Chief Partnerships & Philanthropy Officer

Focus Ireland; Ballycarroll; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Focus Ireland is seeking a Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy to lead major gifts, corporate partnerships, trusts, and legacy giving from its Dublin headquarters. Hybrid work at Focus Ireland, 9-12 High Street, Dublin 8, with a strong focus on building long‑term donor relationships nationwide.

You will manage a 12‑person fundraising team, oversee a €7M annual target for 2027, and drive a €40M five‑year capacity‑building initiative.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in the nonprofit sector.
• Proven high‑value donor acquisition and retention experience.
• Experience leading high‑performance teams.
• Strong strategic planning and data‑led donor development.
• Ability to work flexible hours.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic vision and delivery of Corporate Partnerships, Major Donors, Legacy Giving, and Trusts Foundations, with accountability for generating over €7 million in 2027 and driving sustained year‑on‑year growth.
• Manage budgets, KPIs, and performance across all philanthropic income streams, ensuring disciplined planning, forecasting, and reporting.
• Lead a high‑performing team of 12 fundraisers, empowering them to deliver exceptional donor experiences, build strong pipelines, and secure transformational gifts.
• Play a senior leadership role across the Fundraising Department, contributing to organisation‑wide campaigns such as Shine A Light and Sponsor A Star, while cultivating long‑term partnerships that advance Focus Ireland’s mission.
• Lead and deliver Focus Ireland’s second Major Gift Campaign, an ambitious €40M, five‑year capacity‑building initiative designed to strengthen every area of Partnership Philanthropy.
• Embed a best‑practice Major Gift culture across the team, ensuring consistent Moves Management, high‑quality stewardship, and disciplined pipeline development.
• Drive donor acquisition, development, and engagement strategies that deliver annual income targets and build a multi‑year philanthropic pipeline.
• Collaborate with the Director of Fundraising and Marketing and the CEO, providing strategic updates, risk assessments, and campaign performance insights.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Services, Advocacy, Finance, and other departments to develop compelling propositions and unique partnership opportunities.
• Track, analyse, and interpret performance data to inform decision‑making, adjust plans, and identify new opportunities.

Skills

Nonprofit fundraising

Donor development

Team leadership

Strategic planning

Analytical skills

Budget management

Job description

Focus Ireland is seeking a Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy to lead major gifts, corporate partnerships, trusts, and legacy giving from its Dublin headquarters. Hybrid work at Focus Ireland, 9-12 High Street, Dublin 8, with a strong focus on building long‑term donor relationships nationwide.

You will manage a 12‑person fundraising team, oversee a €7M annual target for 2027, and drive a €40M five‑year capacity‑building initiative.