Head of Engagement at IMPETUS in United Kingdom
About the role
About the team
The Philanthropy Team raises income for Impetus and for Impetus partner charities. The team consists of 15 staff. Impetus has an annual income of c.£11 million which we are looking to grow significantly within the next few years. The team is led by two Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships.
The Philanthropy Team works with major donors, corporates and grant making trusts, as well as collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to ensure we make a compelling case to generate new financial commitments and wider support for our work. The team also deliver a high-quality engagement programme of volunteering and pro bono for Impetus’s corporate supporters.
Impetus is driven by a shared belief in tackling the barriers that hold back young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in education and employment. Alongside investing extensive financial and non-financial support in our charity partners through our Investment Team we also seek to influence decision makers to design and implement evidence led policy and direct new resources to get young people the support they need through our Public Affairs team. We are resolutely focused on outcomes, driven by quality evidence.
You would be joining a team that is passionate, ambitious, determined and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our charity partners and the young people we serve.
About this role
The Head of Engagement is a strategically significant and high-impact role within the Philanthropy team, responsible for leading and developing Impetus’ engagement programme across both volunteering and pro bono support.
At Impetus, volunteering refers to opportunities for employees of our donor firms to engage directly with the young people supported by our portfolio partners, helping to inspire, motivate and broaden horizons through meaningful interactions.
Pro bono support is a core element of our capacity-building approach and a key way in which we strengthen the organisations we back. It involves skilled volunteers and partners contributing professional expertise to address strategic challenges and opportunities within our charity portfolio, helping to build capability, resilience and long-term impact.
The Head of Engagement will shape the strategic direction and lead the delivery of a high-quality programme of volunteering and skilled pro bono support, creating meaningful outcomes for portfolio partners while delivering engaging and rewarding experiences for supporters. The postholder will ensure that engagement opportunities align with Impetus’ investment priorities and organisational objectives, respond to donor interests, and maximise impact for the young people and charities we serve.
The role combines strategic leadership, relationship management, programme innovation and operational oversight. Working closely with colleagues across Philanthropy and Investment, and engaging regularly with Public Affairs and senior leaders, the Head of Engagement will build, steward and deepen relationships with a wide network of corporate partners, major donors, and highly skilled volunteers.
The postholder will also lead and develop the Engagement team, comprising the Engagement Manager and Engagement Officer, fostering a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing culture that enables exceptional delivery, continuous improvement and professional growth.
As a key member of the Philanthropy leadership team, the Head of Engagement will play a central role in expanding and strengthening Impetus' supporter network, developing innovative opportunities for supporters to contribute their time and expertise, and ensuring our volunteering and pro bono programmes continue to evolve in response to the changing needs of young people, charities and partners.
This is an exciting opportunity to shape and grow a critical area of Impetus’ work, harnessing the expertise, networks and commitment of supporters to help more young people from disadvantaged backgrounds succeed in school, work and life.
Key responsibilities
Strategy and Leadership
Develop and deliver the engagement strategy and operational plan for the pro bono and volunteering functions
Set and monitor KPIs, targets and budgets for engagement activity in line with organisational frameworks, securing approval from senior leadership where appropriate
Lead the continued growth and development of volunteering and pro bono activity in alignment with organisational strategy and portfolio partner needs
Work collaboratively with senior colleagues across Philanthropy and Investment to align engagement opportunities with organisational priorities
Lead prospecting for the pro bono function, understanding the needs of our Investment Team and portfolio partners, identifying gaps in supporter skills and expertise and onboarding new organisations and specialisms
As the organisational lead for volunteering and pro bono engagement, advise senior leadership on engagement trends, sharing insights, learning and volunteering best practice internally and externally
Lead, develop and coach the Engagement Team, creating a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing culture and ensuring clear objectives, development opportunities and succession planning
Provide guidance, support and oversight of delivery to the Engagement Team, line managing the Engagement Manager and supporting the development of the Engagement Officer
Volunteering programme
Lead the strategic development and continuous improvement of a high-quality volunteering programme, ensuring it delivers value for portfolio partners, corporate and donor partners and young people.
Oversee programme quality and effectiveness across all volunteering activities.
Build capability and strong relationships with portfolio organisations to support the design and delivery of high-quality volunteering opportunities
Monitor participation, impact and quality across the volunteering programme, using data and feedback to drive improvements.
Work closely with account managers in the Philanthropy and Partnerships team to drive and steward donor engagement.
Develop new models of volunteering in collaboration with the Engagement Team, including governance and trustee pathways, skills-based workshops and intensive challenge clinics.
Pro Bono programme
Lead the development of the organisation’s pro bono programme and oversee the delivery of activities, ensuring high-quality support for portfolio partners.
Set annual pro bono targets (including project value, number of projects, and supporter engagement) and lead the team to deliver on these
Oversee the maintenance of a strong pipeline of projects from portfolio partners and supporters that meet the needs of portfolio partners.
Source and cultivate new pro bono supporters, including companies and highly skilled individual professionals.
Oversee and contribute to business development activity including prospect research, outreach, relationship building and partnership development.
Steward existing strategic supporter relationships and create compelling supporter journeys that communicate impact and strengthen long-term engagement.
Work closely with the Investment Team to identify, scope and prioritise pro bono projects, and work with the team to improve quality and impact in project delivery.
Ensure an effective team approach to project identification, prioritisation and matching across the programme.
For select high-priority projects, directly match portfolio partner needs with appropriate supporters, ensuring an effective and high-quality project experience, with support from the Engagement Manager.
Support select high-priority project kick-off meetings and maintain oversight of project delivery, stakeholder management and follow-up processes.
Ensure appropriate evaluation processes are in place to capture project impact, supporter feedback and learning.
Own quality assurance, review programme outcomes and impact data to drive continuous improvement
Collaborate with the Events team to design and run relevant supporter engagement events.
Relationship Management and Donor Engagement
Develop and maintain strong relationships with both new and existing corporate partners, major donors, volunteers, pro bono supporters and charity / sector stakeholders.
Lead strategic account management of donors and supporters.
Act as a key Account Manager for strategic engagement partnerships, notably the most high-value Pro Bono relationships.
Work closely with account managers and senior stakeholders to maximise supporter engagement and long-term partnership opportunities.
Contribute to the creation of compelling communications and marketing materials that demonstrate the value and impact of engagement activity.
Represent Impetus externally at meetings, events and networking opportunities building effective and inclusive partnerships.
Operations, Systems and Reporting
Oversee the effective administration and operational delivery of the engagement function.
Ensure accurate data management and reporting through Salesforce and related systems by the Engagement team.
Maintain oversight of engagement pipelines, financial tracking and programme reporting.
Lead quarterly reviews and reporting processes through the analysis and presentation of engagement data.
Develop and improve systems, processes and operational efficiency across the engagement function.
Ensure all activities comply with organisational policies, procedures and best practice.
Cross-Organisational Working
Form part of the Philanthropy and Partnerships Leads group to lead and drive performance against fundraising targets and strategy.
Collaborate closely with the Investment Team to identify opportunities for volunteering and pro bono support, especially driving innovation for both programmes.
Build strong internal relationships to ensure engagement activity is coordinated and effectively communicated across teams.
Attend and support Impetus events where required.
Represent the Philanthropy team on internal projects, working groups and committees.
Support wider team priorities and contribute to a collaborative and inclusive working culture.
Person specification
Essential
Excellent relationship management skills with experience across a range of sectors, and track record working productively with senior stakeholders in corporate and charity organisations, including internally.
Strong business development skills, with experience identifying and developing new relationships, partnerships, and engagement opportunities.
Experience translating strategic priorities into operational plans, objectives and delivery.
Strong project and programme management skills, including managing multiple priorities, budgets, timelines and stakeholders.
Experience and understanding of how to design and implement inclusive, accessible and engaging experiences for a range of audiences, including young people and corporate supporters.
Experience managing line reports or leading teams including coaching, supporting and enabling others to deliver high-quality outcomes.
Strong analytical and organisational skills.
Ability to identify opportunities, solve complex problems and contribute innovative and creative ideas.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to influence and build credibility with senior audiences internally and externally through clear, confident and evidence led communication.
A collaborative and flexible working style with the ability to work cross-functionally.
Commitment to the mission and values of Impetus.
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