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Join a movement transforming how communities create lasting change. This isn't a typical charity role—it's a chance to shape the future of place-based working across the UK and help lead a growing organisation.
Place Matters is a small, entrepreneurial charity punching above its weight. We work at the intersection of communities, public services, funders, and policymakers to tackle the root causes of inequality and create changes that communities want to see. Our approach? Empower communities to lead change in their own places, learn from what works, and influence the systems that hold them back.
Why this role matters
This is a senior position on our Executive team, reporting directly to a co-CEO. You'll play a leadership role in developing our organisation—shaping strategy, building our team, and deepening partnerships. We're looking for someone colleagues and Trustees trust to make sound decisions on behalf of our mission.
Learning and practice development is at the heart of everything we do. You'll design and lead learning partnerships that build the capabilities of communities and organisations to work differently. You'll capture insights from the ground and turn them into accessible tools, frameworks, and resources that make place-based working more effective for everyone.
You need to be a team player, confident and with strong opinions, but low ego and collegiate
What you'll do
- Lead the development and delivery of Learning and Practice Development Partnerships
- Initiate, convene and participate in ‘field-building’ efforts that aim to influence the broader place-based change sector, bringing together community organisations, public sector organisations, policy makers, foundations and businesses to build broader support for community centred place-based change
- Develop Place Matters thought and practice leadership
- Draw together the themes and patterns from learning into regular blogs and publications to make the learning as widely accessible as possible and influence key policy makers and funders
- Initiate and convene field-building efforts to influence the broader place-based change sector
- Build a wide network of place-based practitioners from all sectors
- Play a key role in business development, securing new partnerships, fundraising, and improving organisational efficiency
See job description (JD) for full details
What makes this role special
- Executive leadership: Part of the leadership team shaping organisational direction
- Real autonomy: Lead your own projects, design new partnerships, represent Place Matters externally
- Learning culture: We practice what we preach—continuous learning and innovation are built in
- Flexible working: Hybrid arrangement, negotiable location, with UK travel (up to 50 days annually)
- Competitive salary: £65,000-£75,000 (negotiable based on experience)
Practical details
Ideally 37.5 hours per week (flexible) but we'll consider part-time. UK travel required, including occasional overnight stays and some evening/weekend work.
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from disabled people and people from diverse backgrounds.
We'll conduct interviews on 19th and 21st January.
Submit a CV and a cover letter of no more than 2 pages
Registered Charity 
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The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Under the supervision of the European Regional Director, the Director of External Partnerships will oversee IFAW’s strategic partnerships development geared towards advancing IFAW’s efforts to protect and save the lives of animals.
He/she will strengthen IFAW’s profile in the United Kingdom by:
o Representing IFAW in UK, in particular to corporations, institutional donors, private foundations, and other relevant stakeholders, with the aim of increasing IFAW’s visibility and generating revenue;
o Leading the development, implementation, and partnerships management, as well as external advocacy and influence;
o Carrying out outreach and community engagement to drive positive change.
Role and Responsibilities
1. Partnerships strategy elaboration
· Design and update a comprehensive partnership strategy with external stakeholders in the UK market. In order to support IFAW’s mission and strategies, this Partnership Strategy shall cover the following types of partnership:
o Polical and institutional (public sector, national and decentralized authorities);
o Financial (private sector and institutional donors);
o Technical, programmatic and academic (non-governmental community, universities, research institutes).
· Work closely with cross-functional teams to align Partnership Strategy in the UK and beyond
2. Strategy implementation and partnerships development
· Build, foster and maintain strong relationships with target stakeholders (external audiences, leaders, institutional partners, community organizations, funders, etc.) to
o Enhance effectiveness and reach
o Advance and drive collaborative solutions
· Influence UK key political decision-making processes
· Represent IFAW on priority issues in external meetings, conferences, public events, and media interviews and act as spokesperson.
· Play a key role in advancing IFAW commitment to impact investing. This involves:
o Identifying investment opportunities that generate financial returns and create social/environmental benefits.
o Working with the IFAW Leadership Team and others to develop and implement innovative investment strategies that align with strategy ensuring that our resources are used to drive transformative change.
3. IFAW UK Representation
· Serve as IFAW’s UK Representative corporations, institutional donors, private foundations, and other relevant stakeholders
· Serve as authorized signatory, when appropriate
Qualifications and Education Requirements
· Minimum of five years of experience in the development of strategic partnerships and institutional funding, NGO management, high-level advocacy or a related field in the UK and beyond.
· Strong leadership and team management skills.
· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
· Agility and strategic vision
· Demonstrated expertise in the nonprofit landscape.
· General understanding of environmental and climate issues. Knowledge of conservation and animal welfare is an asset but not essential.
· Ability to analyze data and use it to inform decision-making.
· Experience with local, regional, and national institutional funding sources.
· Working knowledge of legal and compliance obligations that apply to international NGO operating in the UK.
At IFAW, we aim to create and foster a workforce that reflects and contributes to the diverse, global community in which we work to improve the lives of both animals and people. We are dedicated to fostering justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion so we actively encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.