Relationship Manager - Philanthropy & Business Partnerships in Milton Keynes

Willen Hospice is seeking an exceptional Relationship Manager to lead our high‑value philanthropy and business partnership programmes. This is an exciting opportunity to shape strategy, inspire a talented team, and build meaningful partnerships that make a real difference to patients, families, and our community.

What you’ll do:

• Grow and lead high‑value income streams: Develop and deliver ambitious strategies for major donor and business partnerships, driving sustainable growth and long‑term value.
• Build and steward strategic relationships: Engage senior leaders, philanthropists, boards, and corporate partners with confidence, credibility, and gravitas.
• Inspire and develop a team: Provide strong values‑driven leadership, fostering high performance through coaching, development, and clear accountability.
• Create innovative partnership and engagement programmes: Co‑design creative corporate propositions, high‑value donor journeys, and multi‑channel engagement activities.
• Use insight, data and intelligence to drive decisions: Analyse trends, monitor KPIs, manage budgets, and apply insight to shape strategy and spot opportunities.
• Champion a supporter‑first culture: Work collaboratively across Fundraising, Marketing, Supporter Care and wider teams to deliver seamless, meaningful supporter experiences.

We’re looking for someone who is:

• A confident relationship builder, able to communicate with influence, tact, warmth and professionalism at senior levels.
• Experienced in high‑value fundraising or business development, with at least three years’ experience growing accounts or securing significant support.
• Strategic and analytical, able to interpret insight, assess ROI, forecast pipelines and adjust plans based on evidence.
• A motivating and supportive leader, skilled at coaching, developing and inspiring teams.
• Collaborative and creative, with a track record of designing compelling propositions.
• Highly organised, able to plan workloads, manage competing priorities, and deliver against ambitious KPIs.
• Values‑driven, demonstrating integrity, empathy, professionalism and alignment with Willen Hospice’s mission.

With experience with:

• Major donor cultivation, stewardship and proposal development
• Corporate partnerships, employee engagement and sponsorship negotiation
• CRM systems, data analysis and reporting
• Working with senior stakeholders, boards, executives and trustees
• Managing budgets, monitoring KPIs and making evidence‑based decisions

Who we are: Set in the tranquil grounds of Willen Lake, Willen Hospice is the leading provider of specialist palliative care in the Milton Keynes area. We offer round-the-clock, expert care to local patients with a life-limiting illness, both in their own homes and in our In-Patient Unit. Our passionate staff and volunteers make sure our care is personalised to each patient’s needs and supports their loved ones too. We have a thriving Therapeutic & Wellbeing service providing counselling, physiotherapy, activity groups and more, and a specialist Lymphoedema service. As a registered charity, we raise vital funds through our dedicated Business Development team and our growing portfolio of high street and online shops, to ensure our care stays free of charge.

Why join us?

• A role with purpose – be part of a team delivering outstanding palliative care.
• Supportive and caring environment – work with passionate colleagues.
• Great benefits package – including 35 days' holiday, contributory pension scheme, enhanced maternity/sick pay, and ongoing professional development.
• Perks and extras – free on-site parking, subsidised catering, Blue Light Card discounts (with membership), and an Employee Assistance Programme.