Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships & Fundraising

ABOUT EQUAL

EQUAL is an IPC-registered charity that delivers equine-assisted and animal-assisted services to support the mental and emotional wellbeing of children, youth, seniors, families, and communities. Our work sits at the intersection of human wellbeing, animal welfare, and experiential learning, and is delivered through a multidisciplinary team of programme professionals, equine specialists, operations staff, and volunteers. Fundraising is mission-critical to EQUAL’s ability to deliver safe, high-quality, and impactful programmes. As the organisation scales, EQUAL is strengthening its fundraising infrastructure, pipeline discipline, and stewardship capability to support sustainable growth.

ROLE SUMMARY

The Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships & Fundraising is responsible for developing and securing corporate, philanthropic and institutional funding partnerships that support EQUAL's programmes and long-term sustainability.

The role takes ownership of assigned funding opportunities and works closely with the CEO and Board on major donor relationships and strategic partnerships.

The Senior Manager works within EQUAL's partnerships and fundraising function, supported by a Manager, Partnerships & Development and a Digital Marketing Consultant.

The Senior Manager focuses on revenue generation and relationship development, with administrative, stewardship, communications and grant-related support from relevant colleagues.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Success will be measured through fundraising results, partnership development and the strength of the funding pipeline.

Success will be measured through:

• Revenue generation: Delivering agreed annual fundraising targets through directly managed and collaborative funding opportunities.
• New partnerships: Securing new corporate, philanthropic and institutional funding partners.
• Pipeline development: Building, managing and converting qualified funding opportunities.
• Partner retention and growth: Developing repeat and multi-year funding from assigned partners.
• Strategic contribution: Supporting CEO- and Board-led major donor engagements and fundraising initiatives.
• Annual revenue targets, individual responsibilities and performance milestones will be agreed with the CEO, taking into account organisational priorities, existing funding opportunities and available resources.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE (6-12 month horizon)

• Understand EQUAL's fundraising priorities, existing partners and funding pipeline.
• Build and actively manage a qualified pipeline of new opportunities.
• Progress priority prospects and convert funding opportunities where feasible.
• Deliver against agreed revenue and pipeline targets.
• Convert qualified opportunities into funded partnerships.
• Develop repeat and multi-year funding opportunities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Strategic Partnerships & Funding Development

Lead assigned corporate, philanthropic and institutional funding opportunities from prospect identification through to funding commitments and partnership growth.

Responsibilities include:

• Identify and cultivate corporate partners, family offices, foundations and private donors aligned with EQUAL's mission.
• Develop tailored funding proposals, sponsorship packages and CSR partnership opportunities.
• Lead partnership discussions and funding negotiations for assigned opportunities.
• Secure programme funding, sponsorships, multi-year commitments and strategic partnerships.

2. Partnership Pipeline Development

Build and manage a qualified partnership pipeline, ensuring opportunities are prioritised, actively progressed and accurately tracked.

Responsibilities include:

• Identify and qualify new funding prospects.
• Maintain clear opportunity ownership, funding potential, priorities and next steps.
• Prepare donor briefings and ensure timely follow-up after meetings.
• Review pipeline progress and revenue forecasts regularly with the CEO, supported by accurate CRM records.

3. Strategic Fundraising Campaigns & Initiatives
Develop funding and partnership opportunities that support EQUAL's key campaigns and fundraising initiatives.
Responsibilities include:

• Secure sponsorships and partner funding for agreed fundraising campaigns and events.
• Work with internal teams to develop funding propositions aligned with programme needs and impact.
• Develop corporate engagement opportunities that support longer-term partnerships.

4. Major Donor & High-Value Partnerships
Work closely with the CEO and, where appropriate, Board members to develop and progress major donor relationships and high-value funding opportunities.
Responsibilities include:

• Develop proposals, briefing materials and funding recommendations for major donor engagements.
• Support relationship cultivation, strategic partnership discussions and multi-year funding opportunities.
• Coordinate follow-up and progression of CEO- and Board-led funding opportunities.
• The CEO typically leads selected major donor relationships, with Board involvement where appropriate. The Senior Manager's responsibilities for these opportunities will be agreed with the CEO.

5. Fundraising Events & Donor Engagement
Support EQUAL's major fundraising events and donor engagement activities, with a primary focus on securing sponsorships, funding partnerships and building donor relationships.
Responsibilities include:

• Securing sponsorships and funding partnerships for key events and initiatives.
• Engaging prospective donors through events, programme visits and other engagement activities.
• Following up with prospects and partners to develop longer-term funding relationships.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues to support the planning and delivery of major organisational events.\
• Event planning and delivery are shared responsibilities across relevant teams, with the Senior Manager contributing as part of the broader organisational effort.

ROLE ACCOUNTABILITY & ORGANISATIONAL SUPPORT

The Senior Manager is accountable for developing and converting assigned funding opportunities, delivering agreed revenue and pipeline targets, and contributing to EQUAL's broader fundraising efforts.

The role is supported by:

• CEO: Leads selected major donor relationships and supports senior-level strategic partnership engagements.
• Board and Fundraising Committee: Strategic guidance and participation in selected donor engagements, where appropriate.
• Manager, Partnerships & Development: Partnership/key event coordination, donor stewardship, CRM administration and fundraising documentation.
• Digital Marketing Consultant: Communications and digital marketing support for agreed fundraising campaigns and partnership initiatives.
• Programmes and Services teams: Programme information, impact data and coordination support for agreed donor engagements.
• The Senior Manager's primary focus is fundraising and partnership development, supported by colleagues in areas such as grant reporting, CRM administration, donor stewardship and communications. As part of EQUAL's collaborative working culture, the role also contributes to major organisational events and initiatives where crossteam support is required.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• Substantial relevant experience, typically 8 years or more, in fundraising, strategic partnerships, business development or corporate engagement.
• Demonstrated success in originating, developing and converting funding or commercial partnerships, with clear accountability for individual contributions and results.
• Experience engaging senior corporate leaders, donors or institutional stakeholders.
• Experience in nonprofit fundraising, major gifts or CSR partnerships is an advantage.

Core Competencies

• Strong relationship-building and senior stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Proven ability to develop, manage and convert partnership opportunities.
• Strong proposal development, negotiation and communication skills.
• Sound commercial judgement and ability to prioritise opportunities.
• Strategic thinking combined with disciplined, hands-on execution.

Key Attributes

• Proactive and outcome-driven
• Professional and credible with senior stakeholders
• Highly organised and disciplined in follow-through
• Comfortable operating in a lean team with shared responsibilities
• Motivated by mission and impact

WHY JOIN US?

Make a tangible impact in a mission-driven team, grow across operations and systems, and work in a unique, nature-rich environment with meaningful outcomes.

HOW TO APPLY

Please email your updated CV and a short cover letter to [email protected] with the subject line “Partnership & Development – Your Name”.