SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Essential Skills & Experience:
• Proven Track Record – Experience in securing high-value corporate partnerships within the charity sector
• New Business Development – Strong ability to research, identify, and secure new corporate funding opportunities both restricted and unrestricted income.
• Relationship Management – Ability to build and maintain strong relationships – and to manage these accounts once secured.
• Negotiation & Persuasion – Strong influencing skills to secure long-term commitments from corporate partners.
• Process-Driven Mindset – Willingness to follow and improve internal fundraising and CRM processes.
• Data Management – Experience using CRM systems to track prospects and ensure accurate reporting.
• Budgeting & Forecasting – Ability to plan, manage, and report on financial targets and performance.
• Collaboration & Teamwork – Comfortable working across SOFEA internal departments to maximise partnership potential.
• Resilience & Adaptability – Ability to thrive in a fast paced, target-driven environment and adjust strategies as needed.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Corporate Partnerships Manager role sits within SOFEA’s Business Innovation Directorate. You will be the driving individual for the growth of corporate partnerships and corporate income within the SOFEA’s business Innovation Directorate.
SOFEA has a fantastic and engaging offer locally and nationally for corporates to be part of transforming the lives of disadvantaged young people. SOFEA has the practical offer to be part of distributing 1949 tonnes of food to communities who need it most. This allow large groups of volunteers to directly engage with SOFEA and is a compelling offer when discussing partnerships.
This role is responsible for researching the ESG goals of corporates local and national and matching up SOFEA’s charitable aims to ensure new partnerships can be formed between SOFEA and corporates.
SOFEA has significant funding from companies such as British Airways, Cadburys, SNAP finance, John Lewis - there is a strong base of partnership work to start from.
The Business Innovation Directorate is responsible for raising 1.3 million each year and the corporate partnerships manager will be responsible for driving at least 200-300k of this revenue in the first year of a three-year strategic growth plan to reach 3 million raised by the Business Innovation Directorate.
SOFEA has a host of current partners who volunteer with us, a solid partnership model and an exciting strategy to grow its impact and reach. As part of a freshly structured team this role will be front facing and work with the Business Innovation Directorate to deliver fantastic experiences for partners as well as manage the high-level relationships at a senior level with Head of fundraising and the Deputy CEO.
This is a results driven role managed on a modern CRM based sales model that will drive new business, manage current accounts and be responsible for accurate reporting and forecasting of the partnership work. The key element of this role will be to help SOFEA create a sustainable income stream from corporate partners and strive to be the charity partner of choice within its regions.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Corporate Partnerships Manager Responsibilities:
• Secure High-Value, Multi-Year Partnerships – Proactively identify and secure, multi-year corporate partnerships across various industries.
• Utilise and refine the current SOFEA corporate partnerships offer to generate income
• Expand the Corporate Partnerships Pipeline – Develop and drive multiple income streams, including strategic partnerships, corporate foundations, grants, commercial opportunities, sponsorships, and social value initiatives.
• Develop and pitch new business propositions – Create compelling fundraising initiatives and business cases to attract new corporate partners.
• Leverage Sector Knowledge & Relationship Management – Use commercial acumen to build strong relationships, secure new partnerships, and maximize corporate engagement.
• Manage Inbound Partnership Opportunities – Respond to and convert corporate interest, particularly in corporate volunteering, into long-term partnerships.
• Work closely with the BID and operational teams to deliver valuable and consistent volunteering experiences for corporate partners across both SOFEA sites
• Financial Oversight & Budgeting – Assist in forecasting budgets, maintaining financial records, and ensuring accurate income reporting in collaboration with the Deputy CEO and the SOFEA Finance Team.
• Maintain & Track Partnerships Data – Maintain the partnership pipeline in the CRM and ensure this is updated and tracked and recorded throughout the year.
• Ensure Compliance & Best Practices – Adhere to GDPR, fundraising regulations, and relevant legislation while maintaining ethical fundraising practices.
• Achieve the Corporate Income Target – Play the leading role in achieving the Business Innovation Directorate’s annual corporate income goals.
• The post-holder will build and maintain strong relationships across the organisation, engaging with key internal SOFEA