At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and develop key donor relationships to secure funding for conservation projects.
- Company: Join BirdLife International, a global leader in conservation efforts.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, and a competitive pension scheme.
- Other info: Work in the award-winning David Attenborough Building with a diverse team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global conservation while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in developing institutional funding partnerships and writing successful proposals.
The predicted salary is between 49000 - 49000 £ per year.
Application deadline: Monday 26 October 2026– 09:00 GMT
Location: Hybrid working, with travel to Cambridge
Full-time: 36 hours per week
Contract: Open-ended
Salary: £45,000 - £49,000 per annum depending on skills/experience, plus competitive 12% pension benefit
Annual Leave: 25 days pro rata in year 1, increasing by 1 day p/a to 28 days
We’re BirdLife International, the only global Partnership conserving birds and all life on our planet. We exist to give one voice to nature, and to unite and strengthen conservation across borders.
As Strategic Partnerships Manager, Institutional Funding, you will help us grow and diversify income from government, bilateral and multilateral funders, building on an established institutional funding base and strong existing partnerships while identifying and developing new opportunities for the future.
How you will do this:
- Working within our global Development team, you will manage and develop key donor relationships, build a strong pipeline of opportunities and connect funder priorities with BirdLife’s ambitious conservation programmes.
- You will work collaboratively with colleagues across global programmes, regional teams and our network of national Partners, bringing people together to develop compelling opportunities for support.
- With scope to shape and develop your portfolio, you will have the opportunity to bring your own expertise to BirdLife’s institutional fundraising, helping open new relationships and develop areas of opportunity.
- This role combines strategic partnership development with hands-on fundraising.
- Alongside developing relationships and identifying opportunities, you will lead the development of high-quality proposals, including complex, multi-country and consortium bids.
- You will bring insight, coordination and strategic donor expertise to our institutional fundraising, helping secure the funding needed to deliver BirdLife’s Global Strategy to 2030.
What we are looking for:
- We are looking for an experienced partnerships manager with a strong track record of developing public funding partnerships and securing income from government, bilateral and/or multilateral donors.
- Developing programme funding will have been a substantive part of your career, and you will be comfortable combining strategic partnership development with hands-on delivery.
- You will bring significant experience of developing, managing and growing institutional donor relationships, with personal responsibility for income generation and pipeline development.
- A strong track record of developing and writing successful institutional proposals, ideally including large, complex, multi-country or consortium bids.
- The ability to identify opportunities, understand donor priorities and work with programme colleagues to develop compelling, fundable projects.
- Good financial and technical understanding, including confidence working with budgets, logframes, donor compliance and risk.
- Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across teams, cultures and geographies.
- Specific and in-depth donor knowledge and experience with bilateral donor agencies such as the UK, Germany or the Nordics or multilateral environmental funds such as GEF and GCF will be welcomed, but we are open to candidates bringing experience from working with a variety of donor partnerships.
- Conservation experience is not essential, and we welcome candidates from international development, humanitarian and other relevant sectors who can bring strong, transferable expertise and a genuine commitment to BirdLife’s mission.
Some of our benefits:
- We are able to offer a hybrid model of working on-site and from home/remote for most roles, which helps to ensure a flexible work-life balance.
- A chance to work in the award-winning David Attenborough Building, which brings together much of the Cambridge-based conservation community on a ‘conservation campus.’
- A generous pension scheme, up to 12% company contribution.
- Holiday starting at 25 days excluding Bank Holidays and increasing for every year of service up to a maximum of 28 days.
- Full access to LinkedIn Learning with access to more than 13,000 high-quality, on-demand courses.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Employee Assistance Programme, including access to Health Assured online health portal.
BirdLife values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and supportive culture, a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We aim to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts all candidates and signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity. We know that everyone’s needs are different. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, let us know, we’ll do our best to make it happen.
Strategic Partnerships Manager, Institutional Funding in Cambridge employer: Birdlife International
BirdLife International is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to vital conservation efforts while working remotely. With a strong commitment to employee growth and a collaborative work culture, team members are encouraged to develop their skills through meaningful projects that make a real impact on biodiversity. The flexibility of remote work combined with the chance to engage with local partners in Côte d’Ivoire makes this role particularly rewarding for those passionate about environmental conservation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Partnerships Manager, Institutional Funding in Cambridge
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Birdlife International.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Birdlife International.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Birdlife International.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Birdlife International. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Partnerships Manager, Institutional Funding in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Birdlife International. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Strategic Partnerships Manager, Institutional Funding, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Birdlife International
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Birdlife International. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
