Fundraising & Partnerships Manager

JOB TITLE:   

Fundraising & Partnerships Manager 

RESPONSIBLE TO: 

Director of Fundraising  

LOCATION: 

Home based 

DURATION: 

30-35 Hours Per Week - Permanent 

SALARY/GRADE: 

Grade 6.4 (£36,043) PA FTE 

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS  

Fundraising Team 

Nation Directors 

Public Affairs and Communications Team 

Membership Team 

Donors, Volunteers and families  

ABOUT YOU 

You will have proven experience in fundraising, business development, or partnership management, with a track record of generating income and building strong external relationships. Ideally, you will have experience developing fundraising plans, pipelines, or income streams from an early stage, and will be comfortable working in an environment where processes, opportunities, and supporter journeys are still evolving. 

You will be confident identifying and pursuing new opportunities, developing compelling proposals and cases for support, and managing relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including corporate partners, community fundraisers, volunteers, and individual supporters. 

We are looking for someone who is proactive, self-motivated, and creative, with strong communication and relationship-building skills. You should be comfortable working independently while also collaborating effectively with colleagues across fundraising, marketing, and operational teams. 

Most importantly, you will be motivated by the opportunity to help grow sustainable income that supports children, young people, and families across the UK. 

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE 

We are looking for a confident, ambitious, and entrepreneurial Fundraising Manager to help grow sustainable income for Adoption UK by building and developing strong relationships with corporate partners, supporters, volunteers, and local communities. 

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys creating fundraising plans from the ground up, developing new partnerships, and turning ideas into sustainable income. The role is ideally suited to someone who thrives in a developing fundraising environment and is motivated by the opportunity to shape and grow underdeveloped income streams into long-term success. 

This is an opportunity to help shape the development of a strategic and sustainable approach to fundraising, while continuing to deliver hands-on income across a diverse portfolio. 

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

Supported by the Director of Fundraising, take ownership of developing, delivering and monitoring fundraising events and activities in line with our fundraising strategy. 

Lead on key income streams to maximise net income and develop sustainable income streams for short, medium and long-term growth. 

Monitor and evaluate progress against plans using management information and budgets to produce reports and forecasts as required 

Deliver effective supporter journeys to improve supporter experience, retention, and long-term engagement. 

Work alongside the Director of Fundraising to develop and implement processes and policies. 

Grow and diversify income across corporate partnerships, community fundraising, events, individual giving and digital activity. 

Develop compelling proposals and pitches for corporate partners, clearly articulating social value, impact and return on investment. 

Build and manage a strong corporate prospect pipeline using research, data and structured follow-up to convert opportunities. Identify opportunities to sponsor projects and activities. 

Collaborate with marketing colleagues to develop assets and digital campaigns to support fundraising appeals and events. 

Work with all Adoption UK teams to support local fundraising activities in each of the four nations including membership and community teams. 

To ensure good working practices in line with Equality and Diversity policies and a pro-active approach is taken to equality, diversity and inclusion issues. 

In compliance with the Code of Conduct, demonstrate high standards of personal conduct, courtesy and integrity. 

Ensure full compliance with Adoption UK’s Safeguarding policies and procedures, reporting concerns in line with internal policies.  

Any other duty as required by the line manager commensurate with the post. 

Person Specification criteria

Knowledge  And  Experience 

Experience of a fundraising, marketing, or event management role (E) 
Experience of delivering multiple projects on time and to budget (E) 
Ability to devise operational plans and deliver them effectively, and proven experience of planning and managing income generating activities and events    (E) 
 

Qualifications  and  Education

Professional fundraising qualifications (D) 
Marketing qualifications (D) 
Event Management qualifications (D) 
CIOF Diploma in Fundraising Management/equivalent professional experience/membership of CIOF (D) 
 

Skills and Abilities 

Delivers high quality work with minimal supervision and direction (E) 
Able to demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills, be competent with Microsoft Office (E) 
Ability to assimilate and analyze financial and statistical information, including budget monitoring, management, and financial control (E) 
An exceptional administrator and coordinator with excellent organisation and writing skills (E) 
Communicate, engage and secure positive external relationships with stakeholders and supporters (E) 
Has the capacity to deal with complex issues and is good at problem solving (D) 
Self-starter, used to working to deadlines and delivering against KPIs (E) 
Able to work communicate and engage with internal senior stakeholders effectively (E) 
 

Accountability

Developing fundraising opportunities (E)  
Event administration (D) 
Stewardship and relationship management (E) 
Contribute to departmental strategic goals, in liaison with the Director of Fundraising (E) 
 

Behaviours 

Takes pride in Adoption UK and promotes its values and mission in all interactions with external stakeholders. 
Demonstrates commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of role at all times. 
Contributes to an open and honest culture 
Encourages challenge and creativity, transparency and consistency. 
Leads by example. 
Offers outstanding service to members. 
Promotes cross functional team working, sharing skills and knowledge 
Communicates clearly, seeking clarity when unclear and valuing the opinion of others. 
Valuing the opinion of other. Treating colleagues and other stakeholders with respect. 
Takes pride in own development, committed to achieving high standards and agreed objectives.