Fundraising Partnerships Manager

Canal & River Trust

. Develop and manage a high-value funding portfolio and pipeline .

Posted 10/10/2026full-timeUnited KingdomMid-LevelSenior💰 £45,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in developing and managing funding portfolios, building strategic funder relationships, and leading compelling funding proposals. Proficient in navigating the UK funding landscape and coordinating complex funding processes with multiple stakeholders.

Highest-signal resume keywords

UK Funding Landscape KnowledgeFunding Proposal DevelopmentRelationship ManagementResearch and Analytical SkillsFinancial Awareness

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Funding Portfolio ManagementFunder EngagementProposal WritingBudget ManagementDue Diligence CoordinationImpact AssessmentProject Readiness EvaluationPipeline DevelopmentStewardship PlanningHorizon Scanning

Soft Skills

Influencing SkillsFacilitation SkillsOrganizational SkillsCommunication SkillsPresentation Skills

Tools & Technologies

CRM Management

Industry Keywords

Charitable TrustsFoundationsNational LotteryPublic-Sector FundersEnvironmental SectorHeritage SectorInfrastructure SectorCommunity SectorPlace-Based FundingTransformational Funding

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and manage a high-value funding portfolio and pipeline
Identify, research and qualify trusts, foundations, statutory and National Lottery opportunities aligned with strategic priorities
Build and manage strategic funder relationships
Develop tailored cultivation and stewardship plans
Create meaningful engagement opportunities between funders and senior Trust colleagues
Lead compelling funding propositions, proposals and applications
Coordinate operational, programme, impact, finance and specialist colleagues to establish need, outcomes, delivery models, budgets, evidence and project readiness
Lead and coordinate complex funding processes, including funder engagement, due diligence, application, assessment and contracting
Undertake horizon scanning, networking and funder engagement to identify emerging opportunities, intelligence and trends
Provide funder stewardship, ensuring commitments are delivered and reporting is timely and high quality
Maintain fundraising management information in the CRM
Contribute insight to team planning, forecasting and performance reporting

Requirements

What you’ll need

Strong knowledge and experience of the UK funding landscape
Proven track record of securing significant funding from charitable trusts and foundations, National Lottery and/or statutory/public-sector funders
Experience identifying, researching and qualifying funding opportunities and developing and managing a high-quality pipeline or portfolio of prospective funders
Experience building, cultivating and stewarding significant funder relationships and strategic partnerships
Excellent proposition development and written communication skills
Experience translating complex organisational priorities, projects and programmes into compelling, evidence-led funding proposals and cases for investment
Experience leading or coordinating complex funding opportunities involving multiple stakeholders
Strong relationship management, influencing and facilitation skills
Strong research, analytical and prioritisation skills
Good financial and commercial awareness, including confidence working with project budgets, funding restrictions, match funding and financial information
Strong organisational and portfolio-management skills
Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills
Experience fundraising within environmental, heritage, infrastructure, nature, community or place-based sectors (desirable)
Experience developing large-scale, multi-year or transformational funding opportunities (desirable)
Experience working with senior organisational stakeholders, including Executive leaders or Trustees (desirable)

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive pension scheme
Increasing holiday entitlement
Range of employee benefits