Sponsorship & Partnerships Lead

The role

This is a commercially-minded, relationship-driven role for someone who knows how to turn conversations into long-term partnerships and who genuinely cares about the mission behind them. You'll grow The Gut Foundation's income across three streams: 

1. Corporate sponsorship & partnerships 

Build strong relationships and grow our funding pipeline through tailored sponsorship offerings and fundraising events, taking ownership of ticket and table sales to maximise revenue 

2. Grants & funding 

Identify and lead grant applications end-to-end. From research through to submission and acquittal. Grant funding is restricted and carries reporting obligations; experience here is valued, and a willingness to learn is essential. 

3. Education revenue 

Convert our gut health workshops into a paid programme for corporates and trades. Workshop relationships often become sponsorship relationships; you'll know how to make that connection. 

What you’ll be doing

• Identifying and securing sponsorship, partnership and funding opportunities  

• Developing sponsorship proposals, presentations and partnership packages  

• Building and maintaining strong relationships with sponsors and stakeholders  

• Leading grant applications and supporting broader fundraising initiatives  

• Represent the Gut Foundation at meetings, events and networking opportunities  

• Supporting education workshops, stakeholder engagement and sponsor communications 

• Take ownership of ticket and table sales for fundraising events 

About you 

You're confident in a room full of people and motivated by purpose, not just a paycheque. You know the difference between a sponsorship conversation and a grant application. You can write a compelling proposal and follow through on a relationship without being chased. 

You're comfortable working autonomously at 0.5 FTE. You know how to prioritise, you don't need hand-holding, and when things need doing, you just do them. 

You’ll ideally bring

• Experience in sponsorship, partnerships, fundraising, sales, or business development 

• A track record of building high-trust relationships with sponsors, funders, or senior stakeholders 

• Strong written communication skills - proposals, presentations, grant applications 

• Familiarity with grant processes and restricted vs unrestricted funding (or genuine eagerness to learn) 

• Confidence networking and representing an organisation externally 

• A low-ego, collaborative approach, you pitch in regardless of the task 

• A genuine interest in health, education, or the not-for-profit sector 

• Experience presenting to groups is a plus, not a prerequisite, the CEO will mentor you here 

What we offer  

This Auckland-based role is 0.5 FTE (20 hours per week) with flexible remote working arrangements makes it ideal for someone looking hours they can work around other life commitments.