has faced a challenging few years. Shifts in government funding, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and periods of leadership transition have all affected our income since 2018. Yet, out of this challenge comes great opportunity. We are now entering an exciting phase of renewal — revitalising our brand, re-energising our supporter base, and reimagining how we engage with donors.

Historically, our private income has been driven by generous major donors, and while this will continue to be a core pillar, our strategy is focused on diversification and long-term sustainability. In the short term, we’re deepening our relationships with trusts and foundations and growing our individual giving, particularly through digital channels. Looking ahead, we plan to strengthen our legacy programme and build meaningful corporate partnerships. With our refreshed brand and vibrant new visual identity, we’re well-positioned to reach new audiences and inspire fresh support. Our Royal Patron and emerging ambassadors will help us to do this.

The successful candidate will have the exciting opportunity to help shape our organisational strategy for the next 3–5 years (to be finalised in early 2026) and to lead the design and delivery of a dynamic fundraising and communications strategy. A major appeal or capital campaign is expected to be a cornerstone of this work.

If you'd like to have an informal conversation about this role then please contact Mary Oakes, CEO, to arrange.

Thank you for your interest in the Head of Collaboration Partnership roles (x3) at the Fair Education Alliance

A key part of the new FEA strategy 'Neighbourhood to National' is our work with Combined Authorities, who we believe are an incredible unit for change for children and young people’s outcomes and we are now hiring three Heads of Collaboration Partnership to lead on this work employed by the FEA and working alongside a MCA Partnership Lead in each area. They will provide expert leadership to establish deep partnerships and enable cross-sector collaboration.

You’ll report to our Director of Place-Based Collaboration, within our expanding Place-Based team, drawing on expertise from across the FEA. You will also work with a dedicated lead for the Partnership in the Combined Authority. You will play a key role in ensuring that: learning and evaluation are bedded into the approaches; youth engagement is a key factor driving the work, and what is being uncovered in MCAs is feeding into policy change.

We are looking for a professional who is highly collaborative, committed to systems change, comfortable with working through ambiguity, sees the incredible potential for MCAs, and will be passionate about long-lasting change for children and young people.

We are accepting applications from candidates living and working across the country - so if you live or work in any of the Mayoral Combined Authority areas, then please consider applying.

ImpactEd Consulting is acting as recruitment advisor to the FEA on this appointment.

Key dates

• Applications close: Wednesday 12 November (5.30pm)
• R1 Interviews: Monday 1 – Wednesday 3 December (online)
• R2 Interviews: Wednesday 10 – 12 December (in person - location TBC)
• Start date: early 2026 – as soon as possible (to be agreed with the successful candidate)

If you have any questions based on any aspect of the appointment process or require any additional information, please contact ImpactEd directly

Working within the Development and Outreach Department, (responsible for fundraising, marketing and communications) the Partnerships Team crafts and steward collaborations with companies and brands, in the UK and globally, to generate significant income, raise awareness of WDC brand and work and advocate for positive action.

The Partnerships manager:

- is responsible for developing and implementing a strategy, alongside the corporate engagement lead, to deliver an agreed annual income target, across charitable and trading activities and facilitate valuable in-kind support for WDC.

- is required to expertly research, develop, manage, and enhance relationships with new and existing partners across a diverse range of sectors.

- will be an adept communicator, capable of thinking on their feet, delivering inspiring pitches with authority and securing buy in from colleagues across WDC, and external stakeholders.

- will lead a varied and exciting area of fundraising, covering a diverse range of activities and opportunities which involves balancing the needs of WDC colleagues with external partners.

About Sister System 

Founded in 2018, Sister System is a charitable organisation and an Open College Network (OCN) approved centre dedicated to empowering girls and young women aged 13-24 affected by the care system.

Our approach is co-designed with care-affected young women and girls to ensure that their lived experiences continue to drive meaningful change and shape our progression. Built on proven therapeutic models, our long-term mentoring, accredited qualifications, and leadership development programmes strengthen resilience, confidence, and essential life skills.

Our model seeks to break intergenerational cycles by equipping young women with the tools to thrive and lead change. Through a strong sense of community, peer networks, and trusted adult relationships, we create clear pathways into education, employment, and socio-economic stability, supporting a life free from abuse. 

Throughout her journey with Sister System, each girl participates in weekly one-to-one and group sessions focused on self-education and personal growth. These sessions explore the social and emotional transition to womanhood while building a supportive network of “sisters” who continue to empower one another during key life transitions. Our programmes are accessible to girls and young women at any stage of educational attainment, enabling all Sis-Stars to learn, grow, and thrive. 

Our strategy 

We are one year into our 2024-2027 strategy to set Sister System on a path to scale our reach and impact. We have bold ambitions to scale across London and beyond. We have been building our organisational resilience, the quality of our programmes and robust systems to collect data and measure our impact. We are looking for a new Director of Fundraising who can bring in income from multiple sources to support our sustainable growth. 

Director of Fundraising - role details 

Benefits 

• Annual Salary: £57,000 to £62,000 (3 to 5 days per week, pro rata as relevant) 

• Leave Entitlement: 25 days and 8 bank holidays (+ your birthday off + 1 additional day per year of service up to 5 days) 

• Training and Development (CPD): £1000 per year 

• Company Pension 

• Death in Service Insurance Cover 

• Well-being and Company Events 

• Health benefits package 

Responsibilities and Duties 

• Develop and implement a comprehensive multi-year fundraising strategy that encompasses diverse income streams, working collaboratively with senior leadership to coordinate efforts and maintain an up-to-date fundraising pipeline.

• Steward high-value relationships with trusts, foundations, and corporate partners while leading grant applications and proposals for six-figure funding opportunities.

• Strategically position Sister System for statutory funding by identifying government contract opportunities and ensuring the organisation remains competitive for local authority and national funding programmes.

• Oversee critical systems and processes including financial reporting, grant management cycles, board reporting, and line management duties while serving as an external ambassador for the organisation 

• Line manage a small fundraising team 

Essential Skills, knowledge, and behaviours: 

• Proven track record of developing and delivering successful fundraising strategies at a senior level. 

• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding income targets across multiple income streams. 

• Experience managing multiple income streams, including statutory income, individual, corporate, and grant fundraising 

• Strong leadership and people management skills with experience of developing high-performing teams 

• Excellent relationship-building skills with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders 

• Financial acumen, including budgeting, reporting, and performance analysis 

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including bid writing and donor presentations 

• Strategic thinker with a proactive, innovative, and resilient approach 

Applications close 9am 17th November 2025 

Interviews will involve at least two stages; First stage interviews will be on or around 27th November; Second stage interviews will be on 10th/11th December 2025 

We are seeking a dynamic Development Director to drive the next chapter of our growth: expanding into new African countries; growing our university partnerships; and scaling our spin-out start-up whose profits support the charity's mission.