* Requirement to be on site (Didcot and Milton Keynes) with some home working
* Proven track record in Charity sector
* Proven Track Record in securing high-value corporate partnerships within the charity sector
* Strong ability to research, identify and secure new corporate funding opportunities both restricted and unrestricted income.
* Strong influencing skills to secure long‑term commitments from corporate partners.
About the role:
The Corporate Partnerships Manager role sits within the Business Innovation team. You will be responsible for driving the growth of corporate partnerships. SOFEA currently has a number of partners who volunteer with us, a solid partnership model and an exciting strategy to grow its impact and reach. As part of a newly structured team the individual in this role will work with the Volunteering Manager and teams across our two sites (Didcot and Milton Keynes) to deliver fantastic volunteering experiences for partners. It will be your role to manage relationships at a senior level with the support of the Director of Fundraising and the Deputy CEO.
You will also be responsible for researching and securing partnerships with new prospects to understand how SOFEA’s goals and values align with the CSR policies of both local and national businesses and putting together compelling proposals for support.
The Business Innovation team is responsible for raising over £1M each year, and the corporate partnerships manager will be responsible for driving a significant part of this revenue in the first year of a three‑year strategic growth plan to reach £3M raised.
SOFEA has a fantastic and engaging local and national offer for corporates to be part of transforming the lives of disadvantaged young people. SOFEA, working in partnership with FareShare distributes thousands of tonnes of food to hundreds of community groups and individuals who need it most. This allows large groups of volunteers to directly engage with SOFEA and is a compelling offer when discussing partnerships.
This is a results‑driven role managed on a CRM‑based sales model that will drive new business, manage current accounts and allow for accurate reporting and forecasting of the partnership work. A key element of this role will be to help SOFEA create a sustainable income stream from corporate partners and to be the charity partner of choice within its regions.
* 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.
Responsibilities:
* Achieve the corporate income target – play the leading role in achieving the Business Innovation Directorate’s annual corporate income goals. Build corporate income year on year as part of a three‑year strategy.
* 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 and relationship management– Use commercial acumen to build strong relationships, secure new partnerships, and maximise 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 and 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 and best practices– Adhere to GDPR, fundraising regulations, and relevant legislation while maintaining ethical fundraising practices.
* The post-holder will build and maintain strong relationships across the organisation, engaging with key internal SOFEA.
* Work with colleagues at our partner organisation FareShare to ensure seamless and effective management of corporate partners who engage with SOFEA as well as across the wider FareShare Network.
About the organisation
SOFEA is a registered charity founded in 2013 by our CEO, Richard Kennell and his wife Ruth, Director of People and Culture, who, after 20 years in education decided that they wanted to do something for the young people who didn’t typically get on so well in school. At SOFEA we do what other providers can’t, supporting young people in ways other providers don’t. It’s why our partners, from schools and local authorities to the police and health services, work with us. Our mission is to enable people to transform their lives, and their communities. We do this through our education, employability, wellbeing and community programmes, as well as our large‑scale food redistribution operation.
We have two sites, based in Didcot and Milton Keynes and we are a growing organisation! All of our staff love the fact that everyday they can have a real impact on people’s lives and the local community.
If you believe in treating all members of our community with equal compassion and respect, believe in the restorative benefits of education, work and social justice and refuse to accept any limitation on what people might achieve then we want to hear from you.
We are committed to building a diverse organisation that represents the communities we serve and ensuring inclusion in everything we do.
This role gives you the opportunity to grow the impact of what we do and make a real difference in transforming lives.
For further information about SOFEA, visit www.sofea.uk.com
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