Partnerships manager jobs in Belfast
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About Action for ME
Action for ME is the only charity in the UK providing support, including healthcare, to people of all ages affected by ME. The charity was founded by Sue Finlay in 1987 and since then has been taking holistic approach so we can make an impact on multiple fronts - from amplifying the voices of people affected by ME in Government and leading on breakthrough research, to providing "lifeline" support and unique healthcare services on a daily basis.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), sometimes referred to and diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), is a chronic, fluctuating disease, causing symptoms such as post-exertional malaise (PEM), sleep problems, problems with thinking and memory (brain fog), pain and crushing fatigue. There are an estimated 1.3 million people living with ME or ME-like symptoms, including PEM, in the UK alone.
Even in its so-called mildest form, ME can have a significant impact on an individual’s life, and not just on their health. A lack of understanding and awareness about ME means patients can experience disbelief, and even discrimination, from friends, family, health and social care professionals, employers and teachers.
For the first time there is an increased awareness of post viral illness because of the Covid -19 pandemic. After decades of neglect this offers Action for ME an opportunity to accelerate our work for people with ME in a way we have never been able to do before.
Job Purpose
This is a unique and exciting opportunity to accelerate research and transform the lives of millions of people with ME and Long Covid. We are seeking a Business Development & Partnerships Manager for Sequence ME & Long Covid, a new research initiative designed to explore the root causes of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Long Covid using large-scale, long-read whole-genome sequencing.
By developing and delivering strategic partnerships and funding strategy, you will work as part of team committed to making change happen through whole genome sequencing (WGS) of 18,000 people, the largest ever WGS in the world of any disease.
Sequence ME & Long Covid aims to pinpoint potential targets for treatment and bring us closer to meaningful clinical advances. Led by Action for ME, the partnership includes the University of Edinburgh, Oxford Nanopore Technology (who will provide the long-read technology), the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) and people with lived experience of ME, who have joined to seek funding for Sequence ME and Long Covid. Together, this multidisciplinary team brings world-class expertise in genomics, bioinformatics, co-production and ME research.
If you have experience of securing significant funding or investment for research, producing high quality communication materials and a commitment to coproduction and lived experience involvement in research or service design, we would like to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
Partnerships and Business Development
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Develop and deliver a business development strategy for the Sequence ME & Long Covid (SMELC) study to secure £6m funding for the first phase of scientific research (whole genome sequencing of 9,000 already secured samples from people with ME).
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Lead on high level applications for funding to high potential strategic partners and research funding partners.
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Work with the current partnership to mobilise the study and ensure effective plans and governance are in place.
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Maintain and manage a pipeline of partnership opportunities.
Communications and Engagement
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Contribute to engagement and communications activities to market Sequence ME and Long Covid effectively.
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Create materials to support effective engagement with potential and current partners.
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As part of business and partnership development, develop pitch decks and proposals tailored to different audiences.
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Support fundraising efforts by contributing to communications materials for philanthropy and major donor engagement.
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Ensure that people with lived experience remain at the heart of planning and delivery.
Other Key Accountabilities
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To attend Action for ME meetings and courses as required.
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To work collaboratively with Action for ME and the study team colleagues across all teams.
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Keep up to date with the latest research, best practice and comply with relevant legislation and regulatory requirements, working within the organisation’s policies and procedures and ensuring that good practice is observed at all times.
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Maintain confidentiality in line with relevant policy and procedure, ensuring data consent processes have been followed in relation to data protection.
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Positively promote the work and activities of Action for ME at all times.
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Undertake any other reasonable activity in line with the responsibilities of the post as requested by the Line Manager or any member of the Management Team.
The full recruitment pack can be found on our recruitment website.
Our mission is to improve the lives of people affected by ME. Better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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!
We're FIRST UK, a EdTech charity using robots, role models and competitions to make STEM more approachable and inclusive – empowering young people with the technical knowledge and soft skills to engineer better futures.
It’s an exciting time to join us as we move from startup into scaling mode. We’re backed by some of the world’s leading tech-enabled businesses including Arm, Purposeful Ventures, Smiths Group, Bloomberg, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and many more.
In summer 2026 we’ll publish a new 5-year strategy articulating how we will build more than robots in schools and community groups nationwide, alongside growing our annual income to £2m by 2027.
It’s easy to see why competitions like this really do help students develop the skills they’re going to need for the rest of their lives. Honestly, I wish I had something like this when I was at school.
Spencer Kelly, BBC Broadcaster
What we're looking for
A fundraiser, partnerships guru, and consummate relationship builder. Someone who can support the CEO to identify, go after, and convert opportunities which sustain and scale the charity’s impact. Broadly this means more money and greater participation. Through your ability to seek out and support the relationships which matter most you will ensure the charity secures:
- Income generating relationships with trusts, foundations, and philanthropists
- Corporate partnerships fuelling our programmes with funding and volunteers
- Collaborations with organisations supporting outreach and growth
- An ecosystem of proactive trustees, advisors, ambassadors and advocates
Working closely with the CEO you’ll get the charity in front of the right people, having the right conversations which grow investment and participation. Your tenacity will help build and steward a network to achieve our mission better and sooner.
Who this might suit
A people person. You love seeking out and building relationships, then maximising their impact. You might have worked in a charity fundraising position before. You understand what good looks like in terms of brokering strong partnerships – and relish the mix of research, prospecting, proposal development, pitching, and importantly onward stewardship of the relationships we win to ensure we amplify, leverage and retain them.
Whatever your background – the common, transferable skill set is being excellent at relationships. Understanding that it’s not just about the chat, it’s about the follow through. You do what you say you will – and do it well.
The experience you'll have
- Evidence of winning income (e.g corporate partnerships, sponsorship, grants etc)
- Evidence of driving growth (this might be in sales, membership, users, income etc)
- Experience stewarding relationships (partners, funders, trustees, volunteers, stakeholders)
You might also possess
- Passion for STEM, tech for good, inclusion
What you'll get
Responsibility, autonomy, sense of purpose. You’ll be working in a small organisation which is lean, agile and fast-paced. Unimpeded by hierarchy and bureaucracy you’ll have the freedom to experiment, fail fast and crack on. You’ll be presenting a compelling case for support against a validated impact model. Long before pandemics we were working flexibly and remotely – it’s embedded to our culture.
I'm in, what's next?
- Check out the full role profile on our HR platform
- Browse our website and get familiar with our mission
- Answer 3 short screening questions, upload CV and hang tight until Sun 08th Mar
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview by Thu 12th Mar
Safer recruitment
You must live in and have the right to work in the UK. In accordance with our Safer Recruitment Policy, all employees of the charity will be asked for two references which will be conducted by phone and are subject to Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks upon appointment.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Team: Philanthropy & Partnerships
Location: Homebased with some travel for meetings & events
Work pattern: 35 hours per week (Monday-Friday)
Salary: Up to £40,716.83 per annum
Contract: Permanent
We are the UK’s largest cat welfare charity. All over the country, our enthusiastic employees, volunteers, and supporters are using their kindness and expertise to make life better for millions of cats and the people who care for them.
Will you join us and make life better for cats?
Responsibilities of our Corporate Partnerships Account Manager:
- This is a key role within the Corporate Partnerships team. We work with a range of valued corporate partners and have ambitious plans to grow sustainable net income each year enabling Cats Protection to help the thousands of cats that need us. This role is key to the Partnerships Team achieving its income targets by providing high quality account management for current partners, partner engagement and excellent stewardship.
- The role is responsible for account managing and developing existing corporate partnerships, supporting the implementation of the corporate partnerships fundraising plan and increasing sustainable net income for Cats Protection.
- Please note, this role will likely have one line report in the future
About the Corporate Partnerships team:
- We sit within the Marketing & Income Generation directorate.
- The corporate partnerships team is split between new business and account management, made up of driven, passionate and dynamic corporate fundraisers.
- We currently have a team of one full time Corporate Partnerships Manager, a Corporate Partnerships Account Manager and a Corporate Partnerships Officer, in addition to a Lead Corporate Partnerships Manager who oversees the entire corporate partnerships team.
- You will be managed by the Corporate Partnerships Manager.
What we are looking for in our Corporate Partnerships Account Manager:
- Significant experience in charity fundraising
- Significant corporate partnership account management experience
- Extensive experience of developing strong relationships with supporters/ clients/colleagues
- Experience of developing bespoke propositions/presentations/proposals
- Experience of using a CRM database
- Strong understanding of corporate fundraising principles, practices and processes, including ethical screening, VAT and logo use
- Flexible to travel with occasional evening and weekend working for events
What we can offer you:
- range of health benefits
- 26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service
- Salary Finance, which empowers you to take control of your financial wellbeing
- and much more, which you can learn about
Interested? Here’s how to apply:
Application closing date: Monday 2nd March 2026
Virtual interview date: 11th & 12th March 2026
Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. Please note, applications received after the closing date may not be responded to.
If successful, your recruitment journey will include:
1. Anonymised application form
2. Virtual interview via Microsoft Teams
3. Final stage virtual interview/presentation
Please note, the process may change slightly dependent on application numbers. We will inform you of any relevant changes.
Making a better life for cats, because life is better with cats


