Philanthropic Partnerships Lead (Parental Leave Cover)

Location: London, Hybrid/Remote (Occasional presence in the London office required)

Hours: Full-Time or Part-Time (5 days or 4 days a week)

Remuneration: £65,000 - £70,000 per annum, depending on experience

Contract: 11 months fixed-term contract (Parental Leave Cover)

Start Date: 22 September 2025

About FILE

The Foundation for International Law for the Environment (FILE) is a not-for-profit philanthropic organisation working to accelerate legal action on climate change. 

Through grant-making and in-house legal expertise, we empower our partners to deliver strategic, innovative legal interventions and we support lawyers in their own countries to bring their own cases. 

Legal action can unlock the systemic changes in finance, policy and social systems needed to protect all of us from climate change. The power of the law is both direct (changing policy and practice) and indirect (signalling the wider shifts taking place across these systems).

FILE is a ‘regrantor’ - this means we do not bring legal action in our own name. We receive grants from our philanthropic donors and make onwards grants to partners who align with FILE’s charitable aims and purposes. We do not seek to make any profit from our activities either in a relevant financial year or in the longer term.

Role overview

This is an exciting opportunity to take a senior role in FILE’s high-performing fundraising team and secure support from some of the world’s leading foundations working in climate.

FILE is seeking an ambitious and experienced Philanthropic Partnerships Lead to lead relationships with significant funders and play a critical role in shaping and advancing FILE’s ambitious fundraising strategy. The Philanthropic Partnerships Lead will take the lead across a portfolio of existing donors and seek new funding opportunities from major philanthropic foundations.

The Philanthropic Partnerships Lead will work closely with the Head of Philanthropic Partnerships and FILE leadership to shape fundraising and donor stewardship strategies and drive fundraising success. They will be comfortable operating at the most senior level externally to devise and deliver excellent donor experiences, and adept at navigating complex internal environments.

This is a high-profile position, building out FILE’s successful fundraising team. In a highly collaborative and dynamic environment, there is real potential for the right candidate to shape and grow the role to become a fundraising leader at FILE. The Philanthropic Partnerships Lead will have the opportunity to work with major global philanthropies and to take a key role in supporting the future direction of a highly ambitious organisation. We are looking for a candidate who is passionate about the power of philanthropy and excited to make an impact in a fast-paced high-growth environment.

Key Responsibilities will include:

Donor relationship management and stewardship

The Philanthropic Partnerships Lead will lead on several significant funder relationships, co-ordinating internally with FILE Leadership, the Head of Philanthropic Parnterships and strategic experts to devise and deliver excellent stewardship and donor experiences.

This will include:

• Setting donor strategy and creating and managing bespoke donor stewardship plans and communications
• Leading externally in face-to-face and virtual meetings, events and engagements and managing complex donor relationships across multiple stakeholders and workstreams
• Leading on key relationship touchpoints including performance and strategy reviews
• Liaising across internal cross-functional teams to plan and co-ordinate donor engagement at multiple levels
• Leading on proposals, donor impact reports, budgets and other key outputs

Cultivating new funder relationships

Securing new support is a critical organisational priority and the candidate will have the opportunity to forge new relationships with major funders.

Alongside FILE leadership and the Head of Philanthropic Partnerships, they will be responsible for identifying and progressing new pipeline opportunities and become the fundraising lead for specific thematic areas and initiatives.

This will include:

• Devising and delivering bespoke cultivation strategies for key donor prospects
• Devising new funding propositions and strategies for high-priority areas and new strategic initiatives
• Working with FILE leadership and strategy leads to delivering engaging cultivation, including through meetings, calls and written materials
• Actively progressing opportunities through the fundraising pipeline and leading on proposal development for target opportunities

Providing strategic support to the Head of Philanthropic Partnerships and leading cross-organisational projects and initiatives

The Philanthropic Partnerships Lead will provide strategic counsel to the Head of Philanthropic Partnerships to develop and implement the wider fundraising strategy and take the lead on strategic initiatives such as:

• Designing and implementing an approach to communications planning and delivery, including through the creation and management of key communications content
• Designing, scoping and initiating new donor engagement products and experiences for most senior stakeholders
• Shaping donor engagement priorities and communications for FILE leadership

Key Competencies and Person Specifications

• The ideal candidate will be a senior relationship and stakeholder manager with demonstrable experience working in philanthropy, high-value funding or other senior relationship management roles.
• They will have extensive experience working in complex cross-functional roles with excellent influencing skills and strategic acumen.
• They will have experience in securing and managing 7 figure funding relationships and be confident working at the most senior level externally.
• They will have significant knowledge and experience in the foundation/ philanthropy sector, ideally in the climate or environmental space.
• The candidate will thrive in fast-paced environments, and be adept at managing complex and multi-level relationships both internally and externally.
• They will have excellent written and verbal communication skills and be confident in leading on compelling proposals and pitches, turning complex and technical information into engaging donor content and experiences.
• The candidate will be highly organized, demonstrate strong project management skills and be comfortable balancing a varied and demanding workload.
• They will have a passion for global environmental issues, particularly climate change and biodiversity loss, and an affinity with FILE’s values.

Location

We are advertising this role for candidates based (and with the right to work) in the UK or the Netherlands.

Therefore, please note that this role will be advertised in multiple locations, but we are only hiring for one position. Please apply to the job post for your preferred location.

Working for FILE

FILE is a collaborative community of individuals who share a passion for climate, nature, and justice. We bring together knowledge and experience to support our mission.

Our people are empowered to lead their work both individually and as part of a wider team in order to make impactful change. As a relatively young organisation with the ambitious mission to change global systems, our roles are ideally suited to those who are highly strategic, flexible and adaptable, and open to growing in line with the Foundation.

FILE is committed to challenging inequality and values diversity, equity and justice in all areas of life. Our mission, work and impact is global, with staff and partners from across the world and a range of lived experiences. We firmly believe that we are strengthened by the diversity of our partners and staff.

At FILE, we actively work to create an inclusive culture where colleagues feel welcomed, heard and supported to succeed and thrive.

How FILE supports its staff

FILE is committed to creating a workplace that supports our staff to do their best work and develop professionally. FILE offer a generous annual leave policy and additional time-off work to support wellbeing. Amongst other benefits, FILE offers private healthcare and a contribution to a pension scheme.

FILE is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and encourage candidates who can contribute to the diversity of our team to apply.
Join us in making a tangible difference in the fight against climate change by creating spaces where diverse voices come together to drive impactful solutions.

Applications

Please apply on our website and upload your CV and Cover Letter. This role is open for applications immediately. If you are interested, we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible. The role will close on the 23rd of July. The first interviews will be held the week commencing on the 4th of August. 

Diversity & Inclusion

As an equal opportunity employer, FILE is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join FILE.