Chief Partnerships & Philanthropy Officer

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

Job summary

Focus Ireland in Dublin is seeking a Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy to lead major gifts, corporate partnerships, trusts & foundations, and legacy giving. Hybrid role based at 9-12 High Street, Dublin 8, with strategic and hands-on responsibilities to grow philanthropy and impact.

You will build a high-performance team, shape fundraising strategy, manage multi-year campaigns, and partner with senior leadership to deliver sustainable income and lasting social change.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years' experience in the nonprofit sector.
• Proven experience in high-value donor acquisition, development, and retention, with a track record of securing significant gifts.
• Demonstrated success in leading and developing high-performance teams.
• Strong strategic planning and analytical skills, with a data-led approach to donor development.
• Experience managing tight budgets and delivering cost-effective fundraising.
• Ability to champion collaborative working and lead organisational change.
• Ability to work effectively at all levels of the organisation, managing up and across.
• Excellent professional communication skills.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and unsociable hours when required.

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.
• Manage and empower the Philanthropy Council, leveraging its networks, expertise, and influence to accelerate campaign success.
• Work closely with the Director of Fundraising & Marketing and the CEO, providing strategic updates, risk assessments, and campaign performance insights.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

High-value donor acquisition

Strategic planning

Data-driven fundraising

Team development

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Focus Ireland in Dublin is seeking a Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy to lead major gifts, corporate partnerships, trusts & foundations, and legacy giving. Hybrid role based at 9-12 High Street, Dublin 8, with strategic and hands-on responsibilities to grow philanthropy and impact.

You will build a high-performance team, shape fundraising strategy, manage multi-year campaigns, and partner with senior leadership to deliver sustainable income and lasting social change.