Philanthropy and Partnerships Senior Manager
Key Details
- Job role: Philanthropy and Partnerships Senior Manager
- Salary: £46,000pa
- Location: Hybrid - home-based with occasional travel to Cornwall and within the UK
- Closing date: Thursday 2nd April, 5.00pm GMT
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applicants, so encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
About Cool Earth
We stand no chance of fighting the climate crisis unless we halt rainforest destruction. At Cool Earth, in direct, day to day partnership with Indigenous and local people we have developed the most effective, efficient, and ethical way of doing exactly that. These communities have an unrivalled track record of keeping rainforests standing and stabilising our global climate.
Today, with the drivers of destruction more powerful than ever, Cool Earth works to increase community resilience against these threats. With funding from over 50,000 supporters, we back local expertise with the two most agile resources any community can use to protect their land: cash and data. Across the Amazon and Congo Basins and Papua New Guinea, Cool Earth is reinventing rainforest conservation.
About the role
As Philanthropy and Partnerships Senior Manager you will lead the strategy and delivery of Cool Earth’s high-value income streams including major donors, legacies, trusts and foundations, and corporate partners. This role will shape how we grow and sustain transformational relationships rooted in shared purpose.
You will provide strategic direction, leadership and innovation across fundraising, developing multi-year collaborations that generate income, impact, and influence. Working closely with the SLT, you’ll play a central role in achieving organisational sustainability through driving income growth and relationships.
This is an opportunity for an experienced senior fundraiser to shape Cool Earth’s partnerships to scale our global impact.
What you’ll do
Strategic leadership
- Design and deliver plans that put Cool Earth’s philanthropy and partnerships strategy into practice, with a focus on long-term relationships that reflect our values and mission.
- Work with the team to develop and deliver income plans across major donors, trusts and foundations, and corporate partners, helping to build a balanced and sustainable portfolio.
- Collaborate with impact and programme colleagues so that fundraising stories clearly reflect our impact and people-first approach.
- Champion ethical partnership practices, making sure partner values, income generation and Cool Earth's environmental and social integrity stay aligned.
Philanthropy and partnership growth
- Manage and grow a portfolio of major donors, philanthropic individuals, trusts, foundations and corporate partners.
- Lead the development of clear, tailored proposals, cases for support and partnership pitches that show Cool Earth's impact and ambition.
- Oversee stewardship plans that deepen relationships and secure multi‑year support.
- Proactively identify, research and pursue new high‑value prospects across philanthropy, trusts and partnerships.
- Represent Cool Earth at meetings and events as a confident ambassador for our high‑value fundraising.
- Share insight, results and emerging opportunities with the Head of Development to help shape wider development strategy and portfolio decisions.
Team leadership and collaboration
- Lead and develop colleagues working on philanthropy and partnerships, fostering a supportive, high‑performing culture within the wider development team.
- Set clear objectives and provide regular feedback, coaching and support to ensure strong delivery against income and relationship goals.
- Work across the organisation to keep systems, reporting and evaluation for high‑value income effective and up to date, ensuring accurate pipelines and good use of insight, and reporting into the Head of Development.
- Partner with communications and programme colleagues to create engaging materials and experiences that motivate giving and demonstrate impact.
Governance and reporting
- Manage and monitor income and expenditure for high‑value fundraising, within budgets and targets agreed with the Head of Development.
- Report on performance, trends and pipeline for high‑value income to the Head of Development, providing insight for organisational reporting.
- Ensure due diligence, compliance and data protection across all philanthropic and partnership activities.
- Help improve policies, processes and systems that support ethical, effective high‑value fundraising.
Requirements
Who you are
It is essential to us that you have/are the following:
- Extensive experience leading high-value philanthropy and/or corporate partnerships programmes in a charity or NGO setting.
- Proven success in securing six- and seven-figure gifts or partnerships.
- Strong strategic thinker with the ability to translate mission into compelling partnership propositions.
- Excellent relationship management and communication skills, with emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity.
- Skilled in inspiring, motivating and developing high-performing teams.
- Ability to manage strategic priorities, balancing long-term vision with short-term delivery.
- You're fluent in spoken and written English, and highly competent with Google and Microsoft Office tools.
- You have a genuine interest in and commitment to the humanitarian and environmental principles of Cool Earth.
- You’re aligned with our values: “smart”, “driven”, “open”, and “locally-led”.
It would be great, but not essential, if you also have:
- Knowledge of environmental philanthropy, climate change, or sustainable development sectors.
- Experience driving cross-sector collaborations involving NGOs, corporate partners, and philanthropic foundations.
- Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRM systems.
- Confident public speaker and ambassador at senior level.
- Experience working in a charity, NGO or values-led organisation.
- Experience in environmental or international development fundraising.
Benefits
Why work at Cool Earth?
Benefits
As well as using your career as a force for good, there are loads of reasons why Cool Earth is a great employer.
- Flexible Working - we work flexible hours with the opportunity to work from home, the office, or even overseas.
- Mental Health & Wellbeing - our EAP offers a 24/7 helpline, counselling services, and self-guided mental health programmes for you and your family.
- Learning & Development - every employee has a L&D budget, plus organisation-wide workshops and trainings.
- Time Off - we offer generous and enhanced time off policies including holiday, sickness, medical and family leave.
- Support Good Causes - you can take extra time off work to volunteer for good causes and donate to other charities tax-free through our payroll giving scheme.
Equal Opportunities
At Cool Earth we are committed to equal opportunity and celebrate the unique backgrounds, identities, and experiences of all applicants and employees.
We don't discriminate based on factors like gender, race, age, physical abilities, religion, or sexual orientation.
Our application process is designed to be accessible and inclusive, and we value your contributions regardless of these characteristics.
Frequently cited statistics show that women and underrepresented groups are more likely to only apply to jobs if they meet 100% of the listed qualifications. We encourage you to apply even if you feel that you do not meet all of the above requirements.
Safeguarding
Cool Earth is dedicated to strengthening the rights and resilience of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) living in rainforests. Cool Earth believes that a child, young person, or adult should never experience abuse of any kind. Protecting their safety and their freedom is integral to our work and our values.
Cool Earth is committed to keeping the IPLCs we work and engage with safe from any harm that could be caused by coming into contact with our organisation. This includes potential harm arising from the conduct and behaviour of staff, partners, or affiliates of Cool Earth, or the design and implementation of our programmes and activities.
We maintain a strict zero-tolerance approach towards any attitudes, behaviours or actions that put others at risk of harm.
Therefore, all offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks as per the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. For more information see our Job Applicant Privacy Notice.