Director of fundraising and communications jobs

Supporter Engagement Executive

CONTRACT: Permanent, Full Time (35 hours per week)

ORGANISATION: Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK)

DEPARTMENT: Income Generation and Engagement

LOCATION: Based at RLSS UK Head Office, Worcester
 (minimum 3-days per week at Head Office)  

REPORTS TO: Director of Income Generation and Engagement  

SALARY: £27,308.00 (Grade E)  

ABOUT RLSS UK
The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is the leading charity for water safety and drowning prevention in the UK and Ireland. Our mission is to save lives by being the leader in lifesaving, lifeguarding, and water safety education so that everyone can enjoy water safely. We share our expertise, skills, and knowledge to empower people to enjoy water safely and achieve our vision; communities free from drowning.

JOB PURPOSE
The Supporter Engagement Executive will act as a central point of contact for all RLSS UK supporters across every fundraising income stream, ensuring they receive a warm, knowledgeable and professional experience whether they’re looking to find out more about RLSS UK, taking part in an activity, or choosing to donate.

You will play a key role in championing our supporters, helping us understand their needs and continuously improve their experience. By gathering feedback, spotting themes and sharing insights with the wider team, you’ll highlight opportunities and challenges that help shape how we engage with supporters in the future.

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Deliver excellent supporter care, including responding to email, post and telephone enquiries, issuing receipts, and carrying out donor follow‑up.
• Provide warm and consistent stewardship to donors, including personalised contact such as telephone calls, letters, handwritten cards and emails.
• Be the first point of contact for community groups, schools and clubs, offering guidance, support and fundraising materials.
• Support recruitment and stewardship of challenge event participants, ensuring they feel informed, motivated and appreciated.
• Support community fundraisers throughout their activity, providing resources, stewardship and encouragement. 
• Record and track community fundraising activity within the CRM.
• Support the development and delivery of supporter journeys, helping ensure communications and touchpoints are timely and engaging.
• Manage stock of supporter materials, including running vests, swim caps, donation buckets and collection tins, ensuring timely fulfilment of requests.
• Assist with the implementation of the new CRM system, including accurate data entry and supporting the wider team during the transition.
• Maintain CRM data to a high standard, including running reports, tagging, updating preferences and ensuring excellent data governance.
• Accurately record donations and supporter correspondence within the CRM system.
•  Provide administrative support to the Income Generation team, assisting with general tasks and contributing to the smooth running of fundraising activity.

Other Duties & Responsibilities

• All other duties reasonably associated with your role, as directed by the Line Manager.
• Ensure compliance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 by complying with internal information governance policies and maintaining up-to-date documentation as part of RLSS UK’s compliance programme.
• Demonstrate and uphold the Society’s values and behavioural standards at all times.
• Help create an inclusive working environment where diversity is valued, everyone can contribute, and everyday actions ensure we meet our duty to uphold and promote equality.
  
   

This job description is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline indication of areas of activity and responsibility and will be amended in light of the changing needs of the organisation.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Relevant Experience, Skills and/or Aptitudes

• Experience of building positive relationships with customers, supporters or donors.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a polite, confident and professional manner.
• Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Competent IT skills, including confident use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and the ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Experience using CRM systems and/or working with customer or supporter data.
• Previous experience in customer service and administration, ideally in a busy environment.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast‑paced setting.
• A proactive, enthusiastic approach, with a willingness to take on a variety of duties.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Understanding of GDPR and data protection principles, especially in relation to handling supporter information.
• Awareness of the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice, or willingness to learn and work in accordance with it.

Desirable Relevant Experience, Skills and/or Aptitudes

• Knowledge and understanding of RLSS UK
• Experience working or volunteering in a charity or fundraising environment.
• Experience engaging with community groups, schools or volunteers.
• Experience of applying data protection principles in a previous role.
• Experience of working in line with charity sector standards or compliance frameworks.
• Understanding of supporter stewardship or supporter journeys.

WHAT RLSS UK CAN OFFER YOU

RLSS UK is a national Charity based in Worcester, and we offer great staff benefits including -

• Annual Leave based on 27 days + Bank Holidays + a discretionary day off for your birthday
• Private Medical Scheme*
• Enhanced Society Sick Pay*
• Eye Care*
• Employee Assistance Programme via Health Assured
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Howdens Sports Benefits/Perks at Work
• Free RLSS UK Membership
• Free tea and coffee when working from HQ, including access to our wonderful Coffee Machine
• Free on-site parking when working from HQ
• Company Events and more!

*Subject to eligibility criteria

YOUR APPLICATION

Please send your CV and a Cover Letter outlining why you should join our Income Generation and Engagement team

Closing Date – 5.00pm, Wednesday 4th March 2026

Interview Date – Thursday 12th March 2026, at our Worcester Head Office (subject to change)

Should you wish to discuss the role, any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process, or have any questions, please get in touch where a member of the RLSS UK HR Department will be happy to help.

RLSS UK are a Disability Confident Committed Employer and an INclusive Worcestershire Leader.

Role description:

The Senior Philanthropy Officer will play a key role in delivering ambitious income growth by securing philanthropic support from individuals, trusts and foundations, and corporate partners.

Managing a mixed portfolio of high-value prospects capable of making five-figure and above gifts and above, the postholder will cultivate, develop and steward long-term relationships as well as identify and secure new opportunities.

We are looking for a self-motivated and proactive Senior Philanthropy Officer who thrives on building strong, long-lasting relationships. You will be an excellent relationship builder, someone who is curious and able to identify opportunities to strengthen relationships, and who demonstrates resilience when working towards ambitious fundraising goals. You will convey a genuine passion for Southampton Hospitals Charity and feel confident sharing our vision and impact with others.

Main Responsibilities:

• Manage, grow and steward a mixed portfolio of individual major donors, trusts and foundations, and corporate partners capable of making five-figure gifts and above
• Identify and cultivate new high-value prospects, developing tailored engagement and solicitation strategies aligned to charity priorities
• Build strong, trusted relationships with donors, clinicians and senior hospital stakeholders to develop compelling philanthropic asks and stewardship reports
• Grow philanthropy pipeline, focusing on increasing multi-year support and improving the quality, volume and success rate of applications
• Support the Director of Income Generation and Marketing with the delivery of donor stewardship and cultivation events
• Work closely with colleagues across hospital engagement, community fundraising, legacy and in-memory giving and grants to ensure joined-up planning and delivery
• Maintain accurate records of donor engagement, pipeline activity and income forecasting using the CRM system
• Monitor trends in philanthropy, trusts and major giving, adapting approaches in response to changes in the external funding environment
• Act as a professional ambassador for Southampton Hospitals Charity, representing the organisation with credibility

Person Specification:

Knowledge and Experience

• Proven experience of securing philanthropic income at the five-figure level or above
• Experience working within a charity, NHS charity or not-for-profit organisation
• Demonstrable success in managing and developing relationships with major donors and/or trusts and foundations and/or corporate partners
• Experience of producing high-quality funding proposals, cases for support and impact reports
• Track record of managing fundraising portfolios and delivering income against targets

Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate information clearly and compellingly
• Strong relationship-building skills, with confidence engaging clinicians, senior stakeholders and donors
• Outstanding organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities
• High attention to detail and strong project management capability
• Confident use of CRM systems and fundraising databases

Personal Qualities

• Self-motivated, proactive and able to work effectively on own initiative
• Collaborative and relationship-led, with a strong team ethos
• Professional, reliable and highly organised
• Resilient and adaptable
• Passionate about improving patient outcomes and supporting NHS staff

Join a charity which helps families wherever and whenever they need us

Lia’s Wings is the only charity delivering life-saving aeromedical transfers by plane both within the UK and overseas. We make sure babies and children receive the vital treatment they need, no matter where they are. Alongside these urgent medical transfers, we provide tailored, wrap-around support for families to help them through a crisis, creating long-term improved health and well-being outcomes.

We are seeking a new Director of Fundraising to help us increase our income to support more families. 

The successful candidate will set the strategic direction for fundraising, lead the team to build strong and sustainable income streams and ensure the charity has the resources it needs to deliver and expand our vital services.This is a wonderful opportunity to help shape the future of our small but mighty charity. The successful candidate will bring proven fundraising leadership experience, strong relationship-building skills, and a genuine passion for providing life-changing support to babies and children.   

Key Responsibilities: 

• Develop and deliver a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned to organisational goals.
• Lead income development and diversification across corporate, major donor, trusts and foundations, community fundraising and events.
• Lead the development of compelling cases for support, proposals, and donor communications.
• Build a strong corporate partnerships programme, including aviation sector engagement and charity of the year partnerships.
• Identify and cultivate major donor prospects, working closely with the CEO where appropriate.
• Grow individual giving, including regular giving, appeals, and legacy development.
• Oversee the trusts and foundations pipeline, ensuring high quality applications and stewardship.
• Provide strategic insight to the CEO and Board on fundraising performance, opportunities, and risks.
• As a member of our Senior Management Team, contribute to organisational planning, budgeting, and impact.  reporting.

We are looking for someone with: 

• Proven track record of delivering significant income growth across multiple fundraising streams.
• Experience developing and implementing fundraising strategies.
• Strong leadership skills, with experience managing and developing teams.
• Demonstrable success in building relationships with high-value donors, corporates, or trusts.
• Experience working in a small or growing charity environment.

For further details, please see the attached job description. 

How to apply: 

To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter. Your cover letter (no more than 2 sides of A4) should demonstrate how you meet the person specification set out in the job description. 

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 27th February. 

Please note first round interviews will take place online Thursday 5th and Monday 9th March. A second (and final) round interview will take place in London on the morning of Wednesday 18th March. 

We are currently seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Housing to lead our supported housing services nationally and help shape the next stage of our growth.

As Director of Housing, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across all of Life’s supported housing services. This is a key role within the Senior Leadership Team, responsible for ensuring our housing provision is high‑quality, compliant, safe and truly centred around the needs of our clients.

You will lead our national Housing Strategy, drive service improvement, ensure regulatory compliance, support organisational growth, and champion a culture of compassion, accountability and high performance.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Growth

• Develop and deliver a national Housing Strategy aligned to Life’s vision and mission.
• Identify housing development and expansion opportunities, including partnerships with local authorities and commissioners.
• Support organisational business planning and future growth.

Regulatory Compliance & Governance

• Ensure full compliance with housing legislation and regulatory requirements including the Social Housing (Regulation) Act, HHSRS, safeguarding and Health & Safety.
• Lead regulatory audits, inspections and risk management.
• Provide assurance on compliance and viability to the CEO and Trustees.

Service Quality & Client Experience

• Embed a client-centred, compassionate approach aligned with Housing Ombudsman principles.
• Oversee effective complaints management, learning reviews and client feedback systems.
• Ensure properties and services meet high standards of safety, warmth and comfort.

Operational Leadership

• Lead housing management, income recovery, voids, repairs and maintenance, compliance and tenancy sustainment.
• Ensure effective escalation of tenancy breaches and safeguarding practices.
• Work closely with Life’s Helpline services around referral and allocations.

Financial & Asset Management

• Oversee rental income, arrears, void control and financial performance.
• Manage contracts, grants and local authority funding.
• Ensure major works, planned maintenance and statutory compliance are delivered effectively.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead and support Housing Managers, support teams and frontline workers.
• Foster a positive culture of accountability, inclusion and high standards.
• Support staff development and performance.

Partnership Management

• Build strong relationships with local authorities, property professionals, contractors, funders and other key partners.
• Represent Life at external forums and sector networks.

About you:

Essential

• CIH Level 5 (or equivalent) qualification
• Senior leadership experience in supported housing, social housing, or homelessness services
• Strong knowledge of housing law, tenancy management and regulatory compliance
• Understanding of Housing Ombudsman standards and consumer regulations
• Experience in strategic planning, service development and organisational growth
• Budget management and financial performance experience
• Experience with property maintenance, asset management and compliance
• Strong safeguarding knowledge
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills
• UK driving licence and access to a car

Desirable

• Experience supporting vulnerable women or family services
• Charity/third sector leadership experience
• Experience securing funding or development partnerships

About Life: 

Life is a national pregnancy support charity that helps over 60,000 people a year. Through our services, we help people – whoever they are – to meet pregnancy or pregnancy loss with courage and dignity so they can flourish. 

Our services include:  

• Supported housing and community support   
• Counselling and skilled listening   
• Free pregnancy tests and baby supplies  

Our values :

All our work is underpinned by the following universal human values: 

• Humanity – All people are special and equal 
• Solidarity – We’re with you and for you 
• Community – We’re better together 
• Charity – Doing good for one another 
• Common good – Building a better world 

Information about the role: 

For further information, please see the attached job description. 

Salary: £45,750 per annum

Hours: 32 hours per week

Location: Home based with extensive travel across the South of England

Benefits:  

At Life we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our:  

• Generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time hours) 
• Birthday Leave  (applicable after 1 years service)
• Additional annual leave for long term service  
• Company Pension Scheme  
• Signed member of the Menopause Workplace Pledge 

Safeguarding and Equality: 

Life is committed to protecting all staff, volunteers and service users from harm of any kind. Life expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct.   

We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organisation by encouraging applications from all backgrounds.  

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. Life takes its obligation to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people very seriously; therefore, the successful candidate for this post will be also subject to extensive background checking, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) which is paid for by the Charity.  

Director of Fundraising

Location: Hybrid working, with 1-2 days per week in London office - all staff in London office every Tuesday.

Salary: £85-90,000 per annum.

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Ovarian Cancer Action, the UK’s leading ovarian cancer research charity, is seeking an ambitious and strategic leader who can drive sustainable income growth and build high‑value partnerships and relationships that can change the lives of thousands of women and their families.  

Ovarian cancer hasn’t seen the scientific breakthroughs that some other cancers have, with survival rates that haven’t changed meaningfully in decades. Ovarian Cancer Action is working to address this, with an urgent mission that by 2032 at least half of women in the UK with ovarian cancer live for 10 years. To realise that goal, the charity is carrying out world-class scientific progress in prevention, early detection and treatment, funding more ovarian cancer research than any other gynaecological cancer charity in the UK.

This is an exciting time to be joining the charity, and the Director of Fundraising will play a key role capitalising on the huge potential of the charity’s current work to transform survival of ovarian cancer, including the possibility of a preventative vaccine this decade.

This is a senior leadership position responsible for driving OCA’s fundraising ambition and accelerating income growth, managing the development and delivery of an insight‑driven fundraising strategy and identifying major opportunities across mass fundraising, philanthropy, partnerships and influential networks. The post-holder will be responsible for personally cultivating and securing high‑value relationships with major donors, trusts, foundations and strategic partners, and leading and developing a high-performing fundraising team to secure significant multi‑year gifts and leverage milestone organisational moments to unlock transformational support.

The successful candidate will be a senior fundraising leader with a strong track record of securing significant 5‑ and 6‑figure gifts, partnerships and multi‑year commitments. You’ll bring deep experience managing high‑level philanthropic relationships and a track record of inspiring leadership, building high-performing teams. Strength in CRM systems, data‑driven pipeline management and cross‑organisational collaboration is essential, as is exceptional communication and influencing ability.

On a personal level, you will thrive in a mission‑driven and fast-paced environment, bringing strategic insight and an entrepreneurial, optimistic and solutions‑focused approach to life. You will be energised by opportunity, resilient in the face of challenge, and comfortable testing, learning and innovating. Above all, you’ll be motivated by improving women’s health and committed to aligning fundraising ambition with organisational strategy and research impact.

Please download our Candidate Pack for further information [PDF], which includes details on how to apply.

Closing date: Monday 2nd March 9.00am.

PLEASE NOTE: We will be longlisting applications as soon as we receive them, so please apply early to register your interest. 

This is a part time role, responsible for leading the fundraising efforts of Canaan Project.

Working closely with the Director, the Fundraising Lead will contribute to strategic funding development and planning, support ongoing fundraising and reporting activities, and assist in the development of relevant policies and processes.

If this sounds like the right role for you, please send us your CV and a cover letter detailing your suitability for the role.

Application closing date: 25th February 2026 at 5pm

Interviews will potentially be scheduled for the week beginning Monday 4th March. 

Make a real difference to life after brain injury. Join us as Headway’s Events Fundraising Manager and lead a dynamic, impactful events programme that raises vital funds and increases national visibility, 

Headway – the brain injury association, supports thousands of people every year. Our events are a crucial part of how we raise awareness, generate income, and build a passionate community of supporters. We’re now looking for an experienced, creative and highly organised Events Fundraising Manager to take our programme to the next level.

About the role

As Events Fundraising Manager, you will lead, shape and deliver an exciting portfolio of fundraising events, including virtual challenges, our annual Golf Day, and Headway’s prestigious Annual Awards. You will also steward supporters through major third‑party events such as the London Marathon, Great North Run and London Landmarks Half Marathon.

Working closely with the wider Fundraising Team and our Communications Team, you’ll ensure every event is safe, engaging and memorable, and that every supporter receives an exceptional journey with Headway.

With an established events calendar and opportunities for innovation, this role offers the chance to make a tangible impact while helping to grow an events income stream currently worth approximately £360,000.

What you’ll do

• Plan, manage and deliver Headway’s events programme from start to finish.
• Develop a forward‑thinking events strategy that increases participation and income.
• Deliver and champion outstanding supporter stewardship.
• Manage budgets, health & safety, logistics and evaluation.
• Build strong relationships with participants, volunteers, suppliers and corporate partners.
• Line manage and develop the Fundraising Coordinator (Events).
• Identify and test new fundraising opportunities to grow our reach and income.
• Work closely with the Communications Team to deliver effective, engaging marketing.

About you

We’d love to hear from you if you have:

• Proven experience in planning and delivering a diverse range of Fundraising events.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills
• Understanding of fundraising principles and supporter engagement
• Experience of budgets, evaluation and health & safety
• Creativity, problem‑solving skills and a passion for delivering high‑quality experiences
• Ability to lead, support and develop others
• A commitment to safeguarding, equality, and Headway’s values

You’ll be joining a supportive, passionate and collaborative charity committed to improving life after brain injury.

Benefits

As a valued member of the Headway team, you’ll have access to the following range of benefits:

Financial Security

• Competitive salaries

• Pension: You will be automatically enrolled into the People’s Pension, with Headway contributing between 3–6% depending on your contributions

• Occupational Sick Pay Scheme, increasing with length of service

• Death in Service Benefit, providing peace of mind for your loved ones

Flexible Working

• Hybrid working, with a minimum of one day in the office. 

• Flexible working arrangements promoting wellbeing and work-life balance

Wellbeing

• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme including access to counselling services

• Eye test vouchers

• Mental Health First Aiders

Holidays and Leave

• 25 days annual leave, increasing incrementally to 30 days with service (pro rata for part-time roles), plus Bank Holidays, one day birthday leave and additional three days for Christmas closure. 

Additional Benefits

• Access to shopping and lifestyle benefits and discounts through IMHR Plus Privilege membership

If you’re excited by the opportunity to lead inspiring events that change lives, we’d love to hear from you. If you have any further questions about this role please contact Ruth Owens, Interim Fundraising Director. No recruitment agencies please. 

• Closing date: 25th February 2026 
• Interviews: 3rd 4th March (online)

We are seeking a Senior Fundraising Manager to join our dedicated team on a 12-month fixed-term maternity cover contract.  You will be joining a dynamic, supportive and hard-working team working consistently above their targets.  This role is suited to both established senior managers and those looking to move into a more senior role.

St John’s Hospice We provide quality, holistic care to people living with life-limiting illnesses and their families across North London. As well as our Inpatient Unit and Wellbeing Centre located in St John’s Wood, we work out in the community, in people’s homes, providing care to more than 4,500 people every year.

If you are ready for a new challenge and share our passion and commitment to providing quality, holistic care to patients and their families, then we would love to hear from you.

 Key responsibilities of the Senior Fundraising Manager?

Strategic Leadership & Income Generation

• Follow the fundraising strategy, developing and executing annual plans to achieve revenue targets and diversify income streams.
• Oversee the growth of Individual Giving, Regular Giving, and In Memory Giving, and Community Fundraising initiatives.
• Design and implement targeted fundraising campaigns, leveraging insights and KPIs to maximise donor engagement and income.
• Promote fundraising opportunities across community networks, digital channels, individual giving portals, and public platforms.

2. Team Leadership & Management

• Manage and inspire a team of fundraising professionals, ensuring objectives, 1:1s, and appraisals are delivered in line with HR policy.
• Develop clear annual training, time management, and support plans for staff and volunteers.
• Provide day-to-day leadership to ensure high performance, accountability, and a collaborative working culture.

3. Volunteer Programme Oversight

• Oversee the ongoing development of the Hospice volunteer programme alongside the Volunteer Executive, ensuring effective recruitment, onboarding, training, and retention.
• Work directly with clinical teams to align volunteer support with operational needs, guaranteeing smooth running of hospice activities.
• Ensure all volunteers receive regular feedback and adhere to health and safety requirements.
• Maintain and develop the programme in line with Investing in Volunteers standards.

4. Donor Relations & Stakeholder Engagement

• Cultivate, steward, and strengthen long-term relationships with key donors, sponsors, community partners, and supporters.
• Support the delivery of fundraising events such as community fairs, and photography competitions, attracting large public support. Support the team during gala dinners and garden parties. Oversee the Events Executive in all areas of their role.
• Enhance the Hospice’s visibility and supporter engagement through partnership building and community presence.

5. Data, Finance & Compliance

• Ensure all donor and volunteer records are held and maintained under GDPR and internal data protection regulations.

Am I the right person for this Senior Fundraising Manager role?

• At least 3 years’ experience in the fundraising sector
• Experience in managing volunteers and/ or a team of employees with ability to motivate
• Experience in Community/ event fundraising
• Experience with an individual/ regular giving programme
• A proven track record of delivering against targets and deadlines
• Proven experience of identifying and responding to external opportunities and an ability to translate into plans of action
• Experience of representing an organisation at senior level
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Management of people from all diverse backgrounds
• Attention to detail
• Knowledge of all main Office 365 suite and CRM systems
• Understanding of GDPR, Gift Aid and Charity Governance

Why apply for this role? 

At our organisation we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our employees a wide range of benefits; 

When you become part of the HJE Family, these are some of the benefits you will receive:

• Private healthcare scheme worth up to £20,000 per year
• 27 days annual leave
• Blue Light Card discounts
• Interest-free season ticket loans
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free eye check-up vouchers with contribution towards lenses
• Free newspaper and media subscriptions
• Local Business discounts
• Discount in our Hospice Charity shop
• Refer a Friend scheme
• Free Cinema Society Membership offering discounted tickets
• Personal development and training courses
• Annual events and recognition awards
• Career progression and increments
• For employees joining us from the NHS, we can provide continuation of your NHS pension

If you are ready for a new challenge and relish the chance to become part of a successful, forward thinking organisation then we would love to hear from you.

Director of Fundraising

We are seeking an experienced Director of Fundraising to lead income generation and build strong relationships with major donors and corporate partners.

Position: Director of Fundraising
Salary: £58,000 to £65,000 per annum, pro rata
Location: Burnt Oak, North London, with some hybrid working
Hours: Full time or 0.8 FTE
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: Wednesday 4th March at noon
Interviews: First round 11th, 13th or 16th March. Final round in person w/c 23rd March

About the role
The Director of Fundraising role sits on the Senior Leadership Team and has responsibility for delivering a fundraising programme with a target of around £2m per year. You will lead the fundraising function and personally manage a portfolio of major donors and corporate partners.

Key responsibilities include

• Generating substantial income to meet annual fundraising targets
• Managing and stewarding major donors, high net worth individuals and corporate partners
• Supporting trusts and grants fundraising to deliver high quality funding bids
• Leading and developing the fundraising team, setting KPIs and income targets
• Developing and delivering a fundraising strategy aligned to the wider organisational strategy
• Preparing reports and presenting to the Board of Trustees and relevant committees
• Ensuring compliance with fundraising legislation and codes of practice
• Working with partner organisations and networks to share best practice
• Acting as a senior leader within the organisation and role modelling organisational values

About you
As Director of Fundraising You will be an experienced fundraising professional with a strong track record of securing significant income from major donors and partners. Essential experience includes:

• Experience of securing six figure donations from major donors or corporate partners
• A strong track record of meeting challenging fundraising targets
• Experience of managing donor pipelines and aligning supporter interests with organisational need
• Experience of working with Trustees or senior volunteers
• Line management experience and the ability to lead and motivate a team
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills
• A strategic and target driven approach to fundraising
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines
• Experience of using a fundraising database or CRM system

About the organisation
The organisation provides open access youth services for young people aged 8 to 19, and up to 25 for those with additional needs. It operates six days a week and offers a wide range of activities and targeted support. Fundraising is essential to cover the majority of its operating costs, and the charity is well established locally with strong community and philanthropic support.

The organisation is part of a wider national network, working collaboratively with partner organisations to increase funding and share best practice.

Other roles you may have experience of could include; Head of Fundraising, Head of Development, Fundraising Manager, Major Gifts Manager, Head of Corporate Partnerships, Philanthropy Lead, Fundraising Director, Development Director, etc.

If you are looking for a leadership position that requires creativity, that will enable you to flourish, be ambitious, operate both strategically and operationally, and drive success, then this is the position for you. #INDNFP

Director of Fundraising
Salary: £70,000 to £75,000 per annum
Location: Hybrid – London EC1Y/Home

Join MQ and help transform mental health research.

At MQ, we champion and fund world-class research to transform the lives of everyone affected by a mental health condition. We strive to create a world where mental illness is better understood, diagnosed, treated and, hopefully someday, prevented. We believe research is the first step towards making that a reality.

We connect scientists with supporters, people with lived experience of mental health illnesses, policymakers, and practitioners, so together we can strive to understand mental health, improve treatments and prevent mental illnesses.

Supported by our world-class Science Council, MQ funds research globally and works in partnership with leading organisations in the field including Wellcome Trust, the Mental Health Mission, DATAMIND, University of Oxford, Glasgow University and Kings College. In the US, we work through our sister charity the MQ Foundation.

What you'll be doing:

The Director of Fundraising is a senior, strategic leadership role responsible for driving significant and sustainable growth in income for MQ, with a target of achieving £10 million annual turnover over the next five years.

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the postholder will set and deliver an ambitious, data-led fundraising strategy across philanthropy, trusts and foundations, partnerships and other income streams. They will personally steward high-value relationships while building a high-performing, commercially minded fundraising function capable of supporting MQ’s long-term mission.

Key Responsibilities:

Fundraising Strategy & Income Growth

• Develop and deliver MQ’s overall fundraising and income generation strategy, aligned to organisational priorities
• Set clear income targets and KPIs across all fundraising streams
• Personally lead and secure six- and seven-figure gifts, grants and contracts
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with major donors, funders and partners
• Ensure excellent stewardship, reporting and donor experience across all income streams

Pipeline, Performance & Data Oversight

• Provide strategic oversight of the fundraising pipeline, ensuring a healthy balance of prospecting, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship
• Use data, insight and CRM reporting to track performance, forecast income and manage risk
• Identify income concentration risks and develop mitigation strategies
• Drive continuous improvement in fundraising processes, systems and ways of working

Financial Management & Reporting

• Own the Fundraising budget, including income forecasting, expenditure control and cost-of-fundraising oversight
• Work closely with the Finance team to ensure accurate income phasing, reporting and financial planning
• Produce regular reports for the CEO, Executive Team and Board on income performance, pipeline health and risks
• Ensure all funding is managed in line with grant conditions, donor expectations and regulatory requirements

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide strategic leadership and line management to the team
• Build, develop and retain a high-performing, motivated fundraising team
• Foster a collaborative, ambitious and accountable fundraising culture
• Support succession planning and talent development within the Fundraising function

External Profile, Partnerships & Thought Leadership

• Represent MQ at high-level events, conferences and networking opportunities
• Strengthen MQ’s profile with funders, corporates, policymakers and partners
• Work closely with the Board and Science Council to maximise fundraising and partnership opportunities
• Undertake speaking engagements where appropriate to generate visibility & awareness

Executive Leadership & Governance

• Act as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to organisational strategy and decision-making
• Support the CEO with Board engagement, particularly around fundraising strategy and performance
• Ensure fundraising activity complies with all relevant legislation, regulation and best practice
• Uphold MQ’s values, reputation and commitment to ethical fundraising

Person Specification:

We'd love to hear from you, if you have:

• Significant senior leadership experience in fundraising or income generation, ideally within the charity, research or mission-driven sector
• Proven track record of delivering substantial income growth and securing high-value gifts
• Experience leading and developing high-performing fundraising teams
• Strong commercial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting and performance management
• Demonstrable experience of managing complex stakeholder relationships
• Strategic, analytical and data-driven approach to decision-making
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, including at Board and senior stakeholder level
• Strong understanding of the UK research funding or philanthropic landscape
• Clear alignment with MQ’s mission and values

The following is highly desirable

• Knowledge of mental health research and lived-experience-led approaches
• Experience of US philanthropy or international fundraising
• Experience working with Boards, trustees or scientific advisory groups
• Familiarity with modern CRM systems and fundraising analytics

Why Join MQ?

We offer a great working experience within a friendly team. Hybrid working (in the London office Mondays and Tuesdays, with the remaining days from home). We are located near Barbican Tube.

Plus, we offer lots of generous benefits and training opportunities.

We're a Sunday Times Top Company to work for.

Benefits

• Flexible working: As a mental health charity, staff wellbeing is of paramount importance. We operate a core hours policy (10-4) to encourage flexible working and staff are mainly home based with the requirement to come into the office two days per week. A standard full-time working week is 35 hours, plus an hour for lunch breaks.
• Holidays: Annual holiday entitlement of 31 days (inc. office closure between Xmas and New Year) plus bank holidays.
• Wellbeing Allowance: MQ provides an allowance of up to £1200 per annum for each employee to spend on activities that increase their wellbeing. This is paid through payroll and is taxable.
• Virtual GP & Other wellbeing services - Get quick GP appointments and support with cancer and caring responsibilities through our Zurich benefits scheme.
• Cycle to work scheme: An interest-free loan is available to enable employees to purchase a bike and accessories, repaid via equal deductions from the employee’s salary over 12 months.
• Employee Assistance Programme: All employees and their families have access to a 24-hour confidential advice and support line.
• Counselling: Employees have access to a number of free face-to-face sessions, via the EAP scheme.
• Pension: MQ makes contributions of 5% and employees make contributions of 3%.
• Life Assurance - Up to 4 x your salary in the event of death in service.
• Season Ticket Loan: An interest free season ticket loan is available, repaid via equal deductions from the employee’s salary over 12 months.
• Personal Development: We value employee development and review individual training needs through our performance management system. HR also runs internal management development sessions for all staff.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Closing date: 22nd February 2026
Please note, we typically start interviewing within two weeks of the job advert going live. We reserve the right to close the job before the deadline based on the volume of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We believe in equality and inclusion and we welcome job applications from everyone, provided you meet the criteria for the job.

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 and undertake a DBS check.

No agencies please.

Leukaemia UK – Our Charity

We are a ‘small but mighty’ charity with one big ambition: to stop leukaemia devastating lives. Over the next 10 years we want to help save and improve the lives of more people with leukaemia through finding and funding life-changing research and campaigning for change.

Despite progress in recent decades, someone in the UK is diagnosed with a blood cancer every 16 minutes and survival rates are among some of the worst of any cancer.  And the physical and psychological impact can be lifelong. 

Our current 5-year strategy outlines our plan to increase our investment into ground-breaking world class research and policy development focused on improving access to kinder, more effective diagnosis, treatment and care for leukaemia and other blood cancers. To do this, we have embarked on a period of significant growth, investing strategically to grow our income, profile, influence, and engagement and impact.

We are seeking an experienced, driven and passionate Head of Philanthropy to lead on delivering income from our High Value (HV) audiences and income streams. We are looking for someone with energy and ambition, who can demonstrate strategic leadership to maximise fundraising opportunities across Major Giving, Trusts and Foundations, Special Events and Corporate Partnerships. The post holder will be a key part of the Fundraising Leadership Team, helping to grow our supporter networks, optimise supporter experience and contributing to the development of the overall fundraising growth strategy, at this crucial stage as we complete the current cycle and move into our new 5-year strategy period in 2027.

Team

We are a close-knit team, who are all passionate about Leukaemia UK and putting those affected by the disease at the heart of everything we do.  We are all focused on “keeping it real” with pragmatic, practical solutions, as well as ensuring that our charity maximises voluntary income to invest in more life-changing research, so that we can continue to have impact for those with a leukaemia diagnosis.

From us you can expect all the laughter you can handle, as well as great challenge and support. We are all about delivering exceptional supporter experience and making a real difference to people’s lives.

You will be part of an ambitious fundraising team driving growth across the portfolio, so we can fund more leukaemia research and save more lives from this devastating disease. You will report to the Director of Fundraising, working alongside the Head of Public Fundraising, and collaborating across the wider organisation to ensure fundraising aligns with our organisational priorities and values (Bold, Collaborative, Curious) and feels insight-driven, strategic and competitive in a crowded marketplace.

Leukaemia UK and You 

In 2025 we invested in growing our fundraising team so that we could fund more life-changing research, to increase our understanding of leukemia as a disease, and accelerate the development of kinder, more effective treatments. This included investment to grow the Philanthropy fundraising team, develop new fundraising products, increase our supporter networks, and build a stronger pipeline. As a result, we have seen significant year-on-year growth for a charity of our size and are keen to maintain this trajectory with the opportunities in front of us.

We are in the final year of our current 5-year organisational strategy cycle and in the process of developing our new 5-year fundraising strategy, so you will be instrumental in bridging the gap, delivering against agreed income targets for 2026 and driving forward new plans into 2027. 

Reporting to the Director of Fundraising, the post holder will at times be required to work both strategically and operationally, autonomously and collaboratively, as a critical member of the Fundraising Leadership Team.  You will be results-driven with an appetite to innovate and drive continuous improvement, leading to increased conversions, deepened relationships, and long-term high value support to upscale our research programme.

Skills and Experience

• Previous experience of being a Head of Philanthropy, demonstrating strategic leadership with a remit that includes oversight of a broad High Value fundraising portfolio, across multiple income streams.
• Experience of applying the principles of Philanthropy fundraising to develop and nurture a growing pipeline of 5- and 6-figure gift opportunities for supporters able to give at the highest levels.
• Experience of managing engaging Major Giving and Trusts & Foundations fundraising programmes to generate a warm pipeline of 5- and 6-figure gifts.
• Experience of overseeing a Special Events programme, comprising both fundraising and cultivation events.
• Experience of overseeing a Corporate partnerships portfolio and representing the charity at a senior level.
• Demonstrable experience of managing a high-performing team, focussing on creating a culture where people thrive as individuals.
• Strong experience of building effective relationships with internal and external partners, senior stakeholders and suppliers, leading on the key relationships for the charity. 
• Strong written and oral communication skills with a real talent for connecting and influencing people at all levels.
• Strong project-management experience, including managing budgets, schedules, creative development, and supplier relationships for fundraising events and campaigns.
• Proven experience of driving effective High Value stewardship programmes to maximise supporter experience.
• Great listening skills and the ability to interpret the needs of individuals, teams, and organisations.
• Ability to think through complex issues and produce evidenced-based judgements.
• Experience of setting and managing annual budgets, monitoring, and reconciling results and financial performance in income and expenditure. Providing associated narratives and monthly reforecasts.
• Working to a wide range of financial and non-financial KPIs set in annual activity plans. 
• Ability to work well cross-organisationally, recognising different teams’ priorities and workloads.
• Entrepreneurial and results-led, with the ability to lead programmes of fundraising activity, with strategic, well thought through resourcing to deliver growth.

Knowledge

• Excellent specialist knowledge of the principals and methods underpinning successful Philanthropy fundraising and stakeholder management across Major Giving, Trusts and Corporate partnerships.
• Up-to-date knowledge of current fundraising trends.
• High level knowledge of Salesforce CRM and how best to steward supporters.
• High level knowledge and understanding of charity law in relation to legacy fundraising, GDPR, PECR, data protection and other relevant fundraising regulation.

Role specifics

• Hours: 0.8 FTE are 30 hours per week – days and times to be agreed
• 12 months fixed term contract – maternity cover
• Location: We are very flexible! Whilst our hybrid working policy is a minimum of two days per month in our London office, for this role we would typically expect the role holder to be in the office once a week.   
• Salary range £55,000 - £65,000 (FTE)

Applications

If you feel you have the passion for our work and the right mix of experience, skills, energy, and flair to embrace this broad and challenging leadership role and enable our strategy to fly, then we would love you to apply. Please also see the full job description attached to the advert.

• First interviews will be held via Teams Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th March 2026
• Second interviews will be face to face in our London Offices – at 26 Great Queen St, London WC2B 5Bl on either Tuesday 24th or Wednesday 25th March 2026
• We are proud of our benefits – see a summary on our website in the section Work With Us

Application instructions: To minimise unconscious bias, we use anonymous recruitment and are unable to consider direct applications. Please apply via the CharityJob website with your CV and covering letter.

Closing Date: Midnight Sunday 8th March 2026

I look forward to hearing from you! 

Holly Hastings-Payne

Director of Fundraising

The BRIT School is seeking an experienced and visionary Director of Communications to lead an evolving communications strategy that ensures the School remains the first choice for young, diverse artists.

This senior role has strategic responsibility for marketing, digital and social media, PR, alumni engagement, and brand management. You will be working directly with Principal Stuart Worden and be his voice in press releases, communications with industry, fundraising and lobbying environments. Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), Development Team, Trustees, and industry partners, the postholder will play a pivotal role in driving student recruitment, strengthening industry relationships, supporting fundraising ambitions, and enhancing the School’s national and international profile.

You are an experienced strategic marketing and communications leader with a passion for arts and education at senior level, you know how to build powerful brands, lead talented teams, and deliver campaigns that inspire, engage and drive real impact. Collaborative, adaptable and values-led, you bring strong digital, PR and storytelling skills, commercial awareness, and a genuine commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion—thriving in a creative, fast-moving environment.

We are looking for a Senior Fundraising Lead to drive our growth by securing high-value partnerships. This new role is for a results-oriented fundraiser who can manage a sales pipeline and move prospects from “cold” to “secured” with speed and precision. As a Senior Lead, you will take the initiative to propose new approaches that align with our strategic goals and build long-term global partnerships with some of the most renowned companies, trusts and philanthropists. You will sit within a small fundraising team alongside a Director of Fundraising and Head of Fundraising and Partnerships.

Reports to: Director of Fundraising & Partnerships
Hours: Full time with flexible hours. Core hours are 10am to 4pm
Location: Hybrid. London (Embankment) two days per week and remote working
Salary: £43,444 p.a.

We value integrity in our application process. While AI can be a helpful resource, we are looking for evidence of your unique experience and enthusiasm. Applications that are overly generic or clearly AI-generated will not be shortlisted, as we prioritise authentic personal insight. 

Applications close at 23:59 on March 1st. First round interviews will take place on March 10th, 11th and 12th. Second round interviews will be on March 18th. Both will be in-person at The Economist Group’s offices in London.

First Give

First Give is a national charity that partners with secondary schools to inspire and equip young people with the knowledge, confidence, and skills to drive change. Through our structured programmes, students explore social issues, connect with charities, and take tangible steps to improve their community.

Empowering and equipping young people to meaningfully contribute to their community is a first step to addressing many of the challenges we face at this time of social disconnection and division. Our vision is of a more generous society where everyone is willing and able to give their time, money and skills to the causes they care about.

The Route to a Million Campaign

This is an exciting time for First Give, as we seek to expand and diversify our fundraising streams into Corporate and HNWI. To support this, we are launching the Route to A Million campaign in March, aiming to raise an additional £1.5 million over the next 3 years on top of our forecast income. The campaign is supported by a newly recruited campaign board, and the new Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships will spearhead the work required to achieve this target.

Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships

We are seeking a dynamic, strategic and entrepreneurial Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships to supercharge First Give’s next phase of income growth. This is a pivotal role at the heart of our mission, offering the opportunity to shape and deliver a multi‑year fundraising strategy that fuels real, measurable impact for young people and society as a whole. First Give is a small charity, with a growing fundraising team and big ambitions. You will therefore be someone who thrives in a start-up environment, brings new ideas to the table and is comfortable leading a brand-new team.

As the senior leader for all income streams, you will own and drive our major donor programme; unlock new philanthropic partnerships; and build a talented team across other income streams to achieve ambitious goals. Working closely with the Director and our emerging Campaign Board, you will play critical role in growing our £1m+ annual income, deepening donor engagement and building the culture, systems and relationships that will propel First Give into its next phase of expansion.

This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional fundraiser who thrives in a values‑driven, high‑ambition environment and wants to make a lasting contribution to a fast‑growing education charity.

Contract: Full time (35 hours per week), Permanent

Salary: £60K (+£2K London weighting if applicable)

Location: This is a hybrid contract. The successful candidate will be expected to work from our London office or attend in-person meetings and host donors at school Final events as required. The remainder of the week can typically be worked remotely, with flexibility as required.

The students we work with come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and so do we.  We want to foster a diverse and inclusive culture, to empower our teams to achieve our vision drawing on the broadest possible range of experiences. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates from minoritised groups currently underrepresented on our executive team, particularly black and minority ethnic and disabled candidates.

Please download the candidate pack for more details, and don't hesitate to get in touch if you'd like a chat about the role or any reasonable adjustments we can make before applying: contact details provided in the candidate pack.