Strategic Partnerships Assistant Manager

Chester Zoo; Chester; Hybrid; GBP 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading wildlife charity in Chester is seeking a Strategic Partnerships Assistant Manager to manage high-value relationships and drive impactful partnerships. The ideal candidate will have experience in corporate fundraising or business development and possess strong relationship-building skills. This permanent role offers competitive salary, flexible working, and a unique working environment at one of the UK's most popular attractions. The role includes nurturing partnerships, developing sponsorship propositions, and collaborating on funding opportunities.

Benefits

33 days annual leave plus options to buy/sell days

Staff pass for zoo visits

Cycle to work scheme

Healthcare plan

Discounted gym membership

Pension scheme with employer contributions

Qualifications

• Proven experience in corporate fundraising or business development.
• Strong understanding of corporate giving and ESG principles.
• Excellent relationship-building skills with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Build and nurture long-term relationships with corporate partners.
• Develop innovative sponsorship and fundraising propositions.
• Manage a portfolio of high-value partnerships and identify new opportunities.

Skills

Relationship management

Corporate fundraising

Business development

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Creative mindset

CRM systems proficiency

Job description

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Strategic Partnerships Assistant Manager

We are Chester Zoo

We're not just an amazing, award‑winning visitor attraction that's home to 30,000 incredible animals inside 128 acres of stunning gardens. We're not just the UK's most popular zoo. We're a major wildlife charity that's committed to the recovery of endangered species, globally. And, as the world faces an extinction crisis, we're making a hugely significant contribution to conservation at a time when it's needed most. We are Chester Zoo and we prevent extinction.

The Role

Are you ready to shape the future of strategic partnerships at Chester Zoo? We're seeking an ambitious Strategic Partnerships Assistant Manager to grow and manage high‑value relationships that align with Chester Zoo's mission. If you're passionate about creating impactful partnerships, developing innovative sponsorship propositions, and driving meaningful change, this role is your opportunity to make a difference while connecting with forward‑thinking and impact‑driven businesses. Reporting to the Senior Strategic Partnerships & Development Manager, you will have a background in relationship management, corporate fundraising or business development with a proven track record of managing high‑value partnerships, the vision and creativity to identify opportunities and craft compelling propositions, a passion for delivering impact and the relationship building skills to engage with stakeholders at a high level. You'll lead and grow a portfolio of key corporate partnerships, ensuring high levels of stewardship, engagement and retention, managing partnerships from initiation, contracting through to renewal.

We're looking for someone who can:

• Build and nurture long term meaningful relationships with corporate partners, aligning their support with Chester Zoo's mission.
• Develop innovative sponsorship and fundraising propositions that excite partners and create long‑term value.
• Confidently manage a portfolio of high‑value partnerships while proactively identifying and securing new opportunities.
• Collaborate across teams to identify funding opportunities, create engaging events, corporate volunteering opportunities, and impactful stewardship programmes.

What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?

Well, where do we start? Here goes… We're a huge team of conservationists, scientists, educators, animal welfare experts, marketeers, visitor experience professionals, environmental policy influencers; the list goes on. Each and every one of us is on a mission to make Chester Zoo the best in the world, and our planet a better place. As the UK's biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there's always lots going on here. We're an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of over 600 permanent and 500 temporary team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development. We have ambitious goals, and we want you to be with us for the long term on our exciting journey. Our working environment could not be more different from a typical office – where else can you see critically endangered orangutans from your office window, or stroll among rare giraffes and tigers on your lunch break?

The Package

• Contract Type – Permanent
• Working Hours – 40 hours
• Salary – £35,497 per annum
• Flex working from home – 2 days a week
• 33 days annual leave plus the option to buy or sell up to 5 days
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family
• Cycle to work scheme
• Healthcare plan and employee assistance programme
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions up to 9%

Our Requirements

• Proven experience in corporate fundraising or business development, with a track record of securing and managing high‑value relationships and working to targets.
• Strong understanding of corporate giving and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) principles.
• Excellent relationship‑building and communication skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Highly organised, with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to balance competing priorities.
• A creative and solutions‑focused mindset, capable of developing and pitching innovative partnership and sponsorship propositions.
• Proficiency in using CRM systems and databases to manage donor relationships effectively.

Although not essential, the following would be desirable:

• Experience delivering corporate volunteering programmes or similar initiatives.
• Familiarity with the conservation or charity sector.
• Previous experience coordinating or delivering professional events.

We reserve the right to close our vacancies earlier than the listed date if we have received a high level of applications. We recommend that if you do wish to be considered that you submit your application as promptly as possible as shortlisting and interviews may be taking place whilst the advert is live.