Fundraising and Partnership Lead

This new Lead role sits within the Design Council Programmes Team led by the Chief Design Officer and has responsibility for leading the development and embedding of our funding strategy. You will drive an effective stakeholder engagement plan, working closely with the Communications team to ensure campaigns and events help build and maintain a strong network of funder relationships and strengthening our profile as a charity.

The scope covers directly securing philanthropic/corporate partner funding as well as supporting wider commercial income generation and also ensuring they are all anchored in our Theory of Change and enable long term income growth.

We are looking to create and grow funding partnerships through a variety of activities including events, learning and training and world leading research, and the Fundraising and Partnerships Lead will play a critical role in developing funding relationships, securing them, both directly and also supporting the wider team.


New Funding Generation and Planning

Lead the identification of new revenue opportunities across the range of Design Council propositions with the objective of growing total revenue base, in line with the Design Council funding strategy and business model
Overall accountability for converting philanthropic (T&Fs, corporate sponsorship etc) opportunities into secured new partnership funding and supporting on conversion of funding partnerships for other commercial (paid project) work
Working closely with Chief Design Office, Head of Programmes and in particularly the Programme Leads to ensure each area of work (Skills, Capability, Innovation and Research) has an appropriate funding plan including a roadmap for future development
Support Programme Leads, Head of Communications and CDO in identifying opportunities to commercialise core propositions and other DC assets in line with our Design for Planet ethos and market-making approach
Overall owner of marketing and other funding collateral to support Programme Leads in growing revenue from their respective propositions as well as new promotion of Design Council for potential new funders and other partners, and working with the Communications team to develop and maintain it

Develop and implement partner stewardship plans including communication approach and in person engagement, including long term relationships that can secure multi-year significant levels of funding as well as growing it over time
Seek out, regularly attend and drive external events and meetings to build personal relationships and extend partner network

Grant and Commercial Proposal Development & Bid Writing

Support Programme Leads in researching and identifying potential grant and commercial opportunities from foundations and other private or public organisations
Lead engagement with potential funders in terms of submission of new proposals for all partner-funded work and support Programme Leads to ensure consistency and coherence for our paid project work
Support and sometimes lead writing compelling grant proposals and commercial bids, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and goals.
Lead or support others on tactics to ensure bids are successfully converted

Event Planning and Execution

Assist Senior Events Manager with organizing fundraising events and other events designed to support future revenue growth through funding partners
Regularly scan the external environment for relevant external events Design Council should be attending
Ensure appropriate marketing collateral is developed and maintained to support and promote Design Council events aimed at fundraising
Be a key DC representative at events, maximising the potential of income opportunities and raising the profile of the organisation and its objectives


Data Management and Reporting

Overall custodian of the funding pipeline including holding Programme Managers to account to ensure accurate maintenance of CRM records
Working closely with COO and Head of Finance & Operations to ensure accurate and timely reporting and effective internal meetings to track status of the funding pipeline
Provide quality line management guidance and support to the Partnerships Programme Manager, ensuring clear and motivating goals and regularly and meaningful feedback
Support the Partnerships Programme Manager in their learning and development, with regular reviews of their Individual Development Plan and career aspirations
Be a source of learning and guidance for the wider Programmes Team in terms of fundraising and partnership development


We are looking for a driven, self-motivated and hands-on individual, with a track record of securing funding from a range of sources and growing revenue in a national not-for-profit or commercial organisation.

You will be ambitious for Design Council’s aspiration of reaching £8m revenue by 2031 and be able to demonstrate commercial acumen and experience of developing revenue generation strategies and converting opportunities into secured income.

You will also know that fundraising is challenging and competitive, so you will be resilient and experienced in building the relationships that can secures six-figure+ multi-year income. Therefore you need to be brilliant at building external networks, joining the dots and seeing opportunities to connect people and ideas for the benefit of organisational strategy.

You must also be excellent at building and nurturing relationships, with a wide range of external stakeholders, and also effectively collaborate internally across the organisation.

You are a natural salesperson, able to identify opportunities and have compelling conversations that lead to partnerships and revenue.

This is a growing role with lots of moving parts, so we’re looking for a someone who is flexible and adaptable, who proactively identifies challenges and opportunities.

At least 5 years’ experience fundraising / revenue generation in a commercial or not-for-profit sector organisation
Experience working with high-net-worth individuals or foundations
Ability to create fundraising strategies and help execute them
Grant / bid writing experience for both grants and commercial tenders
Ideally have an existing network of potential funders / partners, and confident in use of events and marketing to drive interest and engagement
Experience of funding agreements and commercial contracts
Have line management experience and a passion for developing people
Cognisant of the importance of accurate data, effective processes and knowledge of working with CRMs
Willing and able to take a risk-based approach to making decisions