Partnerships Lead

Cancer Fund for Children; Dublin; On-site; EUR 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Cancer Fund for Children in Ireland invites applications for a full-time Corporate Partnerships Lead to drive sustainable corporate income across the Republic of Ireland, reporting to the National Fundraising Manager. You will lead a small team, shape the ROI partnerships strategy, collaborate with NI colleagues, and build long-term relationships with senior stakeholders to deliver growth and impact.

The role offers strategic leadership, cross-organisational collaboration, and opportunities to

Qualifications

• Experience leading fundraising or partnerships teams to grow income.
• Strong relationship management with senior stakeholders.
• Strategic, commercially minded leader with track record in programme growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead the ROI Corporate Partnerships Team to achieve income and engagement targets.
• Develop and deliver the ROI Corporate Partnerships Strategy.
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of corporate partners.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Communications and other teams to maximise impact.

Job description

Cancer Fund for Children’s mission is to ensure that no child or young person across the island of Ireland has to face cancer alone. We have an exciting opportunity for are a full time Corporate Partnership Lead to join our team.

Reporting to the National Fundraising Manager (ROI), this is a key leadership role responsible for driving sustainable corporate partnership income in line with the organisation’s ambitious plans for growth and service expansion across the Republic of Ireland.

Working closely with the National Fundraising Manager, the postholder will help shape and deliver the Republic of Ireland Corporate Partnerships Strategy, building on an established portfolio of successful partnerships while identifying new opportunities to grow income, strengthen strategic relationships and maximise long-term supporter value.

The Corporate Partnerships Lead will provide leadership to an initial team of two Partnership Executives, with responsibility for developing the team and supporting future growth as the Corporate Partnerships Programme continues to expand.

While primarily focused on the Republic of Ireland, the postholder will work collaboratively with colleagues across Northern Ireland to maximise opportunities, share best practice and support the delivery of an integrated all-island Corporate Partnerships Programme.

The role requires a strategic, commercially minded and relationship-focused leader who can inspire high-performing teams, develop meaningful long-term partnerships and deliver sustainable income growth.

Main Responsibilities

Leadership & management

• Lead, coach and develop the Republic of Ireland Corporate Partnerships Team to achieve ambitious income and engagement targets.
• Create a high-performing, collaborative team culture through coaching, performance management and professional development.
• Undertake regular one-to-one meetings, performance reviews and annual appraisals in line with organisational policies.
• Support the recruitment, induction and future expansion of the Corporate Partnerships Team in line with organisational growth.
• Promote wellbeing, collaboration and continuous improvement across the team.
• Ensure compliance with fundraising regulation, GDPR and organisational policies.
• Work closely with the National Fundraising Manager to develop and deliver the Republic of Ireland Corporate Partnerships Strategy.
• Build on the existing corporate partnerships portfolio, identifying opportunities to significantly grow sustainable income.
• Develop innovative partnership propositions that respond to evolving corporate priorities and market trends.
• Identify new strategic corporate partnerships that align with Cancer Fund for Children’s values and strategic priorities.
• Contribute to the wider Fundraising Strategy and organisational objectives.
• Monitor fundraising trends, corporate giving developments and competitor activity to identify opportunities for innovation and growth.

Income & Performance Management

• Contribute to the development of annual budgets, income targets and operational plans for Corporate Partnerships.
• Manage agreed income and expenditure budgets, ensuring strong return on investment.
• Monitor performance against KPIs, analysing results and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Provide regular reports, forecasts and pipeline updates to the National Fundraising Manager.
• Ensure all fundraising activity complies with organisational financial procedures and relevant legislation.
• Lead the continued development and delivery of the Republic of Ireland Corporate Partnerships Programme.
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of prospective corporate partners through proactive research, networking and relationship development.
• Secure and grow strategic corporate partnerships through tailored proposals, presentations and partnership plans.
• Maximise opportunities across strategic partnerships, charity partnerships, sponsorship, employee fundraising, payroll giving, volunteering, gifts in kind and cause-related marketing.
• Develop innovative campaigns and partnership opportunities that strengthen engagement and maximise income.
• Ensure the effective use of CRM systems to manage pipelines, supporter journeys and reporting.
• Work collaboratively with Marketing & Communications to develop compelling partnership campaigns, promotional materials and impact reporting.

Partnership Stewardship & Relationship Management

• Develop and deliver exceptional stewardship programmes that maximise partnership retention and long-term value.
• Build strong relationships with corporate partners, senior stakeholders and key decision-makers.
• Produce high-quality partnership proposals, presentations, reports and impact updates.
• Ensure partners receive an outstanding experience that reflects Cancer Fund for Children's values.
• Identify opportunities to deepen relationships and increase long-term support.

Cross-Organisational & All-Island Collaboration

• Work closely with the National Fundraising Manager (ROI), the Partnerships Lead (Northern Ireland) and the wider fundraising leadership team to support the continued development of Corporate Partnerships across the island of Ireland.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with colleagues across Northern Ireland, sharing best practice, insight and successful partnership initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to develop and deliver all-island corporate partnerships and campaigns where appropriate, while ensuring activity reflects local market opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with Community Fundraising, Philanthropy, Marketing & Communications, Services and other internal teams to maximise supporter engagement and income generation.
• Contribute to cross-organisational strategic projects and organisational initiatives.