Head of Business Development

Role overview

This newly created senior role strengthens The Young Foundation s strategic business development function and supports income growth across the full range of our programmes and partnerships. The post will provide expertise in fundraising and procurement processes including approaches to philanthropic funders and investor circles as well as formal tendering, dealing with a range of funding modalities from research grants to commercial consultancy and trusts and foundations.

Key responsibilities

Business development and income growth

• Lead high value income generation processes, including building consortia, securing philanthropic funding, and delivering high quality formal tenders, coordinating inputs from across our delivery teams.

• Oversee the preparation of costed proposals and pitches for a diverse range of funders, including research councils, local authorities, commercial consultancy, and philanthropic trusts.

• Support the continued growth and impact of The Young Foundation s external-facing activity, aligning business development with communications and policy work.

• Manage a robust pipeline, tracking opportunities and ensuring strategic alignment with organisational priorities.

• Develop budgets, pricing models, and partnership structures for commissioned work.

• Identify new funding and commissioning opportunities through horizon scanning, network engagement, and proactive outreach.

• Collaborate with senior colleagues to refine and grow thematic and programme areas.

• Support and advise colleagues across the organisation on approaches to business development including opportunity identification, competitive analysis, structuring meetings, building consortia and financial models.

Partnerships, networks and relationship management

• In collaboration with programme delivery leads, build and steward relationships with funders, commissioners, consortium partners and strategic collaborators.

• Lead account management for key partners to support long term growth and mutual value creation.

BD leadership, systems and strategy

• Create, improve and maintain appropriate BD systems, processes and tools, including pipelines, trackers and lessons learned approaches.

• Contribute to organisational strategy and planning and, in particular, to fundraising strategy and external affairs.

• Create and monitor BD metrics, reporting on feedback and recommending appropriate courses of action.

• Manage a repository of BD data and information, including track record, capacity statements, boilerplate bid sections, etc.

• Champion The Young Foundation s values, ensuring inclusive, ethical and community centred practice.

Person specification

Prior experience essential

• Substantial experience of leading/managing business development and income generation for a think tank or similar research/innovation led organisation.

• Track record of securing income across a range of relevant funders through both competitive tenders and proactive approaches.

• Strong commercial acumen.

• Excellent communication and relationship building skills.

• Understanding of UK government and non-government sectoral funding landscapes.

• Strong network in the UK community and/or social innovation sector.

• Commitment to equity and social justice.

• Demonstrated collaborative approach to team-working able to work effectively with colleagues with a range of specialisms and to operate effectively in a remote-first organisation.

Prior experience - desirable

• Experience with the introduction of CRM software.

• Familiarity with creating and reporting on BD metrics at Senior Leadership Team and/or Board level.

• Experience of/interest in exploring the impact of AI in business development and fundraising.

• Familiarity and/or previous experience with The Young Foundation s thematic areas (e.g community engagement, just transition, social innovation, young people, etc.).

How to apply

Please apply directly via CharityJob, ensuring you complete the application form.

As part of your application, please include a cover letter addressing the following questions:

• Where do you see the greatest business development opportunities for The Young Foundation over the next 24 months?

• In an increasingly competitive market, how would you seek to position The Young Foundation for opportunities, in light of the charity s mission, purpose, vision and expertise?

• What is your approach to building and strengthening positive relationships to drive income growth?

The closing date for applications is 12:00pm on the 20th of April 2026

The selection process will involve an interview and a presentation task.

Interviews are expected to take place w/c 4 May 2026