Director of Strategic Development - London
nbsp;
Title: Director of Strategic DevelopmentReporting to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Contract: Full-time, 37.5 hours a week (flexible working hours considered)
Location: Hybrid working between London office and remote.
At Big Change we know that great things happen when you build connections, trust and relationships, and enable people to learn together. If you have an innate ability to forge meaningful connections across diverse fields and you are experienced working for organisations focused on systems change, we would love to hear from you.
We are seeking an exceptional Director of Strategic Development who will play a pivotal role in advancing Big Change’s mission. You will be accountable for cultivating a purpose-led partnership portfolio, taking responsibility for securing funding (£2m+) and further activating our community of supporters.You will be motivated to grow the organisation but not just for the sake of it; the value of your work will revolve around catalysing and deepening impact with a long-term outlook for the work we do.
This position involves working closely with our existing community of entrepreneurial major donors and funders as well as spotting new opportunities at the intersection of our expert team, innovative projects and expansive network. We have big aims around systems change and transformation so we’re growing our team in order to bring skills and experience in this space.The ideal candidate will have a strong background in leading partnership and programme development, working collaboratively with a focus on achieving sustainable outcomes. If you’d like to lead alongside a visionary and collaborative team then this will a great role for you.
About Big Change
Big Change is unashamedly hopeful for a future in which all young people can thrive in life. We know that the issues many young people face are multilayered and inter-connected, and the systems around them need to change in big and multidimensional ways.This is why we find and invest in the people leading change, backing projects and funding early-stage ideas with high impact potential. And why we provide opportunities for our community to connect, learn and act together. Our expert and committed team bring people together to spark lasting change.
Big Change Benefits:
£1000 Learning and Development Allowance
Cycle to Work and Season Ticket Loan schemes
Flexible working
Pension scheme with up to 5% matched by Big Change
Monthly phone allowance
Wellbeing allowance
Unlimited annual leave policy
Volunteering days
The Role
Accountabilities- Strategic Partnerships Development:
Work closely with the senior leadership and development team to embed a long-term partnerships strategy.
Take overall responsibility for Big Change’s income, driving the growth of a portfolio of partners that sets us up to achieve our mission, pre-empting and thoughtfully managing any tension between commercial and impact drivers.
Qualify, develop, and manage relationships with strategic partners across the system, including complementary delivery partners, trusts, foundations, businesses, non-profit organisations and governmental agencies.
Work with leaders in each area of the organisation to develop a strong model for partnerships linked to impact.
Lead the creation of partnerships that enable experimentation and launch new ventures and projects.
Negotiate and formalise partnership agreements that bring in resources, expertise, and influence to advance organisational goals.
Lead by example with a fresh, creative and open-minded approach to partnerships.- Pipeline Development:
Design and execute a comprehensive income development plan that aligns with the organisation’s goals and priorities.
Lead on pursuits for funding opportunities through grants, major gifts, corporate sponsorships and other revenue streams.
Work closely with the finance, impact and community teams to align fundraising efforts with project needs and organisational priorities.
Track and report on fundraising progress, ensuring transparency and accountability in all pipeline development activities.
Deliver on annually agreed revenue targets without compromising the integrity of the charity.
Employ a robust control environment (e.g. policies and contract management), manage risks and implement risk mitigation strategies in relation to all fundraising and awareness raising activity.- Leadership and Team Development:
Lead and mentor a team focused on partnerships and development in a systemic context, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
Champion continual professional development and support team members to grow and build their skills and careers.
Foster an organisational-wide partnership mindset, responsible for sharing the knowledge, inspiration and tools.
Manage departmental budgets, ensuring efficient allocation and use of resources.
Contribute to the organisation's strategic direction.
Develop, inspire and motivate others to fulfil their potential and foster collaboration across Big Change and its community.- Partner & Funder Engagement:
Provide overall vision and leadership that inspires ongoing support for Big Change across our supporter network.
Along with the wider team, develop and implement strategies to further deepen relationships with major donors and partners including individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors.
Lead efforts to steward major gifts and multi-year funding commitments for new and ongoing projects.
Oversee tailored stewardship to major donors, ensuring their ongoing engagement and satisfaction with their contributions.
Collaborate with the CEO and Trustees to identify and approach new prospects.- External Communication and Advocacy:
Inspire stakeholders by expertly representing Big Change at events and external engagements.
Define and communicate value propositions with ambition and deep insight.
Advocate for the organisation's work within the philanthropic and broader social impact community.
Collaborate with the communications team to enhance the organisation’s visibility and reputation through strategic messaging and outreach.
Skills / capabilities:
Proven ability to develop and manage high-impact partnerships in a systems-change context.
Team leadership experience with a focus on inclusivity, learning, development and collaboration.
Strong track record in major gift fundraising and donor engagement.
Experience of empowering managers within a team to take ownership of goals and priorities, and ensure that teams collaborate and share best practice effectively.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to see potential synergies between seemingly unrelated fields that leads to exciting collaborations and novel approaches to complex problems.
Ability to establish and manage effective working relationships with people of all working styles, backgrounds and industry-experience.
Excellent organisational and strategic planning skills and the ability to assess, prioritise and manage a varied and demanding workload under pressure and with tight deadlines across different multi-disciplinary teams.
Proven ability to think strategically and manage multiple priorities effectively.
Creative, entrepreneurial self-starter with initiative, confidence, drive, and flexibility to deal with unexpected situations in a dynamic organisation.
Qualifications / experience
3+ years leading a high-performing strategic partnerships team, preferably within a philanthropic or non-profit organisation.
Experience leading teams that consistently meet 7-figure annual funding targets.
Experience in launching and managing new ventures or projects.
Understanding of approaching complex problems with systems change methodologies.
Strategy design and delivery.
Confidence and experience navigating varied funder landscapes (including trusts and foundations, businesses, major donors, government bodies).
Reporting to senior governance bodies within a charity.
Experienced in the negotiation and agreement of contracts with valued partners.
Personal Attributes:
You’re a strategic, long-term thinker with a passion for philanthropy and social impact.
You are able to connect with people at all levels and from a range of backgrounds. You are comfortable working across different sectors and you are driven to facilitate powerful communications.
You love to be organised and detail-oriented but are comfortable with emergence and dynamic environments.
You’re innately collaborative and team-oriented.
Proactive and results-driven.
Strong ethical foundations and commitment to the mission of Big Change.