STRATEGIC CORPORATE LEAD in Keele

We are seeking an experienced, strategic and proactive fundraiser to join our growing team of professionals as we embark on a journey of expansion.

About Caudwell Children: Caudwell Children champions every kind of potential by truly listening, understanding and delivering personalised support that helps disabled and neurodivergent children thrive with whatever they decide to do, whether that’s following their dreams, understanding their differences, or making a new friend. They ensure that sparks of potential aren’t dulled, but are ignited. The award‑winning Caudwell International Children’s Centre is the UK’s first purpose‑built centre for multi‑disciplinary therapy for childhood disability and research of neurodevelopmental conditions including autism.

Post Outline Responsibilities: This is a pivotal senior strategic fundraising role within a growing income generation team with ambitious plans for the future, responsible for securing high‑value, transformational corporate partnerships that deliver significant long‑term income and strategic value. This is an opportunity for someone who shares our commitment to making a meaningful difference and who can truly embody our core values:

• Ambition – We dream BIG… then make it happen
• Dedication – We go the extra mile… for every child
• Inclusivity – Unique, but UNITED

The successful candidate will bring enthusiasm, professionalism and a collaborative spirit, contributing to a culture where every child, colleague, donor and stakeholder feels valued, supported and inspired to thrive.

The Strategic Corporate Lead will operate as the Charity’s senior corporate partnership specialist, leading the development and conversion of complex, high‑value opportunities with national brands, major corporates and strategically aligned organisations, delivering significant income and meaningful impact for disabled and neurodivergent children and their families. The role will focus on building executive‑level relationships, developing commercially compelling partnership propositions and identifying opportunities capable of delivering six and seven figure, multi‑year income growth. Operating with a high level of autonomy and influence, you will play a key role in shaping corporate partnership strategy, strengthening market presence and driving sustainable long‑term growth in corporate income.

Main Duties & Responsibilities: The Strategic Corporate Lead will be responsible for driving significant new corporate income growth through the development and acquisition of transformational and strategically significant corporate partnerships. The role will focus on complex partnership development, major corporate acquisition and commercially focused opportunities capable of delivering substantial long‑term income growth and wider organisational impact. You will identify, develop and convert high‑value corporate opportunities through the development of bespoke partnership propositions for senior corporate audiences. Operating with a high level of autonomy and strategic accountability, you will develop and maintain relationships with prospective corporate partners, using insight, market awareness and strategic relationship development to create opportunities for growth. You will work collaboratively across fundraising, marketing and service delivery teams to shape impactful partnership propositions, confidently represent Caudwell Children externally and help strengthen the Charity’s profile, reach and corporate income potential.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead on securing strategically transformational and significant corporate partnerships aligned to the Charity’s long‑term income ambitions.
• Proactively identify and pursue strategically aligned partnership opportunities with national, regional and high‑potential corporate organisations.
• Secure high‑value corporate support through complex and bespoke partnership propositions.
• Develop and lead a high‑value pipeline strategy focused on securing transformational partnerships and sustainable multi‑year income growth.
• Build and influence relationships with C‑suite executives, senior decision makers and strategic corporate stakeholders to secure complex partnership agreements.
• Secure transformational and multi‑year partnerships that align with the Charity’s strategic ambitions.
• Act as a senior ambassador for Caudwell Children, representing the charity at high‑level corporate meetings, sector events and strategic networking opportunities.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of the Charity’s corporate partnerships strategy and long‑term income growth plans.
• Lead the creation of commercially compelling, bespoke partnership propositions aligned to both corporate objectives and organisational priorities.
• Lead complex negotiations and partnership discussions to secure high‑value financial and strategic commitments.
• Work collaboratively with senior internal stakeholders to align partnership opportunities with organisational priorities, programmes and brand objectives.
• Use market intelligence, sector insight and competitor awareness to identify emerging opportunities and strengthen the Charity’s corporate positioning.
• Provide leadership, guidance and strategic support across the wider corporate partnerships function where appropriate.
• Secure and develop six and seven figure corporate partnerships and multi‑year strategic collaborations.

Person Specification:

Essential Criteria:

• Proven track record of securing six‑figure and multi‑year corporate partnerships or commercially significant strategic relationships.
• Experience engaging and influencing senior stakeholders, executive leaders and corporate decision makers.
• Strong experience identifying opportunities, building relationships and converting prospects into long‑term partnerships.
• Experience developing and delivering compelling pitches, proposals and presentations to senior stakeholders and decision makers.
• Excellent influencing, networking and relationship building skills with the confidence to engage at senior levels.
• Demonstrable experience developing bespoke partnership propositions and leading complex partnership negotiations.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to identify strategic market opportunities and translate them into sustainable income growth.
• Experience developing partnership pipelines, forecasting high‑value income, managing opportunities and financial reporting.
• Ability to operate strategically and independently within a high‑performance income generation environment.
• Commercially minded with the ability to identify strategic opportunities, develop relationships and create mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Strong negotiation and persuasive communication skills with the ability to secure support and drive opportunities forward.
• Highly motivated, proactive and target‑driven, with the ability to work independently and deliver results.
• Ability to represent Caudwell Children professionally, confidently and credibly in external environments.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience within corporate fundraising, strategic partnerships, sponsorship, sales, business development or commercial relationship management.
• Experience securing high five and six figure and/or multi‑year partnerships or contracts.
• Understanding of corporate social responsibility, ESG or purpose‑led partnerships.
• Experience engaging national brands or large corporate organisations.
• Knowledge of CRM databases.

This Job Description is not exhaustive. The post holder may be required to carry out any other task as deemed appropriate for the level and responsibilities of the post.

Disclosure & Barring Service Checks: The Charity is committed to safeguarding children and young people and therefore adopts a safer recruitment approach through a robust recruitment and selection process. All posts within the Charity are subject to DBS checks, in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). This role is eligible for a basic disclosure check.

Equal Opportunities: Caudwell Children is a Disability Confident employer committed to offering an interview to all applicants who meet the minimum criteria and declare they have a disability as defined in the Equality Act 2010. We are committed to creating a diverse environment and will not discriminate for any reason against any person because of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex or sexual orientation. We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background and other underrepresented groups.

Location: Hybrid working between home and Head Office in Keele, Staffordshire

Salary: £55k per annum + £3000 performance related bonus linked to clear, agreed income and programme milestones

Hours: Full‑time (37.5 hours per week)