Head of Partnerships & Fundraising

Location: Home-based, with occasional travel to locations across the UK as required

Reporting to: Managing Director

Direct reports: 2 × Partnerships and Fundraising Managers

Salary: £42,000 - £50,000 per annum, depending on experience

Contract: Full-time/Permanent

Working pattern: 37.5 hours per week, Mon-Fri. Flexible working options available

Closing date: Friday 30th October at 10am

Interview dates: First-stage interviews will be held on a rolling basis. Second-stage interviews will take place in person on Tuesday 17 November 2026.

Help shape the future for girls.

At The Girls' Network, we believe no girl should have her future limited by gender, ethnicity, background or parental income.

We connect girls aged 14–19 from the least advantaged communities with mentors and a network of professional women who can help them see what's possible, build their confidence and realise their ambitions.

We're now looking for an ambitious and experienced Head of Partnerships and Fundraising to lead our income generation and help us build the financial sustainability we need to reach more girls.

This is an opportunity to join a growing charity at an exciting stage in its development, and to play a significant role in shaping what comes next.

The opportunity

As our Head of Partnerships and Fundraising, you'll lead the development and delivery of an ambitious income-generation strategy across corporate partnerships, Trusts & Foundations, major giving, individual giving and events.

You'll combine strategic leadership with hands-on fundraising. You'll build and steward high-value relationships, develop compelling propositions and funding bids, strengthen our pipeline, identify new opportunities and use data and insight to turn ambition into sustainable income.

You'll work closely with our Managing Director, Senior Leadership Team and Board, while collaborating across the organisation to make sure our fundraising is rooted in the impact we deliver.

You'll also lead and develop a small, capable fundraising team, giving you the opportunity to shape not only our fundraising strategy but the way we work.

This is a role where you’ll have real scope to influence, build and improve.

What you’ll be doing

Fundraising strategy and delivery:

• Develop and deliver an income-generation strategy aligned with the charity's wider goals, setting and delivering annual targets across corporate partnerships, Trusts & Foundations, major giving, individual giving and events.

• Build a strong, balanced pipeline, using data and relationship insight to prioritise the best opportunities for growth.

• Personally develop and steward high-value relationships with corporate partners, Trusts & Foundations, major donors and other strategic supporters, involving the CEO and Board where useful

• Develop compelling propositions and cases for support, working with the Head of Programmes and Impact to ensure they're grounded in real programme delivery and evidence.

• Develop and submit funding bids for high value Trusts & Foundations in support of operational plans and agreed budgets

• Identify and steward major donors to meet future targets, working with the support of the CEO, as required

• Test new approaches to income generation where they could grow or diversify income.

• Keep the case for support current, and ensure fundraising activity is well-planned, evaluated, and meets relevant legal, regulatory and organisational standards.

• Report quarterly to the CEO and Board on income performance, pipeline, forecasts and key risks.

• Use data and insight to evaluate fundraising performance, identify trends and inform future strategy

Strategic Leadership:

• Contribute as a member of the Senior Leadership Team to strategy, annual planning, budgeting and risk management.

• Provide strategic leadership and direction to Fundraising, ensuring the strategy aligns with our wider goals, delivering high-impact fundraising campaigns and driving long term sustainability.

• Work closely with the CEO, Head of Programmes & Impact, and Director of Finance & Operations to keep income generation aligned with organisational priorities and capacity.

• Work closely with the Head of Programmes & Impact to identify and assess new partnership opportunities to develop the strategy and success of the charity.

• Work closely with Director of Finance & Operations on data migration to enable effective fundraising and ensure a high-quality supporter experience.

• Work in partnership with the Communications Manager to ensure fundraising opportunities and campaigns are coordinated, and that they amplify youth voice and brand, ensuring this is well-connected to fundraising priorities and strengthening the case for support to funders.

• Co-own a joint campaign and communications calendar with the Communications Manager covering key appeals and events (e.g. IWD, IDoG).

• Build understanding of the external landscape affecting girls and young women and use it to strengthen propositions and relationships.

• Work with the Head of Finance and Operations to keep fundraising and financial data accurate and aligned.

• Ensure restricted funding information is communicated accurately and promptly to support financial management and funder reporting.

• Represent The Girls' Network with funders, partners and other external stakeholders as an ambassador for the organisation.

Team Management:

• Lead, support and develop the Fundraising and Partnerships Team, setting clear expectations and creating opportunities for growth, learning and progression.

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing culture in which the team have clarity, autonomy and support to succeed.

• Provide effective line management with regular one-to-ones, appraisals and development plans, and clear progress against targets and pipeline.

• Build a collaborative, high-performing team culture, with support for recruitment and onboarding as needed

• Contribute to an organisational culture that values inclusion, collaboration, learning and equitable relationships with supporters, partners, colleagues and the communities The Girls' Network serves.

Note: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities and duties required.

You'll also be a member of our Senior Leadership Team, contributing to wider organisational strategy, planning, budgeting and risk management.

About you

We're looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with the ability to make things happen.

You'll bring significant experience in fundraising, partnerships, philanthropy or another relevant income-generation function, together with a track record of securing meaningful income and building relationships that last.

Essential

• Significant experience in fundraising, partnerships, philanthropy or another relevant income-generation function at a senior level, with a track record of measurable results

• Experience developing and delivering an income-generation or fundraising strategy, translating organisational ambitions into clear priorities, targets and action

• A proven track record of growing income and/or securing significant funding or partnerships, with the ability to identify opportunities and convert them into sustainable relationships

• Strong experience of Trusts & Foundations fundraising, including developing propositions, managing a pipeline and securing multi-year funding

• Experience developing and managing high-value relationships with external stakeholders, such as corporate partners, funders, major donors or strategic partners

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to develop compelling propositions and communicate impact, ambition and value to different audiences

• Sound judgement in assessing opportunities, managing risk and prioritising resources in a growing organisation

• Ability to use data, financial information and performance insight to monitor income, understand pipeline health and inform strategic decisions

• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to build trust and work effectively with colleagues, senior leaders, trustees and external stakeholders

• Comfortable working with a high degree of ownership, managing competing priorities and adapting to change

• Experience developing and motivating people, with a genuine commitment to an inclusive, high-performing team culture

Desirable

• Experience securing and stewarding major gifts or philanthropic support

• Experience growing income through individual giving, digital fundraising, campaigns or events

• Experience developing corporate partnerships, sponsorships or other strategic commercial relationships

• Experience using CRM or fundraising platforms such as Salesforce, Hootsuite, Canva, Mailchimp or equivalent

• Experience of working in a small or growing charity

• Experience working with Boards, Trustees or other governance bodies on income generation or organisational performance.

• Understanding of the challenges faced by girls and young women from disadvantaged backgrounds

It would be great if you also have experience in major gifts, corporate partnerships, individual giving, digital fundraising, campaigns or events, and/or working in a small or growing charity.

Most importantly, you'll care about our mission and be motivated by the opportunity to help create better futures for girls and young women.

You don't need to meet every criterion to apply. If you can demonstrate the experience, judgement and ambition to succeed in this role, we'd love to hear from you.

Why join The Girls' Network?

We know that choosing the next role is about more than just the role responsibility and salary. At The Girls’ Network we want you to have the support, flexibility and space to do meaningful work and build a career that works for you.

• 35 days' holiday from day one inclusive of bank holidays

• Buy up to 5 additional days of annual leave each year.

• A paid day off for your birthday.

• 3 days paid volunteering leave each year.

• A winter shutdown between Christmas and New Year.

• Remote working across the UK.

• Flexible ways of working, including flexible hours and compressed hours where appropriate to the role and team.

• A full suite of home-working equipment.

• Up to £100 towards a desk and £100 towards a chair to help you create a comfortable home working environment.

• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling, legal and financial advice, telephone support and online resources.

• Access to discounts through our EAP app across retail, fitness, travel and restaurants.

• Enhanced sick pay.

• Support for healthy screen working, including eye tests and, where appropriate, glasses.

• An annual professional development fund to support your learning, skills and career development.

• Enhanced family leave across maternity, paternity/partner, adoption and shared parental leave.

• Workplace pension with a 3% employer contribution alongside your 5% employee contribution.

• A dedicated Girls' Network buddy, available beyond your induction to provide ongoing support and connection.
  
  

Ready to make an impact?

This is an opportunity to take on a leadership role in the next chapter of The Girls' Network.

If you're an experienced fundraiser and relationship-builder who wants the autonomy to shape strategy, the opportunity to influence at senior level, and the chance to use your expertise to help more girls realise their potential, we'd love to hear from you.

How to apply

Please apply as soon as possible. You will be asked to complete your application by submitting your CV and answering a few application questions.

Appointees are subject to a DBS check. You must have the right to work in the UK to apply. 

Closing date: Friday 30th October at 10am

Interview dates: First-stage interviews will be held on a rolling basis. Second-stage interviews will take place in person on Tuesday 17 November 2026.

Use of AI in applications

AI can be a helpful tool for inclusivity and accessibility, and we recognise that it may support applicants with spelling or grammar. However, when it comes to our selection process, what matters most to us is hearing your authentic voice and personal experiences. We're not looking for polished answers — just your own experiences, in your own words.

Diversity at our core

The Girls’ Network is an equal opportunities employer, committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, and eliminating discrimination. We aim to build an inclusive organisation that reflects the diversity of the communities we work with and particularly welcome applications from people who are underrepresented in the charity sector and senior leadership.

In line with the Equality Act 2010, we are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support candidates throughout the recruitment process. If you require any adjustments, please contact the People team at [email protected].