Vacancy at Make-A-Wish UK
Art of Wishes Business Development Lead
Salary
£ 55,722
Reading
Vacancy listed
18/07/2025
Application deadline
15/08/2025
Details
Location - Reading with Hybrid working
Candidates need to be comfortable travelling to Head office at least twice per month at their own expense as well as travel to and from stakeholder meetings across various locations.
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Closing Date: 15th August 2025
We may close this role sooner if we receive a significant number of applications.
Where Art Meets Impact – Help Us Grant More Life Changing Wishes
Art of Wishes was founded by philanthropist and art collector Batia Ofer, inspired by the belief that art can be a powerful force for good. Rooted in the mission of Make-A-Wish UK, Art of Wishes brings together remarkable artists, curators, collectors, and patrons to help grant life-changing wishes for children living with critical illnesses. We've raised £13m and granted 5000 wishes to date and we have more work to do. This unique initiative blends the beauty and emotional power of art with the joy and hope that a granted wish can bring. As our new Business Development Lead, you’ll play a vital role in growing this vision, building meaningful partnerships with corporate sponsors, galleries, brands, and individuals who share our belief in the magic of both art and giving.
Working closely with and supported by a small, passionate team, you’ll help shape the future of Art of Wishes. You’ll lead on identifying and nurturing new opportunities, managing relationships, negotiating impactful partnerships, and helping us expand our reach and impact. This is more than a commercial role, it’s a chance to connect people to a cause that changes lives, to work at the intersection of culture and compassion, and to help write the next chapter of an inspiring story. If you’re someone who understands both the art world and the power of a child’s wish, we would love to hear from you.
Working closely with and supported by a small, passionate team, you’ll help shape the future of Art of Wishes. You’ll lead on identifying and nurturing new opportunities, managing relationships, negotiating impactful partnerships, and helping us expand our reach and impact. This is more than a commercial role, it’s a chance to connect people to a cause that changes lives, to work at the intersection of culture and compassion, and to help write the next chapter of an inspiring story. If you’re someone who understands both the art world and the power of a child’s wish, we would love to hear from you.
Core Purpose:
The Business Development Lead will drive the commercial and partnership growth of Art of Wishes, building a robust portfolio of high-value corporate sponsors, brand partners, galleries, and HNW patrons. With a remit across contracts, relationship management, and strategic collaboration, the role combines commercial strategy with arts-sector sensitivity and fundraising purpose.
You’ll lead on structuring and negotiating partnerships, managing contractual agreements, growing corporate sponsorship, and driving new business aligned with organisational goals.
You'll work alongside the Art of Wishes & Special Events Lead whose remit is to deliver the logistical event aspects of this programme of work. A small Art of Wishes delivery team will help support both the events and administration of the programme.
The Art of Wishes Business Development Lead will contribute to the strategic positioning and growth of Art of Wishes.
You’ll lead on structuring and negotiating partnerships, managing contractual agreements, growing corporate sponsorship, and driving new business aligned with organisational goals.
You'll work alongside the Art of Wishes & Special Events Lead whose remit is to deliver the logistical event aspects of this programme of work. A small Art of Wishes delivery team will help support both the events and administration of the programme.
The Art of Wishes Business Development Lead will contribute to the strategic positioning and growth of Art of Wishes.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement a business development strategy aligned with Art of Wishes’ fundraising and brand goals.
- Identify, secure, and grow high-value partnerships across luxury, corporate, creative, and philanthropic sectors.
- Lead on sponsorship negotiations, value exchange agreements, and bespoke partnership propositions.
- Build and manage a robust pipeline of prospects, delivering compelling pitches and proposals.
- Oversee commercial delivery of campaigns and events, ensuring excellence and alignment with partner expectations.
- Use data and KPIs to drive performance, maximise ROI, and meet income targets.
- Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to co-create campaigns and ensure contract compliance.
- Represent Art of Wishes at high-profile events and forums, championing our mission and impact.
- Contribute to strategic planning, budgeting, and cross-functional initiatives across Make-A-Wish UK.
To see the full job description please scroll down to the bottom of the page.
Essential Criteria:
- Professional Experience in an art, luxury brand or creative strategic development environment
- At least 8 years’ experience in business development, special events, corporate sponsorship or philanthropy, ideally in the arts, cultural or luxury sectors
- Proven ability to secure and deliver commercial partnerships and contractual agreements
- Strong track record of project and programme leadership, with experience balancing delivery and stakeholder expectations
- Experience working with (Ultra) High Net Worth Individuals
- Excellent networking and relationship manager skills and the ability to motivate and influence supporters or customers to reach targets
- Ability to build and develop strong relationships with confidence and acquire new business to maximise on all fundraising opportunities
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to deal with and manage high performing complex relationships
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Great time management, prioritisation and planning skills.
At Make-A-Wish, we believe that agile working gives everyone an opportunity to have their own work pattern that suits their role and individual needs. We believe this is the most effective way to give our best to wish children and supporters, and as a result deliver our charitable mission in the most effective way; whilst ensuring we create a happy workplace.
The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Relevant level of DBS check will be required for this role. Employment is subject to positive references and proof of the right to work in the UK.
Make-A-Wish is also committed to attracting and recruiting diverse people as it’s vital that we strive towards ensuring that our trustees, employees, ambassadors and volunteers reflect the communities we seek to serve.
To apply for this role:
To apply for this role you must submit both your CV and Cover Letter, ensuring all questions below are answered in full.
General Questions
Are you eligible to work in the UK?
General Questions
Are you eligible to work in the UK?
- Will you require any reasonable adjustment during the selection stages?
- When are you available to start this role?
Assessed Questions
- Thinking about the context of the job description, how would you demonstrate our values of magic, inclusion and inspiration in a meaningful way in this role?
- Please tell us about your experience as it relates to the key responsibilities for the role.
- Evidence key partnerships and relationships projects which you have instigated from start to finish.
- Evidence managing five, six and seven figure partner relationships.
Interviews
First Stage: 27th August 2025
Second Stage: 29th August 2025
If you have any queries, please contact jobs@makeawish.org.uk
Benefits
* Competitive salaries
* 26 days annual leave with the option to buy/sell
* Birthday leave
* Birthday and work anniversary recognition gifts
* Hybrid working
* Pension scheme
* 2x days of paid leave a year to volunteer
* Pirkx Subscription - Access to wellbeing support, training and events, including a wellbeing and retail discount platform
* Cycle to work initiative
Attached documents
| Title | File |
|---|---|
| JD | AoW_Business_Development_Lead.pdf |