Job Description

About the role

This new Lead role sits within the Design Council Programmes Team led by the Chief Design Officer and has responsibility for leading the development and embedding of our funding strategy. Coordinating income generation of ~2m per year including securing 250k of philanthropic (T&Fs, corporates, other sources) funding in the first year, the role also has the objective of growing overall revenue but in line with the refreshed Design Council business and funding model to ensure it remains strategically aligned and sustainable.



Reporting to the Head of Programmes with a dotted line to the Chief Operating Officer, you will be responsible for oversight of the overall revenue pipeline, working across the organisation to have full line of sight of funding opportunities and partnerships and ensure a consistent approach to how we generate revenue.



You will drive an effective stakeholder engagement plan, working closely with the Communications team to ensure campaigns and events help build and maintain a strong network of funder relationships and strengthening our profile as a charity.



The scope covers directly securing philanthropic/corporate partner funding as well as supporting wider commercial income generation and also ensuring they are all anchored in our Theory of Change and enable long term income growth.



Our core programmes of work support delivery of our Theory of Change encompassing Skills, Capability, Innovation and Research. We are looking to create and grow funding partnerships through a variety of activities including events, learning and training and world leading research, and the Fundraising and Partnerships Lead will play a critical role in developing funding relationships, securing them, both directly and also supporting the wider team.

Key Responsibilities

1. New Funding Generation and Planning

Lead the identification of new revenue opportunities across the range of Design Council propositions with the objective of growing total revenue base, in line with the Design Council funding strategy and business model Overall accountability for converting philanthropic (T&Fs, corporate sponsorship etc) opportunities into secured new partnership funding and supporting on conversion of funding partnerships for other commercial (paid project) work Working closely with Chief Design Office, Head of Programmes and in particularly the Programme Leads to ensure each area of work (Skills, Capability, Innovation and Research) has an appropriate funding plan including a roadmap for future development Support Programme Leads, Head of Communications and CDO in identifying opportunities to commercialise core propositions and other DC assets in line with our Design for Planet ethos and market-making approach Overall owner of marketing and other funding collateral to support Programme Leads in growing revenue from their respective propositions as well as new promotion of Design Council for potential new funders and other partners, and working with the Communications team to develop and maintain it

2. Partner Cultivation and Stewardship

Personally build and maintain relationships with existing partners ensuring consistent engagement and communication Identify, research, and qualify potential philanthropic and corporate funding partner prospects Develop and implement partner stewardship plans including communication approach and in person engagement, including long term relationships that can secure multi-year significant levels of funding as well as growing it over time Seek out, regularly attend and drive external events and meetings to build personal relationships and extend partner network

3. Grant and Commercial Proposal Development & Bid Writing

Support Programme Leads in researching and identifying potential grant and commercial opportunities from foundations and other private or public organisations Lead engagement with potential funders in terms of submission of new proposals for all partner-funded work and support Programme Leads to ensure consistency and coherence for our paid project work Support and sometimes lead writing compelling grant proposals and commercial bids, ensuring alignment with the organizations mission and goals. Lead or support others on tactics to ensure bids are successfully converted

4. Event Planning and Execution

Assist Senior Events Manager with organizing fundraising events and other events designed to support future revenue growth through funding partners Regularly scan the external environment for relevant external events Design Council should be attending Ensure appropriate marketing collateral is developed and maintained to support and promote Design Council events aimed at fundraising
Be a key DC representative at events, maximising the potential of income opportunities and raising the profile of the organisation and its objectives

5. Data Management and Reporting

Overall process owner for managing the pipeline of partnership opportunities across both revenue-generating prospects and non-revenue generating prospects Overall custodian of the funding pipeline including holding Programme Managers to account to ensure accurate maintenance of CRM records Working closely with COO and Head of Finance & Operations to ensure accurate and timely reporting and effective internal meetings to track status of the funding pipeline
Support Programme Managers in researching funding trends and market changes

6. Line Manager for Partnerships Programme Manager

Provide quality line management guidance and support to the Partnerships Programme Manager, ensuring clear and motivating goals and regularly and meaningful feedback Support the Partnerships Programme Manager in their learning and development, with regular reviews of their Individual Development Plan and career aspirations Be a source of learning and guidance for the wider Programmes Team in terms of fundraising and partnership development

About you

Who we're looking for

We are looking for a driven, self-motivated and hands-on individual, with a track record of securing funding from a range of sources and growing revenue in a national not-for-profit or commercial organisation.


You will be ambitious for Design Councils aspiration of reaching 8m revenue by 2031 and be able to demonstrate commercial acumen and experience of developing revenue generation strategies and converting opportunities into secured income.


You will also know that fundraising is challenging and competitive, so you will be resilient and experienced in building the relationships that can secures six-figure+ multi-year income. Therefore you need to be brilliant at building external networks, joining the dots and seeing opportunities to connect people and ideas for the benefit of organisational strategy.


You must also be excellent at building and nurturing relationships, with a wide range of external stakeholders, and also effectively collaborate internally across the organisation.


You are a natural salesperson, able to identify opportunities and have compelling conversations that lead to partnerships and revenue.


This is a growing role with lots of moving parts, so were looking for a someone who is flexible and adaptable, who proactively identifies challenges and opportunities.


You are passionate about our Design for Planet and Green Design Skills missions and demonstrate an ability to think strategically as well as commercially and work collaboratively.

Role Requirements

Skills & Experience:

At least 5 years experience fundraising / revenue generation in a commercial or not-for-profit sector organisation Experience working with high-net-worth individuals or foundations Ability to create fundraising strategies and help execute them Grant / bid writing experience for both grants and commercial tenders Ideally have an existing network of potential funders / partners, and confident in use of events and marketing to drive interest and engagement Experience of funding agreements and commercial contracts Have line management experience and a passion for developing people Ideally have experience of government funding and other public bodies

You will also be:

A confident and excellent communicator A natural in external engagements and new environments and with new people Willing and able to attend regular external events (London and elsewhere in the UK) Empathetic, pragmatic and adaptable, with a solutions-mindset Proactive, hands on and willing to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in Cognisant of the importance of accurate data, effective processes and knowledge of working with CRMs Confident working at different levels within an organisation Willing and able to take a risk-based approach to making decisions Curious and open to new ideas and ways of working A team player and natural collaborator but also comfortable working on your own Resilient and comfortable with navigating through change Aware of some of the rewards and challenges of working in the not-for-profit sector * Passionate about Design for Planet and the power of design