Head of Partnerships

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership

Lead and evolve Back Up's Partnerships strategy aligned to organisational objectives.

Identify opportunities to diversify and grow income across corporate, trusts, statutory and commercial partnerships.

Contribute to fundraising strategy, budgeting and business planning.

Monitor KPIs, income targets and pipeline performance.

Prepare reports and forecasts for senior leadership and trustees.

Act as core member of the Fundraising Leadership Team.

Corporate Partnerships

Develop an ambitious corporate partnerships programme.

Personally secure and steward high-value partnerships.

Develop compelling partnership propositions.

Build and manage a robust prospect pipeline.

Explore sponsorship, commercial collaborations, and pro bono opportunities.

Trusts, Foundations and Statutory Funding

Oversee the statutory, trusts, and foundations programme.

Lead the development of high value, complex funding applications.

Support compelling funding applications across funders.

Identify new funding opportunities.

Ensure timely, high-quality reporting and stewardship.

Special Events

Provide strategic oversight of special events fundraising, for example:
Front Row Fashion, the City Dinner, and the Back Up Ball.

Support the Special Events Manager to maximise income, sponsorship and engagement.

Leadership and People Management

Lead, coach and develop a high-performing team.

Foster an inclusive and collaborative culture.

Set objectives and support professional development, including through mentoring, coaching, and training.

Relationship Management

Build relationships with partners, trustees and stakeholders.

Represent Back Up externally.

Work collaboratively across the organisation.

Ensure partnerships align with Back Up's values and ethical fundraising principles.

Planning, Performance and Governance

Manage budgets, forecasts and income pipelines.

Maintain accurate CRM records.

Analyse performance and recommend improvements.

Ensure compliance with fundraising regulation and organisational policies.

Support the ethical and responsible use of AI and other technologies across the charity to support our ability to deliver for people with spinal cord injury.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Experience

Significant experience securing a wide variety of high-value corporate partnerships, statutory, and trust funding.

Track record of delivering 7 figure income targets.

Experience leading fundraising or business development teams.

Experience developing fundraising or commercial strategies.

Experience managing fundraising special events.

Experience managing senior stakeholder relationships.

Experience managing KPIs, budgets, and forecasts.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

Excellent influencing, negotiation and relationship-building skills.

Outstanding written communication and presentation skills.

Strategic thinking and commercial awareness.

Strong project management and organisational skills.

Ability to use data and CRM systems to inform decisions.

Collaborative leadership style.

Desirable

Knowledge of disability or spinal cord injury.

Experience with Power BI, Canva, Mailchimp or Asana.

The above list is not exclusive or exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be expected within the scope of this role.