Trusts Manager

We are looking for a Trusts Manager to join our High Value Relationships team and help secure transformational funding for our work with disabled people with complex needs. This is a hybrid role, working 2-3 days in our London office.

Working closely with the Head of High Value Relationships and colleagues across Sense, you will contribute to the development and delivery of our high value fundraising strategy. You will manage a varied portfolio of trust and foundation funders, from early-stage research through to proposal submission, stewardship and reporting.

This role is ideal for an experienced trusts fundraiser who enjoys building relationships, writing compelling proposals, and working collaboratively to bring impactful projects to life.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and manage a strong pipeline of trust and foundation prospects to meet income targets.
• Research and identify new funding opportunities aligned to Sense’s priorities and unfunded projects.
• Lead the development and submission of high-quality funding applications, including six-figure-plus proposals.
• Build and maintain relationships with Trustees and key funder contacts.
• Lead or support the management of grants, ensuring compliance, quality assurance and timely reporting.
• Act as the primary point of contact for a portfolio of key funders.
• Monitor and report on progress against personal income targets and budgets.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Fundraising, Marketing and operational teams to develop strong funding propositions.

About you

You will bring:

• Proven experience generating income and meeting targets in a high value fundraising role.
• Direct experience of developing and submitting six-figure-plus trust and foundation proposals.
• Experience managing a trusts and foundations pipeline and identifying new funding opportunities.
• Strong relationship-building skills, including engaging senior leaders and supporters.
• Experience creating compelling stewardship plans and managing funder relationships.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to write persuasive, impactful proposals and reports.
• Strong numerical skills, including budgeting and financial reporting.
• Experience working in disability, health, education or social care charities.
• Experience using a CRM system.
• Knowledge of trust and foundation funding trends.

About Sense

We believe that every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life. Sense is proud to be a disability confident leader.

Working at Sense can be incredibly rewarding; we offer the opportunity to work in a large, diverse and successful charity where people can develop their skills, knowledge and careers in a supportive and flexible environment. In addition, we have excellent training and development, the opportunity for you to join our Group Personal Pension scheme and a generous annual leave entitlement.

If you share these values and want to lead a function that helps a truly meaningful organisation deliver more impact, we’d love to hear from you.

To apply

Please use the link below to complete your application. Managers will use your application to shortlist candidates for interview, in relation to the Personal Specification. Therefore, it is very important you complete this section thoroughly. We would recommend that you read the job description and person specification before applying.

Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close posts at any time.

No agency submissions please: any submissions without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own and as such no fee will be payable.

• If you require any further assistance, please contact the Recruitment Team on 0121 415 6735 or recruitment@sense.org.uk
• Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role.
• For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented Global Majority backgrounds and candidates with disabilities. Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone\\\’s contribution is valued and we ensure they\\\’re given the opportunity to realise their potential. We welcome applications from talented people from all sections of the community who share our values and belief that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. For more information please visit: https://www.sense.org.uk/jobs/equality-diversity-and-inclusion-in-recruitment/

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