Director of fundraising and partnerships jobs

POST OUTLINE

A rare opportunity to create and lead Individual Giving and Legacies at a pivotal point of growth within an ambitious fundraising team.  This role will define the strategy and create and deliver on establishing income streams that will be central to future success.  It requires an experienced fundraiser who thrives on building; someone who can turn ideas into action and work at pace. 

Combining strategic thinking with hands-on delivery to develop programmes that deliver real impact and long-term value.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The role will lead the creation and delivery of Individual Giving and Legacies programmes, establishing two core income streams that will drive sustainable growth.  It will define strategy, build insight-led, multi-channel programmes and design supporter journeys that deepen engagement over time, from first gift to long term support and legacy giving. 

Working across the organisation the postholder will embed a strong supporter focus, ensuring that fundraising is integrated into wider engagement activity.  You will take ownership of income performance, budgets and continuous improvement through data, testing and learning.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the Individual Giving and Legacies strategy, covering acquisition, retention, regular giving and legacy development.
• Design and deliver integrated multi-channel campaigns to grow income and lifetime value.
• Build and optimize end-to-end supporter journeys, including pathways to legacy giving.
• Grow and develop legacy income including awareness, pipeline development and stewardship approaches.
• Use data, segmentation and insight to drive decision making, improve performance and increase retention.
• Set, manage and reforecast budgets ensuring delivery against income targets.
• Lead a test and learn approach, embedding continuous improvement across individual giving and legacy activity.
• Work collaboratively with marketing, services and wider teams to align messaging, case for support and supporter experience.
• Manage external agencies and suppliers to deliver high quality campaigns and strong return on investment.
• Ensure compliance with fundraising regulation, Gift Aid and data protection requirements.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Criteria:

• Significant experience in Individual Giving and/or Legacy fundraising with exposure to both areas.
• Proven track record of delivering income growth through campaigns or programme development.
• Experience developing and delivering multi-channel fundraising activity.
• Strong understanding of supporter journeys, retention and lifetime value including pathways to legacy giving.
• Experience using data, segmentation and insight to drive performance.
• Experience managing budgets, targets and forecasting.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritise and deliver at pace.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Knowledge of fundraising regulation, compliance and data protection.
• A proactive, delivery focused approach with the ability to turn ideas into action.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience developing or scaling a legacy programme.
• Experience building or significantly reshaping Individual Giving programmes.
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge NXT or other CRM systems.
• Experience managing external partners.
• Experience working in a growing or changing organisation.
• Line Management experience.

Little Village makes a big difference to families with babies and young children living in poverty across London. Via its network of baby banks and partners such as Family Hubs, community organisations and all of London’s maternity units, the charity passes on pre-loved goods from one family to another – clothes, toys and equipment – so that many more children have the essential things they need to thrive.

Families are supported through welcoming hubs or home deliveries, and connected into a wider network of support in community settings, while Little Village also raises its voice to highlight the realities of child poverty.

Little Village is entering an exciting new phase as it approaches its 10-year milestone and prepares to launch its next strategy. QuarterFive are partneruing with Little Villag to find a Director of Fundraising, Marketing & Communications to play a central role in shaping its future – leading how the organisation grows income, strengthens its brand and amplifies its voice. Sitting on the Senior Leadership Team, you will lead a newly integrated fundraising, marketing and communications department, driving a cohesive, high-performing function and building on strong foundations to deliver a more strategic, scalable and insight-led approach.

With an income base with high potential for growth and particular strength in high-value fundraising, there is significant opportunity to grow and diversify income further, while also increasing visibility and influence at a time when public awareness of child poverty is rising.

We are looking for a strategic and hands-on leader with a track record in delivering income growth. You will be motivated by impact and excited to help drive Little Village’s next phase, strengthening long-term income and increasing its influence.

This role is home-based with regular travel to Little Village hubs across London. Core hours: 09:30-15:00. Weekly or fortnightly team and SLT meetings in London plus other meetings as needed.

As Director of Fundraising, Marketing & Communications, you will:

• Lead and deliver an integrated fundraising, marketing and communications strategy aligned to organisational priorities
• Set and achieve ambitious income targets across multiple streams, including high-value philanthropy and partnerships
• Develop a more structured, data-informed approach to fundraising, including pipelines, forecasting and performance management
• Oversee brand and communications, ensuring a clear, compelling and consistent narrative
• Build and steward relationships with major donors, partners and senior stakeholders
• Act as a senior ambassador, raising Little Village’s profile and influence
• Lead and develop a high-performing, collaborative team

Essential skills and experience:

• A strong track record of developing and delivering successful multi-stream fundraising strategies, weighted towards high value income streams including major donors, corporates, and trusts and foundations
• Proven success in securing significant and multi-year funding
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams
• Exposure to or interest in mass fundraising
• Strong financial, forecasting and pipeline management skills
• Expertise in working with senior stakeholders/volunteers, ideally including reporting to Committees and Trustee boards
• A successful track record of involvement in launching, managing, and evaluating campaigns
• Strong understanding of brand management, digital engagement, and integrated campaigns across multiple channels
• Understanding of digital transformation, including CRM/data integration, marketing automation, and analytics
• A data-informed approach, with experience using insight and systems to drive performance
• Excellent influencing, relationship-building and storytelling skills

Desirable:

• Experience leading an integrated fundraising and communications function within a frontline charity
• Experience of using Beacon CRM
• Lived or personal experience of the issues faced by the families Little Village supports

Diversity and Inclusion:

Little Village operates in London, one of the most diverse cities in the world. The charity are working towards a goal where their team fully reflects that diversity and difference in lived experiences and strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups including: people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, people with lived experience of poverty either personally or through family, experience of the care system, non-graduates and first-in-family graduates. As part of their commitment to fairer recruitment, all applications will be assessed without names and any protected characteristics.

As part of our commitment to increasing representation of people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, we are piloting a Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) for this role, as a new approach to make our recruitment more equitable. If you identify as Black, Asian or other Minority Ethnic backgrounds and meet the essential criteria for the role, you can choose to opt in to the GIS. We will be aiming to offer everyone who opts into the scheme and meets the essential criteria a first stage interview/ assessment. See the applicant pack for further details.

Employee benefits include:

• 25 days per year annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for those working fewer than 35 hours per week)
• Team members are usually given time off between Christmas and New Year, which doesn’t come off your allowance
• Pension contributions matched by 3%
• A period of sick leave at full pay regardless of length of service
• Enhanced family friendly policies including Maternity, Paternity, Shared Parental Leave and Adoption pay, with a Fertility Policy designed to support employees during fertility investigations and treatment
• Death in Service benefit (x3 annual salary)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Rewards Gateway and Tickets for Good

This is a challenging and rewarding position within a friendly and fast-paced charity, with clear growth amibitions and a determination to make a real impact on the employment prospects of young people with the most barriers to entering work.

You will bring ambition, ideas, clarity and consistency to income generation functions across the organisation. You will lead on bid-writing, as well as relationship building, cultivation and stewardship of local and national grant makers.

You will also help to develop new income streams for the charity, including building and mobilising a network of supporters and donors, to drive individual giving, sponsorship and fundraising activities.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Experience

•A track record (over three years) of securing income from trusts and foundations.

• A track record of securing income through individual giving and fundraising activities.

• Managing the full funding cycle, from prospect research, through to relationship stewardship and reporting.

• Managing a pipeline of multiple funders and donors.

• Managing multiple deadlines and a varied pipeline.

• Use of data and CRM systems to manage and track activity.

• Implementation of digital fundraising campaigns and donor journey tracking (desirable).

• Working within the education, charities and/or the voluntary youth sector (desirable).

Skills

• Exceptionally strong writing skills, with the ability to produce compelling funding applications and funder reports.

• Engaging communication skills, with the ability to adapt language and messaging to different platforms and audiences.

• Excellent numeracy and budget building skills.

• Accuracy and meticulous attention to detail.

• Very strong relationship-building and communication skills.

• Creativity with the ability to make connections between themes and pull together engaging content to feed into fundraising activities.

• Highly organised, with an attention to detail.

• Excellent project management skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.

Attitude

• Positive and solution focussed.

• Self-assured, with a ‘can-do’ approach and the confidence to bring ideas to the table.

• Thrives in a fast-paced and busy environment.

• Self-motivated and able to work independently.

• Welcomes feedback, with a desire to continuously improve and develop.

• Passionate and enthusiastic about improving young people’s lives.

• A commitment to our organisational values - empowerment, collaboration, reliability, quality, and learning.

WHAT WE OFFER

• £40,891 per annum

• 28 days leave (inc. 3 days between Christmas and New Year)

• 2 volunteering days

• 1 life event day

• Matched pension contributions (up to 6%)

• Flexible working (our core business hours are 10am to 3pm)

• Life insurance (5 x annual salary)

• Canada Life WeCare employee support package

Who we are:

Muslim Aid is a UK faith-based international development organisation that provides support to communities around the world affected by disasters, conflict, or endemic poverty without regard to their social, religious, or ethnic background. 

Established in 1985, Muslim Aid has facilitated the engagement of the British Muslim and non-Muslim community in support of its work in a variety of ways. Over the years, its humanitarian work has included responses to major crises around the world including, famine in East Africa, earthquakes and flooding in Pakistan and Bangladesh as well as conflicts in Syria and Yemen. 

We place strong emphasis on long-term development projects that build the capacity of local people to help themselves. In addition to the 5 country offices worldwide we also work with multiple partner offices focusing on sustainable Development Programmes and providing humanitarian relief during times of crisis.

Summary of the role:

The Country Director will provide dynamic leadership and management to develop and deliver Muslim Aid ‘s strategy in Sudan, with a focus on leading and building a high-performing, diverse team and developing strong relationships with external stakeholders that are critical to the organisation’s growth and reputation in the country.

About the Role:

1. Ensure the country office’s programme strategy is responding to the country’s critical development and humanitarian needs, and is also aligned to organisation’s global strategy, mission and values.
2. Enhance Muslim Aid’s reputation and brand through maintaining positive relationships  other stakeholders, including government, donors, UN bodies, other INGOs, and local NGOs.
3. Identify areas for capacity building with partners such as, organisational management, gender mainstreaming, human resource management, financial management, governance, etc.
4. Line manage the country team and the work in the country which will include staff, budgets, funding (both institutional and local) and ensure programme delivery in accordance with Muslim Aid policies and procedures.
5. Proactively seek new opportunities for funding of projects through in-country and external relationship building with stakeholders including the bilateral and multilateral development partners and the submission of self-sustainable programme initiatives.
6. Ensure that there is an adequate analysis of the risks which could impact on Muslim Aid’s operations in Sudan and to evaluate the risk appetite of the Sudan Country Office.

About You:

To be successful in this role, you will need:

1. Proven experience working internationally in development and/or humanitarian sector.
2. Experience in a project or programme management capacity
3. Knowledge, experience and appreciation of the dynamics of local NGO’s and community based development practices.
4. Proven experience in monitoring and evaluation of programmes; use of quantitative and qualitative research data collection in support of programme development
5. Experience of managing security, risk and legal compliance in the INGO sector.
6. Excellent communication and team working skills, with the ability to build good relations both internally and externally.

Why you should apply:

Join Muslim Aid as our Country Director Sudan and take on a pivotal leadership role in shaping and delivering our strategic vision in a complex and high-impact context. You will lead and inspire a diverse, high-performing team while strengthening key relationships with partners and stakeholders essential to our growth and reputation in the country. If you are driven by strategic leadership, team development and building meaningful partnerships to support impactful humanitarian work, apply now to make a lasting difference in Sudan.

Benefits you will enjoy working for us:

• 22 days annual leave
• Medical benefits in line with MA-UK local medical benefit policy
• One-off relocation allowance*
• One-off baggage allowance*
• Hardship allowance*
• Unaccompanied allowance*
• Accommodation allowance* (or in line with MA-UK accommodation policy for local staff)
• Rest and Recuperation (R&R)*
• Two home visits per year*

Please note: Benefits marked (*) are applicable only where the successful candidate is required to relocate to Sudan.

How to apply:

To apply please submit your cover letter (no more than 1 page) and CV.

Pre-employment Checks:

Due to the nature of our work with children & vulnerable communities, Muslim Aid operates rigorous safeguarding and PSEA procedures in our recruitment process. We are committed to the prevention of sexual abuse, exploitation and adopt a zero-tolerance approach to SEA, as a result, any employment with Muslim Aid is subject to the following checks prior to your start date:

• Satisfactory professional references, including safeguarding specific-enquiries.
• Criminal records check, including a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and/or an International Criminal Record Check where applicable
• Proof of eligibility to work in the national location for this role. 

We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work with children and vulnerable people are recruited to work for us.

About Rainforest Foundation UK (RFUK)

RFUK is a values‑driven organisation working with Indigenous Peoples and local communities to protect the world’s rainforests and uphold their human rights. Since 1989, RFUK has partnered with forest peoples and grassroots organisations to secure land rights, challenge destructive industries, and influence laws and policies that safeguard forests and the people who depend on them.

Our mission is clear: to combine human rights and environmental protection to tackle deforestation. From the Congo Basin to the Amazon, our work has helped communities protect millions of hectares of rainforest. With a growing team of passionate advocates for social and environmental justice, we are committed to scaling up our impact to confront the accelerating climate and biodiversity crises.

RFUK is now embarking on an ambitious new 2033 vision to scale up our work and impact in these regions and globally. All our work is delivered in close partnership with Indigenous and grassroots organisations in rainforest countries who are at the heart of what we do. We have a growing team of 30 staff members who are mainly based at our London office in the UK, in France or in DRC.

About the role

Do you want to lead fundraising efforts that make a global impact?

This is a key role to help drive RFUK’s income generation and donor engagement strategies. As Senior Fundraising Coordinator, you will play a pivotal role in the creation and delivery of RFUK’s fundraising strategy to sustain and broaden the organisation’s scale and impact. Reporting to the Head of External Relations and part of the Fundraising and Communications team, you will lead a range of activities and are responsible for developing and cultivating partnerships with institutional donors, trusts and foundations, ethical corporates, and individual supporters.

Based in London with hybrid working options, we offer flexibility, a supportive culture, and the chance to make a lasting difference.

For further details regarding the role and specific qualifications required, please consult the attached job description.

About you

You are an organised, self-starter and experienced fundraising professional with a proven track record managing a diverse fundraising pipeline from identification and cultivation through to securing gifts and successful stewardship. You have confidence engaging with foundations, corporates, individuals and major donors, and are excited to build long-term relationships with diverse stakeholders. You are eager and ready to implement new digital tools and a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to streamline processes and maximise long-term donor engagement and support. You have excellent communication skills, can juggle multiple tasks, thrive in a collaborative environment, and bring resilience and cultural sensitivity to everything you do.

If you’re passionate about social and environmental justice and ready to help shape RFUK’s future, we’d love to hear from you.

Application process

To apply, complete the online application form via our website by 9AM, Thursday 14th May 2026.

Interviews with shortlisted candidates will be held in-person on Thursday 21st May 2026. Please let us know in your application if you are available to attend an interview on this date.

The Saint John Southworth Catholic Academy Trust is seeking an ambitious early-career professional with excellent organisational skills and a strong interest in community fundraising to join our Development Team as a Community Fundraiser Officer. This is a fantastic opportunity to build and nurture the Trust’s fundraising and engagement goals.

Location: 89 Addison Road, London, W14 8BZ, and other Trust sites across London

Contract Type: Full time, all year round

Salary: £31,980-£33,870

Start Date: 10th August 2026

About the Role

Working closely with the Development Manager and the Development Director, you will play a key role in strengthening relationships with the schools’ communities, supporting fundraising initiatives and delivering engaging communications and events that foster lifelong connections with the Trust and its schools.

Key Responsibilities

• Build meaningful relationships across school communities and alumni networks, bringing people together and inspiring them to support the Trust’s vision
• Lead creative fundraising and engagement initiatives, from community campaigns to reunions and events, helping to drive a vibrant culture of giving
• Boost the Trust’s growth and sustainability by supporting data‑driven fundraising, managing donor stewardship, maintaining accurate customer relationship management (CRM) records and contributing to strong grant proposals

What We Are Looking For

The ideal candidate will be:

• A confident communicator with excellent interpersonal and writing skills who can engage a vast range of stakeholders
• Experienced in relationship management, fundraising or engagement
• Organised, detail-oriented and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Skilled in using CRM systems and digital communication tools
• Passionate about education and community building
• A team player with a proactive and positive approach

 About the Trust

The Saint John Southworth Catholic Academy Trust is a growing family of Catholic schools (primary, secondary and post-16), a registered charity and a trading company committed to providing an outstanding education rooted in faith, aspiration and service.

Our Shared Services Team provides high-quality professional and operational support across the Trust, enabling schools to focus on teaching, learning and pastoral care.

What We Offer

• A supportive and collaborative working environment
• Opportunities for training and development to help you grow in your career
• The chance to contribute to a trust committed to delivering high-quality education and supporting staff wellbeing
• Hybrid working during school holidays
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme and generous holiday entitlement

 How to Apply

For further details on the role, please view the Job Description and Person Specification or visit our website to find out more about us.

To apply for this role, please complete the application forms available on our Vacancies webpage.

Closing Date: 5pm on 21st May 2026

Shortlisting Date: 22nd May 2026

Interviews: Week commencing 1st June 2026

The Saint John Southworth Catholic Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. All roles are subject to satisfactory vetting, including an Enhanced DBS check with Children’s Barred List.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (amended 2013 and 2020)) provide that when applying for certain jobs, certain spent convictions and cautions are protected and they do not need to be disclosed to employers. If they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website and further information about filtering offences can be found in DBS filtering guide.

Join us in our mission to cultivate an educational environment that inspires growth, respect and academic achievement!

At TLG, we’re passionate about building an exceptional staff team that’s committed to making a real difference in the lives of struggling children across the UK. We’re always on the lookout for great people to journey with us towards our vision, and we’re excited to offer a unique opportunity for a motivated and mission-driven individual to join us as Fundraising Lead.

This is an exciting opportunity for a fundraiser who believes generosity can change lives. You’ll play a hands-on role in delivering high-quality fundraising activity that inspires supporters, grows income, and enables our work to reach more people. If you’re motivated by purpose, relationships and impact, this role offers the chance to make a real difference.

There is great variety within the role that brings strategic and operational leadership across multiple income streams, and requires excellent communication skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to lead different projects and influence across the organisation.

We’re seeking an ambitious fundraiser to help deliver and grow our fundraising income. You’ll be responsible for managing events, engaging supporters, and contributing to a strong pipeline of fundraising activity. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys hitting targets, leading others, improving performance, and turning strategy into action.

TLG is a Christian charity and, as a team, we want to bring our faith to the work we do; as such, we are recruiting an individual with a strong and vibrant Christian faith. We would welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds to enable us to better reflect the needs of the communities we serve.

Hours: Full time (37.5 hours per week)

Closing Date: Thursday 7th May

Initial Interviews: Monday 11th May – Online

Final Interviews: Thursday 21st May – at our National Support Centre in West Yorkshire

Bible Society is on a mission to increase Bible confidence in the Church and change the conversation about the Bible in culture.  We are ambitious to see the Bible ‘translated’ into every part of life and society.

We see a huge mission opportunity in England and Wales and increasingly our attention is focused on growing Bible confidence in the Church and inviting the spiritually open to engage with what the Bible has to say in their own lives.

As Director of Domestic Mission you will be responsible for:

- Leading and implementing programmes to mobilise the domestic Church for Bible mission, and to enable spiritually               open people to discover and engage with the Bible.

- Embedding a mission culture marked by prayerful humility, relational partnership and inter-confessional                                 collaboration.

If you are content with the state of contemporary Christianity in modern society and the place of the Bible in popular culture, then this is not the role for you. On the other hand, if you are provoked and stirred by the confusion, misunderstanding and lack of knowledge about the Bible in society; if you know the transforming power of Scripture to bring us into an encounter with Jesus by the Holy Spirit and change our lives and relationships; and if you want to harness your excellent leadership, relationship-building and missional vision-casting skills to help mobilise a Bible movement in our generation, then we are excited to be talking to you.

Martin House provides free specialist palliative care to babies, children and young people with complex and life-shortening conditions. Families from across West, North and East Yorkshire have access to our care 24/7, 365 days a year, including specialist doctors. Every year we care for more than 550 families, at the hospice, in hospital and in families’ own homes, as well as supporting around 200 bereaved family members.

We’re looking for an inspiring and strategic Special Events Team Manager to lead our Special Events team in delivering a vibrant, high‑impact calendar of fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship events. You’ll play a key role within the Major Relationships team, driving consistent year‑on‑year income growth and deepening supporter engagement through an ambitious and thoughtfully curated Special Events portfolio.

The role will involve:

1. Leading, managing and inspiring the Special Events Team through regular one-to-ones, appraisals and performance reviews, ensuring team members meet agreed SMART objectives and income targets.
2. Supporting the delivery of the Special Events Fundraising Strategy and managing the Special Events Portfolio, including philanthropy and major partnership engagement and development events.
3. Identifying opportunities for growth and ensuring strong return on investment across all activities.
4. Working closely with senior volunteers and committees to deliver a successful and sustainable Special Events programme.
5. Implementing, evaluating and continually reviewing the performance of the Special Events portfolio with the Head of Major Relationships to maximise income.
6. Delivering the Special Events programme within budget and to agreed timescales, supported by detailed work plans and accurate record-keeping  on the fundraising database
7. Collaborating with wider fundraising teams to ensure the Special Events Portfolio appeals to key stakeholders, including the development of sponsorship opportunities.
8. Leading the delivery of annual committee-led Special Events, working with committees, venues, suppliers, sponsors and volunteers to ensure events are delivered to target and achieve year-on-year growth.
9. Assisting with the recruitment, coordination and motivation of volunteers to support Special Events fundraising activities.
10. Maximising income from Special Events and existing supporters, while identifying, securing and developing new relationships with major donors and partners.
11. Building and maintaining strong internal and external relationships, representing Martin House at the highest level.
12. Working with the marketing team to developing and implement effective marketing and PR strategies to support the successful delivery of all Special Events to maximise ticket sales, income generation and relationship development.
13. Ensuring accurate and up-to-date records of supporters, projects and events using the fundraising database and relevant shared systems.
14. Researching, recommending, developing and delivering new and innovative fundraising products for the Special Events Team, in collaboration with the Philanthropy and Partnerships Team Manager.
15. Supporting the Head of Major Relationships with cultivation, development and stewardship events, working closely with the Philanthropy and Partnerships Manager.

There is an expectation that the post holder will need to travel to visit businesses, attend meetings and conferences etc. sometimes outside of working hours.

The Criminal Justice Alliance (CJA) is seeking a strategic and creative Fundraising and Impact Manager to join our small but mighty team. As the only completely independent member body in the criminal justice sector, we represent over 200 charities, academics, legal experts, and individuals with lived and professional experience. This is a brand-new, high-impact role created at a pivotal moment as we approach our 20th anniversary and begin developing our 2027-30 strategy.

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

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

What you’ll do

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

The Senior Fundraising Executive (Grants) leads on bid-writing and relationship building with grantmakers (Trusts/Foundations/Public). The candidate will be a key player in the Grants team alongside the Director of Development (Grants/Major Gifts) and Development Officer. Create has seen its fundraising increase significantly in recent years, as it fulfils its ambitious plans to double its reach by its 25th anniversary in 2028. The Grants team is responsible for securing over 50% of the charity’s income, managing an extensive portfolio of T/F/Public funders, approaching a well-researched pipeline of potential funders, and researching prospects. The successful candidate will share Create’s commitment to the transformative power of the creative arts within community settings, with exceptional written and verbal communication, research, organisational and IT skills, and meticulous attention to detail.

The Kids Network is looking for an Executive Director to support the Fundraising, Finance and Operations of the charity for an interim period. 

• Contract: Fixed 12-14-month contract depending on availability for start date – Full time 35 hours per week 

• Salary: £60,000 per annum 

• Location: London Victoria/ Hybrid 

• Some evening and weekend work may be required, which can be claimed as TOIL 

• Reporting to the CEO 

• Line Management of 3x staff

About the Charity 

A rare opportunity to lead a values-driven children's charity through an exciting chapter of its story. 

The Kids Network is a growing charity with an ambitious five-year strategy and a decade of impact behind us. We connect children facing adversity with caring mentors from their own communities, creating relationships that change trajectories. In 2027 we celebrate our 10th anniversary and this role sits right at the heart of that milestone. 

We're a small, high-performing team of 16 who care deeply about the children and families we serve. We work hard, we learn constantly, and we look after each other. Now, while our Managing Director is on maternity leave, we're looking for an exceptional interim leader to hold the organisation steady and help it thrive. 

About the role: 

As Interim Executive Director, you'll be deputy to the CEO and a core member of our Senior Leadership Team. You'll hold the big picture: strategy, governance, finance, and fundraising, whilst also being across our operations and being present and part of the day-to-day. From Board engagement and risk management to leading our impact report and driving our plans for our 10th anniversary event, no two weeks will look the same. 

You'll lead and line-manage talented team members across fundraising, school partnerships, and operations. You'll be the steady hand that keeps our income pipeline strong and our systems running smoothly. 

This role would suit you if, you're a leader who balances strategic thinking with being genuinely hands-on. You stay calm under pressure, make clear decisions when they're needed, and take people with you rather than leaving them behind. 

Mission matters to you. Working to improve the lives of underserved children is something you care about, not just a role you're filling. You'll champion our values, model our culture and behaviours, and bring the team with you in doing the same. 

You're well-suited to the interim context. You’re able to build trust quickly, make an impact from day one, and build on what's already working well. You're comfortable with a varied workload and have the experience to make good decisions for the benefit of the children we work with. 

Benefits: 

• Flexible working arrangements (mostly working from home, with approximately one-two days a week working from the office)   

• Option for 2 Me days   

• 25 days annual leave entitlement

• Option to swap bank holidays for other religious holidays  

• Team Socials  

• Birthdays off  

• Working in a value led organisation, where we see and share the impact we have on children every day 

Responsibilities 

Strategy & Leadership 

• Provide executive leadership to the organisation, fostering a high-performance, inclusive and values-led culture aligned with the charity’s mission. 

• Lead, support, and develop the Senior Leadership Team and Fundraising and Schools Partnership leaders, ensuring consistent performance and accountability. 

• Inspire and motivate staff, promoting engagement, foster a learning culture, create ownership, and commitment to organisational goals. 

• Work with the CEO, Board, and Senior Leadership Team to shape and deliver the charity’s third year of its five-year strategy, ensuring alignment with the funding landscape and the evolving needs of children and communities. 

• Deputise for the CEO when required, including Board engagement, strategic decision-making, and external representation. 

• Act as an ambassador for TKN, promoting its work and campaigns to engage, influence, and collaborate with key stakeholders. 

Governance & Operations:

• Lead the Operations function. Manage the Systems and Operations Officer to ensure our robust systems and operations continue to run effectively at a high quality and enable the charity to achieve its stated goals. 

• Provide executive oversight of HR, demonstrating knowledge of HR compliance and law, supporting with serious HR matters and providing leadership support on people matters, performance management and staff development.

• Oversee the use of key technology platforms, ensuring that the charity is operating in the most efficient way, in accordance with UK GDPR and promoting data hygiene and security and supporting the Operations officer to develop guides and standard operating procedures 

• Hold executive accountability for organisational compliance, risk management, and operational integrity. Act as the lead for the charity in the event of a serious data or H&S incident. 

• Lead the organisational risk register and risk management, ensuring risks are proactively identified, mitigated, managed and communicated to our board of Trustees and the CEO 

• Maintain awareness of relevant policy, legislative, regulatory, and sector developments, ensuring organisational readiness and compliance. 

• Work closely with the CEO and chair of the Resource Committee to set the agenda and plan for papers for this committee (3 times a year). 

• Act as the key contact with the landlord and the charity’s IT contractors, as and when required 

Income Generation, Partnerships and Communication:

• Oversee the coordination and delivery of key fundraising activities, supporting the organisation’s income generation through strategic oversight and targeted input where required. Lead and line manage the Fundraising and Development Lead.

• Play a key role in planning and delivering the 10-year anniversary event in May 2027. 

• Develop, manage, and strengthen high-level strategic funder relationships and networks, building a strong pipeline of partnerships to support income targets.

• Lead and line manage the Schools and Partnerships Lead to achieve ambitious school targets and secure positive partnerships with schools

• Utilise the organisation’s data systems to identify relevant insights and stories, leading the development of the 2026 Impact Report. 

• Work with the external Marketing Provider and Schools and Partnerships Lead to deliver the organisation’s communications strategy to maintain a strong digital and online presence 

Finance & Sustainability 

• Hold accountability for the operational delivery and financial sustainability of the charity. 

• Work closely with the CEO and external Financial Service Provider to develop organisational budgets, support with the annual independent examiner and ensure effective financial planning, management, and oversight. 

• Ensure financial performance, risks, and forecasts are clearly and appropriately communicated to the CEO, Board. 

• Support income sustainability by aligning delivery with funding strategy and identifying opportunities for growth and partnership. 

• Act as main liaison between the charity and the Financial Service Provider, ensuring that both the charity and contractor adhere to the organisation's financial procedures 

Personal Specification 

Strategic Leadership & Drive 

• Proven senior leadership experience at director level or equivalent in the charity, public, or social sector, including leading teams and engaging boards. 

Organisational governance 

• Financial acumen; comfortable owning budgets, managing forecasts, approving payments and communicating financial health clearly to the board. 

• Sound knowledge of charity governance, HR, GDPR, risk management, and regulatory compliance. 

• Excellent organisational & project management skills 

Vision, stakeholder engagement and influence 

• Experience cultivating strategic partnerships with schools, funders, and external stakeholders. 

• A track record of building funder relationships and driving income generation, with confidence overseeing fundraising strategy and pipelines. 

• Advanced communication skills, someone who can represent the organisation externally with credibility and warmth. 

Change Management & Adaptability 

• Experience in an interim/ short term role 

• Strong people management skills, with a warm and accountable approach to developing and supporting others. 

Desirable:  

• Experience working directly with school and corporate partnerships 

• Experience using Salesforce.  

• Experience working with trustees

How to apply & Dates 

To apply please submit a CV and a covering letter through Charity Jobs, ensuring the cover letter is no more than 2 pages.

The ideal start date is August 2026 

The interview process and dates will be: 

• Rolling initial conversations as and when suitable candidates apply 

• First formal interviews (online) 27th May 

• Final interviews & presentation (in person) 2nd June

Due to the size of the Charity, we are unable to respond to all applications, therefore if you do not hear from us to arrange an interview you have not been successful with your application.  

The Kids Network is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to apply for an enhanced DBS check.  

Safeguarding commitment   

The Kids Network is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to go through our safer recruitment processes, including an enhanced DBS check.   

Equity commitment      

The Kids Network values diversity and inclusion and we have worked to create an application process that is as accessible as possible, however we still recognise that there is maybe more we can do especially for applicants who are minoritised in society, have specific accessibility needs and/or experience discrimination.    

 If this is the case we are both happy and open to discussing better ways to support your candidacy and make this application process as equitable as possible for you.    

 We are a diverse organisation and welcome everyone but it is important to note that the intersections of your identity will not increase or affect the amount of labour you are asked to do. If you wish to draw on your own lived experiences that will be both encouraged and supported but it is not nor ever will be a prerequisite of this role.   

You can find out more about our commitment to anti-oppression on our website.