Senior Business Development Manager

ISD is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to safeguarding human rights and reversing the rising tide of polarisation, extremism and disinformation worldwide.

Why work for ISD?

ISD is not your ordinary think tank. We turn research into action that changes the world. Our insights don’t gather dust on shelves – they power the fight to protect democracy and human rights on the front lines. We’re committed to delivering real change, from the grassroots to the highest levels of global institutions. And we’re looking for passionate individuals who share our commitment to making a difference. Join us and be part of an organisation that’s making an impact.

ISD’s Guiding Principles of integrity, collaboration, agility and courage define who we are as a team and an organisation. These principles reflect our culture and guide the way we work and the choices we make.

Our benefits

• Flexible and remote working based on ISD’s Time Principles of trust, communication and flexibility.
• 20 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day for every year of service, plus 8 bank holidays.
• 1 week of additional paid time off over Christmas, outside of your annual leave entitlement.
• Additional paid time off for development and life’s important events.
• Sick pay and enhanced family friendly policies and compassionate leave.
• Company pension with 5% employer contribution.
• Annual personal development budget.
• Remote working budget.
• Employee Assistance Programme and dedicated counsellors for those working with potentially traumatic content.
• Inclusive wellbeing programme with regular wellbeing initiatives e.g. early finish on a Friday.

Salary

£45,000 – £60,000, depending on experience.

Location

You may work from our office in central London, from home, or on a hybrid arrangement to suit you. Please note you will be required to attend the office occasionally for team meetings.

Hours

This is a full time position, 40 hours per week. We are open to exploring flexible and/or part-time arrangements for this position.

Contract type

Permanent employment contract

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

ISD is committed to promoting diversity throughout its workforce and aims for its team to be truly representative of all sections of society. We make a concerted effort to ensure our workplace, employment policies and organisational culture creates an inclusive, positive and progressive environment in which all members of our team are treated with dignity and respect. For further information about this policy or our recruitment practices, please email vacancies@isdglobal.org.

We strongly encourage applications from people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, carers, and people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.

The role

ISD has led and trailed innovative research and analysis, interventions, education and counter narrative programmes in the UK since its founding 15 years ago. The Senior Business Development Manager will seek to build on the historical legacy of ISD in the UK by reengaging, reinvigorating, and reconstituting both old and new relationships with a range of UK-based partners and donors. The post holder will report to the Managing Director and work closely with the Director of Project Operations and relevant Heads of Department in designing, developing, and delivering a series of exciting development opportunities to support overall growth in the UK.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead on opportunity research activities, including proactively monitoring opportunities across a number of portals and databases.
• Deliver high-impact, well-written concept notes and proposals for a range of stakeholders as outlined in ISD’s UK development strategy.
• Oversee the bid process for proposals, including liaising with partners and donors and managing cross-departmental internal team contributions.

To view a full job description, please click here.

The ideal candidate

The ideal candidate will have impeccable writing skills, an understanding of grant and contracting mechanisms used by a range of UK entities and institutions and significant experience in development and fundraising related to polarisation, hate and extremism in the UK.

Please review our job description for essential criteria, and keep in mind that no candidate will meet every requirement in the advert. If your experience looks a little different from what we’ve identified, but you think you can bring value to the role, we’d love to hear from you.