Institutional Donor Manager

Summary

We're seeking an enthusiastic, proactive Institutional Donor Manager to help us grow our reach into key funder communities and unlock new opportunities for impact. You'll be joining Climate Group at a pivotal moment - building on recent successes to accelerate our work in the sectors that matter most for cutting global emissions.

This is your chance to shape how we engage with major institutional donors and foundations, diversify our funding base, and accelerate the next phase of Climate Group's mission. If you're ready to help drive climate action, fast, we'd love to hear from you.

About the role

As Institutional Donor Manager, you'll play a central role in expanding our institutional funding portfolio. You'll build and nurture relationships with high-impact donors, identify new opportunities, and lead the development of compelling proposals that secure support for our global programmes.

You'll work closely with colleagues across Climate Group - from programme leads to finance and governance - to turn exciting ideas into fundable projects. You'll manage complex bids, coordinate internal input, and ensure we deliver high-quality submissions that win support.

This is a hands-on role with plenty of scope to advise and shape institutional strategy. You'll bring proven experience of securing funding from institutional donors and foundations, and in return, gain exposure to a global portfolio, work with passionate teams, and help shape the systems and processes that make our fundraising smarter and more effective.

You'll report to the Director of Philanthropy and Institutional Partnerships and be part of a collaborative, international development team. If you thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment and want to make a tangible impact, this could be the role for you.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Identify and pursue new institutional funding opportunities that align with our strategy and strengthen our future pipeline
• Build and maintain relationships with key government agencies and foundations, sharing insights and intelligence with the wider team
• Manage proposal development from start to finish - scoping, planning, coordinating inputs, and contributing to technical workshops
• Write and adapt six- and seven-figure proposals that clearly communicate our vision, impact and value for money
• Manage donor relationships and funding opportunities across a broad portfolio, ensuring smooth communication and coordination
• Support the creation of high-quality donor reports that meet funder requirements and showcase our achievements
• Help improve internal tools and processes for bid management and donor compliance, boosting efficiency and impact

About you

We're looking for someone who's curious, collaborative and ready to make things happen. You'll be comfortable navigating complex funding environments, with confidence and a strong track record securing and managing institutional grants. If you're excited by the idea of using your skills to accelerate climate action, we want to hear from you.

We value strengths and a passion for learning - if you meet most of the criteria below, we encourage you to apply.

Essential

• Proven experience in institutional fundraising, with track record of securing six- and seven-figure government grants
• Strong understanding of how key European institutional donors operate (e.g. UK PACT, NORAD, IKI, SIDA, Foreign Ministries)
• Skilled bid writer - detail oriented, resourceful, and able to translate complex information into persuasive proposals
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Strong numeracy and analytical ability, with ability to design and interpret complex budgets
• Good working knowledge of monitoring and evaluation approaches, including logical frameworks
• Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills and a proactive, problem-solving mindset
• Highly organised, able to manage multiple priorities and deliver to tight deadlines
• Experience working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven work environment, ideally within an international or cross-cultural setting

Desirable

• Exposure to negotiations with funders and consortium partners a plus
• Additional languages such as Mandarin or Spanish
• Background in climate change, sustainability, environmental issues or international development
• Familiarity with HubSpot or a similar CRM system

About Climate Group

Climate Group drives climate action. Fast. Our goal is a world of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, with greater prosperity for all.

We focus on systems with the highest emissions and where our networks have the greatest opportunity to drive change. We do this by building large and influential networks and holding organisations accountable, turning their commitments into action.

We share what we achieve together to show more organisations what they could do. We are an international non-profit organisation, founded in 2004, with offices in London, Amsterdam, Beijing, New Delhi and New York.

Climate Group is an international organisation, and we want to reflect that in our staff. People who work for us, and people who apply, need to feel heard, safe, and included. That is why we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion throughout our application process and in our offices. We encourage applications from people of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities, and ethnicities, as we value a wide range of experiences and perspectives.

Where you'll work

Based in our London office, near the iconic Tower Bridge, you'll enjoy a flexible hybrid working arrangement - three days in the office, two days from home each week.

Our office is designed to support both collaborative work and focused individual time. It includes accessible facilities, a well-equipped gym, secure bike storage, and showers. Plus, we're easy to reach by bike and public transport.

The role will require occasional international travel.

What we offer

At Climate Group, our people are at the heart of what we do. You'll join a global community of bold, ambitious doers committed to driving climate action fast.

This is a permanent role. The salary offered is £42,850 to £47,130 per annum, based on experience.

Many of our people work flexibly in different ways, including part-time. Please talk to us at interview about your preferred ways of working and if it works for the role and the team, we'll do our best to accommodate.

Beyond working alongside friendly, motivated colleagues who will support and challenge you, we offer a fantastic benefits package:

• Generous holiday allowance: 25 days annually, plus public holidays and 3 extra days for our Christmas to New Year closure
• 10% employer pension contribution: Non-contributory scheme available after three months' service
• Long-service reward: An additional day's holiday after three and six years with us
• Flexible and hybrid working: Supporting your work-life balance
• Comprehensive health benefits: Cash plan and private medical insurance after completing probation
• Family-first policies: Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave, plus support for fertility treatments
• Wellbeing perks: Monthly wellbeing allowance and Headspace membership
• Additional leave options: Paid leave for volunteering, moving house, and getting married
• Peace of mind: Life assurance from your first day
• Cycling support: E-bike and bike loan scheme up to £1,000
• Travel made easier: Season ticket and e-bike membership loan scheme
• Investing in you: Learning and development opportunities to help you thrive in a global, purpose-driven organisation

Apply now

Ready to make an impact? Apply now with your CV and a one-page cover letter that highlights how your experience and values align with our mission.

If you need further information, would like the job advert in an accessible format, or require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process, please reach out to Ruby Chorbajian, Directory of Philanthropy and Institutional Relations at [email protected].

The closing date for applications is midnight UK time on Friday, 14 November 2025. We'll be holding interviews on a rolling basis, so we encourage early applications.

To be eligible for this position, you must already have the right to work in the UK. Climate Group is unable to sponsor work visas or cover any related costs, including cases where candidates are willing to cover the costs themselves.

We will not be working with recruitment agencies for this role.

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