Strategic Partnerships Assistant Manager

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Strategic Partnerships Assistant Manager

We're not just an amazing, award‑winning visitor attraction that's home to 30,000 incredible animals inside 128 acres of stunning gardens. We're not just the UK's most popular zoo. We're a major wildlife charity that's committed to the recovery of endangered species, globally. And, as the world faces an extinction crisis, we're making a hugely significant contribution to conservation at a time when it's needed most.

We are Chester Zoo and we prevent extinction.

Are you ready to shape the future of strategic partnerships at Chester Zoo? We're seeking an ambitious Strategic Partnerships Assistant Manager to grow and manage high‑value relationships that align with Chester Zoo's mission. If you're passionate about creating impactful partnerships, developing innovative sponsorship propositions, and driving meaningful change, this role is your opportunity to make a difference while connecting with forward‑thinking and impact‑driven businesses.

Reporting to the Senior Strategic Partnerships & Development Manager, you will have a background in relationship management, corporate fundraising or business development with a proven track record of managing high‑value partnerships, the vision and creativity to identify opportunities and craft compelling propositions, a passion for delivering impact and the relationship building skills to engage with stakeholders at a high level.

You'll lead and grow a portfolio of key corporate partnerships, ensuring high levels of stewardship, engagement and retention, managing partnerships from initiation, contracting through to renewal.

• Build and nurture long term meaningful relationships with corporate partners, aligning their support with Chester Zoo's mission.
• Develop innovative sponsorship and fundraising propositions that excite partners and create long‑term value.
• Confidently manage a portfolio of high‑value partnerships while proactively identifying and securing new opportunities.
• Collaborate across teams to identify funding opportunities, create engaging events, corporate volunteering opportunities, and impactful stewardship programmes.

Well, where do we start? Here goes… We're a huge team of conservationists, scientists, educators, animal welfare experts, marketeers, visitor experience professionals, environmental policy influencers; the list goes on. Each and every one of us is on a mission to make Chester Zoo the best in the world, and our planet a better place. As the UK's biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there's always lots going on here.

We're an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of over 600 permanent and 500 temporary team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development. We have ambitious goals, and we want you to be with us for the long term on our exciting journey. Our working environment could not be more different from a typical office – where else can you see critically endangered orangutans from your office window, or stroll among rare giraffes and tigers on your lunch break?

• Contract Type – Permanent
• Working Hours – 40 hours
• Salary – £35,497 per annum
• Flex working from home – 2 days a week
• 33 days annual leave plus the option to buy or sell up to 5 days
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family
• Cycle to work scheme
• Healthcare plan and employee assistance programme
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions up to 9%

• Proven experience in corporate fundraising or business development, with a track record of securing and managing high‑value relationships and working to targets.
• Strong understanding of corporate giving and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) principles.
• Excellent relationship‑building and…