This role is a mid-senior level fundraising and relationship management position, combining strategic development with hands-on partnership and event management. The goal is to secure and grow long-term, high-value corporate support aligned with the charity’s strategic plan (2025–2028). The successful candidate will act as a bridge between the charity and the corporate world.

Key Strengths and Opportunities

1. Strategic and Commercial Focus

• The postholder will be expected to align partnerships with organisational goals and CSR strategies.

• They must be able to negotiate and secure multi-year corporate deals, implying confidence and commercial acumen.

2. Fundraising and Events Emphasis

• Strong emphasis on income generation through multiple streams (e.g. COTY – Charity of the Year partnerships, events, employee engagement).

3. Relationship Management

• Sustaining long-term corporate partnerships is central.

• Requires excellent interpersonal skills to manage stakeholders at all levels – from CEOs to event suppliers.

4. Creativity and Communication

• The ideal candidate must develop compelling pitches and fundraising proposals, and be an engaging speaker and persuasive writer.

• There’s also a focus on creative fundraising concepts and tailored packages.

5. Performance & Reporting

• Expectation to track, measure and report on partnership outcomes – implying good data handling, impact assessment, and KPI tracking skills.

Skills and Experience Required

The person specification highlights the need for:

• Proven success in securing and growing corporate partnerships

• High-level communication skills (verbal, written, presentations)

• Project and event management

• Research skills (for CSR trends and partner prospecting)

• Independence and initiative, but also teamwork

• Meticulous attention to detail and organisation

• A full driving licence and access to a car, suggesting regional travel is essential

Challenges and Considerations

1. Commission Model

• The inclusion of commission may reflect a performance-based income component, which could be motivating but may also create pressure to meet targets.

2. Location and Travel

• Based in South Lakeland, with some evening and weekend work—a good cultural fit is important for someone locally based or willing to travel.

3. Multifaceted Role

• This is not purely strategic or managerial—it’s a hybrid role, involving high-level thinking and practical delivery of events and proposals.

• Suitable for someone who enjoys wearing many hats in a small to mid-size organisation.

Fit for the Organisation Carer Support South Lakes is a local charity, so a successful candidate would likely need:

• An understanding or appreciation of carers’ needs or charity work

• Alignment with charity values (as outlined in the organisational requirements)

• Willingness to get involved in wider fundraising and community events, suggesting a hands-on, collaborative culture

Ideal Candidate Profile Summary

• A confident and proactive relationship-builder

• Commercially savvy with partnership development experience

• A strong communicator with event and fundraising experience

• Creative, self-motivated, and detail-oriented

• Comfortable working both strategically and operationally

• Based in or near South Lakeland, with a valid driving licence