Chapter One is a small but growing charity, working to ensure that every child has 1:1 reading support at the time they need it most.

Our unique Online Reading Volunteers Programme currently supports about 3,500 children a year. It pairs disadvantaged, struggling five to eight-year old (KS1) readers with reading support volunteers who come from over 180 local and national businesses. The volunteer task is very focused: readers commit 30 minutes a week to read with a child using a bespoke digital platform for an entire academic year. The results are transformative, boosting children's reading confidence and ability.

We have set ourselves ambitious targets and want to support 3,900 children by 2026/27, so this role, with responsibility managing, stewarding and nurturing our existing corporate partners, will be crucial to ensuring that we have sufficient volunteers and support to achieve this target. 2026 has been designated by the Government as the National Year of Reading, so we have a great opportunity to capitalise on this and secure business commitment for our work!

Chapter One is seeking a proactive, energetic and enthusiastic Corporate Partnerships Officer to be an integral part of a team which aims to both maximise corporate income and deliver an excellent partner experience.

Reporting to our Corporate Partnerships Manager, but also working closely with our Business Development Manager, you’ll support them both to deliver our annual volunteer targets and maintain our strong partner retention rate (currently 84%). This will involve supporting the account management of a portfolio of existing partners and the responsibility to nurture relationships to increase partner investment in Chapter One over time. The role involves collaborating across departments to ensure a seamless and positive experience for volunteers and partners.

This is a new role within Chapter One and is an opportunity for an early career professional to learn about charity-business partnerships in a dynamic, small charity which is flexible and agile.

Key Responsibilities

Partner Stewardship

• As determined by the Corporate Partnerships Manager, lead the account management of a selected portfolio of corporate partners, achieving annual retention and growth targets for these partnerships.
• Focus, in all corporate partnership discussions, on maximising income and identifying opportunities to grow a partner’s support.
• Plan and conduct a regular cycle of partnership meetings, including mid and end of year reviews, proactively seeking out new opportunities that will maximise income and retain and grow partner support.
• Support the Corporate Partnerships Manager to produce high quality written communications, reports and pitches as per the requirements of each partner, collaborating with the Data and Systems Officer and other teams as needed.
• Advocate effectively, with passion and enthusiasm, for Chapter One’s programmes in a variety of internal and external settings.
• Ensure, in conjunction with the HR and Finance Assistant, that partners are invoiced for their Chapter One donations accurately and in a timely manner.

Partner/Volunteer Onboarding and Experience

• Work closely with the Corporate Partnerships Manager, Head of Corporate Partnerships and Volunteer Support Team to ensure that partner and volunteer onboarding is a smooth and positive experience.
• Lead volunteer recruitment meetings as requested by partners, including presenting the programme to prospective volunteers and creating excitement and interest.
• Alongside the Corporate Partnerships Manager, use internal systems to assign partner teams and volunteers to specific schools and ensure that their needs are met.
• Build proactive, supportive relationships with Volunteer Coordinators across partner organisations, providing timely, high-quality data and insights, and delivering an excellent partner experience to foster long lasting relationships.
• Working with Programme Manager team, Volunteer Support Team and IT team, to trouble shoot any issues arise.
• Support the Programme Management team to liaise with partner contacts about the organisation of in-person school/office visits and virtual meet and greets.
• Attend Chapter One’s internal Volunteer Experience group and Corporate Engagement Group.

Marketing and Communications

• Work with the Marketing and Communications team to ensure that companies and volunteers have access to an array of promotional assets and recruitment materials
• Contribute content for the regular volunteer and corporate partner newsletters, including working with partners to gather volunteer testimonials and partner profiles
• Encourage corporate partners and volunteers to promote Chapter One through their own social media and channels
• Support the organisation of online and in person partner and volunteer recognition events

General

• Oversee and maintain specific Account Management related processes, including stewardship plans, recording of activity on the Salesforce CRM and internal spreadsheets and platform databases
• Regularly use Microsoft Excel / Google Sheets to analyse data and support decision-making
• Conduct administrative duties as required to support the Head of Corporate Partnerships and Corporate Partnerships Manager
• Attend conferences and events to represent Chapter One and talk about its work to existing and potential new partners

We are looking for some of the following attributes, though you might be more experienced in some areas than others:

• A commitment to Chapter One’s mission and values.
• Experience of account management of Corporate Partnerships or equivalent relationship-based roles in a fundraising, events, sales or marketing environment
• An ability to create compelling written pitches, ensuring messaging and brand are consistent
• Outstanding presentation skills, with the ability to excite and inspire an audience
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with business professionals at all levels
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
• An understanding of CSR/social value and employee engagement
• An understanding of social media platforms, particularly LinkedIn.
• Able to take personal accountability for own workload and for delivery of targets
• A ‘can do’ and flexible approach with an ability adapt to changing priorities
• Awareness of the importance of data security best practice and GDPR regulations when processing a range of stakeholder data
• Highly computer literate, particularly in Excel, with hands-on experience of using Google suite and platforms and tools such as Salesforce CRM, PowerPoint and more.

You’ll be more successful in the role if you have:

• Experience of using digital marketing platforms
• Experience of working in the charity/non-profit sector

Closing date: 6 April