Head of Partnerships & Fundraising

The Girls' Network

1d•Remote

About The Position

The Girls’ Network is seeking an experienced Head of Partnerships and Fundraising to lead income generation and strengthen the charity’s financial sustainability. The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on fundraising across corporate partnerships, Trusts & Foundations, major giving, individual giving and events. The postholder will develop and deliver an income-generation strategy, build and steward high-value relationships, create funding propositions and bids, strengthen the fundraising pipeline, identify new opportunities, and use data and insight to support sustainable income growth. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Head will contribute to organisational strategy, planning, budgeting and risk management, and work closely with the Managing Director, CEO, Board, and colleagues across programmes, impact, finance, operations and communications. The role also leads and develops a team of two Partnerships and Fundraising Managers, setting clear expectations and supporting an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing culture. The position is home-based in the UK, with occasional travel across the UK as required. It is full-time and permanent, working 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with flexible working options available. Appointees are subject to a DBS check and must have the right to work in the UK.

Requirements

Significant senior-level experience in fundraising, partnerships, philanthropy or another relevant income-generation function, with measurable results.
Experience developing and delivering an income-generation or fundraising strategy and translating organisational ambitions into priorities, targets and actions.
A proven track record of growing income and/or securing significant funding or partnerships and converting opportunities into sustainable relationships.
Strong Trusts & Foundations fundraising experience, including developing propositions, managing a pipeline and securing multi-year funding.
Experience developing and managing high-value relationships with external stakeholders such as corporate partners, funders, major donors or strategic partners.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop compelling propositions and communicate impact, ambition and value to different audiences.
Sound judgement in assessing opportunities, managing risk and prioritising resources in a growing organisation.
Ability to use data, financial information and performance insight to monitor income, assess pipeline health and inform strategic decisions.
Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to build trust and work effectively with colleagues, senior leaders, trustees and external stakeholders.
Comfort working with a high degree of ownership, managing competing priorities and adapting to change.
Experience developing and motivating people, and commitment to an inclusive, high-performing team culture.
Must have the right to work in the UK.
Appointees are subject to a DBS check.

Nice To Haves

Experience securing and stewarding major gifts or philanthropic support.
Experience growing income through individual giving, digital fundraising, campaigns or events.
Experience developing corporate partnerships, sponsorships or other strategic commercial relationships.
Experience using CRM or fundraising platforms such as Salesforce, Hootsuite, Canva, Mailchimp or equivalent.
Experience working in a small or growing charity.
Experience working with Boards, Trustees or other governance bodies on income generation or organisational performance.
Understanding of the challenges faced by girls and young women from disadvantaged backgrounds.
A personal commitment to the organisation’s mission and motivation to help create better futures for girls and young women.

Responsibilities

Develop and deliver an income-generation strategy aligned with the charity’s goals, setting and meeting annual targets across corporate partnerships, Trusts & Foundations, major giving, individual giving and events.
Build a balanced fundraising pipeline and use data and relationship insight to prioritise growth opportunities.
Personally develop and steward high-value relationships with corporate partners, Trusts & Foundations, major donors and other strategic supporters, involving the CEO and Board where useful.
Develop compelling propositions and cases for support in collaboration with the Head of Programmes and Impact, grounding them in programme delivery and evidence.
Develop and submit high-value Trusts & Foundations funding bids in support of operational plans and agreed budgets.
Identify and steward major donors to meet future targets, with support from the CEO as required.
Test new approaches to grow or diversify income; keep the case for support current; and ensure fundraising activity is planned, evaluated and compliant with relevant standards.
Report quarterly to the CEO and Board on income performance, pipeline, forecasts and key risks.
Evaluate fundraising performance, identify trends and inform future strategy using data and insight.
Contribute to Senior Leadership Team strategy, annual planning, budgeting and risk management.
Provide strategic leadership and direction for fundraising, aligning the strategy with organisational goals and supporting long-term sustainability.
Work with the CEO, Head of Programmes & Impact, and Director of Finance & Operations to align income generation with organisational priorities and capacity.
Work with the Head of Programmes & Impact to identify and assess partnership opportunities that advance the charity’s strategy.
Work with the Director of Finance & Operations on data migration to support effective fundraising and a high-quality supporter experience.
Coordinate fundraising opportunities and campaigns with the Communications Manager, ensuring they amplify youth voice and the organisation’s brand and connect to fundraising priorities.
Co-own a campaign and communications calendar with the Communications Manager for appeals and events, including IWD and IDoG.
Build understanding of the external landscape affecting girls and young women and use it to strengthen propositions and relationships.
Work with the Head of Finance and Operations to keep fundraising and financial data accurate and aligned.
Ensure restricted funding information is communicated accurately and promptly to support financial management and funder reporting.
Represent The Girls’ Network with funders, partners and other external stakeholders.
Lead, support and develop the Fundraising and Partnerships Team, setting clear expectations and supporting learning and progression.
Provide line management through regular one-to-ones, appraisals and development plans, and monitor progress against targets and pipeline.
Build a collaborative, inclusive, high-performing team culture and support recruitment and onboarding as needed.
Contribute to an organisational culture of inclusion, collaboration, learning and equitable relationships with supporters, partners, colleagues and communities.

Benefits

35 days’ holiday from day one, inclusive of bank holidays.
Option to buy up to 5 additional days of annual leave each year.
A paid day off for your birthday.
3 days of paid volunteering leave each year.
Winter shutdown between Christmas and New Year.
Remote working across the UK.
Flexible ways of working, including flexible hours and compressed hours where appropriate to the role and team.
Full suite of home-working equipment.
Up to £100 towards a desk and £100 towards a chair for a home-working environment.
24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling, legal and financial advice, telephone support and online resources.
Access to retail, fitness, travel and restaurant discounts through the EAP app.
Enhanced sick pay.
Support for healthy screen working, including eye tests and, where appropriate, glasses.
Annual professional development fund for learning, skills and career development.
Enhanced maternity, paternity/partner, adoption and shared parental leave.
Workplace pension with a 3% employer contribution alongside a 5% employee contribution.
A dedicated Girls’ Network buddy available beyond induction.