Philanthropy Manager

The Philanthropy Manager will manage and grow a portfolio of philanthropic and institutional funders, including foundations, bilateral and multilateral donors, and United Nations partners, contributing to the Foundation’s income objectives and the effective stewardship of grant funding relationships. The role is responsible for prospect development, grant proposal coordination, donor stewardship, and reporting oversight. The postholder will work closely with technical, finance, legal, and compliance colleagues to ensure funding relationships are well governed and that grant commitments are delivered effectively through programme teams and partners. This is a delivery focused role suited to a commercially aware grants professional who is comfortable managing a pipeline and income target within a global public interest organisation.

Principal accountabilities

• Philanthropic Strategy and Portfolio Development
  • Contribute to the development and execution of a targeted philanthropic funding strategy aligned to the Foundation’s strategic objectives and revenue architecture.
  • Identify priority foundations and institutional grant makers whose thematic interests align with adoption, implementation, capacity development and market infrastructure.
  • Develop clear investment propositions and multi-year funding cases for philanthropic partners.
  • Support development of funding scenarios and pipeline forecasting for philanthropic income.
• Prospect Identification and Pipeline Management
  • Conduct sophisticated prospect research across UK, European and global foundations.
  • Build and maintain a structured pipeline of foundation prospects, prioritised by strategic fit and probability.
  • Develop engagement strategies for each priority foundation in coordination with the Director of Stewardship and CRO.
  • Maintain accurate CRM records and pipeline reporting.
• Proposal Development and Grant Writing
  • Lead drafting of high quality, analytically rigorous grant proposals, concept notes and funding applications.
  • Translate technical programme content into clear, funder aligned narratives.
  • Develop detailed budgets, log frames and impact frameworks in collaboration with Finance and programme leads.
  • Prepare briefing materials and business cases for senior leadership engagement with foundations.
• Grant Management, Compliance and Governance
  • Coordinate the full grant lifecycle from enquiry through award, reporting and renewal.
  • Work in close collaboration with Finance to ensure accurate budgeting, financial reporting and adherence to internal controls.
  • Partner with Legal on review and negotiation of grant agreements and funding terms.
  • Liaise with Risk, Compliance and Internal Audit teams to ensure alignment with organisational policies and assurance frameworks.
  • Monitor grant milestones and deliverables in collaboration with programme leads.
  • Coordinate timely submission of narrative and financial reports, drawing on Finance and programme input.
  • Maintain accurate grant documentation and audit ready records within the CRM and internal systems.
• Stewardship and Relationship Management
  • Manage a portfolio of foundation funders, building structured, long term relationships.
  • Coordinate senior engagement moments, briefings and meetings.
  • Prepare tailored impact updates and funding reports.
  • Represent the Foundation in foundation related engagements and convenings where appropriate.
• Internal Coordination and Institutional Alignment
  • Work closely with technical teams, Finance, Legal and leadership across both Boards to ensure proposals are aligned, feasible and compliant.
  • Support trustees and senior stakeholders in foundation engagement where relevant.
  • Contribute to internal grant readiness systems and process improvement.

Experience, competencies and qualifications

Essential

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in institutional grants or foundation funding within an international organisation, foundation or NGO.
• Demonstrated experience securing and managing six and seven figure multi-year foundation grants.
• Strong grant writing experience including complex budgets and institutional reporting.
• Experience managing the full grant lifecycle including due diligence and compliance.
• Ability to translate complex technical content into compelling, evidence based funding cases.
• Experience working with senior leadership and trustees.
• Strong analytical and financial literacy.

Desirable

• Experience working within public interest institutions, policy bodies, capital markets or regulatory environments.
• Experience engaging with European and North American foundations.
• Familiarity with philanthropic reporting frameworks and impact measurement.

Competencies

• Structured and analytical thinker.
• High level written communication capability.
• Strategic judgement and institutional maturity.
• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• Organised and methodical with disciplined follow through.
• Comfortable operating in complex, international environments.

Education

• Degree level education required. Advanced degree in public policy, economics, finance, international development, law, business or related discipline desirable.
• Professional grant management or fundraising qualifications welcomed but not essential.

Application closing date: 7th August 2026

Benefits

• Rewarding work that serves the public interest.
• Engagement with diverse international experts.
• Inclusive and collaborative teams.
• Intellectually challenging projects.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Numerous areas of specialisation.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.