Senior Partnerships Coordinator

READ Foundation; Manchester; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

READ Foundation in Manchester is seeking a Senior Partnerships Coordinator to build and manage strategic relationships with partners, trusts and foundations, and to support fundraising and programme development.

You will work with the Head of Programmes and international partners, prepare concept notes and proposals, and help ensure timely reporting and donor stewardship. This is a permanent, full-time role based in Manchester.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to develop and manage strong relationships with partners including NGOs, trusts and foundations.
• Track record of delivering results in a complex organisation.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Experience in developing concept notes and proposals.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate partnerships with existing and new strategic partners; develop proposals, logframes and work plans.
• Identify funding opportunities and maintain a strong donor pipeline.
• Support reporting, documentation and meeting scheduling for partner activities.
• Collaborate with internal teams and manage partner events and communications.

Skills

Relationship building

Fundraising partnerships

Proposal development

Project coordination

Job description

Job Description & Person Specification

Salary : £36,000 - £41,000 per annum

Contract : Permanent

Hours : Full-time, 40 hours per week

Location : Manchester, M14 6AX

Reports to : Head of Programmes

Closing Date : 9th October 2026 (Interviews to be conducted on a rolling basis)

We are unable to sponsor applicants for visas for this particular post.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

About READ Foundation

READ Foundation is a UK based registered charity working to provide access to quality education to vulnerable children in our regions of work. We create opportunities for orphan and needy children to go to school, to gain an education and build a better life for themselves. We currently focus on constructing new schools, providing sponsorship for orphans and are now expanding our educational portfolio to reflect the large humanitarian and development needs ongoing throughout the world.

Purpose of Job

The Senior Partnerships Coordinator is responsible for proactively creating and fostering strong external relationships with existing and new strategic or charity partners that raises the profile of READ Foundation. The role involves liaising with both UK and internationally based organisations as well as the READ Foundation Canada and US offices and is ideal for someone with strong relationship building and management skills. The role further requires supporting the Head of Programmes in developing concept notes and proposals for submission to partners and for identifying funding opportunities with Trusts and Foundations to further generate income and drive the growth of the organisation.

Main Responsibilities

• Partnership coordination
  

  Maintain and develop high-quality working relationships with existing strategic or charity partners. Develop concept notes, proposals, logframes and work plans as per partner guidelines, often working to tight deadlines. Prepare quality narrative and financial reports for submission to partners. Provide regular updates to partners on their projects. This will include scheduling meetings, capturing notes and actions and preparing all deliverables linked to the partnerships. Collaborate with internal stakeholders to enhance the overall partner experience, keeping in line with best practices across the industry.

  
  


• Partnership development
  

  Maintain a database of potential strategic or charity partners, institutional donors, Trusts and Foundations. This will include undertaking research to identify potential partners, evaluating how well they fit with READ Foundation's vision, purpose and strategy. Identify, engage and cultivate new strategic partnerships and funding opportunities to maintain a strong pipeline of funding. Prepare presentation material, project briefs and campaign briefs for submission to existing and new partners and donors. Create and maintain a library of useful data and information to streamline the preparation of future funding proposals. Work closely with internal teams to support READ Foundation's presence at specific partner events and networking opportunities by ensuring relevant reports and documents are available and attending where relevant.

  
  


• Management and reporting
  

  Ensure efficient document management, including storing of all project information and supporting documents. Ensure accurate record-keeping (including on Salesforce) to facilitate efficient relationship management. Oversee logistical support to ensure travel safety and security processes are followed for partner field trips. Capture information on partnership activity to enable accurate reporting on income, projects and impact. Assist in the development of READ Foundation annual reports and other relevant documents (polices and manuals) required by partners and other stakeholders.

  
  

Person Specification

• Knowledge and Experience Proven ability to develop and manage strong working relationships with partners including NGO's, Trusts and Foundations etc.


• A proven track record of success in working in an organisation of complexity, to deliver high-quality results to deadlines.


• Ability to work under pressure, manage time, workload and prioritise work to deadlines.


• Demonstrable experience of applying effective problem-solving techniques including the ability to establish appropriate and effective processes and structures.


• Ambitious and self-motivated with an ab

Special Working Conditions

Work occasional flexible hours including evenings and weekends.