Corporate and Local Partnerships Manager

Do you have a passion for building strong partnerships and uncovering new opportunities? Do you want to play a key role in a new ambitious fundraising and volunteering campaign?

We are now in the planning stages of our next campaign. Inspired by our founder, Joseph Chamberlain, it will aim to change lives locally and globally. It will be unique and ambitious and will place Birmingham as one of the leading fundraising and volunteering universities in the world.

Our University has a proud history of philanthropy stretching back to its foundation in 1900. With a clear vision to change the lives of the people of Birmingham, Joseph Chamberlain raised the funds required to build the University from citizens and corporations based locally and around the globe. Since then philanthropy has continued to play an important role in shaping the University. There have been a number of fundraising campaigns, which have raised money for buildings, students, and research. In 2015 we closed the Circles of Influence Campaign, which raised £193 million, making it the largest HE fundraising campaign outside Oxbridge and London.

The Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) exists to support this academic and student community by engaging, inspiring, and celebrating alumni, individuals, and charitable funders who give their money, time, and networks to support the University’s strategic priorities. The Office, which is comprised of 60 staff across five teams, is focused on securing charitable donations and gifts of time from alumni, individuals, and organisations who are passionate about changing lives, through funding various research trials, supporting student bursaries, mentoring students, and providing internships.

The Corporate and Local Partnerships Manager role is your opportunity to join our excellent team at an exciting time. You will have experience of managing strategic corporate relationships and you will be passionate about progressing your career and understanding the impact the University’s teaching and research has on the world. You will be responsible for the relationship management of a portfolio of existing corporate partners with a specific focus on the local area. Working with local organisations and seeking out networking opportunities, you will gain knowledge and understanding of the giving preferences of local corporations and partners, and work to help the University to develop a philanthropic offer that meets their interests. You will identify opportunities to partner with other local charities that are aligned to the key areas of focus for our upcoming fundraising and volunteering campaign.

All activities will be delivered in close collaboration with DARO colleagues as well as other parts of the University. You will have the opportunity to work with our senior team on major proposals enabling you to get experience of working with some of the most successful and experienced fundraisers in the UK Higher Education sector. A successful Corporate and Local Partnerships Manager will be vital in raising the philanthropic reputation of the University in the local area.