Fundraising and Partnership Lead

About the roleThis 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. Coordinating income generation of ~£2m per year including securing £250k of philanthropic (T&Fs, corporates, other sources) funding in the first year, the role also has the objective of growing overall revenue but in line with the refreshed Design Council business and funding model to ensure it remains strategically aligned and sustainable.Reporting to the Head of Programmes with a dotted line to the Chief Operating Officer, you will be responsible for oversight of the overall revenue pipeline, working across the organisation to have full line of sight of funding opportunities and partnerships and ensure a consistent approach to how we generate revenue.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.Our core programmes of work support delivery of our Theory of Change encompassing Skills, Capability, Innovation and Research. 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.Key Responsibilities 1. New Funding Generation and PlanningLead 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 modelOverall 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) workWorking 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 developmentSupport 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 approachOverall 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 it2. Partner Cultivation and StewardshipPersonally build and maintain relationships with existing partners ensuring consistent engagement and communicationIdentify, research, and qualify potential philanthropic and corporate funding partner prospectsDevelop 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 timeSeek out, regularly attend and drive external events and meetings to build personal relationships and extend partner network3. Grant and Commercial Proposal Development & Bid WritingSupport Programme Leads in researching and identifying potential grant and commercial opportunities from foundations and other private or public organisationsLead 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 workSupport 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 converted4. Event Planning and ExecutionAssist Senior Events Manager with organizing fundraising events and other events designed to support future revenue growth through funding partnersRegularly scan the external environment for relevant external events Design Council should be attendingEnsure appropriate marketing collateral is developed and maintained to support and promote Design Council events aimed at fundraisingBe a key DC representative at events, maximising the potential of income opportunities and raising the profile of the organisation and its objectives5. Data Management and ReportingOverall process owner for managing the pipeline of partnership opportunities across both revenue-generating prospects and non-revenue generating prospectsOverall custodian of the funding pipeline including holding Programme Managers to account to ensure accurate maintenance of CRM recordsWorking closely with COO and Head of Finance & Operations to ensure accurate and timely reporting and effective internal meetings to track status of the funding pipelineSupport Programme Managers in researching funding trends and market changes6. Line Manager for Partnerships Programme ManagerProvide quality line management guidance and support to the Partnerships Programme Manager, ensuring clear and motivating goals and regularly and meaningful feedbackSupport the Partnerships Programme Manager in their learning and development, with regular reviews of their Individual Development Plan and career aspirationsBe a source of learning and guidance for the wider Programmes Team in terms of fundraising and partnership developmentAbout you Who we're looking for 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.You are passionate about our Design for Planet and Green Design Skills missions and demonstrate an ability to think strategically as well as commercially and work collaboratively.Role Requirements Skills & Experience: At least 5 years' experience fundraising / revenue generation in a commercial or not-for-profit sector organisationExperience working with high-net-worth individuals or foundationsAbility to create fundraising strategies and help execute themGrant / bid writing experience for both grants and commercial tendersIdeally have an existing network of potential funders / partners, and confident in use of events and marketing to drive interest and engagementExperience of funding agreements and commercial contractsHave line management experience and a passion for developing peopleIdeally have experience of government funding and other public bodiesYou will also be:A confident and excellent communicatorA natural in external engagements and new environments and with new peopleWilling and able to attend regular external events (London and elsewhere in the UK)Empathetic, pragmatic and adaptable, with a solutions-mindsetProactive, hands on and willing to roll up your sleeves and get stuck inCognisant of the importance of accurate data, effective processes and knowledge of working with CRMsConfident working at different levels within an organisationWilling and able to take a risk-based approach to making decisionsCurious and open to new ideas and ways of workingA team player and natural collaborator but also comfortable working on your ownResilient and comfortable with navigating through changeAware of some of the rewards and challenges of working in the not-for-profit sectorPassionate about Design for Planet and the power of design