Senior Partnership Development Manager

Join us at WWF-UK – Senior Partnership Development Manager

Please note, to save disappointment, we would encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may close this vacancy early if a high volume of suitable applications is received.

Location: Living Planet Centre, Woking, Surrey

Contract: Permanent, fulltime (35 hours)

Hybrid working: Minimum 40% in person collaboration per month

Salary: £45,167 + excellent benefits

Safeguarding level: Level 2

About the role

We’re excited to be recruiting a Senior Partnership Development Manager to help secure bold, high-impact partnerships that support WWF’s mission to protect and restore nature.

This is a senior business development role focused on creating new long-term strategic partnerships with leading organisations, particularly across the textiles and apparel, health and retail sectors. You will build relationships at the highest levels, develop compelling partnership propositions and lead opportunities from first conversation through to signed agreement.

Working closely with colleagues across WWF-UK and the wider WWF Network, you will help unlock partnerships that deliver income, influence, public reach and measurable impact for nature. You will also support and mentor others in the team, deputise for the Head of Partnership Development when required and represent WWF externally with credibility and confidence.

This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially minded relationship-builder who wants to use their skills to help drive change at scale.

Skills and experience

You’ll bring the following skills and experience to succeed in this role:

Essential

• Significant experience securing high-value corporate partnerships in a commercial, sustainability, charity or purpose-led environment
• Proven track record of influencing senior decision-makers and building strategic long-term relationships
• Experience developing and delivering compelling pitches, proposals and partnership strategies
• Strong negotiation skills with the ability to secure mutually beneficial outcomes
• Excellent commercial awareness and ability to identify shared value opportunities
• Strong understanding of the corporate sustainability, ESG and purpose agenda
• Ability to manage a portfolio of prospects and drive opportunities from pipeline through to close
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, including with senior internal and external stakeholders
• Strong relationship-building skills with the confidence to operate at CEO and Director level
• Highly organised, resilient and able to manage multiple priorities to ambitious targets
• Collaborative approach with the ability to work effectively across teams and functions
• Commitment to WWF’s mission and values

Desirable

• Experience working with organisations in the textiles and apparel, health, FMCG or retail sectors
• Existing network of relevant corporate contacts and decision-makers
• Corporate fundraising experience
• Experience working across international or matrixed organisations
• Experience mentoring or developing junior colleagues
• Knowledge of environmental sustainability, conservation or nature-positive business agendas

What we offer

We believe in rewarding our team with more than just a salary. Here’s what you can expect:

• Annual leave starting at 26 days a year, rising one day each year to 31 days plus bank holidays
• Flexible working options, to support your work life balance
• 7.5% employer contribution to pension, rising to 10% with employee contribution
• Learning and development opportunities to help you grow
• Regular wellbeing initiatives to support your health and happiness.

This is a UK based contract, and you are required to have the Right to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer sponsorship and any offer of employment will be subject to evidence of your Right to Work in the UK.

This role is hybrid with a minimum 40% of your contracted hours spent at our beautiful UK head office, the Living Planet Centre in Woking, Surrey, where you’ll hot desk among trees and gardens.

About WWF-UK

We’re a global conservation charity with millions of supporters and hundreds of projects around the world.

At WWF-UK, we’re bringing our world back to life. Protecting what’s left isn’t enough. We’re racing to restore nature and prevent catastrophic climate change. And it’s a race we can win with everyone’s help.

We’re courageous, passionate, and driven by science. For more than 60 years we’ve been at the forefront of global efforts to protect wildlife and the natural world. We work with integrity, collaboration and deep respect for those we partner with.

How to apply

Click the link to apply via our website. You’ll be asked to complete an application form and upload your CV and a supporting statement that tells us why you’ll be a great addition to WWF-UK.

Our Diversity Promise to You

At the heart of our mission is a simple truth: the planet needs everyone. That means you - in all your uniqueness, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or how you choose to express yourself.

We don’t do stereotypes. We work together with purpose, driven by passion and enhanced by respect, courage, and integrity. We pull together from all walks of life to fight for a better future, and we want you to feel supported every step of the way.

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident employer and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and identities.

So, if there’s anything we can do to make your application or interview experience more comfortable or accessible, just give our Talent Acquisition Team a shout at recruitment@wwf.org.uk

Safeguarding Commitment

Just as we celebrate diversity in all its forms, we are equally dedicated to creating a safe environment for every person we work with or encounter.

Our commitment extends to children, adults at risk, and individuals experiencing any form of vulnerability, whether temporary or permanent.

We proudly stand behind CAPSEAH (Common Approach to Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment) and put this commitment into action through clear policies, thorough training, and recruitment checks tailored to each role, which may include external vetting.

If you ever have a concern, however big or small, know that there are confidential channels ready to support you at WWF-UK. We promise to respond promptly and with care, because protecting every individual is at the heart of everything we do.