Director of fundraising and partnerships jobs

Purpose of role: To support the Head of Partnerships in managing and retaining the charity’s existing donor base and in establishing new major donor partnerships to secure significant income for the Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN): an impactful fundraising and grant-giving wildlife conservation NGO focused on supporting grassroots projects across the Global South.

Reports to: Head of Partnerships

Contract: Full-time, permanent contract, working 5 days p/w

Deadline to apply: Friday 23rd May (but please apply at your earliest convenience). Initial interviews will be targeted for end of May.

Whitley Fund for Nature

Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) is a UK charity supporting grassroots conservation leaders across the Global South. Through project funding (Awards), training, and media profile, we support local solutions to the planet’s most pressing conservation challenges. Our winners are courageous changemakers, working alongside communities to save species and protect ecosystems. Established in 1993, we have channeled £24 million to +220 conservation leaders in 80 countries, benefitting wildlife, landscapes, and people. WFN is governed by a committed trustee board. Our team is dynamic, passionate about our mission, and ambitious. The charity benefits from high profile support from Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, and Ambassador Sir David Attenborough. Our funding is raised each year, mainly from family trusts and foundations, as well as from individuals, corporates, and international NGOs, with a current annual income of around £2.6m/year. We raise funds based on winner need, and in the coming years are seeking to steadily grow what we provide in support to winners, actively pursuing new partnerships to support our mission.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Partnerships Manager to join our small and dynamic team. This new role will support the Head of Partnerships and wider WFN team in delivering our fundraising strategy, stewarding high-value donor relationships, and unlocking new opportunities for income growth. 

The Partnerships Manager will work directly with some of WFN’s existing portfolio of 30 Major Donors made up primarily of Trusts, Family Foundations and High-Net-Worth Individual (HNWI) supporters, with some Corporates. The Partnerships Manager will maintain close professional relationships with supporters that are bespoke and require excellent interpersonal skills, with most meetings taking place in-person, in central London. 

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a highly respected conservation organisation making a real difference on the ground.

PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER - PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

Essential

• A proven track record of fundraising, donor management, and/or building relationships with stakeholders in the non-profit or philanthropic sector.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, with experience drafting donor materials and reports.
• A proven track record in the development of grant applications, including drafting objectives, activities, timelines, indicators, and budgets, as well as coordinating narrative content and inputs from across the team.
• Past experience coordinating and delivering fundraising and engagement events.
• Experience coordinating volunteer committees.
• Exceptional interpersonal qualities, and comfortable liaising with high-profile individuals and senior stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Proactive, dependable, and able to manage multiple priorities.
• A flexible ‘can do’ approach with the ability to chase opportunities, while remaining resilient and positive
• An open and collaborative working style, with a willingness to share information, communicate clearly, and contribute to a supportive small team environment.
• A genuine interest in conservation and/or passion for social and environmental equity through a grassroots approach. 

Desirable

• Experience working with donor databases or Salesforce. 
• Familiarity with trusts and foundations, HNWI fundraising, or corporate partnerships.
• Previous work in a small, agile team or start-up-style organisation.

Additional details and benefits

• Attractive holiday package totaling 30 days p.a. plus bank holidays.
• Training and professional development opportunities provided.
• Hybrid working opportunities
• The charity operates a Pension Scheme and a Life Assurance Scheme.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship. Only applicants who have the right to work in the UK at the time of application will be considered for this role.

Regrettably, due to limited resources and the high number of applications we receive, we are only able to contact short-listed candidates. If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.

Diversity and Inclusion

At WFN we are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse organisation, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. We celebrate and respect diversity in nature and among the people and partners with whom we work. We need more people and diversity across the environment sector, and to achieve our vision. We are therefore particularly keen to receive applications from Black, Asian or minority ethnic; disabled; LGBTQ+; or from lower socio-economic backgrounds. As a small organisation we are committed to progressing and continuing development across DE&I. Please contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application. Applications are considered solely on your demonstrated suitability 

Our community team is expanding, and we are looking for an energetic individual to us. 

Do you love meeting people and building relationships?  Are you energetic, positive and organised? 

We are looking for a Community Fundraiser who has these key skills to help us raise vital income for our charity.  You will develop and deliver fundraising initiatives through partnerships with local groups, schools, associations and individuals.  This role will also involve delivering a number of fundraising events so being organised and creative is key and having a marketing focus to ensure maximum success.  No two days are the same and we are looking for someone who can be flexible in their approach and able to multitask effectively. 

You will be based at our purpose built children’s hospice just outside Maidenhead, which provides support to children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions and their families. We would love to hear from talented individuals who want to help us raise the money that we need to make these services available to all families who need them.

As well as a competitive salary, we offer a generous annual leave entitlement, access to a pension scheme as well as private medical insurance and life assurance. You will also have free on-site parking and will benefit from an Employee Assistance Programme.

Our core values are key to who we are.  We are looking for individuals who are committed to reflecting our core values in all that they do - Determined, Empowering, Valuing others, Integrity, Nurture, Empathy.

Acorns Children’s Hospice provides specialist care and support for babies, children, and young people who are life-limited or life-threatened. When time is short, every moment is precious. Acorns helps children and families fill the time they have together with love, fun, and laughter to create lasting memories.

Palliative care for children aged 0-18 is delivered at Acorns’ hospices in Birmingham, Worcester, and Walsall, as well as in family homes or elsewhere in the community. Their holistic, tailored approach meets each child’s clinical, emotional, cultural, religious, and spiritual needs. 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.

This is a brilliant opportunity to take on a high-performing team at a time when Acorns is really moving forward. Supported by strong internal resources, the Head of Public Fundraising will drive growth across Individual Giving, Legacy, In-Memoriam, Digital and Prize-led Giving in the context of a highly collaborative, whole-organisation approach to fundraising.

The immediate focus will be on making the most of existing programmes, strengthening audience insight, and getting the team ready to play a major part in the organisation-wide appeal launching in 2025.

Growing Individual Giving income from £1.6 million to £2 million over the next two years will be a central priority, alongside expanding digital and prize-led fundraising and sharpening supporter journeys across the board.

As Head of Public Fundraising, you will: 

• Develop and implement a data-driven strategy for all areas of public fundraising to meet growth targets.

• Lead the Individual Giving portfolio, ensuring growth across direct mail, face-to-face acquisition, mid-value development, and telemarketing.

• Oversee the successful delivery of cash appeals, ensuring they meet both income and ROI targets.

• Drive the expansion of digital fundraising and prize-led giving, including managing the growing digital fundraising portfolio and prize-led initiatives.

• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including Marketing & Communications, to ensure campaigns are well integrated and aligned with the overall fundraising strategy.

• Manage and develop a high-performing team, providing leadership, coaching, and clear performance metrics.

• Collaborate with senior leadership and internal stakeholders to drive the strategic direction of public fundraising.

About you

The role needs someone who’s as comfortable setting long-term plans as they are getting hands-on when needed, whether that’s developing appeals, working with agencies or supporting new product ideas. Collaboration across fundraising, care and supporter engagement teams will be essential to making this happen and building an even stronger supporter-first culture at Acorns.

If you’re a senior Individual Giving expert who’s ambitious for supporters and income, this is a chance to take ownership of a strong portfolio, drive innovation, and make a real impact on Acorns’ future.

You will have:

• Extensive experience in Individual Giving (substantial direct marketing experience is essential)

• A history of successfully leading fundraising teams and delivering significant income growth.

• Strong strategic vision, with the ability to adapt and innovate based on data insights and audience understanding.

• Experience in working collaboratively across teams to achieve shared objectives.

• Excellent communication and networking skills, with the ability to build strong relationships internally and externally.

Hybrid working

This is a mostly home-based role, with c.2 days per week in the (Birmingham) office. If you require flexibility around this, please don't hesitate to apply - we can discuss options during the briefing call. 

Employee benefits

Benefits include:

• 31 days annual leave including bank holidays, rising to 35 days after 3 years’ service
• 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

Hours: Full-time

Remuneration: Up to £72,000 (dependent on experience)

Duration: Permanent

Location: Manchester, UK (hybrid working available) with international deployment.

This position is based in the UK; applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK and provide relevant documentation upon request.

Do you have the strategic vision and leadership skills to drive fundraising growth and power humanitarian impact?

UK-Med is a frontline medical aid charity, born of the NHS and committed for over 30 years to ensuring that everyone can access the healthcare they need when crises or disasters strike.

We are seeking a Director of Fundraising to lead the strategic and operational development of our fundraising function, accelerating voluntary income growth to support the organisation’s development and expansion.

As a key member of our leadership team, you will drive a dynamic, effective fundraising programme, securing major gifts and partnerships, delivering impactful campaigns, and building strong supporter engagement. You will play a central role in ensuring our fundraising activity meets the highest standards of quality, compliance, and donor care, while contributing to the success of our overall organisational strategy.

If you are an experienced fundraising leader with a passion for humanitarian work and a proven track record of delivering significant income growth, we would love to hear from you.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits along with a friendly working environment and the opportunity to make a real difference through an important role in our humanitarian programming.

How to apply

We strongly recommend that you read the Candidate Information Pack - Director of Fundraising - April 2025 before applying for this role.

To apply, please submit a current CV and a supporting letter (2 pages) through our online jobs portal.

Your cover letter must include a detailed explanation of your suitability for this post with specific reference to the criteria in the person specification

Applications must be submitted no later than Thursday 15th May 2025

Applications for work in the UK can only be accepted from people with an existing right to work in the UK.

UK-Med is committed to safeguarding of our personnel and beneficiaries and has a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation and abuse. We conduct thorough vetting before any appointment is confirmed.

UK-Med is committed to the principles of diversity, equality, and inclusion. We strive to provide an inclusive and supportive environment where employees feel respected and supported to be able to fulfil their potential.

Are you our first Deputy Director?

• Are you passionate about the voices of people with lived experience in campaigns and communications around the asylum and immigration system?
• Are you a diplomat and leader, able to influence and collaborate with a network and partners?
• Do you enjoy being part of a small, dynamic team working with movement leaders, turning your hand to different challenges?
• Can you further build a campaign coalition to equip it to win deep change in the way the UK treats refugees?

About us

The Asylum Reform Initiative (ARI) is an alliance of nine leading national organisations collaborating to secure deep change towards a fair, compassionate and well-managed UK approach to refugees. Central to its strategy has been incubating, launching and backing the broader, public-facing Together With Refugees campaign coalition, now with over 600 national and local member groups from across the refugee sector and beyond. The ARI team provides a dynamic hub that supports Together With Refugees, coordinating the development and delivery of the coalition’s campaign strategy.

About the role

This is a new role. Working closely with the rest of the ARI team, One Strong Voice, and the newly formed Together With Refugees Steering Group, it will play a key part in shaping and delivering the ambitious next phase of the Together With Refugees strategy. The Deputy Director will lead on movement building, strengthening the coalition, and developing the reach, activation levels and effectiveness of the coalition’s grassroots campaign organising to secure changes in policy and practice. At the heart of this is the engagement and leadership of activists with lived experience as refugees, and of member groups that are led by and for refugees – so advancing the goal of a transition to leadership by people with lived experience across the coalition. Key to this work will be building the capacity, effectiveness and impact of the One Strong Voice network to support lived experience campaigners, organisations and leaders at all levels. The Deputy Director will also contribute to wider leadership of the team’s work including fundraising, support for – and accountability to – coalition leadership structures, and effective delivery of the team’s work programme.

About you

The Deputy Director will be a natural collaborator and relationship builder, able to work with diplomacy to drive forward our ambitious strategic aims. You will need ambition, energy and an ability to work at both strategic and more detailed levels. This could be the right opportunity for a range of potential candidates. You could be someone who has led and managed in other issues-based settings, in the asylum and refugee sector, or more broadly. Whatever your background, if you think you have the skills and experience to contribute to our team and take Together With Refugees forward then we’d like to hear from you.

Our commitment to and our strategic aims means that, we warmly invite and encourage applications from people with lived experience of the asylum system, or of forced migration more generally.

How to apply

First, download the candidate information pack; you will also need the application form and the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (these are all downloads under "Application resources" below). Send the two completed forms with your CV to the email address in the pack.

Orphans In Need is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to supporting orphans and widows. We’re looking for a Head of Fundraising to lead our Philanthropy, Corporate, Institutional, and Community Fundraising teams.

What you'll lead:
✔️ Major Donors & High-Value Philanthropy
✔️ Strategic Corporate Partnerships
✔️ Institutional and Trust Funding
✔️ Community Fundraising Networks across the UK

You’ll bring strong leadership, excellent relationship-building skills, and a passion for making a difference. If you understand Muslim donor motivations and thrive in a values-led environment — we want to hear from you.

Why join us?

• Be part of a respected, mission-driven charity.
• Lead high-impact fundraising strategies.
• Work with a passionate and inclusive team.

Please identify your notice period and salary expectation in your cover letter.

Note: Unfortunately we cannot support applications from international candidates at this time

As one of the largest federated charities in the UK, with arguably greater reach into the lives of families and educational settings than any other non-Government organisation, Parentkind is on a bold and urgent mission: to support, champion, and empower parents to be partners in their children’s education and wellbeing. To help deliver this, Parentkind's fundraising efforts helped grow Parentkind's income from £1.5m to £10m (including in-kind donations) between 2022 and 2024.

Although best known for our support of almost 24,000 Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs), Parent Councils, and Schools, helping them build strong school communities whilst they raise over £130 million each year to enhance children’s education, our work stretches far beyond the school gates. Parentkind is building a powerful movement that recognises parental engagement not as a nicety, but a necessity.

In recent years, families have faced a series of compounding challenges: the cost-of-living crisis, rising child poverty, and deepening educational inequality. These pressures have left many parents struggling to meet basic needs—let alone feel confident engaging in their child’s learning journey.  Parentkind has responded to this moment with compassion, agility and purpose, through a series of transformative campaigns, resources, and partnerships. Our recent transformational journey has seen Parentkind’s network grow by more than 70% of schools, and the income Parentkind has delivered both for itself and for its members by more than 550%. 

Our No Cold Child initiative, launched with FatFace, stepped in to address a stark statistic: over 150,000 children in the UK do not own a winter coat due to poverty. Through our trusted relationships with schools, we distributed 10,000 warm, high-quality coats worth £600,000 to the children who needed them most. Shortlisted for two Business Charity Awards, the campaign has been praised not just for providing warmth, but for restoring dignity, inclusion, and school readiness to thousands of children.

Our collaboration with Asda on Cashpot for Schools is another example of unlocking support at scale. This innovative community-led funding model allows shoppers to nominate and fund their local schools simply through everyday spending. In just the last year, this campaign has generated £5.78 million for schools—supporting everything from basic classroom supplies to vital extracurricular programmes and pupil wellbeing initiatives. Also shortlisted for a Business Charity Award, it is already a model for community-driven philanthropy.

Meanwhile, our All Dressed Up campaign—developed with World Book Day and Rubies Masquerade—confronted the often-overlooked issue of financial exclusion on key celebration days. More than 100,000 free dressing up costumes worth £1.34 million were delivered to children from low-income families. By enabling participation in events like World Book Day, we helped spark imagination, joy, and belonging for children who might otherwise feel left out—boosting self-esteem and supporting a positive connection to learning.

Alongside these national campaigns, Parentkind supports families year-round through a growing suite of programmes designed to inform, prepare and empower parents. Our Be School Ready programme offers crucial guidance and confidence to parents preparing their children for the leap into primary education. With a mix of practical advice, developmental tips, and reassurance, through the distribution of 135,000 copies of Be School Ready and an online campaign, it supports families at one of the most formative moments in their child’s life.

We also deliver a wide-ranging series of live expert webinars and parent-friendly resources, covering topics such as managing anxiety, supporting special educational needs, navigating school transitions, and building home-school partnerships. These resources—developed in consultation with experts and rooted in lived parent experience—equip families to feel informed and empowered, no matter what challenges arise.

This month, we launched our Parent-Friendly Schools Accreditation Programme, designed to formally recognise schools that go above and beyond in fostering positive, inclusive relationships with parents. The accreditation celebrates schools that actively listen to parent voices, make engagement easy and accessible, and embed family partnership in their culture. It is a practical and inspiring tool to drive long-term change in the sector and offers a roadmap for schools wanting to strengthen their community.

Our work is grounded in evidence. Every year, we conduct the UK’s largest parental engagement study: the National Parent Survey. In 2024, over five thousand parents participated, providing invaluable insight into what families think about the education system. The findings are fed directly into government consultations and have already influenced national debates on school funding, attendance, mental health support, SEND provision, and curriculum reform. We believe passionately that parents must not be the missing voice in education policy—and we work tirelessly to ensure their views shape the decisions that affect their children’s lives.

Today, through Parentkind’s federated network of more than 130,000 parent and teacher volunteers, our work impacts the lives of millions of parents, carers, teachers and children throughout the UK through our membership, programmes, advocacy and campaigns. But we know we can—and must—do more.

We’re looking for someone with passion, purpose, and creativity—someone who understands that a warm coat, a World Book Day costume, or a parent’s voice at the table can all be catalysts for lifelong change.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our growing Fundraising Team and play a leading role in shaping a brand-new trust fundraising programme from the ground up. We’re looking for someone with experience in securing income from trusts and foundations—someone who’s a confident communicator, both in writing and in person, and who brings a curious and strategic mindset to prospect research.

You’ll help craft compelling cases for support and develop a portfolio of proposals and reports that showcase the impact of our work—amplifying the voices of parents and schools and demonstrating how Parentkind is driving positive change. Strong attention to detail is essential, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.

If you believe, like we do, that when parents matter, children succeed, we’d love to hear from you.

You’ll have:

• Proven experience in trust and statutory fundraising, securing five- and six-figure grants.
• Demonstrable success in developing compelling proposals and reports for funders.
• Strong relationship management skills with a track record of stewarding long-term partnerships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey impact effectively.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Knowledge of the education, family support, or community development sectors.

You’ll get:

• To join a fast-moving charity with an exciting future
• To build your own team, playing a key role in driving forward the charity’s strategy and shaping our fundraising activity
• Remote working full-time with a great online team culture
• 25 days holiday in addition to UK public holidays.

How to apply

A full candidate pack is attached on this listing. To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter outlining your motivations for applying for the role and how you meet the Person Specification.

Interviews will be held on a rolling basis via video conference.

Parentkind is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and we ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and equally.  We would be grateful if you would complete the equal opportunities monitoring questions when applying online to help us check that we are carrying out our policy of equal opportunities for all people.  The information will be kept confidential and will be separate from your application.  It will have no bearing on your application.

Parentkind is committed to meeting the needs of applicants with disabilities.  Please let us know if you require any adjustments to your application or interview process.

About Us
Allergy UK is the leading national charity dedicated to supporting the millions of people in the UK who live with allergic conditions. We work tirelessly to raise awareness, provide expert advice, and advocate for improved healthcare and rights for those affected by allergies.

The Role
We are looking for a dynamic and driven Fundraising Manager to play a crucial role in managing our amazing corporate partnerships, acquiring new business and the effective stewardship of our supporters. In this role, you will deliver on the £384k corporate partnership target.

Why Join Us? At Allergy UK, you’ll be part of a supportive and passionate team working to improve lives. We offer a collaborative environment where your ideas and expertise will shape the future of allergy awareness and advocacy in the UK. This is your chance to use your skills to create lasting change!

The Epilepsy Research Institute is seeking a dynamic and strategic Head of Fundraising to lead our income generation efforts and help drive our mission forward. This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in securing sustainable funding to support world-leading epilepsy research.

With a proven track record in fundraising, you will develop and implement a comprehensive strategy across multiple revenue streams, including corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations and major donors. With a minimum of three years’ experience in a senior fundraising role and demonstrable success in securing significant funding, your ability to cultivate and manage donor relationships, craft compelling funding proposals, and oversee high-impact fundraising campaigns will be key to our success.

Our mission is to radically advance research into the causes, prevention and treatment of epilepsy and associated conditions.  If this is something that interests you, and you have the skill set we are looking for, we look forward to hearing from you.

Application is by way of a CV and covering letter which highlights why you are interested in the role and how your experience fits the needs of the Institute as set out in the job description.

Closing date: Wednesday 28 May 2025

Interview dates: Wednesday 11 June and Wednesday 18 June 2025

This is an exciting opportunity to play a vital role in shaping the future of one of the UK’s leading touring theatre companies. The Development Director will lead our fundraising strategy, building the relationships and resources that power our bold, nationally-reaching work.

As Development Director, you will work closely with the joint CEOs (Holly and Lisa) to deliver Headlong’s fundraising strategy. You will have the opportunity to develop the role and will be responsible for raising the funds to support Headlong’s mission and vision over the long-term.

You will lead on prospect research, donor cultivation, bid writing and delivering fundraising events. You will set a fundraising culture with the Board and wider staff, advocating for the power of fundraising to push Headlong into its next chapter.

You will be part of the Senior Management Team and will take an active role in the organisation and as an ambassador for Headlong in different contexts.

Prospectus is working with an impactful organisation who transform the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds by investing in the best education and employment non-profit organisations. They give them long-term funding, pro-bono support and our strategic expertise, and influence policy to deliver systemic change, so that more young people get the education, qualifications, and opportunities they need for a fulfilling life. Impetus has a vision for a society where all young people, regardless of their background, can thrive in school, secure crucial qualifications, and take their first steps into the world of work on the journey to sustained employment in adulthood, for a fulfilling life.

With an excellent CEO, Board and a dynamic Senior Leadership Team, this Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships role will lead the organisations ambitious fundraising and engagement strategy, securing major philanthropic gifts, corporate partnerships and pro bono support with the support of an exceptional Philanthropy Team.

Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships  

Permanent

London with hybrid working 2 days per week in the Charing Cross Office 

£102,992 per annum

The Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships will be part of the Senior Leadership Team and be responsible for overseeing a team of 16 and working towards growing annual income from £10 million to £12m-£14 million within the next few years, as well as securing £2m-£3 million in pro bono support. With a view to grow income this position will have a strategic role in refining and leading donor engagement and stewardship. With direct line management of four excellent Directors, this role will work and lead the team to think innovatively in how to grow new donor networks and engagement approaches to achieve income growth.  

The successful candidate will be able to evidence extensive high value fundraising experience in complex organisations, with notable examples of successfully securing six and seven-figure gifts from major donors, corporates, and foundations. This person will have proven experience of leading successful teams to achieve income and engagement growth of a multimillion-pound level. They will also be an experienced senior leader and ideally have knowledge of the education, children, or youth sectors. They will champion an inclusive culture and align with Impetus' mission and values.

Application information

Closing date for completed applications is midnight on 18 th May. Preliminary interviews will take place w/c 26 th May and panel interviews with Impetus the w/c 2 nd June.

To apply

To apply for the role please upload your CV together with a supporting statement.

Prospectus is committed to providing equality of opportunity and welcome candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds. For all job opportunities and progression, job applicants and employees will receive equal treatment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. If you have any disability and would like assistance with completing an application, then please contact Rhiannon Mehta at Prospectus. 

If you feel you meet some of the criteria but not all, we really hope you'll enquire and learn more. Prospectus can advise and support on each part of the role and hopefully your application, so we look forward to hearing from you.

Detention Action is a small organisation with a big impact. Since 1993, we have worked to improve the welfare of people in detention centres and tirelessly campaign alongside our beneficiaries to reduce the use of immigration detention. We work on the frontline with people in immigration detention, as well as challenging injustices in asylum, detention and deportation systems in the UK.

We are looking for a Fundraising Lead to join our organisation and ensure the smooth running of our fundraising operations. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate individual who is looking to develop their fundraising skills, and to join us in defending the rights of people in detention at a critical time for our organisation and the wider immigration and human rights sector.

TO APPLY 

Please use the Apply Now button to upload a CV and Cover Letter to the CharityJob portal by 9am UK time on 16 May 2025.

Please read the Candidate Information Pack carefully, including the instructions on how to apply, which explain the requirements for your CV and Cover Letter. We will not accept incomplete applications.

We welcome and encourage applications from people from all backgrounds, including those from minority groups that are underrepresented in the workplace. We strongly encourage those with lived experience of the asylum, deportation and/or immigration detention systems to apply.

King’s College, Cambridge
Director of Development

Shape the Future of a World-Renowned Institution.

Salary: Starting salary in the region of £90,000 with scope to go beyond for a leading professional with outstanding experience and track record. 
Location: Cambridge, UK

King’s College, Cambridge, founded in 1441 by Henry VI and known worldwide for its historic Chapel and Choir, is seeking a visionary Director of Development to lead its philanthropic fundraising and help shape its future.

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the world’s most renowned academic institutions at a transformative moment in its history. Using the momentum of the visionary £100 million King’s Campaign, the new Director will develop and deliver an exciting, multi-year fundraising strategy that supports the College’s most ambitious goals - expanding access and student support, enhancing research capacity and preserving our architectural heritage.

You will bring a proven track record in major gifts fundraising, inspirational leadership and experience of cultivating deep, lasting relationships. A key member of the leadership team, you’ll engage a passionate global alumni network and forge new partnerships with individuals and organisations aligned with the College’s commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and innovation.

King’s is a community that values independent thinking, creativity, and social impact. Among our alumni are Nobel laureates, world-changing scholars, and trailblazers. At its heart, the College remains deeply committed to ensuring that the brightest students - regardless of background - can thrive.

As Director of Development, you will be elected to a Fellowship of the College, joining a vibrant, diverse and dynamic community. This is more than a job - it is a chance to have a lasting impact on an institution where education and innovation have shaped the world for over five centuries.

King’s College, Cambridge is partnering with Erin Hall-Westfall and Joanna Logan of Constellate Global Talent on this search.

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday, 25 May.
First round interviews are expected to be held w/c 16 June, with second round interviews the w/c 23 June.

Interested?

The candidate pack and details to contact us for a confidential discussion are attached. 

To apply, please send your CV and cover letter via CharityJob or Institute of Fundraising no later than Midnight on Sunday, 25 May. 

Please do not apply via the King’s College website. No agencies please.

Title: Fundraising Manager

Reports to: Fundraising Director

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

Location: Based from one of our RTS offices with the expectation of at least 2 days a week in the office, with some flexibility to work from home, subject to business requirements and line manager approval. 

Hours: 5 days per week (37.5 Hours) Worked between Monday- Friday

Salary: £44,261 - £47,868 (5% employer pension contribution, Medicash and group life assurance, 27 days annual leave per annum for FTE plus bank holidays)

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Role Summary

We are looking for a motivated and dynamic individual who is passionate about collaboration and community-led change. If you believe in the power of strong, connected communities, this role is for you. You will need good organisational skills, energy and the ability to listen, build relationships, and inspire collaboration, which is essential in creating positive, lasting change.

As a Fundraising Manager, you will be responsible for managing a mixed portfolio of supporters with a view to growing this pool to deliver a mixture of revenue which can sustain and grow our ambitions and work. This will involve taking responsibility for nurturing and growing an existing philanthropic pool of funders whilst identifying, cultivating and mapping new high value opportunities, in excess of £75k. For your portfolio you will manage donor acquisition strategies, proposal writing and stewardship and supporter journey planning. 

The role involves securing funding from various sources, including trusts, corporations, and individuals, to support the charity’s mission. This includes developing and maintaining strong donor relationships, managing a portfolio of donors, and managing fundraising pipelines.

The ideal candidate will therefore be proactive, results-driven, and skilled in developing insight-led strategies, managing solicitations, along with the ability to create processes, gather insights, and propose budgets. You’ll be passionate about continuous improvement, have a proactive attitude and be comfortable in suggesting new and/or better ways of working. You’ll enjoy a challenging and fulfilling environment, working with a supportive and forward-thinking team.

Key Objectives:

• As a member of the Fundraising team, you will work across all parts of the fundraising process, from prospect research all the way through to the fundraising ask.

• You will work collaboratively within the Fundraising team and the wider organisation to develop compelling fundraising proposals for corporate donors, high net worth individuals, community appeals and trusts and foundations. 

• You will seek out and identify patterns of prospect and funder data and behaviours which inform our growth and generate ideas and solutions

• You will problem solve with others enabling planning and anticipation of challenges and opportunities

Fundraising Objectives:

• Develop a high value pipeline of prospects and funders which has a balanced approach across acquisition, retention and uplift to meet team targets and which provides the best supporter experience.

• Manage a personal portfolio through all stages of the fundraising cycle, within an overall fundraising team target, demonstrating an understanding of how to mitigate risk, maximise return on investment and give a focus to unrestricted income generation.

• Manage and cultivate prospect and funder relationships in their entirety, with responsibility for planning briefings, proposal writing, stakeholder engagement, reporting, stewardship, delivery, and evaluation.

• Research, prepare, and submit high-quality grant applications to charitable trusts, foundations, and other funding bodies utilising different funder approaches including bids, applications, proposals and EOIs, all delivering high-quality experiences and materials to secure funding. 

• Monitor and report on the progress of fundraising activities and grant applications, providing regular updates to the management team.

• Plan and write bespoke engagement plans (e.g. stewardship reports), including report-writing and impact analysis, and coordinating event and PR milestone activities.

• Work with internal & external stakeholders to develop new projects and ensure donor requirements and engagement opportunities are met.

Team and Operational Objectives:

• Help colleagues and supporters overcome any challenges and maximise their fundraising efforts.

• Manage your time and workload, and utilise our given processes, systems, and parameters to overcome barriers

• Support funder account management and compliance through planning, financial budgeting, and record keeping. 

• Ensure that systems and processes are effective, and that our database is updated and utilised as the central source of information for recording income, supporter interactions and reporting. 

• Ensure all supporters are appropriately thanked and help develop specific supporter journeys.

• Identify potential funding opportunities and contribute to philanthropic discovery exercises across new territories and themes

• Build and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders from corporate partners through to community groups.

Please note the key responsibilities of this role are described above. They may be subject to reasonable changes from time to time in line with business needs. 

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Person Specification

Experience (essential)

• Experience in a charity fundraising role.

• A successful track record of building strong internal and external relationships and generating income from a broad range of funders

• Experience in fundraising preferably from Trust and Foundations; both family, corporate and individual, and partnership bid development.

• Experience in all aspects of donor cultivation (research, writing, follow-up, and stewardship), required

• Experience closing gifts at the six-figure level, including complex gifts using a variety of giving vehicles

• Pipeline development and management thereof, to ensure multi year planning and team financial target contributions are reflected.

• Proven track record in achieving financial and non-financial targets and in forecasting/ setting KPI’s

• Experience in identifying and acquiring new business opportunities and creatively retaining long term funder relationships

• Knowledge of prospect research techniques

• Maintaining a library of templated materials

Experience (desirable)

• Knowledge of place-based fundraising

• Experience working with under-represented communities 

• Enthusiastic “all hands-on deck” style team player; able to operate and collaborate across multiple teams and thrive in a fast-paced culture

• Advancing or building digital capabilities to support work activities

• Managing relationship milestones in collaboration with colleagues to include performance tracking, solicitations and reporting 

Skills (essential)

• Commitment to the aims and ethos of Right to Succeed and a genuine desire to bring about positive change for children and young people. 

• Knowledge or experience in a broad range of high value income generation practices and legislation

• Highly proactive and organised, with strong project management skills including multitasking and attention to detail

• An ability to identify, research and qualify potential donors and explore networks.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt messages to different audiences and craft compelling grant proposals

• Ability to nurture, develop and promote effective relationships and communicate with colleagues, community members and funders

• Strong cross team planning and organisation skills ensuring lead time processes for tight deadlines, consultation and proofing 

• Experience in utilising a range of printed and electronic resources and in working with databases to build a strong pipeline of funding and diverse portfolio of supporters

• Confident networker and relationship builder with excellent interpersonal, presentation, and negotiation skills

• Understanding of financial planning and business plans, ability to analyse accounts and data to inform funder activities, decision making and forecasting.

• Demonstrable IT skills and the ability to learn detailed processes quickly and accurately.

Qualifications & knowledge (desirable)

• Awareness of local areas, key challenges and understanding of current contexts 

• In-depth knowledge of education improvement and community development

• Demonstrated experience with Google Suite, fundraising CRM, project management tools

• CIOF or equivalent sector membership or qualification

• Sector Peer Network Participation and knowledge building 

• Fundraising compliance knowledge – inc Data Protection and Due Diligence

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Timetable 
Applications invited by 12:00pm Monday 19th May 2025
First Stage Interviews: Ongoing as applications received
This will be a two-stage interview process with a task to be prepared for stage 2.

Please note we will be interviewing candidates as applications are received and may close the vacancy earlier if a suitable candidate is identified. Candidates are advised to apply as early as possible.
These dates may be subject to change.