Chief fundraising officer jobs

We are seeking a dynamic Fundraising Executive to lead on securing income from trusts and foundations. In this pivotal role, you will identify funding opportunities, craft compelling and persuasive applications, and build strong, lasting relationships with funders.

You will also play a key role in supporting wider fundraising activity, including developing corporate partnerships and exploring diverse income streams. Working closely with an experienced and supportive CEO, you will help drive the organisation’s long-term sustainability and growth.

Our organisation benefits from fantastic local support and is highly valued by the young people we serve. We are committed to sustaining our therapeutic services while expanding and diversifying our offer — including social groups for LGBTQ+ young people and mentoring programmes.

With the energy of a new CEO and a clear strategic plan, we are focused on delivering high-quality early intervention that nurtures and empowers young people to reach their full potential.

If you are an experienced fundraiser with a passion for making a meaningful difference, we would love to hear from you. Flexible work options.

Lead and Direct Income Generation and Future Fundraising for Swindon Food Collective

The role has key responsibility for all income generation activities at Swindon Food Collective. This includes high-profile networking with local businesses, corporations and the public sector, processing grant applications, growing and managing key corporate partnerships and significantly increasing fundraising activities. This is a senior role and the role-holder will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team. The work involves undertaking frequent travel to local corporations, businesses, and wider public sector stakeholders. 

Role Purpose
To design, deliver and secure a multi-stream recurring income generation strategy, manage charity-wide philanthropy, and strengthen long-term financial resilience.

Key responsibilities

Strategy and planning
• Develop and deliver a 12–24-month income generation plan aligned to SFC priorities and the Trustee Strategy & Fundraising Committee.
• Build a balanced income mix (corporate, philanthropy, trusts, community and digital where appropriate), with clear targets and resource assumptions.
• Produce compelling cases for support and pitch materials tailored to different audiences.

Corporate partnerships and sponsorship
• Identify, cultivate and secure corporate partnerships and sponsorships (including 'charity of the year' and payroll giving where feasible).
• Design partnership packages (benefits, brand alignment, staff engagement, volunteering) and manage delivery and stewardship.
• Work closely with the Brand Ambassador & Events Manager to convert event leads into partnership conversations. 

Philanthropy, major donors and relationship fundraising
• Build and steward relationships with high-value supporters, ensuring excellent donor care and personalised stewardship.
• Manage a prospect pipeline (research, cultivation plans, asks, stewardship and renewals).
• Coordinate CEO and trustee involvement in high-value relationships where appropriate. 

Trusts, foundations and grant fundraising
• Own the trusts and foundations pipeline, from identifying funders to writing compelling bids and submitting applications.
• Coordinate impact evidence and data collection across SFC to strengthen applications and reporting.
• Complete and undertake all funding and grant applications (corporate and public sector) in a timely fashion and ahead of relevant deadlines. Report funding progress to stakeholders. 
• Ensure timely and high-quality funder reporting and relationship management. 

Performance management, systems and compliance
• Manage income forecasting, budgeting and ROI tracking; set and monitor KPIs and provide clear reporting to CEO/Board.
• Maintain accurate records in the CRM (or agreed system), ensuring GDPR compliance and strong data quality.
• Ensure fundraising activity aligns with relevant fundraising standards and ethical practice. 

Leadership and organisational contribution
• Senior Leadership Team member: contribute to organisational planning, budgeting and risk management.
• Work collaboratively across operations and volunteering functions to ensure fundraising promises align with delivery capability and safeguarding requirements.
• Coach and support colleagues and volunteers who contribute to income generation activity. 
• Other tasks as relevant / determined by the CEO. 
 

About Emmaus

Emmaus Merseyside is an award-winning charity that empowers people to overcome homelessness for good. We provide people with a stable home and life-changing tailored support.

We’re here for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. We see the person and their strengths – and help them get their life back on track, based on the future they want to create. As part of a nationwide movement of local Emmaus charities, we equip people with valuable skills, training and work experience to achieve their goals.

No one’s life should be defined by homelessness. In our caring community, we build on each individual’s abilities, increasing their confidence and self-esteem. The people we support have a purpose and a chance to make a real contribution to their community.

About the role

As Chief Executive Officer, you will be the heartbeat and guiding force of Emmaus Merseyside. This is a role for a leader who believes deeply in people and the power of community.

You will champion our mission, inspire our companions, staff and volunteers, and ensure our organisation continues to grow in strength, resilience and impact. Balancing strategic vision with hands‑on leadership, you will help shape a future where every person we support has the opportunity to thrive.

We are seeking a visible CEO who is grounded in the Emmaus values and passionate about supporting others to succeed. This exciting role is suited to someone who can balance strategic thinking with day-to-day involvement; who listens, brings people with them and leads with empathy, clarity and purpose.

This is an exceptional opportunity to make a tangible difference, lead an established charity, and shape the future of a community that changes lives every day.

Please find attached the Applicant Information Pack below, which includes the job description and person specification.

How to apply

To apply for the role, please download the attached Applicant Information Pack below, which includes the job description and person specification.

You are invited to submit a CV and a tailored covering letter outlining your suitability for the role, along with your alignment to our values and mission. Please apply before the closing date for applications, 10am on Friday 17 April.

Following an initial longlisting process, selected candidates will be invited to an informal conversation with a trustee. This provides an opportunity to learn more about Emmaus Merseyside, the role and our community. Shortlisted applicants will then be invited to attend a formal interview and deliver a presentation on Thursday 23 April. 

This staged approach is designed to provide a supportive and transparent experience, enabling both candidates and the Board of Trustees to explore mutual fit and leadership alignment.

Operations Director:

A new post at the Longford Trust, created at an exciting time of growth and development for the charity.

- A 3 day-a-week role;

- Reporting to the Director and working as part of the Senior Management Team of the trust, within an overall cohort of eight, all part-time posts;

- Paid pro-rata of £50-55,000 depending on experience via PAYE with pensions contributions;

- The trust has no physical office, so team members work remotely, with flexible hours, but all team members work Tuesdays. There are regular face-to-face team meetings, as well as one-to-ones, so easy access to London an advantage.

Responsibilities

- Leadership role in following areas: strategy, developing and implementing the 10-Year-Plan; HR; our Frank Awards programme; Communications and Marketing, systems, digital and AI.

- Working with the Director on fund-raising and finance, growing and nurturing our core partnerships;

- Working with other SMT members when needed in delivering their specific programme areas.

Person specification

Essential qualities you need to be able to demonstrate:

- commitment to prison reform, with an understanding of the prison system and the barriers it creates for those leaving prison (lived experience of the prison or the criminal justice system is valued);

- senior management background either in a charitable organisation or in a relevant area;

- an entrepreneurial approach;

- proven leadership skills and ability to represent the trust in public settings;

- track record in expressing yourself clearly and persuasively in writing;

- strong interpersonal skills in regard of team-working, team-building and upholding the values of the trust;

- up-to-date financial and digital literacy.

Values

Taking our cue from Frank Longford, after whom the trust is named, our values shape every aspect of our work, including all relationships between team members, trustees, scholarship award-holders, our volunteer trained mentors and our employability partners. These values include:

- A firm belief in the power of education to change lives;

- A passion for second chances for those with lived experience of prison;

- A thorough-going can-do, practical approach that is driven by a desire to level the playing field for those who have been to prison and are committed to building new lives;

- A commitment to integration of all regardless of background and circumstances. We assume the best, start from the positive, are curious, are always ready to learn, and reject fixed mindsets.

Who we are and what we do

The Longford Trust was set up in 2002. Each November, it stages an annual Longford Lecture and awards an annual Longford Prize. Our Longford Scholarship programme supports young serving and ex-prisoners to continue their rehabilitation by going to university. It is the only programme of its type across the UK, supporting more than 600 individuals so far, with over 100 current award-holders, as well as many alumni who continue to be part of the trust. Between 80 and 85% of those we support go on to graduate, move into employment and build new lives. Our scholarship programme accounts for more than three quarters of our expenditure

Apply to with an up-to-date CV and accompanying letter explaining how you fit our job specification, why you want to work with the Longford Trust, and what you will bring to it. Closing date noon on Friday May 1. Interviews will be in person in the second week of May.

We’re looking for an experienced, proactive fundraiser who can think strategically and deliver hands-on. Someone confident writing bids, building partnerships and spotting opportunities for growth.

This is a key role at a pivotal moment for AudioActive, offering the chance to build on strong foundations and shape a diverse, sustainable income model and power a team that is dedicated to empowering young people through music.

What you’ll do

• Lead and deliver AudioActive’s fundraising and development strategy
• Grow income across trusts & foundations, tenders, contracts and partnerships
• Write high-quality bids, proposals and pitches
• Develop new business partnerships aligned with our mission
• Build strong relationships with funders, partners and supporters
• Work closely with the CEO and team to align income with programmes
• Track performance, manage targets and identify new opportunities

Senior Fundraising Manager (Major Giving)

Salary£49,321.55 per annum

LocationLondon/Hybrid

Weekly Hours35

The Vacancy

Job Title: Senior Fundraising Manager (Major Giving)

Location: London/Hybrid

Salary: £49,321.55 per annum

Weekly Hours: 35

Reference: YMC1095733

Join YMCA England & Wales as our next Senior Fundraising Manager (Major Giving) and play a crucial role in transforming the lives of young people. This is your chance to lead a vibrant fundraising initiative that makes a real difference!

About Us:

At YMCA England & Wales, we uplift vulnerable young people by providing them with safe homes, vital life skills, and the support they need to thrive. We’re all about fairness, opportunity, and collective action—join us in making a difference!

Your Role:

As our Senior Fundraising Manager, you’ll develop and execute an ambitious Major Giving strategy, building strong relationships with high-net-worth donors and engaging new prospects. Get ready to innovate with Giving Circles, Development Boards, and more!

What You'll Do:

- Cultivate and grow a portfolio of major donors.

- Host exclusive events and personal meetings to engage and inspire support.

- Create compelling proposals and impact reports that resonate with supporters.

- Collaborate with senior leaders and Trustees to strengthen relationships with philanthropists.

- Bring your strategic mindset to implement YMCA’s Major Giving Strategy.

About You:

You're a motivated and personable fundraising professional with a track record of securing five- and six-figure gifts. Your relationship management skills are top-notch, and you’re passionate about crafting unforgettable donor experiences. 

Why Join Us?

- Be part of a vibrant, growing fundraising team impacting young people's lives.

- Work for a charity that values collaboration and celebrates your contributions.

- Enjoy a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.

If you’re ready to make a real impact and promote a fun, friendly environment, we’d love to hear from you! Join us and help shape the future of young people across England & Wales!

To apply: please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role

Our recruitment process is anonymised and candidates' names are hidden. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. Safer recruitment is important to us and the successful applicant will be asked to provide two references. They will also be required to complete a safeguarding self-declaration, safeguarding training and undertake a DBS check.

Use your leadership abilities to strengthen and encourage the persecuted church around the world.

Today 388 million Christians experience high levels of violence and oppression for their faith. And the shocking thing is that most people in the UK don’t know about it. Open Doors UK and Ireland raises awareness about the growing levels of persecution and enables people to join a huge underground global network which is keeping the church alive in the most dangerous and difficult contexts - despite the determined efforts of extremists to eradicate Christianity.

As we identify with people suffering for their faith, through prayer, giving and taking action, we see our faith grow. We see the church here become the mature body that we are called, in Scripture, to be.

We are now seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead this work through a season of missional growth, opportunity and ambition. The CEO will be pivotal in raising the profile of the persecuted church, deepening connections with the church in the UK and Ireland and influencing Government to protect Christians around the world.

To that end, the CEO will be a strategic leader, highly relational in approach, agile and nimble in mindset, delivery-oriented and passionate about strengthening the church.

If that sounds like you please see the job pack attached and prayerfully consider applying. You can expect to have your own faith, reading of Scripture and prayer-life, transformed!

Closing date for applications is 8th May 2026.

This is not a “keep things ticking over” role.

This is a build, grow, and lead role.

We are looking for someone who sees opportunity everywhere. Someone who doesn’t wait for funding rounds to open—but creates them. Someone who can turn a powerful mission into compelling investment cases that unlock serious income.

If that’s you, keep reading.

About Us

The Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre (MDSC) is a specialist charity transforming access to physical therapies for people with muscular dystrophy across the Midlands.

Founded by people with lived experience, we now support 700+ individuals through long-term therapy and community support—something almost no one else in the UK provides at this scale.

We’re ambitious. We’re growing. And we’re ready to take our income generation to the next level.

The Opportunity

This is a brand-new senior role, created to drive our next phase of growth.

You’ll work directly with the CEO to:

• Build a bold, multi-year income strategy
• Secure unrestricted and multi-year funding
• Open up new income streams (corporate, major donors, partnerships)
• Shape the story of MDSC so it lands powerfully with funders
• Build relationships and keep them for the support of our long term journey

Right now, fundraising is full of potential.
With the right person in post—it becomes transformational.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Strategy & Leadership

• Design and deliver a 3-year income generation strategy
• Build a strong, diverse funding pipeline
• Spot and secure high-value opportunities
• Work with the CEO to influence and report to the Board

Income Generation

• Lead on trusts & foundations, corporate partnerships, and major donors
• Develop new fundraising models and propositions
• Create compelling cases for support and funding bids
• Build long-term, strategic partnerships

Relationships & Impact

• Own supporter stewardship—make funders feel like true partners
• Lead on impact reporting and storytelling
• Ensure everything we communicate shows real, measurable change

Systems & Performance

• Strengthen internal fundraising systems and CRM use
• Track pipeline, performance, and return on investment
• Ensure compliance (GDPR, best practice, etc.)

Growth

This role is designed to grow.
You won’t just deliver income—you’ll help build the future fundraising team and structure.

Who We’re Looking For

You’ll likely bring:

Experience

• A strong track record of securing funding (£££)
• Experience developing and delivering fundraising strategy
• Success with multi-year and unrestricted income
• Confidence working across multiple income streams

Skills

• A brilliant storyteller—you can make people care, fast
• Commercial mindset—you think in terms of investment and return
• Strong organisation—you can manage pipeline, priorities, and pressure
• Financial confidence—budgets, forecasts, funding models

Mindset

• Proactive. You don’t wait—you make things happen
• Creative. You see opportunities others miss
• Tenacious. You follow through until it lands
• Collaborative. You bring people with you
• Values-led. You care deeply about impact

Why This Role

· You’ll work directly with the CEO—high influence, high visibility

· You’ll shape a function from the ground up

· You’ll have real freedom to innovate and build

· You’ll see the direct impact of your work on people’s lives

This is the kind of role people look back on and say:
 “That’s where everything changed.”

Our Offer

• Salary: £42–45k per annum – reviewed annually
• Pension contribution (3%)
• 22 days annual leave + bank holidays (+ increases with service)
• Discretionary organisation Christmas Shutdown 
• Generous training & development budget
• Real opportunities for rapid progression and growth
• Supportive, ambitious, and purpose-driven team

Background

We are Humane World for Animals, formerly called the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International. Since 1954, we have worked to create a more humane society for animals. Working side by side as the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International, we have helped to pass thousands of landmark laws, rescue hundreds of thousands of animals, and cared for and protected millions more.

In 2025, to convey our mission and make sure that everyone understands who we are and the bold work that we do, our organisations are standing together under a new shared name: Humane World for Animals. 

We are dedicated to changing the world for animals. We drive change with human action. We help people, communities, governments, and corporations shift behaviour, providing the right support and advocating for policy change to stem the root causes of suffering and cruelty.

Purpose of role

As the Managing Director for the UK and Europe, you will develop and deliver the European fundraising strategy and plans and oversee the execution of all fundraising activities in Europe. These activities include, but are not limited to individual giving, major gifts, bequests, corporate giving, and community fundraising.

Primary responsibilities

The job holder will have the following key responsibilities: 

• Oversees fundraising activities and performance in Humane World for Animals’ EU and UK offices. Works closely with the Country Directors and the VP of International Fundraising on the execution of the fundraising programmes. Identifies opportunities to improve efficiency and facilitates collaboration efforts across European offices. (30%)
• Manages all fundraisers in the region and ensures they achieve their goals by providing guidance and advice, training, performance management and career development. Coordinates priorities and tasks and monitors progress. (25%)
• Monitors and reports on performance progress towards agreed revenue targets; efficiency and cost-effectiveness (including external fundraising contractors); and challenges or opportunities in the external fundraising environment. (20%)
• Creates and manages the budget for fundraising expenses and income targets. Sets and reviews multi-year and yearly investment and revenue targets. (10%)
• Leads research, planning, and implementation of new marketing initiatives and acquisition programmes, including but not limited to DRTV, face-to-face, telemarketing and PSMS Mobile channels. Establishes effective donor retention strategies and oversees their execution. (10%)
• Works closely with the VP of International Fundraising to develop and execute a strategic vision to grow fundraising income in the Europe region, translating the vision into an action plan, and ensuring the successful implementation and execution of the vision. (5%)

Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and experience

• An academic degree or equivalent work experience is required.
• A minimum of eight or more years of fundraising experience with a proven track record in driving significant, multi-channel revenue growth across multiple markets.
• A minimum of five years of senior management experience leading fundraising or marketing teams, including leadership responsibilities for staff, strategy development and execution, and budget accountability, preferably in the animal welfare arena, required.
• Demonstrated experience scaling high-performing international fundraising programs. International NGO experience strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to deliver multi‑million income portfolios, optimize ROI, and drive continuous improvement in donor acquisition and retention.
• Experience accurately forecasting and reporting on revenue, expenditures and delivering against agreed KPIs.
• At least five years’ experience in at least one of the following income streams: individual giving, major gifts, bequests, corporate giving, and/or community fundraising. Additionally, a strong preference for marketing experience.

Skills and qualifications

• Excellent people managerial skills: ability to coach, motivate, and manage high‑performing fundraisers across dispersed locations.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to plan workload in order to manage fundraising program priorities and meet agreed targets.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative, entrepreneurial spirit, and drive to achieve desired outcomes.
• Ability to thrive in a matrixed, fast-paced, mission‑driven environment and drive collaboration across countries and functions.
• Knowledge and understanding of GDPR and other data protection regulations.
• Excellent English verbal and written skills.
• Ability to work in a self-directed manner.
• Willing and able to travel extensively in Europe.

Based at the heart of South Leeds, The Hunslet Club has been helping young people achieve their full potential for over 85 years. With a membership of 4000 young people and around 87,000 individual visits, we are one of the largest youth organisations in the country, dedicated to helping young people aged 18 months to 25 years. The club provides a safe space with diverse activities, including football, rugby, dance, boxing, gymnastics and youth clubs alongside alternative education, and vocational training.

Job TitlePhilanthropy Manager

Reporting to Chief Executive Officer

Location The Hunslet Club, Hillidge Road, Leeds, LS10 1BP / Hybrid Working

Salary                          £40K - £50K depending on experience.

Role

We are looking for a successful Philanthropy & Fundraising Manager with a proven track record in face-to-face major donor fundraising, or an individual with outstanding transferable skills and experience of working within the charity sector. The individual must thrive on building trusted relationships and be confident in securing significant philanthropic gifts by successfully securing complex, high-value partnerships over the line.

Management Supervision and Guidance

You will be responsible to the CEO for your daily tasks and duties, and ELT in any other matters.

Purpose
The Philanthropy Manager will create and drive The Hunslet Club’s fundraising strategy by cultivating and securing significant philanthropic support a new capital project to expand opportunities for young people across South Leeds. This role is central to building meaningful, long-term relationships with individual donors, trusts, foundations and partners, translating their passion for youth development into transformational investments that strengthen programmes, increase participation and create sustainable impact. The successful candidate will combine strategic vision with confident stewardship, ensuring that funding growth aligns with The Hunslet Club’s mission to help young people achieve their full potential.

Duties and responsibilities

The Philanthropy & Fundraising Manager will work on a full-time basis, or part-time on a pro-rata basis. The primary responsibility of the role is to secure £700,000 and above in philanthropic income over a 18 month period. This will be achieved through identifying, researching and cultivating individual donors, corporate supporters, trusts, foundations and strategic partners, using research tools and publicly available information to build and manage a strong portfolio of prospects, particularly those with an interest in supporting young people and communities.

To be successful, the postholder will develop an excellent understanding of The Hunslet Club, its mission and its inspirational youth and community work, and will help to develop and articulate a compelling case for support. The role will involve achieving a clearly defined set of Key Performance Indicators, providing high-quality stewardship to maximise donor retention, and maintaining, developing and leveraging existing relationships with current supporters. The postholder will work closely with colleagues across the organisation, including Executive/Senior Leadership and Trustees, to ensure effective involvement in fundraising activity where appropriate.

The successful candidate will organise suitable events and cultivation opportunities to build long-term relationships with potential supporters. Attendance at events, meetings and conferences will be required, with support from Executive/Senior Leadership and Trustees.

The successful candidate will also be expected to volunteer at a minimum of three cross-club community events per year and to carry out other reasonable duties as requested by the Executive Leadership Team.

The Abbey Centre is entering an exciting new chapter – and we’re looking for a Fundraising Manager who wants to help define it.

This is not a steady-state fundraising role. It’s an opportunity to lead income generation at a pivotal moment in our development and to shape how we fund our work in the years ahead.

We are a vibrant community charity based in south Westminster, working alongside local people to tackle inequality, reduce isolation and create opportunity. As we look ahead to the next phase of our growth, we want to strengthen, diversify and future-proof our income – and that’s where you come in.

The Role

As our Fundraising Manager, you will be both strategic and hands-on, leading income growth while helping us nurture and evolve our overall approach to fundraising.

You will:

• Develop and deliver an ambitious and adaptable fundraising strategy
• Build and shape a sustainable pipeline of income opportunities
• Strengthen existing funding relationships while developing new ones
• Grow unrestricted income and improve long-term financial resilience
• Work closely with the CEO and senior colleagues to align income with organisational priorities
• You’ll have real scope to influence direction, test new ideas, and identify where our systems, capacity and funding streams need to evolve.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who is motivated by building and developing, not simply maintaining. You might already be operating at manager level, or you may be a high-performing fundraiser ready to step up. What matters most is that you can demonstrate results, ambition and strategic thinking.

You will bring:

• A track record of securing income (from trusts, statutory, corporate or individual sources)
• Strong bid-writing and proposal development skills
• Experience managing funder relationships and delivering impactful reporting
• Financial awareness
• Confidence to work both independently and collaboratively
• A proactive, solution-focused mindset

We value impact and potential as much as length of service. If you are hungry to grow something meaningful and excited by the opportunity to shape an evolving role, we would love to hear from you.

Staff benefits for working at The Abbey Centre:

• Subsidised lunch
• Interest-free season ticket loan/ bicycle loan scheme
• 23 days annual leave (plus public & statutory holidays) and 3 days off inbetween Christmas and New Year
• Contributions of 6% of salary into stakeholder pension scheme, when matched by 3% personal contributions.

Deadline to apply: 9am on Monday 20th April

Interviews: 30th April at the Abbey Centre, with the possibility of a second round of interviews on the 8th May at the Abbey Centre.

Is this position right for you?
We’re seeking a Fundraising Officer to support the growth of all our programmes, services, and campaigns. Primarily working on a new area of trusts and foundations fundraising, including researching prospects. You will be responsible for making grant applications and updating funders, as well as providing overall support to the wider fundraising team at Humanists UK.

Are you an early-career fundraiser with some experience of working in the trusts and foundations sector, either for a charity or as a funder? Are you looking for your next big move and a new role that you can really get your teeth into? Do you want to grow your skillset while taking ownership of exciting projects? If so, this could be the role for you.

What you'll be doing

You'll be part of the Advancing Humanism Directorate. You'll work with our Head of Fundraising, Jess, as well as working closely with our Director of Advancing Humanism, Liam, and other members of the Communications and Marketing team.

The fundraising team is responsible for income generation including donors, campaigns, grants, and exploring new ways we can sustain and grow our fundraising. This includes planning and leading giving campaigns; donor and funder stewardship (working with the Chief Executive’s Office); developing and maintaining an income pipeline; and identifying new opportunities to diversify our income streams.

Key Tasks & Activities

Implementing and further developing Humanists UK’s grants, trusts, and foundations fundraising strategy, with key tasks including:

• Researching new funding prospects

• Maintaining and growing our funding pipeline.

• Supporting colleagues across the organisation to develop, bid for, and report on appropriate projects for funding

• Writing clear and compelling funding bids, proposals, and appeals, and produce timely, high-quality reports for funders

• Maintaining accurate records of applications, reporting schedules, project milestones, and grant income using the charity’s CRM system.

• Working with the finance team to make sure grants are administered efficiently and all income is accurately recorded

• Monitoring progress against targets, providing regular updates and income reports to the Head of Fundraising

• Supporting continuous improvement by maintaining effective systems for tracking and evaluating trust fundraising activity

• Keeping informed about developments and sector trends in fundraising

As a successful candidate

You will have strong organisational skills and be confident managing a varied workload, balancing application and reporting deadlines with funder stewardship and pipeline development needs.

You will also be a proactive and supportive team player and a self-starter. We are a small team who manage our own work, but value coming together to share ideas, support one another, and take creative risks.

As a local grant maker, Young Camden Foundation's grants processes and operations are key to our success. This role will suit an adaptable and organised team player, who is up for a challenge and keen to learn. 

You will lead and develop YCF’s significant grant-giving programmes, organising and improving the grants process, keeping donors in the loop, and communicating the impact of the small grants programmes, and coordinating support from the team to ensure this work is well supported. In this role you will oversee both YCF’s small grants programmes to members, and also YCF’s delivery of the Holiday Activities & Food Programme, which together amount to around £900,000 per year in grants out to Camden’s youth sector.

You will lead on YCF’s operations, including clerking to the Board of Trustees, ensuring timely applications and reporting to funders, and overseeing all aspects of YCF’s operations. You will be supported by our Operations & Administrations Apprentice. You will support the CEO across YCF’s partnerships, cultivating our pipeline of funders, including Trusts & Foundations and corporate donors, and spotting and supporting opportunities wherever you can.  

As a natural team player working in a small team, you will spot opportunities to support  YCF’s membership (especially regarding grants) and the other functions of YCF’s work. As a place based organisation, you will ensure you are known in the local community, and amongst our key stakeholders, including grassroots VCS partners, Camden Council, and our key funders.

Along with the CEO and the Head of Membership & Impact, you will support YCF’s partnerships, including with business neighbours, spotting opportunities to amplify YCF’s work. In this important and dynamic role you will lead on both, working closely with the CEO to also support fundraising and partnerships.

Main Purpose of the Role

Grants management:

· Grants management: You will direct and lead the YCF small grants programmes (including Small & Mighty Fund, Holiday Opportunities Fund and Heads Up Mental Health Fund, of around £150,000 p.a.), including leading on design and guidelines, engagement with YCF’s grants committee structures, and reporting back to Trustees and funders. You will lead on grants decisions processes and communications, as part of YCF’s membership offer. You will oversee all due diligence processes as part of YCF’s grant giving offer, and ensure smooth reporting cycles with grantees

· Strategic oversight of HAF: Strategic leadership of the Camden HAF programme, overseeing the HAF Programme Manager in the stewardship of this DfE programme, and retaining oversight of key deliverables, together with the Heads of Children’s Commissioning at Camden Council

Fundraising and reporting:

· Fundraising: You will maintain our pipeline of supporters, including of our grants rounds, and lead reporting for YCF’s grants and core funding to funders, supported by the team. You will ensure timely funding applications submissions Together with the Head of Membership & Impact, you will support the CEO in all fundraising for YCF and our programmes, including identifying funding and partnership opportunities, drafting bids and pitches, and so on.

· Reporting: You will oversee and deliver timely reporting across YCF’s funders. You will manage and be supported by the Operations Apprentice to ensure smooth and timely processes. You will ensure YCF’s monitoring and evaluation frameworks are fit for purpose. You will work with the rest of the team to ensure this function is properly and efficiently supported, and will proactively identify ways to more efficiently record and report on information to funders, including effective use of our CRM.

Operations and governance:

· Operational leadership: You will be responsible for YCF’s operational running as an organisation, ensuring our processes are smooth and fit for purpose. In practice, this may include supporting the CEO in operational and strategic planning, supporting budget oversight (and leading in the areas of grants). Supported by the Operations Apprentice, you will oversee YCF’s HR processes for onboarding, recruitment and so on.

· Governance: You will support YCF’s governance processes, due diligence and compliance, ensuring YCF is compliant with our charitable obligations, and ensure our policies are up to date and we are compliant with them.

· Board minute taking: You will take minutes of YCF’s Board meetings, and ensure actions are followed up with, and oversee the Operations Apprentice in the setting up of meetings and logistics. You will support the CEO and Chair with the preparation of papers, as needed.

Management and leadership

· Management: You will manage two important roles for YCF, modelling leadership at YCF, alongside the CEO and the Head of Membership & Impact

· Representing YCF: You will represent the organisation at a senior level at external events, including via speaking opportunities 

Please download the job specification for full details of this role, as well as our essential and desirable criteria, against which applications will be reviewed.

Context and Purpose of the Role

After five years of dedicated leadership, GROW’s Managing Director is moving on. We are now seeking an exceptional, values-led leader to guide GROW through the next phase of our 2030 strategy and help realise our ambition to become a movement-shaping force within agroecology.

GROW is entering a pivotal stage of growth. Our focus now is on strengthening team capacity, centring community voice, developing pathways to leadership and employment, deepening hyper-local networks, and contributing more visibly to the agroecology sector.

With strong financial foundations, a committed team, and a long-standing partnership with a progressive secondary school, this is a rare opportunity to lead an organisation uniquely positioned at the intersection of farming, education, and community action.

The Managing Director will provide clear strategic direction and overall leadership, ensuring GROW remains responsibly-governed, financially resilient, and grounded in its agroecological values. Working closely with the Board of Trustees, they will nurture and inspire a multidisciplinary team of 16 employees and freelancers, strengthen key partnerships, and guide the organisation’s continued development and impact.

Job Title: Managing Director
Reports to: Board of Trustees
Salary: £48,000-£53,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time, 40 hours per week (9am-5pm with 1-hour paid lunch break)
Location: Hybrid. Minimum 3 days a week on site at The Totteridge Academy, Barnet Lane, N20 8AZ (more days on site expected for the first 3-6 months)
Pension: GROW participates in the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) pension scheme and contributes 3%.
Benefits: 30% off all GROW Farm produce, annual training budget, subsidised lunches, and a generous holiday allowance of 28 days plus bank holidays.
Probation period: 6 months

GROW is a site-based organisation, and our farm sits at the heart of everything we do. We are looking for a Managing Director who is as comfortable talking with students, volunteers and visitors as they are shaping strategy and leading the organisation’s future. This is a role for a thoughtful, adaptable and hands-on leader who can hold the big picture while staying closely connected to our farm, outdoor programmes and the communities we work alongside.

Leadership at GROW is practical, relational and rooted in place. One day you might be gathering feedback from our Student Board of Advisors, listening to how our programmes are working for the young people who shape them. The next, you might be at the farm stall chatting with local community members selling jars of GROW’s homemade pickles. The Managing Director helps ensure that these everyday moments remain central to the organisation.

The successful candidate will lead a small, committed team of 16 staff, nurturing a culture that is collaborative, knowledgeable and grounded in our values. They will guide GROW’s strategic direction while staying attentive to the daily rhythms of farm and school life that make it a vibrant place for learning, growing and connection. 

Trustees recognise the breadth of this role and are committed to strengthening the organisation’s operational capacity. An early priority for the new Managing Director will be to shape and secure support for an additional capacity-building role that complements their leadership and enables GROW to thrive in the years ahead.

1. Strategy, Governance & Risk

• Provide overall leadership and strategic development of the charity.
• Oversee and report on organisational performance to the Board of Trustees quarterly.
• Ensure charity policies and legal guidelines are up to date, clearly communicated, and embedded in everyday culture.
• Ensure statutory filings (e.g. Charity Commission, Companies House) are accurate and timely.
• Maintain and regularly review the organisational Risk Register and report key risks and mitigations to the Board.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, including charity law, employment law, data protection, health & safety, safeguarding, and environmental regulations.
• Lead on crisis management and serious incident reporting.
• Prepare high-quality written reports for Board and sub-committee meetings.
• Advise Trustees on strategic opportunities, risks, and sector trends. Support Trustee recruitment, induction, and development.
• Enable Trustees to fulfil their governance responsibilities effectively.
• Engage relevant professional expertise where appropriate to support decision making. 

2. Operations, Education & Farm

• Ensure operational resilience, deputising and covering critical functions during staff absence.
• Work closely with Education Leads to develop the quality of our educational
• programmes, ensuring they align with agroecological principles.
• Ensure thorough Risk Assessments are completed, communicated, and
• implemented for all activities and programmes.
• Support the income generation strategy for the Farm.
• Support the Farm Manager with infrastructure development, including planning permission applications.

3. Finance & Fundraising

• Act as the main point of contact for the charity’s accountants.
• Develop and oversee organisational budgets, leading annual budget-setting and ongoing monthly, quarterly, and forecast reviews.
• Develop and deliver the annual income generation and fundraising strategy with the Head of Fundraising.
• Oversee effective impact reporting with the Head of Fundraising.
• Develop and implement plans to improve cost-efficiency.
• Support the completion of large and complex fundraising bids.

4. Partnerships

• Act as the main point of contact for GROW’s key partner, The Totteridge Academy (TTA), and the Academy Trust, United Learning, to ensure the partnership is effective and positive.
• Build and develop partnerships with schools, youth services, local authority, community growing networks and organisations to support the long-term development of educational programmes and participant recruitment and local environmental impact.

5. Marketing & Profile

• Oversee the charity’s overall marketing and communications strategy.
• Retain strategic oversight of all core marketing and communications, including the press opportunities, charity’s website, printed materials, and promotional content, ensuring that GROW’s voice, values, and impact are communicated clearly and consistently.
• Build and enhance the charity’s public profile through events, speaking engagements, and external representation.

6. People, HR & Safeguarding

• Manage and support the team to effectively perform their roles and develop within GROW, ensuring staff are fully trained and confident with organisational policies.
• Lead the recruitment and onboarding of all staff in line with Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and Safeguarding policies, and Safer Recruitment best practice.
• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead and ensure compliance with any safeguarding requirements set by partner school, The Totteridge Academy.
• Be rigorously mindful of child safeguarding at all times, embedding safeguarding policies in everyday culture and remain up to date with relevant legislation and training.
• Oversee HR processes including appraisals, performance management, and professional development.
• Develop progressive internal systems, policies, and training that promote a fair, inclusive, and supportive workplace, grounded in our agroecological principles.
• Ensuring the organisation is GDPR compliant and acts as the Data Protection Lead.

7. Values & Culture

• Act as a role model for GROW’s guiding agroecological principles and organisational values in all internal and external relationships.
• Create a supportive, nurturing, high-trust culture in which staff and freelancers can thrive.
• Champion a culture of reflection, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Centre community voice in decision making, governance, and organisational strategy

Direct reports:
Farm Manager
TTA Education Lead
Senior Facilitator
Head of Fundraising
Freelance Programme Leads

This job description is not exhaustive; as a small and evolving charity, flexibility is essential and all staff are expected to take a hands-on approach and support wider organisational needs where required.
 

Person Specification

Essential Personal Qualities

• Strong alignment with GROW’s mission, agroecological principles, and organisational values.
• Ability to lead and nurture a strong, cohesive, and collaborative team intuitively
• and with empathy.
• Resilient and adaptable.
• Calm under pressure.
• Collaborative by nature and solution-focussed in approach.
• Strong commitment to inclusive working practices and social justice.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience working in a Senior Leadership role within a not-for-profit,
• education, and/or environmental sectors.
• Experience of building and maintaining successful partnership work, for example
• with farms, schools, local authorities, funders, and/or community organisations.
• Significant experience of managing and developing staff and freelancers in a
• small team.
• Proven ability to lead organisational strategy and translate it into operational plans.
• Experience working with, and reporting to, a Board or governing body.
• Experience of financial management, including budgets, forecasting, and working with accountants.
• Track record in contributing to fundraising, including securing major bids.
• Strong understanding of governance, compliance, and risk in a regulated environment.
• Experience of safeguarding within an education, youth, or community context.
• Understanding of legal, progressive and inclusive HR systems and policies.
• Ability to develop and oversee marketing and communications that clearly articulate organisational mission, build community engagement and support financial sustainability.
• Demonstrable experience handling and reviewing legal documentation, including contracts, leases, and formal agreements.

Essential Skills & Abilities

• Strategic thinker, able to see and drive forward the “big picture” while managing operational detail.
• Skilled and inclusive people manager, able to motivate, develop, and challenge others.
• Excellent, adaptable and confident communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise and manage a broad and competing workload.
• Effective decision-making and ability to work independently with accountability.
• Strong relationship-builder with credibility across diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to lead teams through change and uncertainty.
• Strong organisational and administrative capability.
• Sound judgement and a high level of discretion when handling confidential or sensitive matters.

Desirable

• Experience or knowledge of agroecological farming.
• Experience working with local councils, schools, academy trusts, and authorities.
• Knowledge of charity and regulatory frameworks.
• Knowledge of the local Barnet area.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

At GROW we’re committed to creating an inclusive workplace. All qualified and eligible applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, gender identity or expression, race, national origin, religion or belief,
disability, age, sexual orientation or pregnancy and maternity. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities, especially those who are under-represented in the charity and food growing sectors. This includes, but is not limited to, people from the global majority, neurodivergent individuals, and those with a range of lived experiences. 

We’re committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of our community and brings a rich mix of perspectives, skills, cultures, and ways of thinking.