At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic corporate partnerships to drive meaningful impact for nature and climate.
- Company: Join WWF-UK, a global conservation charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26+ days of annual leave, flexible working, and a generous pension contribution.
- Other info: Work in a beautiful office surrounded by nature with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape impactful partnerships and contribute to a sustainable future.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading complex partnerships and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 57986 - 57986 £ per year.
Location: Living Planet Centre, Woking, Surrey
Contract: Permanent, full time (35 hours)
Hybrid working: Minimum 40% in person collaboration per month
Salary: £57,986 + excellent benefits
Safeguarding level: Level 2
About the role
We're excited to be recruiting for a Head of Managed Partnerships to lead a portfolio of some of WWF-UK's most significant and strategic corporate partnerships, helping to drive meaningful impact for nature, climate and people. Partnerships play a vital role in delivering WWF's mission. They help us influence business action, engage new audiences, raise essential income and create lasting environmental impact. Through strong and ambitious partnerships, WWF-UK works with organisations to tackle some of the most pressing environmental challenges facing our world.
As Head of Managed Partnerships, you will lead a high-performing team responsible for developing, delivering and growing a portfolio of long-term strategic partnerships. Working closely with major partners and colleagues across WWF-UK and the wider WWF Network, you will help ensure partnerships deliver ambitious outcomes across income, advocacy, public engagement and impact. This is a senior leadership role within the Partnerships Management Unit and the wider Fundraising team. Alongside leading and developing a talented team, you will play a key role in shaping partnership strategy, driving growth across our existing portfolio and ensuring WWF-UK continues to build strong, influential and impactful relationships with the business community.
We're looking for an experienced partnership leader who combines strategic thinking with excellent relationship-building skills, strong commercial awareness and a passion for creating partnerships that deliver meaningful and lasting change.
Skills and experience
- Essential
- Significant experience leading and growing complex strategic partnerships within a large organisation, charity, NGO or corporate environment
- Proven track record of developing partnership strategies and plans that deliver measurable income, engagement, influence or impact outcomes
- Extensive experience managing and growing corporate partnerships across areas such as fundraising, employee engagement, consumer engagement, advocacy or sustainability
- Strong leadership experience, including building, managing and developing high-performing teams
- Experience coaching and supporting senior managers and partnership professionals to deliver strong results
- Exceptional relationship‑building skills, with the ability to establish credibility and influence at senior and executive levels
- Experience leading complex negotiations and managing high‑value partnership agreements
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, including budget management, forecasting and strategic planning
- Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to work collaboratively across multiple teams and disciplines to deliver shared objectives
- Strong strategic thinking and decision‑making skills, with the ability to balance long‑term partnership growth with day‑to‑day delivery
- Ability to represent an organisation confidently and credibly with senior external stakeholders
- Strong understanding of sustainability, environmental or social impact issues and the role partnerships can play in driving change
- Commitment to WWF's mission and values
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
- Desirable
- Experience working within an international organisation, charity or NGO
- Experience working with sustainability, climate, nature or environmental agendas
- Experience operating within complex matrix organisations and international networks
- Understanding of business advocacy, public engagement or campaigning within a partnership context
- Experience contributing to organisational strategy and senior leadership team decision‑making
- Knowledge of engaging with financial sector and professional services
What we offer
- Annual leave starting at 26 days a year, rising one day each year to 31 days plus bank holidays
- Flexible working options, to support your work life balance
- 7.5% employer contribution to pension, rising to 10% with employee contribution
- Learning and development opportunities to help you grow
- Regular wellbeing initiatives to support your health and happiness
This is a UK based contract, and you are required to have the Right to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer sponsorship and any offer of employment will be subject to evidence of your Right to Work in the UK. This role is hybrid with a minimum 40% of your contracted hours spent at our beautiful UK head office, the Living Planet Centre in Woking, Surrey, where you’ll hot desk among trees and gardens.
About WWF-UK
We’re a global conservation charity with millions of supporters and hundreds of projects around the world. At WWF-UK, we’re bringing our world back to life. Protecting what’s left isn’t enough. We’re racing to restore nature and prevent catastrophic climate change. And it’s a race we can win with everyone’s help. We’re courageous, passionate, and driven by science. For more than 60 years we’ve been at the forefront of global efforts to protect wildlife and the natural world. We work with integrity, collaboration and deep respect for those we partner with.
How to apply
Click the link to apply via our website. You’ll be asked to complete an application form and upload your CV and a supporting statement that tells us why you’ll be a great addition to WWF-UK.
Our Diversity Promise to You
At the heart of our mission is a simple truth: the planet needs everyone. That means you - in all your uniqueness, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or how you choose to express yourself. We don’t do stereotypes. We work together with purpose, driven by passion and enhanced by respect, courage, and integrity. We pull together from all walks of life to fight for a better future, and we want you to feel supported every step of the way. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident employer and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and identities. So, if there’s anything we can do to make your application or interview experience more comfortable or accessible, just give our Talent Acquisition Team a shout at recruitment@wwf.org.uk
Safeguarding Commitment
Just as we celebrate diversity in all its forms, we are equally dedicated to creating a safe environment for every person we work with or encounter. Our commitment extends to children, adults at risk, and individuals experiencing any form of vulnerability, whether temporary or permanent. We proudly stand behind CAPSEAH (Common Approach to Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment) and put this commitment into action through clear policies, thorough training, and recruitment checks tailored to each role, which may include external vetting. If you ever have a concern, however big or small, know that there are confidential channels ready to support you at WWF‑UK. We promise to respond promptly and with care, because protecting every individual is at the heart of everything we do.
Head of Managed Partnerships in Woking employer: WWF-UK
WWF-UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at the Living Planet Centre in Woking, where employees can thrive in a culture of collaboration and innovation. With generous benefits including 26 days of annual leave, flexible working options, and a strong commitment to employee development, WWF-UK empowers its team to make a meaningful impact on global environmental challenges while fostering personal growth and well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Managed Partnerships in Woking
✨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 WWF-UK.
✨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 WWF-UK.
✨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 WWF-UK.
✨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 WWF-UK. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Managed Partnerships in Woking
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 WWF-UK. 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 Head of Managed Partnerships, 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 WWF-UK
✨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 WWF-UK. 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!
