Corporate Partnerships Account Manager

We are England’s largest landowner and last year we welcomed around 291 million visits to our beautiful forests. We are on the frontline of the climate crisis, seeing the impact on our forests on a daily basis. We have an important role to play and the scale of what we do puts us in a unique position to tackle some of today’s biggest issues – from social inclusion and wellbeing, to addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.
The Corporate Partnerships team at Forestry England has seen incredible growth in the last 5 years, securing key partnerships with organisations such as Tesco, AstraZeneca, British Airways, DPD and more. At the same time, our organisation is passionate and committed to increasing our activities in line with its strategic plan, Growing the Future, which defines our response to the wildlife crisis, the changing climate and people’s connection to nature.
To meet this ambition, we are looking for a Corporate Partnerships Account Manager to join our team to provide best practice/ high quality partnership management to our current partners, welcome and onboard new partners and support the growth of our fundraising income streams., As a Corporate Partnerships Account Manager, you will be responsible for managing and delivering a portfolio of existing relationships to ensure strategic growth, working closely with the Senior Corporate Partnerships Development Manager. You will oversee the internal and external management of each partnership, liaising regularly with departments across Forestry England., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Seeing the Big Picture
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Delivering at Pace, This is a Fixed Term Appointment for 2 years with the possibility of extension or permanency but no guarantee.
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
+ A CV setting out your work history with key responsibilities and achievements. Please give reasons for any gaps in your employment within the last 2 years.
+ A Personal Statement (no longer than 750 words) explaining why you are applying for this vacancy and how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience are suitable for the role - with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Expected timeline (subject to change)
Sift – w/c 30 January 2025
Interview – w/c 19 February 2025
Interview
If successful at sift, as part of the interview there will be a 10 minute presentation, further details will be provided, alongside a set of questions relating to our behaviours framework.
Interviews will be held face to face at Forestry England National Office, 620 Business Park, Cold Harbour Lane, Bristol. BS16 1EJ.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to Forestry Commission from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
The duties of this post require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. However, the Forestry Commission is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any other means.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

This is a great opportunity to deliver partnerships that have real impact both now and for generations to come. To be successful in this role, you will have a proven track record in fundraising and partnership management and have excellent communication skills. We’re looking for a creative relationship builder with strong commercial awareness who will be comfortable in developing renewal plans to secure and grow the support of current partners. What’s more you’ll have excellent project management skills as well as the ability to juggle a busy workload to meet deadlines.
You will also work closely with the Corporate Partnerships team to identify new income generating and fundraising opportunities and interesting engagement activities for our partners. As a developing and flexible team we are also exploring a new CRM, Merchandise and Licensing ranges and are interested in hearing from candidates with experience in these areas.
Above all, you will have what it takes to build strong relationships with partners and colleagues at all levels of seniority, working collaboratively to build trust and deliver results. You will have the ability to steer partnerships to help meet our objectives, stewarding these relationships to meet ambitious, long-term objectives., We’d like to hear from candidates who have demonstrable experience of the following skills:
Essential:
+ Demonstrable account management experience
+ Fundraising experience
+ Experience of managing six-figure partnerships
+ Excellent relationship management skills
+ Strong written and verbal communication skills
+ Excellent stakeholder management and stewardship skills
+ Budgetary and financial management skills
+ Ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks with excellent attention to detail.
+ Creativity and resourcefulness to identify new opportunities with partners.
+ Reporting and analytics skills to supply information to the team, the partner and wider organisation.
+ Ability to analyse problems and develop solutions
+ Well organised and able to manage your own administration, ensuring efficient coordination and smooth execution of partnership activities.
+ Self-motivated who is happy working unsupervised whilst also being a team player
+ Confidence to present to partners, the wider organisation and externally when required.
+ Fully computer literate with excellent PC skills including MS Office, SharePoint etc.
+ Willingness to travel to multiple national locations as required.
Desirable
+ Previous experience within a corporate partnerships role / fundraising environment.
+ An understanding of the latest trends in environmental and CSR partnerships.
+ Merchandise, Brand licensing and cause related marketing experience
+ Contract negotiation skills
+ Up to date and thorough knowledge of the principles and practice of corporate partnerships, legislation (in relation to partnership agreements and VAT), major corporate prospects and of the general corporate fundraising landscape
+ Full UK drivers’ licence.

Alongside your salary of £39,135, Forestry Commission contributes £11,337 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ Learning and development tailored to your role
+ An environment with flexible working options
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
+ A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%