Employer: Down Syndrome UK (DSUK)
Location: Remote (UK-based), with occasional travel to meet funders and partners
Working hours: 30 hours per week across 5 days Mon-Fri
Salary: £36,000 FTE (£30,000 actual for 30 hours per week)
Closing date: Sunday 22 November 2026 (midnight)
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Purpose of the role
As DSUK's Grants & Partnerships Manager, you will lead the growth of our income from trusts, foundations, companies and other partners. Your focus will be on development: identifying new opportunities, cultivating relationships and securing funding that grows year on year.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and sitting on the Senior Management Team, you will have a genuine voice in DSUK's direction. Alongside building our fundraising, you will help shape organisational strategy, influence how we plan and prioritise, and play a central role in securing DSUK's long-term sustainability.
Key responsibilities
Business development and income growth Identify, research and prioritise new trust, foundation, corporate and statutory funding opportunities.
Proactively approach and cultivate new prospects, turning first conversations into long-term funding relationships.
Build on DSUK's existing pipeline, qualifying opportunities and moving them through to successful asks.
Write compelling, high-quality applications, proposals and budgets, working with colleagues to gather case studies and impact evidence.
Grow multi-year and repeat funding to strengthen DSUK's financial sustainability.
Partnership development
Develop and secure new partnerships with companies and organisations, including sponsorship,Charity of the Year, employee fundraising and cause-related partnerships
Shape tailored partnership proposals that connect partners' goals with DSUK's mission.
Explore joint bids and collaborations with other organisations that open up new sources of funding.
Cultivation and stewardship
Build strong, long-term relationships with funders and partners, from first contact through to renewal.
Deliver excellent stewardship, including timely reports, updates and thanks, to encourage repeat and increased giving.
Represent DSUK at meetings, events and networking opportunities, raising our profile with potential supporters.
Strategy and leadership
Contribute to DSUK's organisational strategy and decision-making as a member of the Senior Management Team.
Develop and lead a grants and partnerships strategy that diversifies and grows DSUK's income over time.
Work with the Chief Executive and colleagues to develop fundable projects and a compelling case for support.
Work closely with our Fundraising & Marketing Manager to align grants and partnerships with DSUK's marketing and wider fundraising.
Report on income, pipeline and forecasts to the Chief Executive and Trustees.
Systems and compliance
Maintain accurate records of prospects, applications, income and relationships in Salesforce.
Ensure all fundraising complies with the Fundraising Regulator's Code of Fundraising
Practice and data protection law.
Measures of success
Our ambition is for this role to secure £150,000 in its first year, from any combination of grants and partnerships, with income growing significantly in the years that follow. Because relationship-led fundraising takes time to convert into income, success will be measured on both activity and outcomes, including:
value of funding secured in-year
value of multi-year funding and future income committed number and value of grant applications and partnership proposals submitted number of prospect, cultivation and stewardship meetings held growth in the fundraising pipeline renewal rate and value of existing supporters
Multi-year funding counts in full in the year it is secured, and targets will be reviewed with the Chief Executive during the first year.
Your first year
In your first few months, you will get to know DSUK's work and existing funders, review and prioritise the pipeline, and agree a grants and partnerships plan with the Chief Executive. From there, your focus will shift to converting opportunities, opening up new sources of income and laying the foundations for sustained growth in year two and beyond.
Why join us
Shape something new: a newly created, Trustee-backed role where you can build DSUK's grants and partnerships function and leave a lasting mark on the charity.
Real strategic influence: a seat on the Senior Management Team, reporting directly to the Chief Executive, with a voice in DSUK's future direction.
Strong foundations: an existing pipeline, Salesforce CRM and an organisation fully committed to growing its fundraising.
Purpose: work that directly helps families and challenges outdated attitudes towards people with Down syndrome.
Flexibility: fully remote working, with your 30 hours spread over 4 or 5 days to suit you.
Security: a permanent role.
Holiday: 20 days per year (pro rata) plus bank holidays, rising after 2 years' service.
Pension: 3% employer contribution.
Travel expenses covered for funder and partner meetings.
How to apply
1.Why this role at this point in your career, and how do your experience, skills and ambitions align with what DSUK is looking to achieve? (150 words)
2.Tell us how you approach managing and developing a pipeline of corporate partnerships and trusts and foundations. What are you most proud of? (250 words)
3.Tell us about a time when you challenged a behaviour, decision or opinion that you felt was wrong or inconsistent with your values. How did you approach the situation, how did the other person respond, and what did you learn or would you do differently as a result? (250 words) Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview on Wednesday 9 or Thursday 10 December 2026 and asked to complete a short practical task
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