Job Purpose

We are the charity who look after and bring to life 2,000 miles of waterways across England and Wales, because we believe that life is better by water. Every role across the Trust plays it's part in transforming our canals and rivers into spaces where local people want to spend time and feel better, bringing wellbeing benefits to millions.

We are looking for a Business & Corporate Engagement Partner to join our London & South East Operations team.  We are looking for an ambitious and autonomous individual to develop, deliver and grow our long-term corporate & Regional fundraising programme.

In this role you will develop long-term strategic partnerships with businesses that help deliver the Trust’s objectives of increasing brand awareness, gaining wider public and institutional support and delivering health and wellbeing outcomes across our vibrant and diverse regional network.

Location - this role is offered on working from home basis.  Candidates will be expected to travel across the region as required to attend stakeholder and business meetings (expenses will be paid).  Candidates should also expect to attend the Team hub at Little Venice (Paddington) reguarly for team meetings and collaborative working.

• See our network here: canal-and-river-network (https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network%C2%A0).
• Find our more about out regional team and work here: London-and-south-east (https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/where-we-work/london-and-south-east).
• Find our how we make a difference here: how-we-make-a-difference (https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/how-we-make-a-difference).

Knowledge, Skills/Qualifications & Experience

Reporting directly to the Partnerships & External Relationships Manager (London & South East) you will represent the Trust externally and champion corporate fundraising internally.  You will be part of a driven, ambitious and engaged team, and will have a supportive colleague environment and the space to shape and develop this important role within the team.  You will be working collaboratively with colleagues in Fundraising, Enterprise, Community Engagement, Operations, and other areas across the business.  Externally your ability to connect and develop strong stakeholder relationships with Corporate partners, our Regional Advisory Board, Agencies and suppliers are all important to your success and the success of the team.  

Key Accountabilities:

• Develop and deliver a corporate engagement strategy.
• Explore new trends in corporate and leadership giving and undertake research and prospecting to ensure a continuous pipeline of corporate opportunities and develop specific propositions for each.
• Support the region in delivering the fundraising pipeline.
• Nurture, develop, support and service a range of corporate partnerships that provide a range of benefits to the Trust in the form of income, in-kind support, volunteering, awareness raising and fundraising opportunities.
• Develop monitoring and reporting frameworks, and undertake the necessary reporting, for the corporate engagement programme as a whole and for individual corporate partners as required.
• Work with colleagues nationally and from other regions to ensure corporate engagement opportunities are coordinated across the Trust to maximise benefit, eliminate duplication and present corporate partners with a single point of contact.
• Work with regional colleagues to identify opportunities for delivering corporate engagement activities.
• Represent the Trust in fundraising activities, at events, with supporters and the media.

Knowledge, Experience & Skills:

• Evidence of strong relevant experience with considerable track record of successful corporate and non-project-based fundraising.
• Ability to think and plan strategically with a proven track record of developing fundraising strategies, including setting ambitious targets and delivering results.
• Proven track record of securing significant corporate partnerships that have delivered both financial and non-financial value.
• Proven track record of bid-writing for fundraising.
• Experience of successfully managing significant corporate partnerships.
• Experience of research and prospect identification and development.
• Experience of developing processes to manage corporate engagement activity and reporting on outcomes.
• Thorough knowledge of fundraising best practice and relevant aspects of charity governance.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience of working collaboratively.
• Good written and verbal communications skills.
• Creative, entrepreneurial and innovative.
• Strong networking skills and ability to represent the Trust externally.
• Ability to work on own initiative, remain calm and deliver to tight deadlines.