Interim Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships (15-month FTC, maternity cover)

Disasters Emergency Committee; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A humanitarian aid organization in the UK is looking for a Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships to lead high-value fundraising efforts across corporates, trusts, and major donors. The ideal candidate will have significant expertise in corporate fundraising, excellent account management skills, and experience in strategic planning. This hybrid role involves essential office attendance during appeals and offers generous employee benefits, including 25 days annual leave and an 8% employer pension contribution.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

8% employer pension contribution

HealthCare Cash Plan

Gym Pass access

Life insurance of 3 x annual salary

Enhanced sick pay

Qualifications

• Significant corporate fundraising expertise.
• Experience managing staff (minimum two people).
• Ability to inspire confidence with partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-value fundraising across corporates, trusts, and major donors.
• Deliver high-value income during national emergencies.
• Oversee stewardship and account management of DEC’s partners.

Skills

Corporate fundraising expertise

Account management

Leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Job description

Overview

Lead high-value fundraising at the heart of the UK s emergency response. An excellent step-up for a corporate fundraising specialist ready to broaden their remit, as well as a compelling challenge for an experienced high-value leader.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) brings together 15 of the UK s leading aid agencies to raise funds quickly and effectively when humanitarian crises strike overseas. DEC s appeals are nationally recognised moments, uniting the public, government, and partners to generate extraordinary support.

This maternity cover offers a unique chance to combine the immediacy of appeal fundraising with the influence of long-term strategic leadership. You ll guide high-value income across corporate partners, trusts, and major donors, while also shaping the future of DEC s Philanthropy & Partnerships function through a mid-strategy review and a set of ambitious live projects.

This role blends urgency and delivery with breadth, oversight, and strategic impact an excellent step-up for a corporate fundraising specialist ready to broaden their remit, as well as a compelling challenge for an experienced high-value leader.

Interviews will occur on a rolling basis, so please apply ASAP!

As Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships, you will

• Lead high-value fundraising across corporates, trusts, and major donors, ensuring income is maximised whether or not an appeal is live
• During appeals (typically one or two per year), deliver high-value income during national emergencies
• Oversee stewardship and account management of DEC s partners, supporting managers to deliver exceptional relationships.
• Drive key strategic projects, including:
  • Refreshing the Rapid Response Network framework and offers
  • Embedding a core costs ask across corporates and trusts
  • Developing an emergency fund outside appeals to allow funders to plan contributions
  • Contributing to a major donor review and overseeing investment in trusts & foundations
  • Introducing wealth screening and segmentation for the first time
• Lead the mid-term review of DEC s five-year strategy, assessing pipeline, budget deployment, and future investment priorities
• Provide oversight, stability, and external perspective to a strong, long-standing team

About you

We re looking for a dynamic, hands-on fundraising leader who can balance delivery with strategy and thrive in both steady-state and high-pressure contexts.

The role would best suit someone with

• Significant corporate fundraising expertise, with a strong track record in account management of complex, high-value partnerships
• Experience managing staff (minimum two people)
• Adaptable, proactive, and confident leading income delivery during fast-moving appeals
• Clear passion for DEC s humanitarian mission and ability to inspire confidence with partners
• Trusts & foundations or major donor experience is desirable

Hybrid Working and Employee Benefits

Hybrid Working: Office location: 17-21 Wenlock Road, London, N1 7GT

DEC have 2 compulsory office days per month and 2 discretionary office days per month. These are diarised in advance, except for August, which is kept free from compulsory office attendance.

In the event of an appeal typically one or two per year DEC have a compulsory 2-week office attendance. Additional worked hours are paid as TOIL. For further information or if you have any questions, please discuss with Joe.

Employee benefits include

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• 8% employer pension contribution (post probation)
• HealthCare Cash Plan, with access to an Employee Assistance Programme
• Gym Pass. discounted access to various health club providers
• Discounts schemes via Reward Gateway and BHSN Extras
• Life isurance of 3 x annual salary
• Enhanced sick pay (post probation)