Head of Development & Partnerships Northern Ireland Contract: Full-time permanent position (subject to passing probationary period) Salary: £35,000 £43,000 dependent on experience + 7% employer pension contribution Location: Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland (hybrid working considered) Responsible to: Fundraising Director We rescue children, then we do whatever it takes to provide the care, love and attention they need to thrive. About Stand by Me We believe every child deserves to be loved, accepted and understood for who they are. The children we care for come from complex backgrounds, but beyond their circumstances we see their potential. We lift them up, stand by them and help them on their own two feet, meeting each childs unique needs, from food and healthcare to a strong family and a quality education. We are in this for the long term to truly transform their lives. For 30 years, weve been rescuing and restoring childrens lives, providing homes, schools, care centres and family support. We build our work around local communities, empowering trustworthy local people to bring lasting change. Many of the children once in our care are now teachers, nurses, business owners and community leaders, transforming the places where they grew up. The Role As Head of Development & Partnerships for Northern Ireland, you will be the senior leader responsible for growing Stand by Mes presence, partnerships and income across the region. This is a highly relational, externally focused role. You will serve as Stand by Mes chief ambassador and chief fundraiser in Northern Ireland, personally driving significant income growth by developing new and existing relationships with churches, major donors, trusts, foundations, businesses and strategic partners. While you will lead and support a small regional team, this role is not primarily focused on internal management. It is for a visionary, faith-driven leader who thrives on opening new doors, inspiring generosity, communicating vision with authenticity and inviting others to join Gods work of transforming childrens lives. You will represent Stand by Me at churches, events and conferences, and lead overseas project visits, helping supporters experience first-hand the life-changing impact of their giving. Key Responsibilities Strategy & Leadership Work with the Fundraising Director to develop and deliver an ambitious regional growth strategy for Northern Ireland. Identify and pursue new opportunities for partnership, income growth and supporter engagement. Ensure team capacity and activity are aligned to high-impact, growth-focused priorities. Fundraising & Partnership Development Personally build and sustain strong, long-term relationships with churches, major donors, trusts, foundations, corporates and key influencers. Inspire new supporters to give, sponsor children, fundraise and engage deeply with Stand by Mes mission. Deliver compelling presentations and talks at churches, events and conferences. Network strategically to raise awareness, open doors and create new partnership opportunities. Be accountable for achieving agreed annual income and sponsorship growth targets. Donor Stewardship & Relationship Development Develop personalised stewardship plans for key supporters and partners. Provide high-quality proposals, updates and impact reports. Maintain accurate records and supporter insights using the CRM system. Ensure best practice and compliance with fundraising regulations. Team Leadership Lead the Northern Ireland office and manage, support and develop the Church & Schools Coordinator. Foster a collaborative, faith-filled culture that reflects Stand by Mes values. Work closely with colleagues across the UK and USA to share learning and align strategy. Project Engagement Lead or accompany supporters on overseas visits to demonstrate the impact of their giving and share the ongoing needs of our projects. Inspire deeper commitment by sharing stories of transformation and hope. General Oversee the day-to-day running of the Northern Ireland office, working closely with the Essex office on health and safety, facilities and compliance matters. Undertake additional responsibilities within scope of the role as requested by the CEO or Fundraising Director. Essential Experience & Skills Proven success in generating new supporters, partnerships and income in a charity or commercial context. Strong relationship-management and networking experience. Excellent communication and presentation skills, including public speaking to large audiences. Confident leading meetings, events and donor engagements. Experience leading and inspiring others (staff and/or volunteers). Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with CRM systems. Desirable Experience of preaching or regular church-based speaking. Experience in donor stewardship and proposal writing. Knowledge of the Christian charity sector and church networks in Northern Ireland/Ireland. Personal Qualities Because partnerships will be developed primarily through churches, this role carries an Occupational Requirement under the Equality Act 2010 (Schedule 9). The successful candidate must be a practising Christian, able to confidently affirm and represent Stand by Mes Christian ethos. You will also bring: Passion for international development and childrens welfare. High emotional intelligence and a natural ability to build trust. Self-motivation and the ability to work independently. Willingness to travel across Northern Ireland, to England at least once a year, and internationally. Full UK Driving Licence and access to a car. Flexibility to work regular evenings and weekends. About you Youll be a confident, relational communicator with a heart for transforming childrens lives and a passion for connecting others to that mission. Youll thrive in a role that blends strategy, storytelling and relationship-building, and youll be as comfortable speaking from a church platform as you are meeting one-to-one with a key donor. About the team Were one united team, headquartered in London with regional offices in Manchester, Carrickfergus and Oregon (USA), working together with the same spirit and purpose. Faith-filled and passionate, we care deeply for one another and for the children we serve, celebrating hope, joy and transformation together. We are inspired by Jesus, who loved the outcast and gave hope to the broken. We care for children as He would, by restoring their dignity, seeing not only their suffering, but celebrating their God-given potential. About Stand by Me in Northern Ireland From our earliest days, the people of Northern Ireland have been at the heart of Stand by Mes story. Faithful supporters have prayed, given generously, sponsored children and travelled with us to see lives transformed. This new role builds on a strong foundation of support, shaped by decades of faith, encouragement and generosity, and looks ahead to an ambitious next chapter of growth. Why Join Stand by Me? This is a unique opportunity to shape the next chapter of Stand by Mes work in Northern Ireland. Youll build on decades of faithful support while leading significant growth, helping bring love, dignity and hope to more children around the world. Closing date: Early applications encouraged; we may close the vacancy once a suitable candidate is found. To apply: Please click apply below and send your CV, a short cover letter (no more than 500 words) and the Application Form.