Job Description
About the Henry Smith Charity
At the Henry Smith Charity, we believe everyone should have the chance to thrive, but we know that’s not the reality for many. That’s why, for nearly 400 years, we’ve focused our resources on tackling poverty and addressing systemic inequality
Our 2025–2030 strategy, Elevate Your Impact, sharpens this focus. We’re concentrating our efforts on some of life’s toughest transitions where the right support at the right time can make a lasting difference:
Getting Started – helping families give young children a strong, healthy start in life
Building Independence – supporting young people as they move into adulthood with confidence, skills and hope
Safer Futures – helping people rebuild after abuse, displacement or prison
We back organisations with flexible, long-term funding and a commitment to building strong, trusting relationships. We also offer support beyond grants, including learning, leadership development, and peer connection.
Alongside our core programmes, we’re developing a new Opportunity Funda space to support bold ideas, early-stage work and sector-strengthening initiatives outside our main funding priorities. While this fund is in its early stages, it reflects our commitment to backing innovation, inclusive leadership and practical solutions that can help shape a stronger, fairer future.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of our work. We know that meaningful change starts with listening to lived experience, removing barriers, and making space for more people to lead and shape change. Our DEI working group plays a key role in embedding these principles across our organisation, from recruitment to grantmaking to team culture. We are committed to being a learning organisation and continuously improving how we show up for the communities we support and the colleagues we work alongside.
Our Culture and Values
We are guided by four core values that shape how we work, who we partner with, and how we grow as a team:
Catalysts for Change – We use our resources to create lasting impact, not just respond to need
Relationship-centred – We put people first, listen with compassion, and value different perspectives
Forward-thinking – We look ahead, stay curious and act on insight
Always Learning – We reflect, adapt, and share what we learn
Our Culture and Values Group supports us in bringing these principles to life. With representation from across the team, it helps ensure that our internal culture aligns with our mission, values and ambitions for a more just society.
Opportunity Fund Partnership Development Manager
Overview
The Opportunity Fund Partnership Development Manager plays a central role in supporting funding opportunities aligned with the objectives of the Opportunity Fund. This role combines relationship-building and programme development to ensure our Opportunity Fund achieves the maximum impact.
Reporting to Chief Executive
Internal relationships
External relationships
Salary
Working Hours
Location
The role will work closely with the Director of Research, Strategy and Engagement, other members of the Senior Leadership Team and trustees.
Funding partners
£49, 000 per annum
Full-time, 35 hours
Our office is in central London and our current employment contracts are office based. Staff work flexibly, including working from home, but are required to attend our office regularly for defined purposes and to be available to attend face-to-face meetings as required, particularly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Typical attendance averages out to at least one day per week in the office, but with some variation.
Key Responsibilities
Stakeholder Engagement
Collaborate with external experts, communities, and sector stakeholders to shape thinking and test emerging ideas.
Sector Monitoring & Insight Generation
Track developments across philanthropy, civil society, and public policy to inform and shape internal strategy and decision-making.
Partnership Cultivation and Management
Support the Chief Executive and other members of the Senior Leadership Team in identifying and engaging organisations with strong potential for funding partnerships. Manage and maintain external
relationships, supporting both the research and development phase and ongoing collaboration after funding has been awarded.
Project management
Manage and oversee scoping and development projects to inform decisions on potential funding areas.
Programme Design & Delivery
Assist in the design, planning, and implementation of initiatives supported by the Opportunity Fund.
Internal Communications and Briefing
Prepare briefing papers, scoping documents, and proposals for internal review and presentation to the Senior Leadership Team and to Trustees.
Internal Collaboration & Learning
Work across the organisation to develop internal understanding of Opportunity Fund priorities and emerging themes.
Organisational Culture
Contribute to a culture of innovation, reflection, and learning across the organisation.
The above list of responsibilities is not exhaustive, and you may be required to undertake other responsibilities and training as requested and as appropriate to your role level.
CHANGES:
This is a description of the job as it is presently constituted. It is the practice of the Henry Smith Charity to examine job descriptions from time to time and to update them to ensure they relate to the job as then being performed, or to incorporate whatever changes are being proposed. This will be conducted in consultation with you.
This job description is supported by annual objectives and performance standards to provide an indication of the level of performance expected from the role.
Experience and knowledge
Person Specification
Opportunity Fund Partnership Development Manager
Essential
Proven experience in developing and managing partnerships, whether in the non-profit, philanthropic, private or public sectors
Experience of engaging with a range of stakeholders including funders, community organisations, and sector experts
Demonstrable experience preparing high-quality briefing papers, reports or proposals for senior audiences (e.g., trustees, executives)
Experience of designing or supporting programme delivery, including oversight of funded work
Familiarity with developments in philanthropy, civil society, and public policy
Track record of scoping and delivering research or development projects that inform funding or strategic decisions
Knowledge of challenges faced by communities dealing with social and economic disadvantage
Skills & Competencies
Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to synthesise complex information and make clear, evidence-based recommendations
Excellent relationship management and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across diverse partners and stakeholders
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to tailor messages to different audiences, including senior leadership, trustees and lived experience experts
Strong planning and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver to deadlines
Ability to work collaboratively across teams and
Personal attributes
contribute to shared learning
Competence in using digital tools for collaboration, research, and documentation (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, CRM systems)
Empathy and commitment to the values and objectives of the charity, including equity, diversity and inclusion
Curious and reflective, with a learning mindset and openness to challenge and change
Diplomatic and emotionally intelligent, with the ability to build trust and navigate complexity
Proactive and self-motivated, with a flexible and adaptable approach to work
Comfortable working in a developing area of work where priorities may evolve
Other:
Willingness and ability to work outside of normal office hours occasionally as required and ability to travel round the UK when required.
Willingness to work flexibly in response to changing organisational requirements and learn new skills
