About the role

We are seeking a Philanthropy & Partnerships Senior Manager to join our fundraising team. This role will lead the development and delivery of major donor, trusts & foundations and strategic partnerships activity to grow income, nurture long-term relationships and support the organisation’s strategic priorities. The postholder will manage a small team, work closely with senior leaders and volunteers, and play a key role in shaping a cohesive, impactful partnerships strategy. We welcome applicants from a range of fundraising backgrounds and at various stages of their careers.

In this role you will:

• Develop and implement a strategic fundraising plan for major donors, trusts and foundations, corporate partners and other strategic funders to meet income targets and organisational objectives.

• Identify, research and cultivate prospective supporters, building tailored engagement plans and compelling cases for support that align with funders’ priorities and our charitable aims.

• Manage and steward a portfolio of high-value donors and funders, ensuring timely, personalised communication, reporting and recognition to sustain long-term relationships.

• Lead on bid and proposal development, producing well-evidenced, persuasive applications, budget templates and supplementary materials in collaboration with programme and finance teams.

• Develop and manage strategic corporate partnerships, sponsorship opportunities and employee engagement initiatives that deliver mutual benefit and raise the profile of the organisation.

• Line manage and develop fundraising staff and volunteers, setting clear objectives, providing coaching and performance feedback to build capability and foster a collaborative team culture.

• Work with senior leaders, trustees and communications colleagues to create integrated, cross-organisational campaigns and events that engage supporters and demonstrate impact.

• Ensure accurate records of supporter interactions and prospect activity are maintained in the CRM system and produce regular management information for senior stakeholders.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of philanthropic trends, funding opportunities and relevant policy developments to inform strategy and identify new income streams.

• Adhere to all organisational policies including data protection, safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, and fundraising best practice and regulation.

The successful candidate will:

• Have proven experience of securing income from major donors, trusts & foundations and corporate partners, with a demonstrable track record of meeting or exceeding targets.

• Demonstrate excellent relationship-building and networking skills, with the ability to engage supporters at senior levels and communicate impact convincingly.

• Be skilled in preparing high-quality bids, proposals and stewardship materials, with strong written and financial literacy.

• Have experience of managing and motivating staff and volunteers, with a collaborative approach to leadership and professional development.

• Be highly organised, with the ability to prioritise competing deadlines, manage complex projects and work effectively across teams.

• Have experience using a CRM system for pipeline management and reporting; comfortable extracting and interpreting data to inform decision-making.

• Show a commitment to the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion and to maintaining high standards of probity and donor care.

• Hold a full UK right to work.

Salary: £37,009.22 - £47,756.57 per annum (depending on experience)

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Part time, 30 hours per week; flexible working arrangements may be considered, with occasional evening or weekend commitments for events or meetings.

Location: Office base at Thurrock Hospice with travel across the local area and occasional travel within the UK as required.

Right to work
Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK. We are unable to sponsor work permits or visas.

Belonging, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage individuals from under-represented groups to apply. Adjustments can be made to support applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.