Job Description
About the Role
As the Philanthropy Manager, you will be part of a team responsible for building deep and meaningful relationships with funders and prospects who can transform the future and impact of IIED. You will focus on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a mixed portfolio of funders, including philanthropists, foundations, institutions, and multilaterals capable of giving £2m+ unrestricted funds. You will also support IIED’s team in raising restricted funds.
This role is ideal for an ambitious and experienced philanthropic, institutional, or high-value fundraising professional who can help drive IIED’s fundraising forward. You will play a key role in delivering fundraising and engagement activities across the organisation, requiring well-rounded knowledge of best-in-class philanthropic and institutional fundraising. A demonstrable track record of securing seven-figure donations and grants, including unrestricted, is essential.
With highly developed interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and a creative, goal-oriented approach, you will know how to build long-standing funder partnerships. You will adapt your role as needed—driver, navigator, broker, or facilitator—motivated by achieving transformative outcomes and raising essential funds.
This role focuses on networking and building funder relations rather than internal fundraising systems, which are already well established. You will join a passionate team achieving global impact.
Main Responsibilities
Strategic, Networking, Outreach, and Influencing (approx. 30%)
- Design, develop, and deliver bespoke fundraising pitches, concept notes, and applications with IIED Directors and Head of Business Development.
- Conduct research to identify funders, leveraging contacts of Directors and the Board.
- Build and maintain intelligence on key funders aligned with IIED’s work, keeping abreast of trends and sharing insights internally.
- Invest in funder relationships through high-level events, value propositions, and benefits for core funders.
Business Development and Fundraising (approx. 40%)
- Build and sustain relationships with philanthropists, multilaterals, institutional funders, partners, and other stakeholders to increase unrestricted income.
- Work with teams to design and deliver cross-organisational fundraising pitches and propositions.
- Prepare fundraising presentations, briefing materials, and strategies, incorporating IIED research and evidence.
- Coordinate proposal submissions and liaise directly with funders with minimal supervision.
- Support project teams in restricted fundraising activities, including concept notes, applications, and funder engagement.
- Maintain databases, filing systems, and information platforms for monitoring funding requests.
- Influence donors towards full cost recovery and equitable allocation of resources to partners disproportionately affected by climate change.
Management and Coordination (approx. 20%)
- Plan, organise, and oversee fundraising activities and operations for IIED Directors and Head of Business Development.
- Contribute to and monitor KPIs and targets, including unrestricted income objectives.
- Manage personal administrative tasks related to fundraising activity.
Finance (approx. 10%)
- Support creation of multi-year application budgets.
- Carry out additional finance-related tasks as required.
About You
Essential Requirements
- Commitment to IIED’s mission, core values, diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and sustainability.
- Adaptive and open-minded, willing to learn and evolve in a dynamic organisational context.
- Excellent knowledge of office software (word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, databases, communications) and relevant specialist tools.
- Relevant postgraduate degree, or a relevant degree with formal training qualification or equivalent experience.
- Proven experience developing and delivering high-value fundraising strategies, pitches, and propositions to Trusts, Foundations, and Philanthropies.
- Experience providing guidance, training, and support in philanthropic and institutional fundraising.
- Understanding of sustainable development processes, actors, and institutions.
- Experience contributing to project proposals and concepts for core, unrestricted, and flexible funding.
- Ability to manage relationships with diverse partners, donors, stakeholders, and audiences internationally.
- Strong internal communications, analytical, and synthesis skills.
- Fluency in English, including writing and editing for high-value donors.
- Hands-on experience managing fundraising cycles and projects.
- Experience creating and managing complex budgets.
- Experience incorporating monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) for fundraising success and compliance.
- Experience planning and managing events, including hybrid formats.
Desirable Requirements
- Working knowledge of another relevant international language.
Deadline: Nov 2, 2025
