We are Hiring: UK Development Manager, Corporate Partnerships

Posted 24 August 2022 in EMpower News, Careers   |   Share

About EMpower:

EMpower—The Emerging Markets Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of marginalised young people (ages 10-24) in 15 emerging market countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Through grants and non-financial capacity strengthening, we enable young people to transform their lives and communities. Our vision is to build a world where all young people at the margins, especially girls and young women, have the skills, opportunities and power to live their full potential.

EMpower has offices in Delhi, Hong Kong, London, New York, and Singapore, as well as programme staff in Cape Town, Istanbul, Mexico City, and Sierra Leone. 

About this role:

This is the lead position to pursue corporate funding in the UK. Since investing in corporate fundraising for the first time in 2018, EMpower has enjoyed considerable success, building relationships in the UK with Rothschild & Co, Bluebay, Legal and General, MarketAxess, Cape Ann Asset Management, PIMCO, and a nascent ESG-focused relationship with Pictet. The post holder is the key team member responsible for driving forward these relationships and initiating new ones. A confident networker, the postholder will represent EMpower at meetings, forums and events, as well as support engagement with key funders, in order to initiate and strengthen our relationships. 

Whilst the primary focus is on corporate fundraising, this role is part of a small and dynamic global team (EMpower has 6 staff in the UK and c. 40 globally). The postholder will relish operating in a small team environment where there is opportunity to contribute to a wide range of strategic initiatives, including the opportunity to contribute to a global fundraising strategy, working closely with the VP of Global Development. 

Key Responsibilities

1. In line with previous years, the postholder will be expected to deliver £250-500k of new income from companies, from a combination of growing existing relations and securing new partners.
2. Build strong, effective working relationships with corporate donors.
3. Own and support the development and implementation of the corporate fundraising strategy in the UK. 
4. Grant manage key corporate awards, including delivering all financial and programmatic reporting.

Fundraising

The role is primarily responsible for growing and sustaining corporate income in the UK, in line with EMpower’s organisational strategy. As a key member of a small team, the postholder will also support other areas of fundraising (e.g., trusts & foundations, major donors, events) as required in the development of effective fundraising proposals, and be willing to take the lead on new opportunities for EMpower such as corporate fundraising in mainland Europe.  The other members of the team are a Development Manager, primarily focused on major gift and event fundraising, and a Development Assistant that supports both Development Managers. The VP of Global Development & Communications is also based in the UK.

Responsibilities of this post include:

• Proactive approaches to recruit new corporate partners, using LinkedIn and other networking tools.
• Close work with Board members to identify new potential targets and initiate relationships. 
• Represent EMpower at forums, networks, and meetings relevant to corporate funding and funders.
• Provide effective stewardship for corporate donors, ensuring collaboration and effective relationships, including with the rest of EMpower’s team.
• Plan and coordinate funding approaches, working closely with the Programme Team, other regional development teams, plus senior management, as required, to develop high-quality funding applications. This includes developing budgets and proposals in accordance with funder guidelines.
• Remain abreast of corporate donor trends in line with global development goals; use knowledge to refine development goals, and share knowledge with other team members.
• Lead on the development of annual income and expenditure budgets/forecasting for corporate fundraising.
• Produce internal reports (monthly) and conduct reviews (quarterly) on the performance and progress of corporate fundraising against agreed financial targets, operational activities and annual objectives.

This description is not exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to undertake duties that are broadly in line with the above responsibilities.

Professional skills, experience, and knowledge:

• Demonstrable experience of securing and/or managing grants from corporate donors OR institutional sales in a financial institution.
• Track record of delivering or surpassing financial targets, operational activities and objectives, through own efforts and initiatives and mobilising others. 
• Thrives when working face to face with high level stakeholders and donors, ideally with an interest or knowledge in the financial sector.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare and deliver crisp compelling presentations and reports. 
• Track record of excellence in client relationship management. 
• Experience working in an international development organisation or philanthropic organisation is preferred; strong desire to do so is required. 
• Highly numerate with the ability to develop and monitor budgets; analyse, interpret, and communicate complex data and financial information.

Personal Skills and Attributes

This post sits within a highly effective global team that has delivered 65% growth in the last 5 years. The postholder will be highly proactive but will also enjoy working as a key part of this small team and maintain an environment of excellence and camaraderie, and will be keen to contribute to strategy and effective cross-team collaboration. 

Specific attributes needed are:

• Performance focused with personal initiative and a flexible and proactive approach 
• Professional, enthusiastic, and self-motivated with the ability to quickly understand new ideas and concepts
• High energy and high resilience—comfortable with making cold approaches and pitching 
• Well organised and demonstrates a high level of attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple activities and work to agreed deadlines
• Ability to work in a global team that operates across different time zones and cultures
• Strong sense of ownership for quality of work, deliverables, and service
• Committed to and respect for EMpower’s mission and values
• Right to live and work in the UK

Applications:

EMpower is a public foundation that makes grants globally to benefit marginalised young people, including adolescent girls. We are committed to attracting, developing, motivating, and retaining exceptional talent and to a work environment that recognises contribution, fosters respect and teamwork, and facilitates strong performance. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, recognizing that diversity enriches all staff and our work globally. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or faith, or physical ability. 

Please apply by sending your CV and cover letter to hr@empowerweb.org, and put “Development Manager, Corporate Partnerships” in the subject line. We will only be able to acknowledge and respond to candidates identified as most suitable.