Director of fundraising and communications jobs

Join an amazing charity that makes a difference for the more than 110,000 adults and children in the UK with a muscle-wasting condition. This is a role where you can really make a difference.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented groups including people from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with lived experience of conditions we represent. We believe that diversity strengthens our work and helps us better support our beneficiaries.

As part of our safer recruitment and safeguarding responsibilities, this role requires a DBS check and professional/character references. We are committed to inclusion and will consider each application fairly.​

About you:

This is a terrific opportunity to play a fundamental role as Research Communications Manager at Muscular Dystrophy UK’s in developing and shaping our research communications ensuring the timely and proactive communication of our research impact.

• You will have a strong ability for explaining research and science to a lay audience. 
• You  will also proactively identify communication opportunities and ideas for engaging content to promote and publicise our research projects.
• You will work closely with teams across the organisation providing them with information about our research activity to support their work.
• You will manage the charity’s research information service, our Research Line.
• You will work with the Director of Research and Innovation and Director of Marketing and Communications to lead the development of our research communications plan.​

Your Cover Letter Guidance
When submitting your application, please ensure your cover letter provides clear evidence of the following:

• Experience of communicating scientific and clinical information to a range of target audiences
• Proven experience in communicating complex research topics to a lay audience
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to build effective relationships internally and externally
•Proactive and able to identify communication opportunities and ideas for content in a range of formats
• Excellent copywriting, editing and proof-reading skills with ability to create written content for a range of audiences, especially lay audiences

Your cover letter should demonstrate how your background aligns with these criteria, using specific examples where possible.

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About us:

Muscular Dystrophy UK is a charity that connects a community of more than 110,000 people living with one of over 60 muscle wasting conditions, and all the people around them. So everyone can get the healthcare, support and treatments needed to feel good, mentally and physically. ​

This is an exciting time to join Muscular Dystrophy UK. We recently launched our new 10 year strategy to transform the lives of people living with muscle wasting conditions. Our vision is clear, a world without limits for people with muscle wasting conditions, and we won’t stop until we achieve it.

Values and behaviours:

• A positive attitude and approach that reflect the charity’s values.
• Seek opportunities to contribute to the development of the charity.
• A commitment to and an understanding of disability issues, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Always demonstrate role model behaviour.
  
   

Benefits:

We appreciate the range of skills and experience our staff have to offer. In return for your enthusiasm and commitment we commit to actively developing and supporting you. We believe in supporting our people both professionally and personally.

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Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to promote wellbeing, work–life balance, and career development. Our offerrange of benefits includes ​great pension contributions, life insurance, cycle scheme, health cash plan, employee assistance programme, instant retail and events discounts, and much more...

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Location: We operate a hybrid model (home and office, London SE1). ​

Closing date: Monday,16th February

NB Interviews likely to be held on Tuesday, 24th February and Wednesday, 25th of February

Please download the job description to see full role responsibilities

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Join our Philanthropy Team and play a vital role in supporting some of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity's most generous supporters. Working as part of a high‑performing Philanthropy & Partnerships Directorate, you will help deliver exceptional donor experiences, create compelling fundraising materials, and contribute to life‑saving cancer research and care.

If you’re proactive, relationship‑focused and ready to grow your fundraising career, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Managing a small portfolio of mid‑level donors, providing excellent stewardship and supporting income growth.
• Supporting the identification, research and cultivation of new high‑value prospects, ensuring effective approaches are made.
• Preparing compelling proposals, presentations and bespoke donor materials to inspire philanthropic giving.
• Coordinating donor tours, cultivation events and bespoke visits for supporters and prospects.
• Producing high‑quality thank‑you letters, reports, and email updates that strengthen donor relationships.
• Providing essential administrative and coordination support to colleagues across the Philanthropy team.
• Maintaining accurate donor records on Raiser’s Edge, helping improve systems and insight.

What We’re Looking For:

We’re looking for someone who is:

A relationship builder
With experience in donor or customer‑focused environments and the confidence to engage supporters sensitively and professionally.

A strong communicator
With excellent written and verbal skills—capable of producing reports, emails, donor materials and briefings with clarity and impact.

Highly organised and detail‑driven
Able to manage multiple deadlines, juggle priorities and support the team to deliver high‑quality work.

A proactive team player
Flexible, adaptable and enthusiastic, with a willingness to learn and contribute in a fast‑paced, ambitious environment.

Tech‑confident
Comfortable managing data, using spreadsheets, and ideally familiar with fundraising databases such as Raiser’s Edge (desirable).

Why Join Us?

We’re a values-driven charity committed to saving lives by funding world-leading research, treatment, and care at The Royal Marsden. You’ll be part of a collaborative, ambitious, and kind team, with plenty of opportunities for learning and development.

What we offer

• Hybrid working between home and Chelsea with occasional travel to Sutton.
• Flexible working around our core hours of 10am to 4pm
• 27 days annual leave rising with length of service
• Up to 6% employer contributions subject to matched contribution from you (increasing with length of service)
• Training, support and development opportunities
• Access to the blue light discount scheme and other discounts opportunities
• Access to subsidised staff restaurants, on-site yoga and wellbeing classes, staff choir and much more
• Range of wellbeing initiatives including access to an employee assistance programme designed to save money and improve your physical, financial and mental health and wellbeing, access to free online GP appointments and free eye tests and contribution towards any glasses required for work purposes
• Opportunities for training and career development

Inclusion Matters

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Applications from all backgrounds are warmly welcomed

Please note: To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.

How to Apply:

Use CharityJob ATS

We’re seeking an experienced and driven Senior Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser to help change the lives of young carers. In this pivotal role, you’ll secure vital funding from charitable trusts and foundations, building strong relationships and crafting compelling cases for support. You’ll lead on high-value applications, identify new funding opportunities, and play a key role in shaping our income growth. Working with a passionate, mission-led team, you’ll see the direct impact of your work every day. If you’re persuasive, and inspired by making a lasting difference for children, we’d love you to join us.

We’re looking for an ambitious and creative Business Development Manager to help Honeypot transform the lives of young carers. This is a unique opportunity to grow sustainable income while making a real, visible impact. You’ll build inspiring partnerships with corporate businesses, spotting new opportunities and turning bold ideas into meaningful support for our charity. Working closely with a passionate fundraising team, you’ll research pipelines, open new doors, and champion our mission wherever you go. If you’re an experienced fundraisier with business development experience, a natural relationship-builder who’s motivated by purpose as much as performance, we’d love to hear from you.

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Philanthropy Manager 
Up to £44,000 FTE per annum, £35,200 actual, plus 8% pension contribution 
28 hours per week 
Permanent role  
Hybrid working – homebased working for the majority of time with a need to attend head office in Godalming on occasions

An exciting opportunity to lead relationships with some of the League’s most influential supporters and secure transformational gifts that will help end animal cruelty in the name of ‘sport’. 

What You’ll Do: 

As our Philanthropy Manager, you will lead our major donor programme and manage a growing portfolio of high-value individuals, trusts and partners. Working closely with the Director of Fundraising, Chief Executive and senior stakeholders, you will identify, cultivate and steward influential supporters, making compelling asks and demonstrating the real-world impact of their generosity. Your responsibilities will include: 

• Developing and managing relationships with major donors, high-value individuals, family trusts and corporate partners
• Delivering an ambitious philanthropy strategy, annual plan and budget
• Building and maintaining a robust prospect pipeline through research, networking and relationship-building
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to develop fundraising propositions, related income sources, such as family trusts and corporate partners, and donor updates

· Tracking performance, managing income reporting and maintain accurate records

Who You Are: 

We need a confident and inspirational relationship manager with a passion for animal welfare, who possesses: 

• Previous experience working with high-net-worth individuals, either in the charity or commercial sector
• Proven success in major gift fundraising
• A strong understanding of major donor fundraising principles

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience using CRM systems and managing donor data.

Why Join Us: 

We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance, enjoy flexible working arrangements, including options for compressed hours and remote work from day one. With 28 days (pro-rata) of annual leave, in addition to the public holidays, and a generous employer contribution of eight percent towards your pension scheme, we prioritise your well-being. Additionally, our benefits package includes discounts on shopping, electronics, hospitality and leisure. Find out more about working at the League. 

The League Against Cruel Sports is committed to inclusivity and diversity, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

We believe that together we can end animal cruelty in the name of sport. Join us in our purposeful mission to redefine what is acceptable and inspire positive change in animal welfare legislation.  

Ready to make a real difference? Don't wait - apply now! We're looking to fill this position quickly and will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis. To apply, please submit your CV along with a covering letter stating what days and hours you are available.

Mencap – Executive Director, Fundraising

Location: Flexible working, with 1-2 days per week in London office (EC1Y).

Salary: £120,000 per annum.

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Mencap is seeking an Executive Director, Fundraising to deliver ambitious fundraising goals and drive growth and impact, whilst ensuring that people with a learning disability are at the heart of their fundraising activities.

Mencap’s vision is for the estimated 1.5 million people with a learning disability across the UK to get the best chance in life. This is a pivotal moment to join the charity as they launch their new five-year strategy, Mencap 2030, with this role central to delivering its ambitious vision in which people with a learning disability can live life to the full.

The Executive Director, Fundraising will play a key organisational leadership role - modelling Mencap’s values, contributing to cross‑organisational transformation and championing belonging, equity, diversity and inclusion. With fundraising central to the charity’s future growth, the postholder will drive a strategy designed to increase annual income from an average of £14m to £20m and beyond, building on recent high‑profile partnerships and investment across all fundraising channels.

The role requires an inspiring leader who can galvanise 7,500 colleagues behind a shared fundraising mission and authentically involve people with a learning disability in shaping fundraising approaches. The successful candidate will lead and motivate a high‑performing team, steward major corporate and individual relationships and ensure innovation, strong forecasting and long‑term income growth. As a full member of the Executive team, they will contribute to organisational leadership, governance and strategic decision‑making, working closely with the Chief Executive and Board.

The role requires a values‑led, impact‑driven leader with a strong record of cross‑organisational leadership, a proven ability to deliver ambitious, sustained fundraising growth and experience of aligning fundraising goals with wider organisational strategy. They must also be able to demonstrate values‑based leadership that promotes belonging, equity, diversity and inclusion, and which supports team wellbeing and drives high performance.

The successful candidate will be an exceptional communicator, skilled at building high‑value relationships and engaging wider audiences through excellent stewardship. They will bring forward‑thinking insight into market trends, data‑driven decision‑making and the effective use of technology, including leading CRM implementation to enhance fundraising impact. Mencap is also seeking candidates who will strengthen or champion diversity within the Executive team, with a track record of nurturing inclusive teams and developing diverse talent.

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

Closing date: Monday 9th February 9.00am.

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

About The Public Interest Law Centre

The Public Interest Law Centre exists to challenge unlawful state practice and systemic injustice through legal representation, strategic litigation, research and legal education. We specialise in public law, actions against public authorities and public inquiries, bringing cases to court for individuals and grassroots groups who have been treated unfairly.

We hold government and public bodies to account, challenge unlawful policies and practices, and promote access to justice for marginalised individuals and communities. We will not rest until we achieve a fairer and more equitable society.

About the Role

As Fundraising Manager, you will work closely with, and be fully supported by, the Director to execute and implement PILC’s fundraising strategy, with a specific focus on trusts and foundations. You’ll be a skilled fundraiser with demonstrable experience in securing income from trusts and foundations. 

Position: Fundraising Manager 

Responsible to: Director

Location: Cambridge Health, London (E2) / Hybrid working - two days per week in the office

Hours: 35 hours per week (full-time), or part-time, with flexible working around core hours

Salary: £41,814 - £47,464 per annum (from 1 April 2026)

Main Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a strong, strategic pipeline of trust and foundation prospects aligned with organisational priorities and funding needs.
• Grow PILC’s individual donor and supporter base.
• Work closely with the Director and project teams to translate our legal and advocacy work into clear, compelling funding propositions.
• Manage the full grants cycle, ensuring excellent stewardship and compliance with funder requirements.
• Build new relationships with trusts and foundations and steward relationships with existing funders.
• Secure income from trusts and foundations, including developing multi-year or higher-value grants over time.
• Ensure all fundraising activity complies with PILC’s Ethical Fundraising Policy and relevant regulations.

Annual leave and benefits

• We offer 25 days of holiday per year, plus additional time off over Christmas when our office closes
• A 7% employer pension contribution and option to join our Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme
• Flexible working around our core hours of 10am – 4pm
• Friendly, collaborative and truly inclusive culture 
• Laptop and mobile phone
• Support and supervision
• Learning and development budget
• Access to our 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced support when you need it most, including enhanced maternity pay, family leave policies and sick pay

Please review the recruitment pack before applying which contains:

• Background information about PILC
• Information about the selection process
• A detailed role description and person specification
• Application form
• Equality & Diversity monitoring form

How to apply: Please submit your completed application form and equality and diversity monitoring form to the email address in the recruitment pack by the closing date: Friday 14 February 2026 at 12pm. 

Interviews will commence before the end of February 2026.

Please note, we do not accept CVs. 

The BE Support Trust is recruiting for a Fundraising Officer (Part Time).   We are seeking a strategic, motivated, and relationship-focused Fundraising Officer to help us diversify income and grow our fundraising activity.

What you will do

• Develop and deliver an annual fundraising plan aligned with strategic priorities.
• Research new funding streams and produce pipeline/KPI reports.
• Prepare high quality trust, foundation and grant applications.
• Build and manage corporate partnerships and sponsorship proposals.
• Lead fundraising elements of charity events and community activities.
• Support donor stewardship and maintain accurate CRM/Gift Aid records

What you will bring

• Demonstrable fundraising experience
• Excellent writing and bid/proposal development skills
• Strong relationship abilities
• Organisational confidence managing multiple deadlines

Why Join us

• A small supportive and committed team
• Meaningful work where you see the impact everyday
• Opportunity to shape fundraising in a growing charity
• Flexible working and part-time structure

Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

For over 100 years, we have been the central fundraiser and grant maker for maritime welfare. As a truly independent charity, we always put seafarer welfare first.

We’re looking for someone who genuinely cares about people, someone who lights up at the idea of looking after supporters and understands just how important thoughtful donor care is to meaningful fundraising. If you’re enthusiastic, detail‑driven, and love building relationships, you’ll feel right at home with us.

As our Fundraising Officer, you’ll play a vital role in keeping our fundraising engine running smoothly. This isn’t a marketing job, this is real, hands‑on fundraising. You’ll be the person who ensures our donors feel valued, seen, and appreciated. You’ll work across multiple income streams, supporting everything from donation processing to stewardship journeys, helping us maintain the high standards our supporters deserve.

You’ll be joining a small, ambitious, and incredibly committed Development team. A team that truly believes in the work we do and the people we do it for. You’ll need to be comfortable talking to supporters, nurturing relationships, managing details accurately, and getting stuck in wherever needed. If you have a natural warmth, a positive mindset, and pride in doing things well, you’ll thrive here.

Most importantly, you’ll be part of a charity with a unique role in the maritime world, one with a long history, a strong reputation, and a real, measurable impact on the lives of seafarers. This is a brilliant opportunity to grow, learn, and take meaningful steps forward in your fundraising career, surrounded by people who are just as dedicated and driven as you are.

If you’re ready to bring your passion, energy, and commitment to a role where every interaction matters, we’d love to hear from you.

You'll be joining a diverse, friendly, committed team of about 20 staff. We work on a hybrid basis, with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office. There are regular organisation-wide staff meetings at the office to ensure opportunities for people to get to know each other face-to-face, plus smaller departmental team meetings, and cross-organisational working groups.

*This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010. TAKE OUT IF NOT FEMALE ONLY

Stop Domestic Abuse is a trauma informed organisation; the work we do to support those effected by domestic abuse may be triggering for those with past trauma. Please only apply if you are living free from abuse. If you’d like to talk to us about this, please get in touch.

Location: Havant

Salary: £35,482 - £38,224

Hours per week: 37

Contract Type: Full Time/Permanent 

Reference Number: STOPDA811

Main Purpose and Scope of the Job:

 This is an exciting role in an ambitious and growing charity that supports all people affected by domestic abuse.

Working closely with the Business Development Director and Business Development Manager the Fundraising Manager will play a pivotal role in the creation, development and implementation of a robust and diverse fundraising strategy that contributes to the overarching income generation strategy, that meet both current and future operational needs

Participate in the development of Stop Domestic Abuse’s fundraising strategy and lead on the implementation and delivery of fundraising ensuring all fundraising objectives and KPI’s are met. 

Identify and cultivate relationships with new, corporate partners, individual donors, major donors, foundations, and other potential supporters, increasing their awareness of SDA.

Create, launch and manage supporter stewardship and recognition programmes to ensure corporate donors and partners feel valued and engaged with the organisation, you will be key in maintaining long-term relationships.

Develop and maintain a portfolio of potential corporate and high net worth supporters through regular research and networking and attend events and meetings with potential donors.

 Expand current fundraising activity to create new opportunities by promoting Stop Domestic Abuse. 

What We Offer:

Time off and Flexibility:

- 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (Increasing with service)

- Birthday day off

- Child’s first day of school off

- Option to purchase up to 10 additional days’ leave per year

- Flexible and hybrid working

- Protected time of up to one hour each month

Family-Friendly Benefits:

- Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, Shared Parental and Adoption leave

- IVF Leave

Health and Wellbeing:

- Westfield Health Healthcare Cashback Plan (after probation)

- Westfield Health Personal Health Insurance (after 2 years’ service)

- Employee Assistance Programme

- Eye care vouchers

- Cycle to Work Scheme

About Stop Domestic Abuse:

Stop Domestic Abuse is a proud women-led organisation supporting victims and survivors of domestic violence and abuse across Portsmouth and Hampshire. Our vision is a world without domestic abuse, and we work to ensure that it’s ‘everyone’s business.’

We provide refuge and community-based support, delivering in a trauma-informed way for adults, children and young people, tailored to individual needs. Our 19 refuges offer safe, welcoming homes, and across our services we provide one-to-one support and group activities to help improve their safety and to meet others with similar experiences. We support children process their experiences and help regain a sense of safety.

Our UP2U programmes support those seeking to change abusive behaviours, and we also offer specialist support for victims of stalking. We also deliver training to professionals, including the hair and beauty industry, to recognise domestic abuse and connect people to specialist support services.

Our Values:

Equality, Openness, Honesty, Respect for individual dignity and diversity, Empowering women and children, and Care and Compassion – are at the heart of everything we do. By committing to these values, we aim to significantly improve the lives of those we support and work towards our vision of a world without domestic abuse.

About Us
Action Village India (AVI) is a small UK based organisation that since 1989, has been supporting Indian partner organisations who work alongside villagers in some of the most remote parts of rural India so they can improve their lives, livelihoods and resilience. We work towards an India which is just, fair and inclusive, where all people regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, caste, religion can benefit from the country’s economic development and lift themselves out of poverty.

At the heart of our work, are our partnerships; many of which have spanned decades.  Our partner organisations are led by Indians and whether these are large or small organisations, or social movements, all work directly at the grassroots level across rural India – from Bihar and Jharkhand in the North, in Odisha and down to Tamil Nadu in the South. The communities they work with, are some of the poorest in India. They are experts in their fields and work hand in hand with local people to design and inform projects to best serve their local communities and secure rights and social justice for women, men and children.

We accompany our partners for the long term, solidarity with our partners and their communities is at the core of how we work. This means we have developed relationships over the years, based on mutual respect, reciprocity and transparency. We are not governed by donor funding cycles and agendas but are led by our partners and the needs they identify and are committed to shared learning and collaboration. We keep our UK costs to a minimum with core staff and rely on an active and engaged set of Trustees, volunteers and supporters.  Both staff and Trustees of Action Village India have relationships with staff from our partner organisations, created through ongoing dialogue, partner and community visits and participation in learning forums.

Key details

• Salary: £30,000 pro rata
• Hours: 14 hours per week (2 days), ideally Wednesday and Thursday
• Strong possibility of increasing to 21 hours (3 days) in future
• Option to work up to 8 additional paid event days per year (e.g. WOMAD), reviewed annually
• Reports to: Executive Director
• Contract: Permanent, subject to successful 6-month probation
• Annual leave: 25 days (pro rata)
• Pension: Auto-enrolment after 6 months, with 3% employer contribution
• Right to Work check required

Accessibility

We regret that due to the office being on the second floor with a narrow staircase and no lift, this role is not currently suitable for applicants with additional accessibility needs. We will update this if circumstances change.

Key responsibilities

Fundraising and donor management

• Research, develop and submit fundraising proposals to trusts, foundations and major donors
• Maintain accurate fundraising trackers for applications and reporting deadlines
• Coordinate partner inputs for monitoring and donor reports
• Support the Executive Director with fundraising and reporting to trusts and individuals

Events

• Plan and manage Action Village India events across the year
• Attend fundraising events (including evenings and weekends, as agreed)
• Attend WOMAD festival and support delivery of Action Village India’s stall and presence

Individual giving

• Plan and deliver regular appeals and supporter communications
• Develop new ways to engage supporters and grow individual giving income
• Build strong supporter journeys to retain and deepen engagement

Communications and development

• Create compelling fundraising and supporter communications
• Contribute to newsletters, annual reports and appeals
• Coordinate content for events and exhibitions, including WOMAD
• Work with partners to generate stories, updates and visual content
• Manage organisational content such as leaflets, webpages and reports
• Work closely with the Communications and Administrative Officer on social media and CRM content

Person specification

Essential experience

• Minimum three years’ experience in fundraising (trusts and foundations, events and individual giving)
• Proven success securing funding from UK trusts and foundations
• Strong proposal and report writing skills
• Experience co-organising fundraising events

Knowledge and skills

• Knowledge of UK trusts, foundations and institutional funders
• Understanding of the international development and solidarity sector
• Knowledge of Charity Law, Data Protection and the Fundraising Code of Practice
• Excellent written communication skills for diverse audiences
• Proficiency in Excel

Personal qualities

• Passion for social justice and supporting marginalised communities in India
• Highly organised, self-motivated and able to manage competing priorities
• Comfortable working independently in a small team
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural relationship-building skills

Desirable

• Experience working with NGOs, particularly in Asia and India
• International development experience
• Photoshop and InDesign skills
• Clean driving licence

Other requirements

• Willingness to work some evenings and weekends and attend WOMAD (late July)
• Ability to travel to rural India if required
• Strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and to Action Village India’s values

How to apply

Please email:

• Your CV (with two contactable references)
• A supporting statement or cover letter (around two sides of A4, maximum three)

Closing date: Sunday, 8 February 2026

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic is now seeking an exceptional and visionary Director of Development to lead its fundraising at a pivotal moment in its evolution. This newly created senior role reflects a step change in ambition as the organisation embarks on an exciting new chapter of growth, partnership and global profile. Reporting to the Chief Executive and sitting on the Executive Team, the Director of Development will inspire and lead a talented development team while playing a central role in shaping the organisation’s future direction. You will spearhead major fundraising initiatives, including a landmark capital campaign to realise plans for a new recording, rehearsal and creative centre — envisaged as an “Abbey Road of the North” — designed to support future talent, innovation and the wider creative economy of the Liverpool City Region. Alongside this, you will help secure the long-term success of Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s award-winning artistic, learning and community programmes.

The successful candidate will be a dynamic, relationship-driven leader with a strong track record of securing transformational income within complex, mission-led organisations. You will bring strategic vision, deep knowledge of the philanthropic landscape, and the confidence to unlock new sources of support from individuals, trusts, foundations and corporate partners. Crucially, you will play a leading role in articulating a clear, compelling and cohesive external narrative for Royal Liverpool Philharmonic — one that brings together its heritage, ambition, social impact and future aspirations — and ensure this story resonates powerfully with funders, partners, civic leaders and audiences. Passionate about music and culture, you will be an inspiring leader, a trusted advisor to the Board and Executive, and a persuasive ambassador for an organisation that exists to enhance and transform lives through music.

Role Purpose 

This is a new role. Stand-by-me is seeking an experienced Director to effectively lead and manage the organisation. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the effective continued delivery of the charity’s aims, providing strong, strategic leadership and operational management, focussing on enhancing fundraising capacity and developing a robust organisation strategy. This role will also serve as the public representative of the organisation and will report directly to the Board of Trustees.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Development:

· Conduct a rapid assessment of the charity’s current strategic plan and identify key areas for improvement.

· Lead the development of a revised or updated strategic framework, focusing on sustainability, growth, and impact.

· Work collaboratively with the Board of Trustees and Clinical staff to define clear strategic priorities and measurable outcomes.

· Provide clear and concise report to the Board on progress against strategic objectives.

· Manage and coordinate research projects and feasibility studies including budgeting, resourcing, scheduling, tracking and ensuring quality assurance.

2. Income Generation and Financial Management:

· Conduct a rapid, comprehensive review of existing fundraising activities and identify opportunities for growth and diversification.

· Develop and implement a short and long-term fundraising strategy to maximise income generation.

· Monitor and report on grants and funding.

· Lead and motivate our volunteer community fundraising team providing guidance and support to achieve specified targets.

· Cultivate and strengthen relationships with major donors, trusts, foundations, patronage, and corporate partners.

· Explore and develop new fundraising streams, including regular giving, digital fundraising, innovative partnerships and legacies.

· Working with the team, develop compelling funding proposals and grant applications.

· Improve fundraising reporting and analysis to track performance and inform decision-making.

3. Operational Management:

· Provide effective line management to the team and volunteers to foster a positive and collaborative work environment.

· Effectively delegate tasks to team members including promoting self organisation.

· Work with the Finance Trustee to oversee financial management, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and best practices for budgeting.

· Manage risk and ensure the charity's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

· Represent the charity to external stakeholders, building and maintaining positive relationships.

· Ensure effective communication and engagement with staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries.

· Work with Safeguarding Trustee and external Supervisors on any clinical or safeguarding issues as they arise.

· Conduct annual appraisals to monitor and evaluate staff performance.

4. Board Engagement/Governance:

· Act as the primary point of contact between the Board of Trustees.

· Provide regular updates to the Board on organisational performance including operational and strategic matters.

· Ensure the organisation’s compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements and internal policies to support the Board in its governance role by providing advice and information as needed.

· Facilitate effective communication and collaboration between the Trustee Board, staff and volunteers.

Salary: c.£46,000 per annum based on skills and experience
Hours: Full time, 40 hours per week
Based in: Covent Garden, London

The Royal Ballet and Opera continues to lead the way in opera, ballet, music and dance both live on stage and through multiple digital platforms, from live streaming to worldwide cinema screenings. Our Covent Garden theatre has been at the heart of London and British cultural life for three centuries. We are home to two world-class Companies: The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera.

This role sits within the highly committed and successful Development and Advocacy Department, which generates over £41m revenue annually, plus additional capital funds, and secures the annual Arts Council England grant (currently £22.9m). The Department’s revenue generation and advocacy to Government of the value of our creative sector ensures the RBO can retain the best artists and crafts people, deliver our thriving National Schools’ Programme, maintain our beautiful grade I listed building, deliver on our charitable mission, and continue to produce world class performances.

The focus of the Senior Fundraising Manager role will be to deliver and run the successful fundraising appeals and draws function, delivering against targets of c. £1.25m for 2025/26. Managing a small appeals team within the wider membership function, you will grow our income and innovation in this space, ensuring fundraising best practice principles are adhered to.

Our ideal candidate will be results driven, with an open, curious, intelligent approach to analysis and reporting. You will be able to work successfully in partnership with other teams and departments as well as influence key stakeholders across the organisation. You will be able to lead and develop a small team, exercise diplomacy and discretion and contribute to the wider fundraising conversation and pipeline.

You will be able to demonstrate: 

• Substantial professional experience of the project management of appeals and campaigns fundraising gained within a charity or other fundraising organisation including their planning, development, running and evaluation
• Experience of running fundraising appeals or campaigns across a range of channels and running lotteries or draws for fundraising
• Outstanding written communication skills, including the ability to tailor communications for different audiences and media whilst maintaining consistent tone and messaging
• A track record in setting and meeting income targets
• Excellent project management skills, with evidence of having successfully delivered concurrent projects

An understanding and knowledge of the art forms is not essential but the ability to learn and communicate effectively and persuasively about opera, ballet, music and dance to supporters is critical for this role.

The Royal Ballet and Opera is one of the UK’s leading arts organisations and our aim is to inspire imagination, ignite emotion and make the extraordinary for everyone. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion underpin all that we do. We want our people to be representative of the diversity in the UK. We understand the creativity and innovation that diversity can bring and strive to create an inclusive environment in which everyone can thrive.

We encourage applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and skills to join our teams. We particularly welcome applications from those who are from a global majority background and/or those who are disabled, as they are under-represented within our organisation.

We are a Disability Confident Employer, which means that we are actively working to ensure that candidates with disabilities and long-term health conditions feel supported, engaged and able to fulfil their potential in the workplace. We will endeavour to offer an interview to candidates who tell us they wish to participate in the scheme and who demonstrate in their application that they meet the essential criteria for the role, though sometimes due to the volume of qualified candidates with declarations this is not possible.

The RBO is also committed to safeguarding and protecting all children, young people, and adults and we implement robust safer recruitment practices. Due to our safeguarding promise, certain roles will be subject to a DBS check before commencing employment with us, which will be indicated in the advertising.

Closing date for applications: 11:59pm, Sunday 22nd February 2026. 

Interviews will be held over two stages. The 1st stage will be online via Microsoft Teams w/c 2nd March 2026. The 2nd stage will be in person at ROH Covent Garden w/c 9th March 2026.

Applicants must have work authorisation for the UK.  No agencies.

To ensure a fair process, late applications will not be considered under any circumstances.