Who we are

The Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW) is an independent research and development institute exploring how new technologies are transforming work and society. We generate insight and evidence, shape policy, and engage with diverse partners to promote a fairer future through better work.

Role Overview

IFOW are looking for an individual who can build strong programmes of activity to deliver impact in the service of a charitable mission, through strategic partnerships with academia, industry and policy.

The applicant must be experienced at proactively identifying, engaging and building relationships that deliver impact, whilst also ensuring sustainable operations through income generation.

Applicants should be able to show strong leadership and consortium-building capabilities to scope and develop opportunities in collaboration with our research and development teams. The ideal candidate will also have strong programme management capabilities to ensure the appropriate processes and tools are in place to deliver value for our organisation and core partners. The ideal candidate must also be used to working in fast-paced and agile organisations. Additionally, they must have strong experience of proactive income generation and have the ability to work collaboratively across the organisation to realise new opportunities.  

Our small team is made up of determined individuals who are resolutely mission-focused. We are looking for a colleague to have fun with and learn with. If you’re passionate about a fairer future of better work and want to engage in the practical work of making it happen, please get in touch.  

Key Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the partnership strategy, ensuring high-quality partnerships whilst working within the Senior Leadership Team to deliver on IFOW’s strategic objectives.
• Build strong relationships by engaging with key stakeholders who pose opportunities for research, learning, collaboration and funding.
• Oversee and maintain thriving stakeholder relationships, capturing lessons learned and implementing these in ways that promote collaboration and understanding between all parties.
• Develop a strong pipeline of prospects, whilst ensuring that these are actively progressed by supporting the drafting of proposals, preparing accurate budgets and supporting project infrastructures.
• Identify funding opportunities and sources of funding for IFOW, including public sector sources, philanthropy and commercial opportunities.
• Ensure partnerships within the charity can be delivered to a high standard, by supporting operational workflows across the organisation that help across the whole programme lifecycle, identifying opportunities for improved ways of working

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes      

• Experience in networking and relationship building with senior executives and academics, supported by a demonstrated understanding of stakeholder management.
• Experience of engaging with UKRI or other public research funders, with a good understanding of UK research funding landscape.
• Ability to think critically about models and forms of partnership with different types of organisations, and the implications of different models.
• A track record of engaging with corporates and members, with experience of raising income through these engagements.
• Very comfortable in creating and executing an end-to-end partnership strategy.
• Experience of utilising project management software and CRM systems to drive engagement and deliver results.
• Experience working in the technology, policy or social justice environment is a plus, though not a prerequisite.
• Adept at quickly understanding organisational challenges and opportunities, and mapping this to the landscape.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to be at ease with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
• The ability to work both collaboratively and independently, comfortable with making decisions at pace and sometimes in a changing and uncertain environment.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to stay on top of many large and small tasks simultaneously, as well as a commitment to quality and attention to detail.
• A strong commitment to the goals and ethos of IFOW.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to play a central role in shaping the future of work at a critical time.
• A supportive and dynamic team environment with scope for professional growth and progression as IFOW expands.
• Salary £ 52,500 FTE per annum
• Contract: 1 year with view to renew
• Location: Hybrid: working remotely, with weekly in-person days in our central London office, and commitment to in-person attendance at events as and when required.
• Hours: Full-time 37.5 hours per week. IFOW offers flexible ways of working, and up to two months fully remote working each year, one of which must be in August.
• Leave: 28 days + 3 days shutdown over the Christmas period

‍To apply

‍Please send a CV and a cover letter to team@ifow.org. Please ensure your cover letter is less than 500 words - this is a good way for you to demonstrate that you can communicate with clarity and brevity.

We are an equal opportunities employer; we firmly believe that diverse teams create better work and as such we welcome a broad range of perspectives, approaches, and backgrounds in applicants. To help us fulfil our commitment to encouraging diversity and promoting equal opportunities, please do fill out our anonymous Equality & Diversity Monitoring Information survey.

You must have the right to work in the UK - as a small charity, we are not able to sponsor visa applications.

IFOW is an accredited UK Living Wage Employer.

Should you need to make an application in a different format or require any adjustments as part of the application process, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Closing date Friday 12th December 2025 at midday