Capital appeal fundraising manager jobs

We are looking for a bold, creative, and strategic fundraising leader to work alongside the CEO to rebuild and grow our income — securing existing partnerships while opening up new streams of support. 

Like many UK charities, Opportunity International has faced a challenging few years. Shifts in government funding, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and periods of leadership transition have all affected our income since 2018. Yet, out of this challenge comes great opportunity. We are now entering an exciting phase of renewal — revitalising our brand, re-energising our supporter base, and reimagining how we engage with donors.

Historically, our private income has been driven by generous major donors, and while this will continue to be a core pillar, our strategy is focused on diversification and long-term sustainability. In the short term, we’re deepening our relationships with trusts and foundations and growing our individual giving, particularly through digital channels. Looking ahead, we plan to strengthen our legacy programme and build meaningful corporate partnerships. With our refreshed brand and vibrant new visual identity, we’re well-positioned to reach new audiences and inspire fresh support. Our Royal Patron and emerging ambassadors will help us to do this.

The successful candidate will have the exciting opportunity to help shape our organisational strategy for the next 3–5 years (to be finalised in early 2026) and to lead the design and delivery of a dynamic fundraising and communications strategy. A major appeal or capital campaign is expected to be a cornerstone of this work.

If you'd like to have an informal conversation about this role then please contact Mary Oakes, CEO, to arrange.

Our University has a proud history of philanthropy stretching back to its foundation in 1900. With a clear vision to change the lives of the people of Birmingham, Joseph Chamberlain raised the funds required to build the University from citizens and corporations based locally and around the globe. Since then philanthropy has continued to play an important role in shaping the University. There have been a number of fundraising campaigns, including a £1m urgent capital appeal after the Second World War and a £1.4m campaign to fund the Vale ‘student village’ in the 1960s. In 2015 we closed the Circles of Influence Campaign, raising £193 million, making it the largest HE fundraising campaign outside Oxbridge and London.

DARO exists to support our academic and student community by engaging, inspiring, and celebrating alumni, individuals, and charitable funders who give their money, time, and networks to support the University’s strategic priorities. The Office, which is comprised of five teams, is focused on fundraising and volunteering from alumni, organisations and individuals who are passionate about changing lives, through funding various research projects, supporting student bursaries, mentoring students, and providing internships, as well as providing a versatile programme of engagement opportunities for our global alumni community.

There is a rare opportunity to join the DARO Senior Leadership team at this exciting time in our current campaign.

We are looking for an Associate Director of Charitable Partnerships to maximise our enormous income generation potential; coach, nurture and challenge the well-established Charitable Partnerships team; and deliver a bold and innovative strategy to support this exciting campaign, raising significant gifts yourself from an established and growing portfolio. You will lead a team of expert trust and corporate fundraisers to work across the campus and deliver an institution-wide service to generate income, networks and influence from corporates, charities, trusts and foundations. You will be responsible for creating a motivational and supportive environment for your team with professional development opportunities for all members. You will maintain oversight of all significant charitable relationships, including your own portfolio, and be the first point of contact for the amazing opportunities in this space. As a key member of DARO’s Senior Leadership team you will help shape the strategic direction of the function and work collaboratively with other Associate Directors to take our campaign to the next level. 

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. 

Be part of something truly inspiring.

The Orpheus Centre is an award-winning charity that supports disabled young adults aged 18–25 to live independent, fulfilling lives through the performing and visual arts. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted, we are driven by our values — joyful, bold, inclusive, resilient and determined — and a vision of an inclusive world where every young person can achieve their aspirations.

We are now seeking a strategic, values-led Director of Finance to join our Senior Leadership Team and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our organisation.

Salary: £72,000 – £77,000 (depending on experience)

Hours: 35 hours per week, 52 weeks per year

Location: Godstone, Surrey (onsite with some flexibility)

Contract: Permanent

About the Role

You’ll lead the financial strategy, planning and operations for the Orpheus Centre, ensuring sustainability, transparency and compliance while enabling innovation and growth. Reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with Trustees and senior leaders, you will:

• Provide strategic financial leadership and insight to drive organisational success.
• Oversee all aspects of financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, reporting and audit.
• Ensure compliance with The Charity Commission, HMRC and Companies House regulations.
• Lead on procurement, risk management and digital transformation in finance systems.
• Manage investments and oversee capital and operational budgets.
• Lead and develop a small, high-performing finance team.

This is a hands-on and highly influential role for someone who thrives on both strategic planning and operational excellence.

About You

You’ll be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with significant experience in senior financial leadership — ideally within the charity and/or education sector.

You will bring:

• Strong understanding of charity SORP, financial governance and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience working with Boards and governance structures.
• Proven ability to deliver strategic financial planning and risk management.
• Excellent communication, leadership and influencing skills.
• A proactive, future-focused approach and commitment to Orpheus’ values and mission. 

Why join Orpheus?

• At Orpheus, you’ll join a joyful and inclusive community that values creativity and collaboration. We offer:
• The opportunity to play a key role in an Outstanding organisation.
• A collaborative leadership environment with real impact.
• A supportive and passionate team culture.
• Ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Free parking on our beautiful Surrey campus.

Join us in making a lasting difference in the lives of young disabled people through the power of the arts.

Safeguarding & Equality

Orpheus is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. All posts are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and satisfactory references. This post is classed as having a high degree of contact with vulnerable adults and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

As part of our safer recruitment process and in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025, online searches may be undertaken as part of due diligence.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

In order to be considered you must be eligible to work in the UK.

The Orpheus Centre is proud to be a disability confident employer.

We have made a positive commitment to employing disabled people. Reasonable adjustments will be made to the recruitment procedure as required in consultation with the applicant to ensure no-one is disadvantaged because of their disability. If a disabled person is selected for a position, reasonable adjustments will be made to the workplace, including premises and equipment, work duties and practices or policies, as appropriate. All disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role as set out in the role profile and person specification will be guaranteed an interview.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are:

• Challenging attitudes towards disability
• Increasing understanding of disability
• Removing barriers to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions
• Ensuring that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspiration

Applications will be reviewed as we receive them and if a suitable candidate is identified, we reserve the right to close our advert sooner.

Welfare Rights Adviser 

Department - Support hub

Salary £32,445 per annum ( £19,467 pro rata for part time) 

Hours of work 22.5 hours a week over three days.

Base Hybrid working for the foreseeable future with regular attendance to the office at least 2 days week at Royal Free Charity, The Pears Building, Pond Street, London, NW3 2PP and Royal Free Hospital- Support Hub

The role

The welfare rights adviser will report to the welfare rights supervisor.

The welfare rights adviser  will be supporting people affected by long term health issues with financial challenges, supporting with benefit and housing advice, and referring on for further support where appropriate. 

Experience as a welfare rights adviser, including managing your own casework, is essential when applying for this role.

Principal accountabilities / responsibilities: -

Welfare rights advice and casework

· To provide welfare rights advice and casework for people affected by long-term health conditions, including inpatients, outpatients, and carers.

· To work at least two days per week on site, mainly based at the Royal Free Hospital or the Royal Free Charity office

· To provide advice and support primarily on welfare benefits and housing matters (that do not require a solicitor).

· To check whether clients are in receipt of all the benefits they are entitled to and help them claim relevant benefits.

· To help clients understand benefit decisions and challenge them (where appropriate) by way of mandatory reconsiderations and appeals.

· To help clients ensure they keep to their responsibilities in respect of their benefit claims, for example by notifying any relevant changes of circumstances.

· To refer or signpost clients to other agencies or departments as appropriate, e.g., housing solicitors; community care cases involving social services and NHS duties, FCA-regulated debt and immigration services.

· To signpost or refer to other services that might be valuable to a client such as condition specific charities, mental health support, or offerings in the local community that would improve their health and wellbeing.

· As part of this role, there may be some advice given to NHS staff.

· There may also be some involvement in new advice projects

· There will also be some triaging new referrals as part of this role

The team

The support hub department is here to support people affected by long term health conditions (patients and carers), to help them with the practicalities of living with a chronic condition; to improve wellbeing and quality of life. 

We are here to transform patient experience and staff experience and change lives for the better.

We aim to play our part in addressing inequalities in health, through supporting with the wider determinants of health (e.g., finances, housing); areas which can have a direct impact on someone’s health outcomes and recovery. Through doing this, we support the NHS and Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust staff, stepping in where they may not have the time or expertise.

We are proud to hold the Advice Quality Standard (AQS), recognising us as well-run legal advice service, operating within social welfare law, and committed to social justice. 

Organisation

The Royal Free Charity stands at the threshold of its most important period of development.

Our vision is for everyone served by the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust (RFL) to have access to world-leading healthcare, delivered by a thriving workforce, and driven by medical research that has a global impact. We support the 17,000 staff of the RFL and their two million patients across Barnet, Chase Farm, North Mid and Royal Free hospitals and more than 30 NHS services.

Through the services we provide, and the programmes and equipment we fund, we make a profound and immediate difference to patients’ experiences of care.

The recruitment process

To apply for this post, send your:

•  CV (please include your last employer and dates of employment)
• Cover letter addressing how you meet the criteria set out in the job description and person specification.

Please note, that applications submitted without a cover letter may not be considered for this role.

Closing date for application: Monday 10 November 2025, 12 noon.

Interview date: Wednesday 19 November  2025

Please kindly note that we may close the job advert before the closing date if we receive a large volume of applications.

• You must be eligible to work in the UK

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may require during the recruitment process.

As an equal opportunities’ employer, the Royal Free Charity is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join the Royal Free Charity and act in line with our values of dedication, innovation, partnership, energy and respect.