Regional Partnership and Fundraising Officer (Net Zero Carbon)

The Church of England; Rochester; Remote; GBP 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Hybrid working and TOIL

Generous holiday entitlement

Contributory pension scheme

Employee Assistance programme

Job summary

The Church of England is seeking a Regional Partnership and Fundraising Officer to drive the Net Zero Carbon programme across five dioceses. Based home-based with regular regional travel, you will build a strategic regional fundraising and partnership plan, secure funding from grant-makers and other funders, and support parishes in decarbonising buildings.

You will work with Diocesan Net Zero Leads, deliver training, monitor progress and report outcomes to inform regional and diocesan decisions.

Qualifications

• Experience securing funding from grant-making bodies, statutory organisations and/or other financing providers.
• Excellent networking and relationship-building skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to deal sensitively and diplomatically with a diverse range of people.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of a regional fundraising and partnership strategy to support decarbonisation across five dioceses.
• Build strong relationships with funders, local authorities, regional net zero partners and community energy organisations.
• Research local, regional and national funding and financing opportunities.
• Collaborate with Diocesan Net Zero Leads to prioritise funding needs.
• Deliver guidance, training and events to build fundraising capability within parishes.
• Lead high-impact grant applications benefiting multiple churches and communities.
• Monitor progress and report outcomes to inform regional decisions.

Skills

Fundraising

Partnerships

Grant writing

Stakeholder engagement

Networking

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Home based but will serve the Dioceses of Rochester, Canterbury, Guildford, Portsmouth and Chichester

Full Time – 35 Hours

Grade 6 | Salary £38,606

3 Year FTC

Are you an experienced fundraiser with a passion for tackling climate change? Do you have a talent for building partnerships and securing funding or financing to deliver meaningful change?

The Diocese of Rochester is seeking a Regional Partnership and Fundraising Officer to support the Church of England's Net Zero Carbon programme across the Dioceses of Rochester, Canterbury, Portsmouth, Chichester and Guildford. Working closely with diocesan Net Zero Leads and the Net Zero Programme Manager, you will develop and deliver a strategic approach to securing funding that enables churches, church halls and potentially other church buildings such as schools and clergy housing to reduce their carbon emissions.

This is a new, strategic role offering the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the Church of England's commitment to achieving Net Zero Carbon while working across five dioceses and a wide range of stakeholders

About The Role

You will lead the development and implementation of a regional fundraising and partnership strategy to support the decarbonisation of the church buildings across the 5 dioceses. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Building strong relationships with funders, local authorities, regional net zero partners and community energy organisations.


• Researching and identifying local, regional and national funding and financing opportunities.


• Working with diocesan Net Zero Leads to understand and prioritise funding and financing needs across the five dioceses.


• Working collaboratively with Diocesan staff teams to communicate funding opportunities to parishes.


• Delivering guidance, training and events to build fundraising capability within parishes.


• Leading high-impact grant applications that benefit multiple churches and communities.


• Participating in the national Net Zero Carbon fundraising network to share learning and best practice.


• Monitoring progress and reporting on outcomes to support regional and diocesan decision-making.

About You

We see the value that can be brought to this role from different sectors and encourage applicants from a range of backgrounds with experience in partnerships and fundraising.

We're Looking For Someone With

• Experience securing funding from grant‑making bodies, statutory organisations and/or other financing providers.


• Excellent networking and relationship‑building skills.


• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly.


• Strategic thinking and problem‑solving skills.


• Ability to deal sensitively and diplomatically with a diverse range of people.


• The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with multiple stakeholders and as part of multiple teams.


• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.


• A flexible and proactive approach to identifying and responding to funding opportunities.


• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and experience researching, analysing and reporting on information.


• An interest in environmental sustainability and climate action.


• An understanding of, and sympathy with, the ethos of the Church of England.

It Would Also Be Helpful If You

• Have knowledge of environmental, heritage or church‑related fundraising and grants and statutory funding.


• Have experience delivering training or workshops to a range of audiences.


• Are passionate about taking action to mitigate climate change.

This is a home-based role, although regular travel across the five dioceses will be required, particularly during the induction period. Occasional evening and weekend working may also be required.

What We Can Offer

• Flexible working, Hybrid working and TOIL


• Generous holiday entitlement


• Contributary pension scheme


• Access to an Employee Assistance programme and counselling service

The Diocese is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.

All appointments are subject to acceptable pre‑appointment checks.

The wider a group’s diversity, the smarter, wiser, and more compassionate and creative its decision making becomes. We are committed to achieving diversity throughout our Diocese by seeking UKME/GMH colleagues and those from a wide range of backgrounds, to help us create a culture of inclusion and belonging.

If you have any questions about the role or application process, please contact the HR department at [e-mail]

Closing date for applications: 29 November 2026

Interviews will be held on: 7 December 2026