Director of Business Development

Manchester United; Stretford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Scheme

25 days annual leave

Wellness Support

Exclusive Discounts

Gym facilities

Enhanced family leave benefits

Enhanced career development

Supportive work environment

Job summary

Manchester United Foundation is seeking a Director of Business Development to join the Executive Leadership Team, focusing on diversifying income streams and supporting fundraising delivery. The postholder will develop a new strategy and capitalise on funding opportunities to deliver this plan.

You will lead with strategic insight, build partnerships, and work to secure statutory funding, contracts, and philanthropy to ensure sustainable growth for the Foundation.

Qualifications

• Proven senior-level experience in a charity, foundation, or mission-driven organisation.
• Strong track record in strategy development, growth, and impact delivery.
• Demonstrated success in stakeholder management, partnerships, and fundraising.
• Strong financial acumen including budget development and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of a new MUF Strategy through data and local needs analysis.
• Investigate new areas of work to shape sustainable Foundation programs.
• Drive income diversification including statutory funding, NHS/local authority contracts, and philanthropy.
• Oversee bid management, high-value funding applications, tenders, and proposals.
• Build and manage lucrative partnerships and stakeholder networks.
• Provide market insight and horizon-scanning for opportunities.
• Support fundraising activity and identify new fundraising opportunities.
• Develop philanthropic opportunities to support fundraising goals.
• Collaborate on a comprehensive business partner development program.

Skills

Strategic development

Stakeholder management

Fundraising

Financial acumen

Partnership development

Sport sector experience

Job description

The Role:

The Director of Business Development will join the Executive Leadership Team (EMT) at Manchester United Foundation with a core focus on modernising and diversifying income streams that the charity accesses, whilst supporting the effective existing team in charity fundraising development and delivery. The postholder will support with the development of a new strategy and capitalise on its focuses to identify and access funding streams to deliver the objectives set in this new plan.

Key Responsibilities:

Core Responsibilities

• Support the Development of new MUF Strategy: Using local data and understanding local need and opportunity, support the development of the new Manchester United Foundation Strategy.
• Investigate new areas of work: Following a data and local needs analysis review and development of new strategy, the postholder will use this information to shape and develop new areas of work for the Foundation, to allow for a more strategic and sustainable approach for the charity.
• Income Diversification: Moving the charity beyond traditional fundraising by securing statutory funding, NHS or local authority contracts, and charity funding opportunities, linked to charity strategy and local need.
• Bid Management & Procurement: Overseeing the development of high-value funding applications, tenders, and proposals.
• Relationship Building: Acting as an ambassador to negotiate, cultivate, and manage lucrative partnerships and stakeholder networks.
• Market Insight: Horizon-scanning for emerging trends, competitive landscapes, and commercial opportunities
• Charity Fundraising: Support the existing team with developing and delivering fundraising activity throughout the year, whilst looking for new ways to increase fundraising opportunities.
• Philanthropy Development: Identify and develop philanthropic opportunities to support raising funds for the Foundation.
• Business Partner Development: Working alongside current team develop a well-rounded business partner scheme.

The Person:

Essential Experience

• Proven experience operating at a senior level in a charity, foundation, or complex mission-driven organisation.
• Strong track record of strategic development, organisational or project growth, and impact delivery.
• Demonstrable success in stakeholder management, partnership development, and fundraising.
• Strong financial acumen, including budget development and risk management.
• Experience within sport, football, youth development, education, health, or community sectors.

Desirable Experience

• Understanding of the Premier League / Football Charity / Elite football ecosystem and its social impact potential.
• Experience managing large, complex funding portfolios.

Skills & Attributes

• Outgoing, inspirational individual with strong core values that partners and stakeholders will resonate with
• Strategic thinker with the ability to execute at pace.
• Outstanding communication and influencing skills.
• Strong commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and safeguarding.
• Resilient, credible, and values-led.

Values & Commitment

• Passion for social impact and belief in the power of football to change lives.
• Commitment to safeguarding children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• Alignment with the ethical standards and values expected of Manchester United Foundation, including:

Integrity –

acting with honesty and transparency.

Inclusion –

promoting equality and diversity in all programmes.

Excellence –

striving for the highest standards in delivery and governance.

Impact –

ensuring meaningful, measurable outcomes for communities.

Our Values:

• Unite: Recognise the power of football across the world.
• Nurture: Growing the potential of every young person.
• Invest: Sustained financial investment aligning to our charitable objectives.
• Together: Working as a team with our stakeholders.
• Excellence: Delivering programmes to the highest standard.
• Diversity: What makes us different, makes us stronger.

What We Offer:

• Annual Incentive Scheme to reward your dedication and hard work
• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) and an opportunity to purchase additional holiday days
• Wellness Support with access to mental health resources, digital health checks, and & nutritionists through Aviva Digicare+ Workplace
• Exclusive Discounts through our United Rewards platform, giving you access to exclusive deals from the club and partners
• Gym Facilities in our onsite locations and opportunities for regular social events and team-building activities
• Enhanced family Leave Benefits and policies
• Enhanced Career Development with access to professional learning platforms like LinkedIn Learning, and internal training programs
• A Supportive Work Environment that values diversity, equity and inclusion, and individual growth

Our Commitment to You:

We believe that a diverse and inclusive environment makes us stronger. We are committed to building a team where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. Diversity, equity, and inclusion sit at the core of our recruitment strategy, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.