Join to apply for the Philanthropy - Head of Department role at Canal & River Trust This role offers a pay range based on your skills and experience. Discuss details with your recruiter. Base Pay Range Join Our Team: Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships. We’re excited to welcome a new strategic leader to shape and deliver transformational income growth and strategic partnerships for the Trust. Working Hours & Location This role follows a 37-hour, Monday to Friday working pattern. It’s a home-based role, requiring regular travel to meet donors, attend events, and visit our main hubs for collaborative meetings and team activities. Role Overview In this pivotal role, you will lead the refinement and delivery of the Trust’s high-value giving strategy, building and sustaining relationships with philanthropists, statutory funders, trusts and foundations, and corporates. You’ll inspire, lead, and manage a diverse team to achieve ambitious income targets and strengthen strategic partnerships that support the Trust’s vision. You will actively demonstrate desired behaviours – enthusiastically engaging with external partners, taking initiative to strengthen the team, and fostering a culture within the Trust that supports high-level giving. Key Responsibilities

Implement and refine the Fundraising Strategy to deliver significant and sustainable income growth and impact. Lead, inspire and develop a diverse team, fostering a culture of delivery, collaboration, accountability, and innovation. Personally lead on cultivating and stewarding transformational relationships with corporates, trusts, foundations, high-net-worth donors and some statutory sources while empowering your team to build profitable, multi-year relationships, a robust pipeline and secured income. Prepare, monitor, and deliver the annual business plan and income budget (currently £5m with significant growth planned). Represent the Trust externally at a senior level and maintain awareness of sector trends. Maintain best practice in fundraising compliance, risk management, and reporting, maintaining the highest standards of integrity. Embed diversity, inclusion, and safety responsibilities in all activities.

About You As an accomplished fundraising leader with a proven track record of delivering high-value income and building strategic partnerships, you thrive in complex stakeholder environments and bring a blend of vision, resilience, and hands‑on expertise. You’ll be confident influencing at Board level, adept at navigating ambiguity, and passionate about making a lasting impact. Skills & Qualifications

Proven experience in leading a team – skilled at building, inspiring, and motivating teams to achieve fundraising goals. Comprehensive expertise in major donor fundraising, corporate partnerships, and trust and foundation giving, alongside a working knowledge of statutory giving. Demonstrated expertise in high-value fundraising and partnership development, with a proven ability to create, cultivate and steward long-term relationships while influencing internal stakeholders to secure and sustain transformational support. Proven success in securing transformational gifts and multi-year partnerships. Demonstrable problem‑solving skills, able to influence inside and outside the organisation. A proven ability to develop and write persuasive and successful funding applications and partnership proposals for major donors, trusts and foundations, and corporates. Exceptional communication and networking skills, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse audiences. Experience managing significant budgets and delivering income growth. Knowledge of fundraising compliance and sector trends. A collaborative and innovative approach, able to lead and motivate a diverse team while working cross‑functionally. Personal resilience and adaptability, with the ability to deliver results in a fast‑paced and evolving environment.

Contact & Application If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk. We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy once we receive enough suitable candidates. What We Offer We offer an annual salary of £78,000, plus £520 cash car allowance per month. Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here: EVP - 1. Learn more: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits Seniority Level Mid‑Senior level Employment Type Full‑time Job Function Other Industries Civic and Social Organizations #J-18808-Ljbffr