About the position

Reporting to the Head of Strategic Partnerships, the Senior Strategic Partnerships Manager (SSPM) is a member of the partnerships team situated in either the Freedom Fund’s New York or London offices. They contribute to a range of external relations but will hold primary responsibility for all Government donors.

The SSPM researches and engages with government donors, identifies new opportunities, develops quality proposals, coordinates fundraising initiatives with colleagues and other agencies, negotiates agreements and ensures timely and accurate reporting and exceptional level stewardship. They maintain relevant internal management systems (including Salesforce and Business Central) and coordinate with program and operations team colleagues to ensure coherent donor understanding, and compliance with donor requirements. Working closely with the Head of Strategic Partnerships and other team members, the SSPM is expected to produce quality output and manage relationships with a high level of independence and professionalism. The SSPM line manages a highly competent Strategic Partnerships Manager whose focus is primarily on supporting the governments portfolio, and who particularly supports with reporting and servicing of existing awards.

The SSPM supports the Head of Strategic Partnerships, MD of External Relations, and the CEO in their high-level government donor outreach, while also operating as a Freedom Fund ambassador in their own right. They will take a keen interest in the Freedom Fund’s programs and policies, so as to successfully represent the organisation to interested and current donors and contribute meaningfully to organisational strategy discussions and other initiatives and processes.

Responsibilities

Relationship Building, Innovation and Proposal Development

• Undertake government donor research, monitor funding instruments for upcoming opportunities, analyse trends in government donor policies and practice, and develop strategic plans for increasing the Freedom Fund’s engagement with and funding from government donors.

• Cultivate and track relationships with prospective funders with a focus on governments and multilaterals.

• In consultation with the Head of Strategic Partnerships, engage in direct donor discussions – and where appropriate, support and facilitate discussions between donors and other staff, ensuring these are well prepared and followed up.

• Support or lead group mechanisms involving donors or partners (e.g., Council of Advocates, consortium-building processes etc.)

• Lead organisational proposal development in partnership with Programs and other Freedom Fund teams, ensuring a coordinated, tailored, professional and timely response to opportunities.

• Personally produce high-quality funding proposals, concept notes and other formal responses, in close consultation with the Head of Strategic Partnerships and relevant colleagues in other teams.

• Collaborate closely with colleagues in the Partnerships Team to achieve common targets and objectives as set out in the fundraising strategy (including, among other things, maintaining a pipeline of prospective opportunities, and developing outreach and engagement plans for donors).

• Acquire the substantive knowledge necessary to effectively present the Freedom Fund’s work to donors and participate in external meetings and events.

Grant management

• Steward relationships with government donors ensuring the highest level of donor relationship management tailored to the specific needs and requirements of individual donors, calling on the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and other colleagues as appropriate.

• Manage day-to-day grant and donor servicing for the assigned donors, ensuring deadlines are met and donor requirements fulfilled.

• Negotiate, review, store and track grant agreements, in coordination with relevant colleagues.

• Prepare narrative reports, based on available program data, and work with the finance team to coordinate financial reporting, ensuring compliance with donor specifications.

• Track key donor and funding data in Salesforce, and provide synthesised information for use in Board papers etc.

External Communications

• Support the WMT members, including Head of Strategic Partnerships, MD of External Relations, and CEO by preparing talking points and briefings for speaking engagements and briefings.

• Subject to available time and capacity, the SSPM may be asked to produce written content for other Freedom Fund products and processes.

• Collaborate with the Communications Team to ensure consistency of messaging related to fundraising.

• In collaboration with the Head of Strategic Partnerships, manage and cultivate non-funding relationships with partners such as institutions and peer organisations, including representing the Freedom Fund in funder coalitions / groups.

• Represent and speak on behalf of the Freedom Fund in various forums.

• Collaborate with colleagues from various departments to write, produce and update collateral material.

Qualifications and experience

• Outstanding English writing skills.

• Minimum of five years of experience in fundraising or partnerships in a fast-paced non-profit setting.

• A proven track record of producing successful funding bids for government donors and institutions, including through public tenders and consortium processes.

• Proven experience of building fruitful and lasting donor relationships; access to a network of national/international donor contacts.

• Strong understanding of grant-making and grant-management processes (especially with respect to institutional funding) and experience reviewing and negotiating grant conditions.

• Personal interest and past experience in the modern slavery field or in the broader human rights and development sector.

• Experience using MS Office and Salesforce or another CRM database.

Personal attributes

• A commitment to the Freedom Fund’s vision, mission, values, and goals, with a passion to work in promoting human rights around the world.

• A willingness to work as part of a team in a cooperative and supportive way

• A commitment to excellence and a relentless pursuit of results, a self-starter with an exceptional work ethic, strong organisational skills, and a can-do attitude

• Ability to build relationships with a wide range of individuals from diverse backgrounds.

• Ability to work independently, displaying strong initiative in solving day-to-day problems.

• Great attention to detail in dealing with complex donor requirements.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to liaise with a range of individuals and stakeholders at all levels.

• Ability to work to tight deadlines and juggle assignments running in parallel.

• Willingness and ability to travel locally and internationally (up to 15%).

Compensation

London

• £57,491 – £59,004 per annum.

• 10% non-contributory pension scheme.

• 25 days holiday, plus public holidays.

• Season ticket loan and cycle scheme available.

New York

• $101,898 – $104,579 per annum (dependant on experience)

• 5% employer sponsored 401k contribution (non-matched).

• 25 days’ vacation per year, plus 8 national holidays.

• Generous health benefits package with full coverage of monthly premiums for medical, dental and vision. Additional cover is provided for spouses and dependants.

• Generous parental leave allowance and pay.

Application procedure

Applications should be submitted in English and include a CV, cover letter (maximum one page) and contact details of two professional referees, one of which must be the applicant’s current / most recent line manager or current / most recent Head of HR. If professional referees are not applicable, personal references are welcomed, providing they are able to speak to the strengths listed in the above description.

Please send applications by email in PDF format to jobs@freedomfund.org, including ‘Senior Strategic Partnerships Manager’ in the subject line by Tuesday 13th February @ 9am GMT.

Please note that only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted. No phone calls please. No agencies please.

The Freedom Fund is an equal opportunities employer. In line with our values of respect, agility and excellence, we value the strength of a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from people with disabilities, Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ and from different socio-economic backgrounds. Applicants must be eligible to work either in Uk or New York. The Freedom Fund will aim to meet candidates’ access requirements throughout the recruitment process. If this is applicable, then please notify us.

The Freedom Fund is committed to the importance of meaningful survivor inclusion and leadership. As such, particular consideration will be given to applicants with lived experience of human trafficking and/or forced labour.