Head of Foundation

Prospectus | B Corp; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Dr. Martens Foundation is seeking a Head of Foundation to lead its strategy, oversee grant-making and programmes, and strengthen relationships with partners and Trustees. This role sits at the intersection of philanthropy and the Dr.

Martens business, requiring strategic judgment, external influence and a collaborative, hands-on leadership style. You will work with Trustees and senior leaders to prioritise funding, drive social impact, and advocate for the Foundation’s mission within communities

Qualifications

• Strong experience of grant-making, funding or social impact, with a practical understanding of how funding decisions are made and how strong partner relationships are built.
• Strategic judgement and leadership, turning ambition into clear priorities, thoughtful decisions and effective delivery.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to articulate ideas clearly and engage a wide range of audiences.
• Strong stakeholder leadership and commercial confidence, able to build high-level partnerships and influence senior leaders, Trustees and partners.
• Strong alignment with the Foundation’s values and mission, understanding the communities and causes it supports.
• Collaborative, hands-on leadership style; lead and develop a small team with energy, curiosity and entrepreneurial thinking.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Foundation’s strategy with its Trustees and oversee grant-making and programmes.
• Deepen relationships with funded partners and ensure resources create meaningful impact.
• Act as an ambassador for the Foundation and engage with Trustees, communities and partners.
• Build trusted relationships with Trustees and senior leaders across the organisation.

Skills

Grant-making

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Influence senior leaders

Values alignment

Collaborative leadership

Job description

UK based, with 2–3 days a week in the London office

Backing the right to be yourself

Dr. Martens has always stood for more than footwear. For generations, Docs have been worn by people expressing who they are, challenging convention and finding community.

The Dr. Martens Foundation builds on that spirit.

Through grant-making, partnerships and community engagement, the Foundation supports organisations creating opportunities for people to overcome barriers, participate fully and be themselves. With a refreshed mission and strong foundations in place, it is now looking for a new Head of Foundation to lead its next chapter.

This is a distinctive leadership opportunity, bringing together grant-making, social impact, strategic leadership and external influence within the context of one of the world’s most recognisable brands.

You will lead the Foundation’s strategy with its Trustees, oversee its grant-making and programmes, deepen relationships with funded partners and help ensure its resources are directed where they can create meaningful and lasting impact.

You will also work at an important intersection between an independent charitable Foundation and the wider Dr. Martens business, building trusted relationships with Trustees, communities and partners while engaging confidently with senior leaders and employees across the organisation.

Externally, you will be an articulate and credible ambassador for the Foundation: someone who can listen, connect, influence and bring people around its mission.

We are looking for someone who brings:

• Strong experience of grant-making, funding or social impact, with a practical understanding of how funding decisions are made and how strong partner relationships are built.
• Strategic judgement and leadership, with the ability to turn ambition into clear priorities, thoughtful decisions and effective delivery.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to articulate ideas clearly and engage a wide range of audiences.
• Strong stakeholder leadership and commercial confidence, with the ability to build high-level partnerships and influence senior corporate leaders, Trustees, community partners and other key stakeholders.
• Strong alignment with the Foundation’s values and mission, alongside a clear understanding of the communities and causes it exists to support.
• A collaborative, hands-on leadership style, with the ability to lead and develop a small team and bring energy, curiosity and entrepreneurial thinking to the role.

Your experience might have been built within a foundation or funder, charity or social justice organisation, strategic partnerships, a purpose-led business or another social impact environment.

What matters is that you bring credible experience of funding and social impact, alongside the judgement, communication skills and leadership potential to take responsibility for the Foundation as a whole.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the next phase of an ambitious Foundation and use the reach, relationships and cultural relevance of Dr. Martens to create meaningful social impact.