Partnership Development Manager

Earthwatch Europe is looking for a passionate and ambitious Partnership Development Manager to join our Income Generation & Partnership Development team. This is a pivotal role focused on growing income from businesses, local authorities and public sector funders. You will build high-value partnerships, identify new funding opportunities, and develop compelling proposals that support Earthwatch’s strategic goals. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, you will play a key role in securing long-term partnerships and sustainable income to help deliver our mission.

Who are we? Earthwatch Europe connects people with nature and gives them the tools they need to protect our planet. From fighting for healthy freshwater, bringing greenspaces to our cities or putting nature back into farming, we support communities and organisations to build knowledge, create connections and motivate action.

Responsibilities Role purpose:

To drive the growth of income from businesses, local authorities and public sector funders by identifying, developing and securing strategic partnerships. The role will build high-value relationships, generate new funding opportunities, and lead the development of compelling proposals, working closely with colleagues across Earthwatch to convert opportunities into long-term partnerships and sustainable income. This role will focus on building connections and opening doors, working closely with the Director to convert opportunities into funding to meet organisational targets

Key deliverables:

Partnership Management and Development

Lead on building and maintaining positive relationships with existing contacts in businesses, local authorities, and other partners in line with organisational priorities. Carry out excellent stewardship and management of partnerships, overseeing delivery plans, strategic activities and routine partnership activities. Lead all aspects of the partnership development process, including prospect research, proposal development and pitching, ensuring a seamless pathway from opportunity identification to funding secured. Cultivate relationships with other charitable organisations to expand Earthwatch’s network of partners and collaborate on joint environmental initiatives.

Proposal Writing & Project Development: Lead the preparation of compelling funding proposals, tailored to meet the specific interests and priorities of potential partners. Ensure proposals are timely, impactful, and demonstrate clear outcomes. Work closely with the Finance team to develop accurate project budgets, ensuring all proposals are cost-effective and financially viable. Manage a portfolio of prospects and funding opportunities, contributing to agreed annual income targets.

Sector Awareness and Marketing Monitor plans and strategies from businesses, local authorities and government bodies with a view to spotting opportunities for partnership working. Collaborate with the Communications teams to create high-quality marketing materials that support partner engagement and public relations. Represent Earthwatch at partner and networking events.

Monitoring and Reporting: Oversee the end-to-end grant management process, including timely submission of progress reports and financial narratives to ensure full compliance with donor requirements. Maintain a comprehensive reporting process via the CRM, providing accurate income generation updates, dashboards, and pipeline forecasts. Monitor environmental and sustainability issues in the media including emerging policies, trends and the performance of organisations with whom we have relationships.

Collaboration & Team Support: Work closely with colleagues across the organisation, particularly the Income Generation, Programmes, Communications, and Finance teams, to ensure that funding proposals and reports are aligned with Earthwatch’s programs and objectives. In undertaking these roles, the postholder should also have regard to: Acting as an ambassador for the work, vision and values of Earthwatch Europe. Ensuring continuous development of skills and knowledge required for the post, undergoing training and performance review as required. Working within all the policies and procedures of Earthwatch Europe, ensuring compliance with health & safety policies and all legal and contractual obligations associated with the post. Collaborating with other Earthwatch teams to ensure effective delivery of partnership programmes. Carrying out any other reasonable duties commensurate with the level of responsibility of the post, as requested by the post holders line manager. The above list of job deliverables is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Requirements Personal Specification:

Essential Knowledge & Experience

Proven experience of fundraising, with a strong understanding of the full process from research and proposal development to reporting and stewardship. Demonstrable success in securing five-figure funding partnerships from corporate or public sector funders. Proven experience of working successfully with businesses, local authorities and government bodies. Experience of using fundraising databases.

Skills & Aptitudes Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to create compelling proposals, presentations, and reports. Excellent numeracy skills and proven ability to develop budgets and understand funder finance reports. Proven ability to influence and build relationships with senior stakeholders including corporate leaders, local authority officers and public sector decision-makers. Outstanding networking and influencing skills.

Personal characteristics Demonstrable passion for environmental issues and sustainability, with an understanding of the environmental sector. Commitment to Earthwatch Europe’s mission and values. Highly organised, self-motivated, and able to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team. Creativity and drive to succeed, willing and able to take on exciting new challenges.

Desirable Experience in securing six-figure funding partnerships from corporate or public sector funders. Well connected with businesses, government bodies and/or local authorities. Experience of working within an environmental organisation. Good public speaking skills. Experience of working in the environmental sector Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; Earthwatch is unable to support visa applications.

Earthwatch is committed to making any adjustments we can for short-listed candidates, to facilitate participation in our interview process. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The successful candidate will be required to undergo a DBS check and other due diligence checks, given the nature of this position within the charity. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion Earthwatch is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences. We welcome and encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply, and we will consider all applications fairly and consistently. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment – a place where individuality is embraced and everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We value the benefits that different backgrounds, working approaches and ways of thinking can bring. If you require reasonable adjustments in making an application for the role of Trusts and Foundations Manager, please contact the HR team at [email removed - click apply for more details] ahead of the application deadline.