Senior Partnerships Officer, Foundations - London, UK

Senior Partnerships Officer, Foundations - London, UK

Full-Time 37040 - 37040 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Mercy Corps

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage partnerships with foundations to drive impactful funding and support for global initiatives.
  • Company: Join Mercy Corps, a leading global organisation dedicated to creating a better world.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic team environment with a commitment to diversity and ongoing learning.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference by connecting foundations to meaningful social impact projects.
  • Qualifications: 4+ years in fundraising or partnership development, excellent communication skills, and strategic thinking.

The predicted salary is between 37040 - 37040 £ per year.

Location: London, UK - hybrid (limited office presence)

Position Status: Full-time, open terms

Salary: starting salary £37,040 - commensurate on professional experience

Closing date: please submit cover letter and CV by August 17th

Risk Level: Level 1

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 30 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

Foundation Partnerships Team

A part of the wider Development Team, the Foundation Partnerships team manages Mercy Corps’ fundraising relationships with major European and US Foundations, working to develop strategic partnerships that support social impact at scale in our priority areas including economic and market development, food and water security, climate change, peacebuilding and emergency response.

The Position

The Senior Partnerships Officer will be responsible for the account management of the existing and growing portfolio of foundation partners within Europe. A key focus will be to provide a high standard of proactive relationship management and stewardship so that partners are motivated to continue and increase their support to Mercy Corps’ work through increased funding values and deepened partnerships.

Essential Responsibilities

  • Relationship Management/Stewardship: Lead on the account management of agreed partners within the Foundations portfolio in Europe, ensuring that each partnership is backed by a strategic plan for development.
  • Grant Management: Lead on coordination with desk teams, finance, compliance, country and programmatic teams to conduct agreement reviews, address internal/external compliance concerns, ensure timely grant reporting, track budget vs actuals and file official grant paperwork.
  • Business Development: Lead portfolio expansion efforts through strategic evaluation of most aligned, most likely funding opportunities, that align with the organisation’s strategy.
  • Representation: Act as an internal expert on the philanthropic landscape, and channel the perspective of foundation partners in developing proposals and ideas with programmatic team members.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

  • Minimum 4 years demonstrated experience in private fundraising (ideally Foundations) or proven experience in partnership development working in the international development/humanitarian sector.
  • Demonstrated experience in stewarding donors resulting in the growth of 6-7+-figure partnerships.
  • Excellent writing skills and experience of proposal and report writing for a corporate audience.
  • Excellent verbal communication skills, able to present the organisation and discuss opportunities for collaboration with a diverse range of actors.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in London and may involve occasional national and international travel, though not frequently.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work are treated with respect and dignity.

Senior Partnerships Officer, Foundations - London, UK employer: Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises collaboration and innovation in the heart of London. With a strong commitment to employee growth, team members are encouraged to dedicate time to personal development, while the hybrid work model promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Joining Mercy Corps means being part of a mission-driven organisation that values diversity and inclusivity, empowering employees to make a meaningful impact on global challenges.

Mercy Corps

Contact Details:

Mercy Corps Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Partnerships Officer, Foundations - London, UK

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 Mercy Corps.

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 Mercy Corps.

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 Mercy Corps.

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 Mercy Corps. Apply directly through us to stand out!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Partnerships Officer, Foundations - London, UK

Relationship Management
Grant Management
Business Development
Strategic Thinking
Proposal Writing
Donor Stewardship
Communication Skills

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 Mercy Corps. 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 Senior Partnerships Officer, Foundations - London, UK, 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 Mercy Corps

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 Mercy Corps. 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!