Corporate Development Executive

Motor Neurone Disease Association

Hours
37 hours per week

About the Organisation

Motor Neurone Disease moves fast. It takes away time, independence, and has no cure. Every day, we support people affected by MND. We fund ground-breaking research. We campaign for better care. We’re here for everyone who needs us. Because with MND, every day matters.

About the role

As a Corporate Development Executive, you will shape new corporate fundraising relationships that deliver long-term value, measurable impact, and shared purpose. You will have strong business development skills, a proactive approach to building new relationships, and the ability to shape insight into compelling partnership proposals.

You will combine strategic thinking with hands-on delivery, managing pipelines, and securing long-term, high-value corporate partnerships through credible relationships. Working with the Corporate Development team, you will identify and secure multi-year, high-value partnerships and build a robust pipeline that supports impact, growth, and long-term sustainability.

This role focuses on developing new corporate partnership opportunities, with responsibility for progressing relationships from initial engagement through to agreement. You will work independently on opportunities while being supported by colleagues across the Corporate Development team. The role will involve developing partnerships that reflect both fundraising goals and wider corporate interests, including strategic partnerships, purpose-led collaboration, and alignment with corporate responsibility objectives.

Responsibilities

Business Acquisition:

• Engage in the acquisition of new business opportunities to secure high-value (£20k per annum and above) or strategic corporate partnerships, acting as a relationship lead internally and externally.
• Uphold standards for a premium business acquisition programme through corporate objective alignments, bespoke communications, engaging and inspiring applications and proposals, and ongoing relationship management.
• Ensure a strong understanding of corporate partner objectives (ESG, employee engagement, brand, impact) across the team, and that partnership proposals outline measurable value for both parties.
• Work closely with internal colleagues to develop compelling cases for support and partnership proposals to deliver engaging presentations and pitches to prospective partners.

Pipeline Development:

• Working with the Corporate Development Manager to oversee the creation of strategic cultivation plans, using internal proposition knowledge as a basis for audience segmentation and identification of key strategic partners for each delivery strand. Working with the Corporate Development
• Manager operationally on the development, implementation, and regular review of a robust prospect pipeline in line with the Case for Support.
• Liaise effectively with other fundraising teams within the Income Generation directorate to discuss potential corporate prospects and their lifetime value to ensure they are allocated and stewarded effectively.

Account Management:

• Provide operational delivery and support of the Association’s corporate partnerships portfolio, supporting long-term sustainability, income growth and a consistently high-quality partner experience.
• Work in close partnership with the Corporate Development Manager to ensure a smooth and effective handover of new partnerships to the Corporate Partnerships Team.

Other Duties:

• Contribute to the delivery of annual and multi-year income targets and KPIs as part of the Corporate team.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role, ensuring all work reflects the Association’s Mission and Core Values.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Essential Criteria:

• Demonstrable relevant professional experience in line with principal accountabilities.
• Proven track record of securing significant corporate partnerships within the charity sector and a comparable commercial environment.
• Demonstrable experience in business development, including cold outreach, lead generation, and pipeline management.
• Strong ability to build and manage relationships with key stakeholders, internally and externally.
• Experience in planning, writing and delivering tailored partnership applications, proposals and pitches.
• Confident presenter with experience of pitching, reporting and presenting to diverse audiences.
• Evidence of meeting or exceeding challenging income targets and KPIs.
• Strong leadership qualities, with the ability to lead by example and influence others.
• Creative and strategic thinker, able to identify and maximise partnership opportunities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• A self-starter mindset: proactive, resilient, and motivated to build new opportunities from scratch.
• Strong IT skills; experience with Raiser’s Edge and similar CRM is desirable.
• Highly organised, able to prioritise effectively and work collaboratively across teams.

Compensation & Benefits

• 28 days holiday, increasing to 33 days after 5 years, plus Bank Holidays
• Access to UK Healthcare, including dental, eyecare, health screenings, and therapies
• 24/7 GP access via phone and video
• Life assurance and confidential counselling helplines
• Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, Buy/Sell Annual Leave)
• Access to the Benefit Hub for discounts on everyday shopping
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Opportunities for training and personal development

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the Northampton office and remotely

How to apply

• Please apply via our website.
• To support an inclusive application process, we are open to receiving alternative applications from candidates who may find it difficult to complete our online form. If you would like to apply via video or audio file, please send your recorded application, ensuring you cover the supporting statement aspect, to [email protected]

Interviews

• Once we have shortlisted, we'll get in touch with all applicants to let you know if you've got to the next stage.

Policies

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We work to remove barriers for everyone affected by MND, including employees, volunteers, and stakeholders. As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the role's requirements.

The information provided to the MND Association when applying for a vacancy will be treated in full accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The MND Association is committed to protecting your personal information and being transparent about what information we hold, whether you are a donor, volunteer, shopper, campaigner, or a person living with or affected by MND. For more information, visit Privacy Policy

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