Proposal and bid manager jobs in cwmbran, torfaen

Title: Trusts & Foundations Advisor

Location: UK / Remote

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £40,000 per annum 

About the role

Sightsavers’ Trusts and Corporate Partnerships team is excited to be expanding its team in response to growing demands and opportunities in the trusts & foundation sector. We are recruiting for two additional Trusts & Foundations Advisors to be key contributors to the development of Sightsavers trusts and foundations programme. They will play a crucial role in the successful recruitment and cultivation of new business, while also managing a portfolio of existing trust and foundation donors primarily based in the UK, U.S and Europe.

In this role, the Advisor will be instrumental in contributing towards the team’s annual income target and supporting additional planned growth in the coming years. 

Responsibilities

• Manage and cultivate relationships with a portfolio of key trust and foundation donors for Sightsavers (up to 7-figure funding agreements) via proposals, mailings, reports, telephone or face-to-face meetings as appropriate, and coordinate donor visits, dealing with CEOs, Directors, and Trustees.
• Develop key external and internal relationships and donor engagement activities for the achievement of planned objectives with these donors.
• Research, identify, prioritise, and develop personalised engagement plans and donor strategies to cultivate new trust prospects in targeted global markets. Lead on cultivating relationships with CEOs, Directors, and Trustees, with the aim of establishing additional high-value funding relationships.
• Work proactively across the organisation, including cross-culturally, to coordinate, develop, and deliver a high standard of compelling project proposals and reports ready for submission to donors whilst ensuring excellent grant/contract management to existing donor relationships.
• Actively participate in the networks surrounding trusts and foundations, sharing information, insights, opportunities, and fundraising materials produced.
• Represent Sightsavers and/or support staff delegations at conferences and networks to engage with and cultivate new donor relationships.
• Contribute to team, departmental, and wider organisational systems development and initiatives.

This is a highly varied and involved role and the above is not an exhaustive list of duties or required professional skills. Please see the Job Description for full details.

Jobholder Requirements

Essential

• Relevant experience working in the charity sector, ideally in international development.
• Experience of long-term grant/contract management of significant funders/clients.
• Proven success in personally cultivating new relationships with prospective donors/clients and maintaining relationships with existing donors/clients.
• Demonstrative experience of excellent written skills, including proposals, bids, and reports for external audiences.
• Proven success in creating successful funding proposals.
• Knowledge of good fundraising practice.
• Experience of in-person networking at conferences or face-to-face meetings with senior trusts and foundations staff/board.
• Understanding of and interest in charity sector and international development issues.
• First-class presentation and writing skills, including preparation of proposals, project budgets, and reports with excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent IT skills, including Word and Excel, and experience of using fundraising databases.
• Capable of relating well to a wide range of people.
• Strong listening and negotiating skills.
• Research experience, including the development of engagement plans.
• Experience of in-person networking at conferences.
• Self-confidence with the ability to take the initiative, manage time effectively, and work to deadlines.
• Good analytical skills – can prioritise and plan opportunities based on available information.
• Highly collaborative approach.

Desirable

• Experience of Fundraising from the US market.
• Experience of writing for the US market.

Next Steps

To apply for this exciting new opportunity, please complete an application via our recruitment portal. We are particularly interested in learning of your motivations for applying.

Successful candidates will be invited to participate in a virtual interview via Microsoft Teams, and we will also ask all candidates to complete a short task related to the responsibilities of the Trusts & Foundations Advisor role.

As an equal opportunity employer, we actively encourage applications from all sections of the community. Sightsavers is a Disability Confident Leader and qualified people living with a disability are particularly encouraged to apply.

Due to project deadlines, we are keen to fill this role as quickly as possible. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and considered as soon as they are received. The closing date for applications is 1 June 2025. We encourage you to submit your application as early as possible, as early submissions will be reviewed promptly.

Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK, with around 300 people diagnosed every day. The Macular Society is the only charity determined to beat the fear and isolation of macular disease with world class research, and the best advice and support.

To support people affected by macular disease now, the Macular Society provides a range of support, information and services. Our research programme is focused on finding new treatments and a cure to Beat Macular Disease forever.

This exciting role is responsible for delivering income from a range of donors and prospects, with a focus on trusts and foundations, lottery and statutory sources, as well as HNWI. We are looking for an ambitious and strategic fundraiser with a proven track record of raising significant funds from charitable trusts and foundations, lottery and statutory sources as well as HNWI, who, alongside our existing team, will help to grow and develop this area of fundraising for the Macular Society. The post holder will have a proven eye for detail, an analytical nature, first class relationship management skills and a flair for writing successful applications.

In return, we provide a great working culture – we do something worthwhile and are proud to work together to Beat Macular Disease – as recognised by our inclusion in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2023 list. 

We offer flexible working options, 26 days annual leave, rising to 27 after one years’ service, the ability to buy or sell annual leave, supportive family policies, and 6% pension contribution.

We are passionate about treating people fairly and as equals, doing so is instinctive to us. To Beat Macular Disease for all we know we have work to do. That’s why we are keen to hear from people of all backgrounds who have the skills and experience we are looking for. We particularly encourage applications from people from under-represented groups, to help ensure what we do and how we do it is inclusive – for everyone.

Introduction to the Role

We are seeking a results-driven Development and Fundraising Officer to lead our grant applications, trust initiatives, and donor engagement efforts. In this international role, you will work closely with our team to create compelling proposals, coordinate fundraising events, and secure essential funding. Reporting directly to the Interim Director, you will play a vital role in shaping our fundraising strategy while working within a flexible, remote environment.

General Details

• Title: Development and Fundraising Officer

• Salary: £28-35,000 per annum based on experience and training

• Reporting to: Interim Director

• Contract: One-year renewable, Full-time (35 hours per week)

• Location: Remote

• International scope: Engage with international donors, trusts, and grant-making bodies

Core Responsibilities

1. Grant & trust applications

You will drive the research, development, and management of grant applications and trust funding. Your role involves identifying funding opportunities that align with Hong Kong Watch’s mission and preparing detailed proposals that secure essential resources for our projects.

2. Fundraising campaigns & donor engagement

In this responsibility, you will design and execute targeted fundraising campaigns and events. You will work to cultivate and maintain relationships with individual donors, trusts, and institutional funders, ensuring a consistent flow of financial support that underpins our advocacy and community work.

3. Coordination & communications

This responsibility centres on effective internal collaboration and external representation. You will coordinate with our communications teams to ensure consistent messaging, manage donor communications, and report on the impact of our fundraising efforts.

Key Tasks

• Research and application development:
  Identify suitable grant opportunities, trusts, and philanthropic funding sources both in the UK and internationally. You will draft, refine, and submit proposals that reflect Hong Kong Watch’s strategic priorities, ensuring compliance with each funder’s requirements.

• Campaign strategy and event coordination:
  Develop integrated fundraising campaigns in collaboration with our communications team. This includes planning virtual and in-person events, managing donor appreciation sessions, and ensuring that each campaign aligns with our overall mission and values.

• Donor relationship management:
  Build and nurture relationships with a diverse range of funders. This task involves regular communication, organising meetings and presentations, and providing clear, detailed impact reports that demonstrate the effectiveness of our initiatives.

• Internal collaboration and reporting:
  Work closely with the operations team to ensure that all fundraising efforts are fully aligned. You will attend monthly strategy meetings, coordinate updates, and produce comprehensive reports on campaign performance and donor engagement.

• Digital and social media integration:
  Collaborate with the communications team to create engaging online content that supports fundraising efforts. This includes drafting newsletters, managing social media updates, and developing digital materials that promote events and initiatives.

• Monitoring, evaluation, and strategic review:
  Continuously track key fundraising metrics and donor engagement levels. You will evaluate the success of fundraising initiatives, adjust strategies as needed, and prepare strategic reviews that inform future plans and objectives.

Essential Skills & Behaviours

• Grant-writing expertise:
  Proven track record of researching, drafting and submitting successful grant and trust applications.

• Excellent written & verbal communication:
  Able to craft compelling narratives and present confidently to donors, partners and colleagues.

• Relationship-building & stakeholder management:
  Skilled at cultivating and maintaining donor relationships, with strong interpersonal presence.

• Project & time management:
  Highly organised and able to plan multiple bids, campaigns and events to tight deadlines without oversight.

• Attention to detail & accuracy:
  Meticulous in proposal compliance, budgets, reporting and data entry.

• Analytical & outcomes-driven:
  Tracks fundraising metrics, evaluates impact, adjusts tactics to hit targets.

• Team-player & collaborator:
  Works seamlessly with communications, operations and senior leadership to align messages and priorities.

• Self-starter & remote-working discipline:
  Proactive, resourceful and able to manage your own workload in a flexible, home-based role.

• Cultural sensitivity & political awareness:
  Strong understanding of Hong Kong’s human rights context and respect for diaspora communities.

Desirable Skills & Behaviours

• Language skills:
  Proficiency in Cantonese.

• Event planning & virtual engagement:
  Background in coordinating both in-person and online fundraising events, webinars or galas.

• Digital fundraising & social media integration:
  Know-how in peer-to-peer platforms, crowdfunding tools and integrating campaigns with social channels.

• Budgeting & financial literacy:
  Able to draft, monitor and report against budgets for grant-funded projects and campaigns.

• Network in philanthropic/trust circles:
  Existing contacts or familiarity with UK and international grant-makers, foundations and trusts.

• Human rights or advocacy sector experience:
  Prior work in NGOs, think tanks or advocacy that demonstrates commitment to civil liberties.

• Strategic thinking & innovation:
  Creative in identifying new funding streams and piloting novel campaign approaches.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary: £28-35,000 per annum

• Flexible working: Enjoy a remote working environment with one monthly in-person meeting in London if you are based in the UK

• International exposure: Engage with a diverse network of global donors, trusts, and philanthropic partners

• Professional development: Opportunities for training and growth in the field of international fundraising

• Collaborative culture: Join a dedicated team committed to making a tangible impact for Hong Kongers and their communities

Interviews

First-round interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, both before and after the application deadline.

At Toc H Newport, we offer co-produced activities, outreach services and practical support to some of the most disadvantaged individuals and families in the area, reaching over 600 individuals in 2024.Our vision is of a neighbourhood where everyone has the strong community life, emotional wellbeing and socioeconomic opportunities needed to flourish.

Our centre for service delivery is the Toc H Community Centre in Eveswell, Newport, where our offer includes our popular Stay and Play sessions for low-income families, and children’s after-school club Active Juniors. Our activities and services are incredibly popular, and we hold longstanding partnerships with local agencies and stakeholders. 

It is an exciting period of growth for Toc H Newport, with a number of new funding streams making it possible for us to reach many more families in need across Newport in 2025 and beyond. This includes a £300,000 grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Community Ownership Fund, allowing us to soon complete a full structural and interior renovation of our facilities.  Following a Community Asset Transfer, our space will soon triple in size, meaning we can offer more activities and services to more local people. It’s a great time to join us and become part of a dynamic, collaborative team, committed to driving positive change at a local level.