Freelance Funding & Development Consultant (Commission-to-Retainer)

london fashion district; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

London Fashion District is seeking a Freelance Funding & Development Consultant to drive our funding engine and revenue strategy across our charity CIO and CIC structures. You will operate as an independent contractor, securing grants, CSR sponsorships, and commercial partnerships, with initial commission-based income transitioning into a fixed monthly retainer funded through successful proposals.

This role requires a proven track record of winning UK grants (£50k+) or corporate sponsorships,

Responsibilities

• Pipeline management: map out and drive a 12-month rolling funding strategy to secure long-term financial sustainability.
• Lead the writing and submission of grant applications (£20k to £100k+) to UK trusts, foundations, and institutional bodies.
• Source, pitch, and close deals with major fashion brands for CSR/ESG sponsorships and paid workshops.
• Budget your ongoing consultancy fees into each grant application and commercial tender as a fixed project cost.
• Ensure compliance with UK charity and CIC regulations and proper allocation of funds.

Job description

Freelance Funding & Development Consultant (Commission-to-Retainer)

Location: London (Hybrid / Remote)

Reporting to: Managing Director

Contract Type: Freelance / Independent Contractor (B2B)

Remuneration: Performance-Based Commission Phase (Transitioning into a fixed monthly retainer/salary funded directly through the successful grants and commercial partnerships you secure).

The Opportunity

London Fashion District is a high-impact, dual-structure social enterprise accelerating the future of sustainable fashion through textile upcycling, creative community workshops, and enterprise. We operate under a powerful tandem model: London Fashion District Workshops (our Registered Charity / CIO) and London Fashion District CIC (our Social Enterprise).

With our brand identity, web presence, and dual legal structures fully established, we are seeking an entrepreneurial Freelance Funding & Development Consultant to act as a key strategic partner to drive our funding engine and lead our revenue strategy.

This is a purely freelance, performance-driven partnership designed for an experienced corporate partnerships manager or independent bid writer. There is no upfront starting retainer. Instead, your initial income is driven by a high-percentage commission on commercial revenue. Your explicit mandate will be to use your expertise to build a permanent, competitive fixed monthly retainer or salary for yourself directly into successful grant proposals and project budgets.

If you are a skilled funding specialist who wants to take on a high-level project with an established brand and back your own ability to generate revenue, this contract offers uncapped potential.

The Dual-Structure Funding Strateg

You will independently manage and execute the funding pipelines across both entities, ensuring they complement each other seamlessly and legally

• • For the Charity (CIO): You will identify, research, and secure restricted and unrestricted funding from UK institutional funders, National Lottery streams, and arts councils, leveraging our Gift Aid status
• .• For the Social Enterprise (CIC): You will secure corporate CSR/ESG sponsorships from major retail fashion brands, monetise our LFD Reworked upcycled fashion lines, and pitch for local authority commercial contracts.

Core Responsibilitie

• • Pipeline Management: Map out and drive a 12-month rolling funding strategy to secure long-term financial sustainability for our projects and core operations
• .• High-Value Bid Writing: Lead the writing and submission of compelling grant applications (£20k to £100k+) to UK trusts, public foundations, and institutional bodies
• .• Corporate Partnerships: Source, pitch, and close deals with major fashion brands to secure corporate sponsorships, deadstock material donations, and paid corporate workshop bookings
• .• Budgeting Your Retainer: Seamlessly factor your own ongoing consultancy fees/permanent salary, alongside core operational overheads and management fees, into every grant application and commercial tender
• .• Strict Regulatory Compliance: Work within the boundaries of UK charity and CIC regulations, ensuring all incoming funds are cleanly allocated and tracked

About Yo

• • Established Freelancer: You operate as an independent contractor or sole trader and are fully comfortable with performance-linked B2B contracts
• .• Proven Bid Winner: You have a verifiable track record of writing and securing significant UK grant funding (£50k+) or closing B2B corporate sponsorships within the creative, fashion, or social sectors
• .• Execution-Focused Mindset: You excel at taking an established brand asset and doing the heavy leg work required to translate that vision into a highly fundable, structured proposition
• .• Compliance Savvy: You understand the strict legal divide between charitable grants and commercial trading income in the UK

Compensation & Contract Term

To ensure total compliance with UK charity regulations, your compensation is strictly split between commercial commissions and budgeted project fees

• :• Phase 1 (Immediate Commercial Commission): You will receive an immediate 20% commission on gross revenue from all corporate sponsorships and brand collaborations you secure, and a 10% commission on B2B retail orders for our LFD Reworked line. All commission is paid legally through the CIC
• .• Phase 2 (Fixed Retainer/Salary): In compliance with UK funder rules, institutional grants cannot pay percentages. Instead, every grant proposal you write will budget for your ongoing position as a fixed project cost at a targeted bracket of £40,000 – £45,000 pro-rata. Once a bid lands, you transition immediately to a secure, fixed contract