18-month, fixed-term contract (possibility of extension)

Full-time (37.5 hours pw), part-time (22.5 hrs) considered

Are you a charismatic, meticulous and driven individual looking for an exciting and career-enhancing opportunity? Then join Nesta as Business Development Lead within the Alliance for Useful Evidence, where you will develop and implement a sustainable funding model that will allow the Alliance to continue its vital work.  

About Nesta and the Alliance for Useful Evidence

Nesta is a global innovation foundation.  We back new ideas to tackle the big challenges of our time.  Our mission is to spark and shape new ideas that improve how the world works for everyone.  We use our knowledge, networks, funding and skills - working in partnership with others, including governments, businesses and charities.  We are a UK charity but work all over the world, supported by a financial endowment.

Set up in 2012, the Aliiance has received generous financial support from core partners that include Big Lottery Fund, ESRC and Nesta and through partnership projects with the European Commission, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and Wellcome Trust. As our current period of core grant funding nears its end, we are exploring new ways to continue diversifying our funding portfolio and increase income earned through contracts and services.  

About this diverse new role

You will focus on updating and developing our 2016 income generation strategy, ensuring it aligns to our activities and is supportive of our aims. You will also identify potential funding opportunities matched to the Alliance’s funding needs, expertise and strategic priorities, plus oversee the drafting and co-ordinating of the ensuing funding bids, applications and proposals.  You will also be expected to:

• Maintain positive relationships with our current and previous funders and partners
• Identify and build new potential relationships with funders and partners with similar interests and aims
• Maximise income generation from our training and learning products
• Work with the Programme Manager on budgeting and forecasting
• Support the wider Alliance team to improve how we communicate to external audiences about our work.

What we are looking for

You will have significant experience in a similar role within a UK charity or non-profit organisation with a proven track record of generating income, plus strong experience of writing bids and funding applications to both trusts and foundations and government/public sector bodies. Collaborative, entrepreneurial and proactive, you will be an outstanding communicator, both verbal and written, with the ability to write compelling and convincing content to potential supporters. Excellent numeracy, relationship-building and interpersonal skills are also vital.

For further information and to apply, please visit our website.

Closing date for completed applications is 23:45pm on 7^th October 2018.

First Interviews will be held on  18^th October 2018.