Director of fundraising and events jobs

Location: Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle or Leeds (Hybrid working - 40-60% of your time in the office)

1st stage interviews: 07/04 and 08/04

2nd stage interviews: 14/04

We’re looking for a dynamic Head of Philanthropy – North to lead high‑value fundraising and build powerful, strategic relationships that fuel The King’s Trust’s life‑changing work. You’ll drive £100k+ giving from individuals and charitable trusts, shaping a place‑based strategy that directly supports disadvantaged young people to thrive.

In this leadership role, you’ll cultivate a portfolio of prospects, inspire senior volunteers, and craft compelling, bespoke proposals that secure transformational, multi‑year support. Working collaboratively with colleagues across Fundraising, Operations and Finance, you’ll play a pivotal role in our 50th anniversary campaign and the continued growth of philanthropy across the region.

If you’re an exceptional relationship‑builder with a track record of securing major gifts, a strategic mindset, and the confidence to influence at the highest level, we’d love to hear from you. Bring your passion, creativity and drive, and help us create opportunities for young people who need them most.

What happens next?  

Please submit a CV and Cover Letter that includes your experience, transferable skills and motivation to work for The King's Trust! The Team will be in touch about the next steps shortly after the closing date. 

Why do we need Heads of Philanthropy? 

Last year, we helped more than 40,000 Young People, with three in four young people on our programmes moving into a positive outcome in work, education or training. The young people we help face a range of challenges, such as unemployment, mental health issues or some who have been in trouble with the law. We believe all young people should have the chance to succeed, and that young people are the key to a positive and prosperous future for all of us. We want to continue having a positive impact on young people’s lives, and we couldn’t do this without the important work of our Heads of Philanthropy!

Perks for working at The Trust! 

• Great holiday package! 30 days annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays. Office closure on the days between Christmas and New Year 
• Flexible working! Where operationally possible, our roles require a combination of office days and working from home (please speak to the hiring manager about this particular role)
• You can volunteer for and/or attend events – The King's Trust Awards, Pride, active events etc. 
• In-house learning platform! Develop your skills for your career and your role 
• Benefits platform! Everything from health and financial well-being support to discounts on your favourite restaurants, shops and cinemas. 
• Personal development opportunities through our Networks – KT CAN (Cultural Awareness Network), KT GEN (Gender Equality Network), KT DAWN (Disability & Wellbeing Network), and PULSE (LGBTQIA+ Network). 
• Fantastic Family leave! Receive 13 weeks of full pay and 13 weeks of half pay for maternity and adoption leave. Receive 8 weeks of full pay for paternity leave. 
• Interest-free season ticket loans 
• The Trust will contribute 5% of your salary to the Trust Pension Scheme 
• Generous life assurance cover (4 x annual salary) 

St Martins, the long standing and well respected charity supporting people out of homelessness, is looking to recruit a Chief Executive following the retirement of our current CEO.

As our new Chief Executive, you will collaborate with our dedicated teams and the Board of Trustees to drive forward the vital work of St Martins, focusing on our six key priorities:

· prevent homelessness wherever possible

· deliver effective support

· deliver sustained support

· continue to be an employer of choice

· continue to be well managed and efficient

· communicate clearly

 We are looking for :

·        A current CEO or Director with experience in one or more of the following fields: social housing, homelessness, social care or related fields

· Proven track record of delivering organisational strategy and managing complex change.

· Proven experience of managing complex budgets exceeding £10 million, to support the long‑term sustainability of a charity during periods of change .

· Proven experience in governance and in building productive, collaborative relationships with a Board of Trustees.

· Evidence of successful income generation through fundraising, grants, and partnerships.

· Experience of media relations (including TV and radio) 

· Experience interpreting complex financial and performance data to support effective evaluation and enable sound strategic decision-making.

· Experience of effective collaborative working with partner organisations and sectors.

Acorns Children’s Hospice provides specialist care and support for babies, children and young people who are life limited or life threatened. Supporting over 750 children and nearly 1,000 families annually, Acorns is a vital lifeline for families across the West Midlands and Gloucestershire during unimaginably difficult times.

Over the past three years, Acorns’ leadership has enhanced collaboration and innovation across the charity and embedded an organisation-wide fundraising culture. They are now seeking a senior corporate partnerships specialist to lead Acorns’ newly formed Partnerships Team, which combines corporate new business, account management and community income streams.

A member of the Fundraising Leadership Team, the role will be responsible for securing and managing high-value strategic partnerships with businesses while simultaneously driving engagement with local community groups, education partners, and faith groups, ensuring clear tiering, structured pipeline progression and robust income performance.

The role will also act as Partnerships lead for the upcoming £5m fundraising appeal, co-canvassing alongside the Head of Philanthropy and executive leadership, and mobilising corporate and community networks around key campaign moments.

As Head of Partnerships, you will:

• Report to the Associate Director of Fundraising and line manage a team of four (Senior Business Development Manager (Corporate), Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager Senior Community Partnerships Manager, Partnership Engagement Officer)
• Form part of the Fundraising Leadership Team, with shared accountability for strategic decision making, compliance and cross-directorate working
• Lead and integrate Corporate and Community fundraising into a cohesive partnerships strategy aligned to the wider Fundraising Strategy
• Design and implement a three-year corporate and community income plan, with full budget and forecasting responsibility
• Conduct an audit of current partnerships activity, pipeline and resource allocation to ensure effort aligns to regional and national potential
• Lead corporate new business acquisition, securing multi-year strategic partnerships, Charity of the Year agreements, cause-related marketing, sponsorship and stock generation partnership

Essential skills and experience:

• Strong corporate fundraising background within a charity setting
• Proven track record of securing six-figure corporate gifts
• Experience managing and motivating teams to deliver robust income targets
• Experience designing strategies, annual plans and budgets and adapting them as required
• Strong knowledge of the corporate landscape, regionally and ideally nationally
• Confidence leading high-value pitches, negotiations and senior stakeholder engagement
• Experience of forecasting, reporting and managing income performance
• Strong working knowledge of CRM systems and fundraising compliance

Desirable:

• Experience across both local AND national corporate partnerships
• Exposure to community fundraising or engagement programmes
• Experience working on appeal boards or high-value campaign activity

Employee benefits include: 

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• 5 days holiday buyback scheme starting from April 2026
• 7.5% employer pension contribution
• Life assurance scheme (2 x annual salary)
• Retail discounts (including the Blue Light card)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted gym membership
• Access to expert financial health and wellbeing support

Hybrid working with 2dpw at preferred location (Birmingham, Worcester or Walsall). 

The main purpose of this role is to write persuasive funding applications to secure the income needed to enable Cerebral Palsy Plus to continue its work.

The postholder will build and maintain strong relationships with new and existing supporters and contribute to the development of all areas of fundraising.

The part-time fundraiser will also work with the Director to contribute to the development and implementation of Cerebral Palsy Plus’s Income Generation & Fundraising strategy.

Job Title: Gifting Manager
Reporting to: Head of Marketing & Fundraising
Location: Petty Pool Trust, Cheshire (hybrid)
Contract: Part-time – 3 days a week.
Salary: £23,631.23 – £26,597.16 pro rata (£39,385.38 – £44,328.59 FTE)

Job Purpose

The Gifting Manager will lead the development and delivery of Petty Pool Trust’s legacy giving and alumni programmes. This is a new and strategically important role, responsible for creating and embedding a sustainable legacy pipeline that will generate long-term income to support young people with learning disabilities to thrive.

The postholder will design and implement a comprehensive legacy strategy, build awareness among supporters, cultivate future legacy pledgers, and establish systems and processes to steward legacy gifts effectively and sensitively. They’ll oversee development of an alumni programme for learners and their families for medium term major gifts and donations to ensure sustainable incomes streams for the charity, towards both restricted and unrestricted funding requirements. W

This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a values-led charity dedicated to improving life chances for young people with learning disabilities. Petty Pool is proud to have been recognised as Outstanding to Work For 2025 by Best Companies, a reflection of our strong culture, clear values, and deep commitment to our people.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Programme Development

• Develop and implement a multi-year legacy strategy aligned with Petty Pool’s wider fundraising and organisational goals.
• Establish clear income projections, KPIs and reporting mechanisms for legacy fundraising. Identify and segment target audiences for legacy giving.
• Develop the case for support for legacy giving in collaboration with senior leadership and communications teams.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and best practice, including the Fundraising Regulator and GDPR.
• Design and promote a Free Wills programme, working with local law firms and partners. Create an Alumni Strategy for engaging learners and their families, creating support that lasts into the future and a medium-term giving pipeline.

Marketing & Awareness

• Work collaboratively with fundraising, marketing, and comms teams to develop legacy and alumni marketing materials (print, digital, web, events), integrated campaigns, and engage with volunteers.
• Ensure legacy messaging is embedded across supporter communications and fundraising activities.
• Work with the Communications team to share impact stories that demonstrate long-term transformational outcomes.

Supporter Engagement & Stewardship

• Build and manage relationships with legacy pledgers, alumni families, and high-potential supporters.
• Develop a stewardship programme for legacy/alumni supporters and prospects, face to face, via email, telephone and post, to proactively keep supporters inspired and engaged.
• Organise cultivation events and engagement opportunities.
• Work closely with fundraising colleagues to identify legacy prospects. Handle sensitive conversations about gifts in wills with professionalism and empathy.
• Contribute to our Annual Impact Statement, working closely with Fundraising, Marketing and Communications Teams.

Pipeline & Data Management

• Establish systems to track legacy and alumni prospects, pledges and realised gifts.
• Develop processes for recording and forecasting legacy income.
• Analyse data to inform targeting and strategy development.
• Ensure legacy administration processes are robust and legally compliant.

Internal Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with senior leadership to embed legacy thinking across the organisation.
• Support trustees and senior volunteers to act as ambassadors for legacy giving where appropriate.
• Provide internal training and awareness sessions to staff about legacy fundraising.

Income Management & Reporting

• Monitor and report on pipeline growth, pledges and realised legacy income.
• Provide regular updates to senior leadership and trustees.
• Contribute to annual budgeting and long-term financial forecasting.

Key Outcomes

• Fully developed and embedded legacy giving and alumni programmes within 12 months.
• A measurable and growing pipeline of both legacy pledgers and alumni supporters.
• Increased awareness of legacy giving among Petty Pool supporters and stakeholders.
• Sustainable, forecastable long-term income generation

Staff Benefits

• 28 days annual leave, plus 8 public bank holidays
• On-site parking
• Company Sick Pay (after passing probationary period)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free meals when commuting by car sharing, walking or cycling
• Bike rack facilities
• Company pension scheme
• Smart casual dress

Essential Experience

• Proven experience in legacy fundraising, in memory fundraising, or major donor fundraising.
• Experience developing and implementing fundraising strategies.
• Track record of building and managing supporter relationships.
• Experience of managing fundraising campaigns or marketing initiatives. Knowledge of legacy administration, probate law and UK charity fundraising regulations.

Essential Skills & Knowledge

• Strong understanding of legacy fundraising best practice.
• Ability to develop compelling cases for support and donor communications, and to work collaboratively with marketing and fundraising teams.
• Excellent relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
• High level of sensitivity and emotional intelligence when discussing gifts in wills, and empathy and compassion when dealing with bereaved families and supporters.
• Strong analytical skills with experience using CRM/database systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work strategically while delivering operationally.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working in disability, education, or youth charities.
• Experience launching a new legacy programme.
• Knowledge of probate processes and estate administration.
• Experience working with solicitors and funeral directors.
• Experience working with trustees or senior stakeholders.

Personal Attributes

• Passion for Petty Pool’s mission and values.
• Strategic thinker with a long-term perspective.
• Self-motivated and able to build a programme from the ground up.
• Collaborative and able to influence across teams.
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail.

As Helpline Care Navigator (HCN), you will act as the first point of contact for individuals, families and health professionals across the North and North East region.

You will deliver compassionate, person-centred support and clear, practical information via telephone and email, ensuring people affected by PSP & CBD feel heard, informed and supported at every stage of their journey. Alongside direct support, you will actively engage with health and social care professionals, neurology clinics and wider partners to strengthen local awareness of PSP & CBD and enhance referral pathways across the region.

This is a key role in maintaining continuity, quality and momentum within our Helpline service during a period of maternity leave and you will be reporting to the Helpline and Support Services Manager.

Hours of Work & Annual Leave

• 35 hours per week -  this may include working some unsociable hours, including evenings and weekends.
• 28 days plus bank holidays. Pro-rated for part time role.

The main office is in Milton Keynes, and we have a hybrid working policy with most staff spending one day a week in the office and the remainder working from home. There is flexibility in the arrangements that need to be agreed upon with the line manager.

Key Responsibilities

• To be ‘first point of call’ for people with PSP & CBD and their families living in North and Northeast region including, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cumbria, North Yorkshire, Tyne & Wear & Northumberland. Providing people with support and information over the phone and via email.
• To raise awareness of PSP & CBD across all health and social care disciplines in the region by engaging with HSCP’s and neurology clinics.
• To provide accurate information in all aspects of PSP & CBD in response to enquiries and signpost onto other organisations where appropriate.
• Ensure a maximum response to all helpline calls, emails and enquires.
• To keep clear and accurate records and statistics of enquires received and actions taken.
• To carry out a maximum number of proactive calls to people affected by PSP & CBD within the region as directed by the Helpline Manager.
• Develop and maintain the existing database of key health and social care professionals and regional services.
• Attend outreach events to build the profile of PSPA services amongst health and social care professionals.
• Work with the Director of Policy and Influencing to identify ways in which services and care can be improved for families affected by PSP & CBD in the region.
• To signpost to PSPA Support Groups and services.
• Liaise with external services to signpost to local support.
• Take an active part in the delivery and planning of information and support events, which may include the possibility of overnight stays and weekends.
• Liaise with the fundraising team to signpost to fundraising activities.
• Liaise with the Volunteer Coordinator to maintain and build volunteering in the region.
• To attend and contribute constructively to team and other meetings as required.
• To ensure the implementation of policies, procedures and quality standards as defined by PSPA.
• Contribute to the development of literature and articles for PSPA Matters.
• To undertake any other tasks, by agreement as required, in support of the work of PSPA.

The duties may be changed and/or varied to meet changing circumstances at the discretion of the CEO and Board of Trustees.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

• Experience in delivering helpline and/or information and support services
• Excellent listening and interpersonal skills, with the capacity to listen actively understanding different points of view
• Ability to keep accurate records
• Willingness to undertake training and continuing personal development
• Experience of and sensitivity to communicating with audiences from a range of backgrounds
• Strong IT skills, with experience in MS Office products and customer relationship management software
• Flexible and reliable attitude and the ability to self-organise and to work without direct supervision
• Good communication skills, both oral and written and excellent telephone manner
• Ability to manage difficulty questions, emotions and situations in a calm and confident way.

Desirable Criteria:

• Knowledge of PSP & CBD or other neurodegenerative diseases and/or experience of working in the NHS
• An understanding of Safeguarding and an ability to follow relevant policies and procedures
• Knowledge of healthcare or social care systems.

For more information about this role, please visit our website.

Benefits

• Pension Scheme
• Employment Assistance Programme

Hours: 37.5 per week (Possibility of part-time and/or flexible working)

Salary: £26,000 FTE (Subject to ongoing upward pay review)

Department: Fundraising & Marketing

Location: 1 Northgate Road, Middlesbrough, TS5 5NW

The Community Fundraiser will drive ambitious growth in fundraising across the Teesside area, focusing on building community groups to deliver income, brand awareness and to maximise supporter engagement. Providing exceptional donor care to Teesside Hospice community supporters

At Teesside Hospice, we believe in making every moment count. Our team is dedicated to providing exceptional, specialist care and support to patients and their families during challenging times.

People are at our core. We offer a supportive environment with opportunities for professional growth and development and are always aiming for the highest standards and working environment. Our teams work positively together, collaborating to ensure our patients get the best care, and staff enjoy a fulfilling career knowing they make a real difference in people's lives.

Our values are Compassionate, Skilled, Accountable, Trustworthy and Principled - working here means being part of a community that focuses on empathy, respect and teamwork. We're there for everyone who needs us and are on a mission to change the way society and healthcare systems care for people.

Join us at Teesside Hospice and be part of a place where your skills and compassion can truly shine.

Closing date for applications is 17th March 2026, but we reserve the right to close the advert earlier if we have a high volume of applications.

Teesside Hospice is committed to eliminating discrimination and values diversity in the workplace.

This role requires a DBS check. We will do this for you

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Salary: £45,068 to £51,242 (Negotiable)

37 hours per week – Flexible throughout the week, including some evenings and weekends

We are seeking to appoint a Chief Executive Officer with a proven commitment to survivor-led practice, outstanding organisational leadership capability, and relevant therapeutic competence, to provide strategic and inspirational leadership for the organisation’s future.

Leeds Survivor Led Crisis Service (LSLCS) exists to provide compassionate, person-centred, trauma-informed crisis support to people across Leeds and West Yorkshire.  Founded in 1999 by individuals with lived experience of mental health crisis, the organisation has grown to deliver a range of services for adults, children and young people while remaining rooted in survivor leadership and empowerment. LSLCS has a long history of innovation and excellence; receiving multiple national awards.

The CEO holds overarching responsibility for the current service provisions, with the support of operational directors and service managers.  LSLCS challenges and shapes current practices; aligned with the needs of those accessing crisis services, with a strong emphasis on gaining and reviewing service user and team feedback to inform decision-making.  The CEO must be able to review feedback openly, regularly and with genuine curiosity in shaping the future of the organisation.

The CEO provides strategic leadership to ensure that LSLCS continues to deliver high-quality, values-led crisis services.  Working closely with the Board of Trustees, the CEO ensures the organisation operates in alignment with its survivor-led ethos, trauma-informed principles, and person-centred philosophy.  The post-holder champions the mission of LSLCS, strengthens its culture, and maintains the organisation’s reputation as a trusted and innovative provider of crisis support.

The CEO must ensure that the organisation’s governance is compliant with Charity Commission requirements, contractual obligations and all other relevant legislation and guidance, and works closely with the Operations Director (Central Services) to ensure the organisation’s financial sustainability and the appropriate, responsible use of its resources.

Fundraiser
Part time, 22.5 hours per week (3 days a week)
Forest Gate, London. Mainly remote with approximately one in person meeting each month
Permanent
Salary: £22,800 to £24,600 per year (£38,000-41,000 pro rata)

Ursuline Links is a charity that creates meaningful opportunities for young adults to volunteer, contribute to their communities and grow together. Our programmes bring young people from all faith traditions and none into shared experiences where they can work, reflect and support others, living out Gospel values through action.

We are looking for a committed Fundraiser who will help strengthen and grow this work. This role offers the chance to make a direct impact on the lives of young people while supporting the future sustainability of a purposeful organisation.

About the role
You will play a central part in generating the income needed for Ursuline Links to meet its annual and long term goals. Working closely with the Chair of Trustees and the Director, you will shape our fundraising strategy, build donor relationships and secure essential funding from a variety of organisations.

This is a mainly remote role with around one in person meeting each month in East London.

What you will do

• Develop a fundraising strategy in collaboration with the Chair of Trustees and the Director
• Prepare and submit high quality funding applications
• Build strong relationships with grant making organisations and respond to enquiries
• Attend occasional fundraising events and conferences when required
• Track and analyse fundraising progress and report to trustees twice yearly
• Work with the Director of the Ursuline Education Community charity to support fundraising for the virtues programme

What you will bring

• A good level of charity fundraising experience
• A genuine desire to support the volunteer work of young people
• Strong organisational skills and ability to meet fundraising targets

We also welcome candidates with additional skills such as social media, photography, website updates or booklet creation. These may offer opportunities for extra hours and pay.

Why join us

• Your work will directly support opportunities for young people
• Mainly remote working with supportive leadership
• Permanent contract
• 20 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays
• A values driven environment where your contribution matters

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.

Join Us as Our Individual Giving & Lottery Manager

At Hospice in the Weald, we are embarking on an ambitious journey to grow our fundraising income so we can continue providing exceptional care for everyone who needs us. We’re looking for an inspiring Individual Giving & Lottery Manager to play a key role in this mission.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead and grow three of the Hospice’s most important income streams – Individual Giving, In Memory and Lottery. You’ll be developing innovative supporter-led strategies that attract new donors, deepen engagement, and expand our thriving lottery programme.

You’ll take ownership of developing a compelling individual giving programme, nurturing long‑term donor relationships, and ensuring our campaigns stand out in a competitive landscape. With creativity, confidence and a data-driven approach, you’ll drive forward activity that delivers meaningful impact for our community.

This is a newly created role that is perfect for an experienced individual giving or lottery fundraiser looking for a fresh challenge, or a talented marketeer ready to take the next step into management and showcase their potential. The role is ideally full‑time, but we’re happy to consider part‑time working for the right candidate.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has experience delivering successful fundraising or marketing campaigns on time and on budget
• Can demonstrate strong performance against income targets and KPIs
• Brings credible creative thinking and a drive to innovate
• Has excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Can build strong and positive relationships with colleagues, supporters, and external partners

If you’re passionate about connecting supporters with a cause that truly matters, we’d love to hear from you. If you have any questions about the role, please contact the Fundraising Team.

Location:  Hybrid working - Part London office-based (E14) and part home working. The post holder will work a minimum of one day a week in the office. 

Salary: £46,750 per annum 

Hours: 35 hours per week 

Closing date: Tuesday 31 March 2026 at 10.00am 

Interview date: Monday 13 April in person with a possible second stage in person on Friday 17 April. 

This is a permanent role. 

Who we are looking for 

Breakthrough T1D is the UK’s leading type 1 diabetes charity, dedicated to funding research, advocating for change, and supporting the T1D community. A year into our exciting rebrand from JDRF to Breakthrough T1D, we’re looking for a Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager to help us build on this momentum.

Do you have a passion for building and driving mutually beneficial partnerships that can help drive forward breakthroughs in type 1 diabetes? The Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager role presents an opportunity to play a critical role in income and impact for our work here at Breakthrough T1D.You will oversee strategic partnerships with key industry partners who share our passion for a world without T1D.We’re looking for a confident relationship builder with experience and a touch of creative flair to build on our highly valued strong and long-established partnerships.We want to take these partnerships to another level in the years ahead and build further partnerships to accelerate progress for our mission.This role is a key member of the Fundraising & Engagement division and engages with senior colleagues across the organisation, within our international Breakthrough T1D community and also key partners.It’s an exciting time at Breakthrough T1D with a new and ambitious strategy and if you’d like to help make the next chapter a reality, we would love to hear from you. 

Experience required 

You’ll have previous experience of: 

• Extensive experience of either working in corporate fundraising, preferably in a new business environment, or working in a commercial marketing/sales position in a client facing role, preferably with knowledge of the medtech and pharmaceutical industries. 

• Experience of researching, prioritising and developing new strategic business partnership opportunities.

• Experience of achieving and exceeding new business income targets including developing individual corporate partnerships to the value of £100k+. 

About Breakthrough T1D 

Breakthrough T1D is the world’s leading charitable research funder into type 1 diabetes, improving lives until we find the cure. We are dedicated to our 400,000 strong type 1 community in the UK and work closely with our international affiliates across the world, including the US, Canada and Australia. 

You will find a vibrant atmosphere and spirited team at Breakthrough T1D, always striving to make a difference to people living with type 1. 

Employee benefits 

As an employer we offer: 

• Hybrid working arrangements 

• Flexible working and will consider compressed hours 

• Generous annual leave entitlement – 25 days per year plus bank holidays for full-time staff with leave increasing after three and five years’ service 

• Health cash plan that allows you to claim for some treatments such as dental, optical and physiotherapy treatment 

• Season ticket and cycle loan 

• Pension scheme 

• Family-friendly policies – maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave at enhanced rates 

• Personalised training to suit your career aspirations and professional development 

Breakthrough T1D is an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation or age. 

Acorns Children’s Hospice provides specialist care and support for babies, children and young people who are life limited or life threatened. Supporting over 750 children and nearly 1,000 families annually, Acorns is a vital lifeline for families across the West Midlands and Gloucestershire during unimaginably difficult times.

Over the past three years, Acorns’ leadership has enhanced collaboration and innovation across the charity and embedded an organisation-wide fundraising culture. With an integrated fundraising structure and an upcoming £5m appeal, Acorns is looking for a senior leader to review, refine and scale its end-to-end donor experience across all income streams.

Forming part of the Fundraising Leadership Team and reporting to the Associate Director of Fundraising, the Head of Donor Experience will lead a central support function covering donor journeys, supporter care, data and insight, digital fundraising and compliance. They will be responsible for shaping and delivering a comprehensive donor-centred strategy that drives engagement, loyalty and long-term value, while championing a digital-first, data-driven approach to stewardship.

As Head of Donor Experience, you will:

• Lead a high-performing Donor Experience team of nine, with four direct reports across Donor Experience, Data & Insight, and Digital Fundraising
• Develop and embed a cohesive donor experience strategy aligned to the wider Fundraising Strategy
• Design and implement a structured supporter journey framework, ensuring appropriate automation and personalisation across channels and income streams
• Drive innovation in stewardship, including digital engagement, journey design, automation, and personalisation
• Review and refine thanking, banking, fulfilment and supporter care processes to improve efficiency and supporter satisfaction
• Oversee CRM development and optimisation, ensuring robust data governance and a clear single supporter view
• Lead insight generation and segmentation strategy to inform fundraising performance and income growth
• Establish and maintain a centralised compliance framework across fundraising activity
• Strengthen collaboration between Fundraising and Marketing to enable more coordinated, funnel-led campaigns

Essential skills and experience:

• Strong background in fundraising operations, supporter care, compliance or customer experience within a charity setting
• Proven track record of developing and delivering stewardship strategies that improve retention and long-term supporter value
• Experience managing and motivating teams to deliver operational excellence and performance improvement
• Experience designing and implementing strategy, annual plans and process improvements
• Strong working knowledge of CRM systems, data governance and supporter database management
• Confidence influencing senior internal stakeholders and driving cross-team collaboration
• Experience of reporting, performance analysis and using insight to inform decision-making
• Strong understanding of fundraising compliance, including GDPR and sector regulation

Employee benefits include: 

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• 5 days holiday buyback scheme starting from April 2026
• 7.5% employer pension contribution
• Life assurance scheme (2 x annual salary)
• Retail discounts (including the Blue Light card)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted gym membership
• Access to expert financial health and wellbeing support

Job Title: Assistant Director of Philanthropy & Strategic Partnership
Reporting To: Deputy CEO/Director of Fundraising and Communications
Manages: Head of Trusts and Foundations, Head of Corporate Partnerships
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time (36 hours per week, flexible)
Salary band: £58,000 - £66,000 per annum
N.B. To ensure fairness and consistency across Home-Start UK, new colleagues usually join at the first point of the pay band for their role. This helps us maintain a clear and equitable approach to pay for everyone joining our team.

Location: Remote – with regular travel to meetings with donors, for events and to our central office in Leicester for collaborative meetings and team activities.

About Home-Start UK

Home-Start is a federated charity consisting of a central national office – Home-Start UK - and over 170 geographically dispersed local Home-Start organisations, all working together under the same identity.

We recognise that being a parent has never been easy. Every Home-Start volunteer is trained to work alongside parents to overcome the challenges they are facing. We work with parents to build on their strengths and give them the support that they tell us they need. We offer no judgement – just compassionate, confidential help and expert support. This peer-to-peer support is key to the difference Home-Start makes and often our volunteers have lived experience of the challenges their families are facing themselves.

About The Role

This is an important moment for us and for the families we support. Parents of babies and young children are facing huge pressures, and strong, values-driven partnerships matter more than ever. We’re looking for a senior leader who can help us meet this moment with confidence and ambition.

As Assistant Director of Philanthropy & Strategic Partnerships, you will help shape the future of our national work and support our federation of 170+ local Home-Starts working in communities across the UK. You will lead a talented team, build long-lasting relationships, and help make sure Home-Start has the funding, partnerships, and influence it needs to give every child the best possible start in life. This role will suit someone who is motivated by purpose, who values people and relationships, and who is comfortable working across a large and varied network.

We are looking for someone with a strong track record, someone who has already delivered high-value fundraising and partnerships at a senior level and is ready to take on a role with significant national influence. With responsibility for an annual income portfolio of circa £4 Million – with strong potential to grow this over the next 3-5 years to between £6Million-£8Million plus, you will work with a supportive Leadership Team and Board, who have already engaged external philanthropy expertise to develop a strategy and roadmap that you can build on. You’ll need to be confident working with high-value supporters: able to build trust, communicate clearly, and nurture long-term relationships with people who want to invest in families and early years support. You’ll bring the skills and confidence to grow a portfolio that is already strong and take it further, along with the ability to work well with others in a fast-moving environment.

You will be joining a warm, collaborative organisation that believes in the power of community, the strength of families, and the importance of early help. If you feel excited by the chance to make a national difference, to build partnerships based on trust and shared purpose, and to help shape the next chapter of Home-Start’s impact, we would be delighted to hear from you.

The people at Home-Start are its most important resource. Home-Start UK has been accredited with Investors in People since March 2005, which recognises the commitment we give to developing our staff.

Benefits of working for Home-Start

• Flexible working
• Family friendly policy
• PayCare health cash plan
• Enhanced employer contribution pension
• Learning and development
• DAS Employee Assistance

If it sounds like your type of challenge, we would be delighted to hear from you.

The closing date for applications is Friday 27th March at 4pm.
As part of our recruitment process, shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in a full-day assessment centre at our Leicester office on Tuesday 14th April.
The assessment centre will include a mix of individual and group activities designed to understand your strategic thinking, relational approach, and leadership style.

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.

Home-Start UK is committed to Equality of Opportunity and Diversity. We wish to encourage applications from all parts of the community irrespective of gender, race, colour, age, sexual orientation or disability. 

No agencies please.

Job Profile

Reporting to the Managing Director, you will lead on the recruitment, retention, and value growth of Afghanaid’s supporter base by directing and implementing communications, fundraising and engagement strategies, aligned with broader organisation goals. Designing and managing a tight budget, you will direct the Communication and Giving unit to maximise their success.

You will provide strategic and supervisory oversight of fundraising income from individual giving, regular giving, major donors, trusts and foundations, corporates, community and student fundraising and events, managing annual fundraising appeals and driving organisational unrestricted income growth. 

You will lead on communications for Afghanaid, overseeing print, digital, and paid marketing activities and the growth of communications channels. You will execute Afghanaid’s organisational brand strategy which ensures the integrity of the brand and maximises awareness. You will manage all public relations including crisis communications, as well as the growth of strategic media placements and high profile relationships. You will drive the success of organisational impact storytelling and communications for both internal and external stakeholders. As a member of the executive department, you will collaborate and synergise with other departments to promote organisational success.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive organisational strategy, culture and cross-department collaboration to advance Afghanaid’s mission and objectives.

• Lead development and delivery of Communications, Engagement and Fundraising strategies and work plans.

• Line manage and develop a high-performing team, including staff, volunteers and interns.

• Build and maintain relationships with consultants, agencies and pro bono partners.

• Oversee budgets, reporting and data-driven performance management to ensure efficiency and impact.

• Promote a positive and cohesive London team environment, coordinating hybrid working, inductions and HR support.

• Oversee public fundraising strategy across multiple income streams.

• Lead design and delivery of internal and external appeals, campaigns and donor stewardship.

• Identify new funding opportunities, partnerships and innovation in engagement.

• Oversee the full range of Afghanaid’s event portfolio, and attend relevant events to represent Afghanaid;

• Ensure effective CRM management, data integrity and financial reconciliation.

• Serve as brand guardian, ensuring consistency and evolution of Afghanaid’s identity.

• Oversee creation and execution of integrated communications and marketing plans.

• Direct production of engaging digital and print content, including newsletters, social media, and fundraising collateral.

• Manage website optimisation, SEO and analytics to drive engagement and conversions.

• Lead innovation in digital marketing, email campaigns and supporter journeys.

• Advise leadership on reputation management and crisis communications.

• Develop media policies and act as spokesperson when required.

• Manage proactive and reactive media relations, building relationships with journalists, influencers and advocates.

• Promote Afghanaid’s thought leadership through strategic storytelling and public commentary.

• Commission and direct multimedia content to strengthen organisational storytelling.

• Lead content planning, production and performance analysis.

• Champion participatory storytelling approaches and creative innovation.

Undertake any other duties as and when required by the line director.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

You will be an experienced and dynamic communicator with significant demonstrable experience in fundraising and/or communications at a senior level, coupled with an awareness and up to date knowledge and experience of the tools that would maximise the success of our communications and fundraising activities. In addition, you will have excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to confidently build and maintain strong relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders. Possessing strong management skills, you will have experience of managing small multi-disciplinary teams, providing direction and leadership to enable development and high performance, and the ability to role-model a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion.

Education/ Training

Master’s Degree in communications, marketing, public fundraising or another relevant field (or at least 5-years’ experience).

Work Experience

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, supporter engagement or communications, with at least 2 years’ experience directly managing staff.

• Experience developing and leading integrated multi-channel and multi-stakeholder communications, engagement and/or fundraising strategies.

• Experience in growing audiences, engagement and/or income streams.

• Experience communicating about and/or fundraising for and/or maintaining engagement with Afghanistan or a similar context.

• Experience using KPIs and data to make data-driven decisions to improve efficacy and efficiency.

• Experience managing and monitoring a tight budget.

• Experience conceptualising, producing and commissioning multimedia content, from marketing and fundraising collateral to audiovisual content.

• Experience running full-funnel, multi-channel marketing strategies including paid advertising.

• Understanding of risks associated with communications, public fundraising, and NGO operating contexts, and experience in mitigating those risks.

• Experience supervising, organising, motivating and developing staff.

• In depth knowledge of trends in storytelling, brand, PR, marketing and fundraising.

Professional Skills, Competencies, Values and Attitudes

Afghanaid’s core values are creativity, fairness and honesty. Our staff is passionate about and proud of Afghanaid. Teamwork is fundamental to our standards and demonstrated by taking initiative, assisting others and taking on additional responsibilities and tasks if necessary. We are results driven, committed and motivated to achieve targets and take accountability for our own actions.

Specifically, the holder of this position should also demonstrate the following:

Essential

• Fluent in spoken and written English. 

• Track record of increasing audiences, fundraising totals and engagement metrics from multiple different sources, with a strong business development mindset.

• Experience securing five or six figure gifts from funders;

• Solutions and results orientated; energised by thinking outside the box, and by finding and pursuing novel or innovative approaches and solutions.

• Experience using Salesforce CRM and Marketing Cloud

• Skilled at spotting and prioritising opportunities and synergies, and effective in securing wide-ranging forms of engagement and partnership.

• Excellent listening, speaking and writing skills; strong capabilities of persuasion and a proven track record of uniting people around a common goal.

• Multimedia skills, with knowledge, experience and enthusiasm in driving digital innovation.

• Highly organised with strong leadership and project management skills, able to collaboratively manage competing priorities with senior and junior colleagues.

• Demonstrably skilled brand custodian, able to mitigate risks, anticipate and capitalise upon opportunities, and strengthen reputation.

• Capable of working independently as well as collaboratively, both in leading a team and as part of the team.

• Passionate about driving change, and inspiring individuals and groups to support a cause to deliver that change.

Desirable

• Experience working within an international development or humanitarian context, particularly with causes related to Afghanistan

• Strategic understanding of UK and global fundraising landscapes and emerging giving trends.

• Proven ability to represent an organisation publicly with confidence, professionalism and credibility.

• Experience guiding senior leaders or trustees on media, communications and reputational matters.

• Skilled in crisis communications and reputation management.

• Understanding of inclusive and ethical storytelling practices, with sensitivity to safeguarding considerations.

• Experience developing high-value corporate or media partnerships.

• Comfortable working in a fast-moving, resource-limited environment and adapting to changing external circumstances.

The Organisation

Afghanaid is a British humanitarian and development organisation. For over forty years, our dedicated personnel have worked with millions of families in some of the poorest and most remote communities in Afghanistan. We build basic services, improve livelihoods, strengthen the rights of women and children, help communities protect against natural disasters and adapt to climate change, and respond to humanitarian emergencies. We are headquartered in Kabul, and operate provincial and district offices across Afghanistan, as well as a Marketing and Fundraising office in London. We employ around 500 personnel, 97% of whom are Afghans.

Other Information

Afghanaid’s core values are creativity, fairness and honesty. Our staff are passionate about and proud to work at Afghanaid. Teamwork is fundamental to our standards and demonstrated by taking initiative, assisting others and taking on additional responsibilities and tasks if necessary. We are results driven, committed and motivated to achieve targets and take accountability for our own actions.

Our remuneration and benefits package is competitive with other similar organisations. 

This position presents an excellent opportunity for someone who has the ambition and determination to move up in their career.