Donor engagement officer jobs

Join Us – Help create a thriving planet for all, powered by plants and fungi 

We are looking for an experienced, strategic thinker who will shape long-term fundraising strategies, lead performance reporting and forecasting, and support cross-team planning to maximise impact.

The Development Directorate is central to this mission. We are a passionate and growing team of around 40, responsible for raising vital income from individuals, foundations, and companies to leverage and unlock major funding for Kew. Our work powers the science, conservation, and public engagement that sit at the heart of Kew’s Manifesto for Change - a 10-year strategy to end the extinction crisis and protect nature for future generations. 

Whether it’s securing major gifts, managing innovative campaigns, or building relationships with advocates and donors, our team contributes around 30% of Kew’s total income each year. That support is critical. Without it, Kew could not deliver the world-leading research, education, and conservation work that’s urgently needed across the globe. 

We’re looking for people who believe in the power of science, nature, and community. People who want to be part of something bigger and make a real difference. 

Join us on this journey. Together, with your skills, ideas and energy we’ll create a thriving planet for all. 

As Associate Director of Fundraising Strategy and Performance, you’ll work closely with teams across Development and stakeholders in Gardens, Science and Marketing & Commercial Enterprise to align goals, develop compelling fundraising propositions, and enable performance-driven decision making. Additionally, you will lead the implementation of the Directorate’s strategic plan, manage one team member, and play an active role in the Senior Management Team.

At Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew we use the power of our science and the rich diversity of our gardens and collections to inspire understanding of why plants and fungi matter to everyone. As climate change, biodiversity loss, and global food insecurity escalate, our work has never been more vital - and neither has the role of our supporters. 

Today, with so much at stake, Kew offers something vital. A path to a thriving planet, powered by plants and fungi.

Interviews are due to take place on 25 November.

This role is based at Kew with the option of regular home working, subject to operational requirements.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant science institute, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and major visitor attraction. Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth.

We are working to end the unprecedented extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. We will achieve these goals by drawing on our leading scientific research, unrivalled collections of plants and fungi, global network of partners, inspirational gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, and our 260 years of history.

Join us on our journey as protectors of the world’s plants and fungi. 

Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries, as well as access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.

If you are interested in this position, please find out more by clicking “Apply”.

We are dedicated to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to interview disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

No agencies please.

Auditory Verbal UK (AVUK) is an award-winning charity that wants all deaf children to have the same opportunities in life as their hearing peers.  It supports deaf babies and children to learn to listen and speak with Auditory Verbal therapy and provides internationally accredited training in Auditory Verbal practice for health and education professionals.  AVUK works to raise expectations and outcomes for deaf children and increase access to, as well as awareness and understanding of, Auditory Verbal therapy, with a clear mission to enable every family with a deaf child the opportunity to access Auditory Verbal therapy through publicly funded services close to where they live.

Overview

Working with the Head of Fundraising, you will play a key role in securing income from corporate partners and major donors to support AVUK’s bold 10-year plan. These partnerships are central to our long-term strategy to transform the landscape of Auditory Verbal provision, ensuring that every family who wants their child to learn to listen and talk can access a publicly funded Auditory Verbal programme in their local area.

This role requires experience in relationship fundraising, ideally working with businesses and/or major donors, and a strong ability to build rapport and trust. You’ll be an effective communicator and collaborator, confident in supporting income generation activities that align and elevate AVUK’s goals.

With experience of securing five to six-figure gifts, you’ll use your commercial acumen to identify and nurture your pipeline and partnerships, contributing to our annual fundraising target of £1.5m and setting the foundations for growth to £2m+ in future years.

This role is ideal for someone who is proactive, diligent, and comfortable taking initiative. You’ll thrive in a dynamic environment where relationship-building and ownership of your work are key to driving income and impact. The role is weighted towards developing new corporate partnerships, with responsibility for managing our existing partnership with Markerstudy Group, and some time spent cultivating potential major donor relationships with senior management support.  To help you succeed, you have support and guidance from our Head of Fundraising, alongside a passionate and collaborative CEO and Senior Management Team.

Contract Details

Location: Primarily remote, with 2 days a month in our London office, plus meetings with partners where required.

Working Hours: 30 hours per week (0.8 FTE); flexible working fully supported through policies and practice.

Contract Type: Fixed-term, 12 months from January – December 2026

Salary: £45,000-48,000 pa FTE depending on experience, plus benefits including 7% employer contribution to Group Pension Scheme.

Holiday: 27 days (pro rata) plus Bank Holidays and 1 privilege day

Reporting To: Head of Fundraising

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Corporate partnerships strategy

• With support and guidance from the Head of Fundraising, lead the development and delivery of AVUK’s corporate partnerships strategy in support of our overall fundraising goals.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities at a five and six figure value, unlocking new opportunities that contribute to a £130k partnerships budget this year.

 Business development & income generation

• Work closely with your fundraising and comms colleagues to create compelling proposals and pitches that resonate with corporate and major donor audiences and help you to secure new gifts / partnerships.
• Proactively grow and maintain a strong funding pipeline, creating new prospects for our priority funding areas through quality research, strategic outreach and developing engagement opportunities.

 Relationship management & external engagement

• Manage a small portfolio of corporate partnerships including our flagship partnership with Markerstudy Group, delivering excellent stewardship and ensuring long-term engagement.
• Lead the planning and delivery of the Sounds of Success event (November 2026), as a key moment in our stewardship and engagement calendar.
• Support the Head of Fundraising, CEO, and Fundraising Advisory Board in developing relationships with potential major donors, providing inspiring stewardship and maximising opportunities through networks, events, and strategic engagement.

 Effective use of systems and processes

• Champion the effective use of our Salesforce database to support you in high-quality relationship management and reporting.
• Commitment to monitoring and reporting on your income and taking a proactive approach to addressing issues or gaps in budgeted income.

PERSON SPECIFICATION - Skills, knowledge & experience

 Essential

• Fundraising - a good understanding of corporate partnerships fundraising and proven success in securing five-six figure partnerships.
• Business development - proven experience in identifying and pursuing new opportunities, through quality research and pipeline development, aligned to organisational goals.
• Building relationships - ability to engage with supporters through quality and meaningful stewardship.
• Project management - confident managing multiple priorities within projects and across own workload.
• Communication - excellent written and verbal skills, used well to inspire varied audiences through pitches and presentations delivered in person and written.
• Strategic thinking - ability to identify and assess new opportunities that align to supporter interests and organisational needs.
• Oganisation - great time management, research and record keeping skills.

Desirable

• Major donor engagement - supporting or leading donor cultivation and stewardship.
• Event management - practical experience of creating or delivering supporter engagement events.
• Data and reporting - proficiency in Salesforce or other CRM platforms, including data logging, relationship mapping and report generation.

PERSON SPECIFICATION - Qualities & behaviours

•  Proactive mindset - takes the initiative and drives work forward with energy and empathy.
• Curious - open to learning and development of new ideas.
• Diligent - pays attention to detail, follows through reliably and takes pride in doing things well.
• Collaborative - collaborates across teams to share knowledge, align efforts and to deliver joined-up outcomes

Candidates will need a willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends, as expected in an external facing fundraising role.

KEY INFORMATION

Anyone wishing to apply for this post should submit their CV along with a covering letter (maximum of 2 pages) which describes how you meet the person specification, with particular focus on your skills and experience of corporate partnerships fundraising, new business development and relationship management. 

We value authentic applications and want to understand your personal motivations and experiences.  If you’ve used AI tools to support your application (e.g. for structure, spelling, or formatting), please feel free to let us know.  We recognise that these tools can be helpful for some applicants, and we’re most interested in hearing your words and in your voice what draws you to this role.Applications received after 12:00pm on Tuesday 28 October 2025 will not be considered.Only candidates shortlisted for interview will be contacted.Interviews will take place via MS Teams.

We believe that diversity brings strength to our organisation; we recognise and value the importance of lived experience and encourage people of all backgrounds and abilities to apply for this role.

We use a blind recruitment system to ensure fairness.  Personal details such as name, address, social media links, gender, ethnicity and educational institutions remain hidden until shortlisting is complete.

As an organisation supporting children and their families we take our safeguarding responsibilities very seriously and as well as providing satisfactory references and proof of the right to work in the UK, the successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced disclosure check through the Disclosure and Barring Service and be required to undertake safeguarding training.

Key Dates

Closing date for applications: Tuesday 28 October, 12:00pm

Shortlisted candidates notified: Via email on or before Friday 31 October

First stage interviews: Wednesday 05 November or Thursday 06 November

Final interviews: Tuesday 11 or Wednesday 12 November

Strictly no agencies.

The role supports the Individual Giving team by leading the day-to-day delivery of legacy stewardship, supporter journeys, and mid-level donor care. By strengthening supporter relationships, it enables the Individual Giving Manager to concentrate on acquisition and retention campaigns. 

The Freedom Fund

The Freedom Fund is a global non-profit dedicated to ending modern slavery. Since 2014, we’ve invested over $100 million into frontline organisations and coalitions, helping to shift power to local actors and create lasting systems change. Our new strategy doubles down on this commitment, investing in anti-slavery movements, fostering collaboration, and working as a trusted partner to the incredible people and organisations driving this work forward. 

External Relations and Admin Officer

This is a key role in the Freedom Fund’s External Relations team, which encompasses both Strategic Partnerships and Communications. Based in New York, the postholder will provide vital administrative, research, and logistical support to strengthen the effectiveness of the team, with a primary focus on philanthropy and donor engagement through the Strategic Partnerships function.

This role combines prospect research support, day-to-day team administration, and responsibility for managing the New York office. It will also provide coordination and support to the Managing Director of External Relations, and some ad hoc support to the Communications team, to ensure aligned, efficient, and high-quality external engagement. By keeping operations running smoothly, supporting donor-facing activities, and helping colleagues efficiently manage portfolios of donors and prospects, the Officer plays a crucial role in enabling the External Relations team to advance the Freedom Fund’s fundraising and communications goals.

The successful candidate will be highly organized, detail-oriented, and eager to contribute to a dynamic, mission-driven team working to end modern slavery.

Interview process:

2 stage interview process: week commencing 27th October 2025.

Please see the job description for all details.

Job Title: Head of Philanthropy

Location: Hybrid with 2-3 days a week at our Head Office (Vauxhall) for donor meetings
Salary: £60,066 per annum (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement)

Contract type: Full Time, Permanent 

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as our next Head of Philanthropy to provide strategic leadership to grow and diversify philanthropy income, delivering an ambitious growth plan across trusts and foundations and major donors.

The post holder will provide stragetic leadership to grow and diversify philanthropy income, delivering an ambitious growth plan across trusts and foundations, and major donors. You will strengthen existing relationships to deepen engagement and secure increased support, while proactively driving new business and developing robust pipelines to secure the long‑term sustainability and impact of Refuge’s work. 

Closing Date: 09:00am 17 November 2025

First Interview Stage Date: 26th and 27th November 2025 via video conference

Second Interview Stage Date: 3rd / 4th December in person 

Job Title: Business Development Manager
Location: Orpington / Hybrid
Organisation: The Maypole Project

The Maypole Project is seeking a strategic and dynamic Business Development Manager to drive income growth, secure impactful partnerships, and support service development with a focus on continuous improvement and user engagement.

As a key member of the senior management team, you’ll work closely with the Chief Executive to shape and deliver our business development strategy, ensuring long-term financial sustainability. This includes leading competitive tenders, grant applications, and identifying new opportunities to expand our services and reach.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead income generation and partnership development
• Co-develop and implement strategic business initiatives
• Act as Deputy to the Chief Executive when required
• Engage service users in co-design and delivery of services

What we’re looking for:

• Proven experience in business development and strategic leadership
• Strong track record in securing funding and partnerships
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Passion for service innovation and user-centred design

Join us in shaping the future of Maypole Services and making a lasting impact.

Rotherham Hospital & Community Charity is looking for a passionate, dynamic Fundraising & Engagement Coordinator to drive income, awareness, and engagement across the Trust and wider Rotherham community. This is your chance to take ownership, develop innovative fundraising ideas, and champion the Charity at events, with donors, corporate partners, schools, and NHS staff.

You’ll play a key role in embedding fundraising across the Trust, leading staff campaigns, ambassador programmes, and high-profile events. The role also involves volunteer engagement and supporter care, ensuring every interaction inspires and maximises impact.

This is a visible, influential role for a results-driven fundraiser who thrives on creativity, innovation, and making a real difference to patients, staff, and the Rotherham community. Travel across the region and occasional attendance at external sites are required.

About the Sickle Cell Society (SCS)

The Sickle Cell Society (SCS) is the only national charity in the UK that supports and represents people affected by a sickle cell disorder. We provide information, advice and support to enable people to improve their overall quality of life. Over 18,500 people in the UK have a sickle cell disorder, an inherited condition that predominantly affects people of Black African and Black Caribbean heritage; and to a lesser extent people of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, South Asian and Central/South American heritage. 

Job Purpose:

To assist the Fundraising Manager in the delivery of the Sickle Cell Society’s (SCS) Fundraising Strategy and on-going development to achieve its fundraising priorities and targets. An exciting and varied role we are seeking a strong team player, and someone with the confidence and initiative to help develop and grow charitable income. The post holder will be someone with a ‘cando’ attitude and the enthusiasm to want to learn and get things done. We are a small, friendly and closely knit team of 20 skilled and highly committed staff and over 50 active volunteers.

The post-holder will work closely with the Fundraising Manager, and wider team to provide an engaging supporter journey and timely, efficient donor care to existing and new supporters of the Society. Responsible for helping the team meet our agreed income targets for celebratory giving, challenge events, community fundraising and corporate payroll giving initiatives.; the post-holder will be keen on developing their Fundraising career and interested in expanding their use of CRM databases, data management and the production of reports for effective donor stewardship.

You will be responsible for the membership and donors’ database (Beacon) keeping up to date and reporting back on results, whilst ensuring data compliance and implementation of data. You will be highly proficient in the use of business IT systems in particular Microsoft Excel to analyse data, and you will also have at least one year’s experience, or equivalent, in producing detailed and insightful reports.

The post-holder will be a confident communicator and collaborator with proven relationship building and creative and innovative fundraising skills. You will also support the development of our fundraising communications, monitoring performance across all channels driving best practice and income growth. You will generate and develop engaging fundraising communications and be responsible for your own copywriting, including thanking our wonderful donors via the most appropriate communication channels. 

This varied role will give you the opportunity to further your fundraising skills across a broad range of income generating activities as well as build strong, professional relationships to benefit the SCS’ charitable objectives.

Visit our website for a job description and details on how to apply.  The role closes on October 28th 2025

Are you an imaginative and inspirational team player with a passion for engaging and effective fundraising and an interest in the arts? As Development Manager for Perth Theatre and Concert Hall you will take the lead role in developing and implementing our fundraising strategy and growing our charitable income across Trusts & Foundations, Individual Giving and Corporate Sponsorship.

A natural people person and confident communicator you will build relationships with key funding partners and donors to identify the most impactful fundraising opportunities and maximise returns.

You will collaborate with departments across the organisation to understand their fundraising needs crafting creative and compelling propositions that support our vision: ensuring everyone in our communities experiences the transformational power of the performing arts. 

Working closely with the Leadership Team, with responsibility for two Development Officers, you will: 

Fundraising Management and Development

• Review the fundraising strategy to achieve the agreed annual fundraising targets;
•  Act as a lead ambassador for fundraising across the organisation;
•  Engage key funding partners and donors to build long-term relationships;
• Identify/manage fundraising campaigns, creating impactful storytelling for supporter engagement;
• Lead high-value fundraising bids nurturing relationships to ensure the best outcomes. 

Individual Giving

• Develop and manage the individual giving schemes and major donor fundraising in support of cultural programmes;
• Implement a legacy giving scheme, working across departments to create support material and identify communication channels;
• Collaborate with the Director and Board to build a major donor pipeline;
• Grow the donor base and average gift size through communications, events, and stewardship;
• Liaise with the Development Officer, Marketing and Box Office, Director and Programming team, and Learning & Engagement to effectively promote and manage individual giving and supporters;
• Maximise Gift Aid income and promote tax-effective giving.

Trusts & Foundations

• Develop and manage PTCH’s Trusts & Foundations pipeline for cultural programming and Learning & Engagement projects;
•  Research/identify a wide range of income sources to increase the number of funders and grant size;
• Oversee the database, maintaining accurate records to plan and prioritise funding applications;
• Work with the Director, Programming,Head of Learning & Engagement and others to devise high-quality applications and cases for support;
• Oversee the preparation of timely, accurate funder reports in collaboration with relevant teams;
• Nurture relationships with Trusts & Foundations contacts. 

Corporate Sponsorship

• Review the sponsorship offering and create a pitch pack for prospective partners;
• Proactively seek company partnerships and increase sponsor numbers and fees;
• Collaborate across departments to identify projects with sponsorship potential.

Person Specification

• Experience in the charity sector, ideally in an arts or cultural environment;
• Team player;
• Outstanding communicator and persuasive storyteller;
• Enthousiastic about new fundraising opportunities and sector trends.

Essential:

• Experience in developing and delivering a fundraising strategy for a similar-sized organisation;
• Proven track record of raising at least £250,000 annually through Trusts & Foundations and individual giving;
• Thorough understanding of the arts fundraising landscape;
• Excellent interpersonal, organisational and budget management skills, with the ability to motivate others and deliver against deadlines/targets;
• Experience in developing relationships with partners, major donors and individual supporters;
• Proficiency in accurate fundraising income forecasting ROI assessment.

Please see the attached Recruitment Pack for further information. 

Salary: £45,981
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Location: Turn2us London Hub (Farringdon) & homeworking

As the Supporter Engagement & Legacy Manager you will play a key role as we seek to reignite our legacy marketing programme and grow overall individual giving income to help ensure long-term support for those facing financial difficulty. You will be responsible for the project management and implementation of all supporter engagement activity, acquisition, and legacy marketing activities, ensuring all activity is optimised and campaigns include enhanced digital and social media content.  

Reporting to the Co-Heads of Supporter Engagement and managing the Supporter Engagement Officer, you will develop a multi-year plan to rebuild legacy income and a pipeline of legacy supporters, including re-engaging the EFH care home staff and major donors.

You will be responsible for supporting the strategic direction, operational plans and effective management of Turn2us’s giving programmes from individuals including appeals, regular giving and legacies, maximising net income from new and existing income streams.

The successful candidate will have experience of managing direct marketing campaigns in a charity environment as well as proven ability to manage successful legacy marketing campaigns. They will have significant experience stewarding individuals and legacy supporters and be adept at communicating the impact of donations, as well as having line management experience. The ability to make a strong case for supporting Turn2us’ key areas of work is crucial, as is an aptitude for proactively increasing acquisition and retention rates.

The post holder will also be a self-starter who is comfortable building new strategies from a relatively small pool of supporters and is experienced testing different tactics to establish the best practice for Turn2us.

If, like us, you believe everyone has the right to have enough to live on, and you are ambitious about eradicating financial insecurity, join us and build your career with a charity dedicated to ensuring dignity and equity for all.

We offer flexible working patterns, both in terms of hours and remote working. Please note that all employees are required to work from the office a minimum of 1 day a week.

Some roles may be required to be in the office more often than others and this will be agreed with the hiring manager upon starting at Turn2us.

Please note that all job offers are subject to 2 – 3 satisfactory references and a disclosure satisfactory to Turn2us from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS).

Closing date: 29th October 2025 at 23:59pm.

Interview date: 11th November 2025

Do you want to improve the lives of people with disabilities and vulnerable people?

Humanity & Inclusion UK is looking for an ambitious senior fundraiser, with a track record of securing five- and six-figure major gifts, to join our UK Major Giving team and significantly increase our income from high-net-worth individuals, in order to support the people we serve. 

You will have the opportunity to work in an international environment, create an impact in a crucial area of fundraising for our organisation’s future, and contribute to our life-changing work supporting people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups worldwide.

If you are a skilled relationship-builder with a track record of raising significant major gifts from high-net-worth individuals and a strategic mindset, we’d love you to join our small, friendly team.

Background Information and Purpose of Post

As part of our ambitious plans to significantly increase private fundraising, we are looking for a new strategic direction in securing relationships with and income from high-net-worth individuals.

The Philanthropy Specialist at Humanity & Inclusion UK is a new senior fundraising position with responsibility for planning, identifying, cultivating, and managing major donor relationships to secure significant funding, in line with the new global Major Giving Strategy 2026 - 2030.

The purpose of the post is to:

· Develop and deliver HI UK’s strategy for high-net-worth individuals.

· Lead on the new Capital Campaign, 2026-2030, for HI UK.

· Work closely with high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and family foundations to develop high-value philanthropic partnerships and ensure sustained, long-term support.

· Secure five- and six-figure major gifts from a diverse and sustainable base of major donors.

· Develop your own prospect pipeline and provide excellent cultivation of your prospects to produce committed, long-term donors.

· Manage existing partnerships and donors to a high standard.

· Report to and collaborate with the Global Specialist in Major Giving (based in the UK) on the delivery and implementation of your own ambitious philanthropy strategy for HI UK, in line with UK and Federation priorities.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Partnerships

You will have responsibility for developing a new strategy for high-net-worth individual support and you will lead the delivery of this strategy to secure high-value philanthropic partnerships under the responsibility of the Global Specialist in Major Giving.

Capital Campaign

Our new Capital Campaign will be an invaluable tool for you in developing funding from high-net-worth individuals in the UK. You will lead on its launch and recruit a Campaign Committee, stewarding them to deliver results.

Relationship Management

You will lead on the development and stewardship of long-term relationships with high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and family foundations.

Income Growth

You will drive the growth of an existing pipeline of high-net-worth individuals and develop this pipeline with new supporters from our individual giving stream and philanthropists who are new to HI, to secure significant gifts.

Collaboration

You will work closely with HI's Global Specialist in Major Giving, HI UK Trustees, our Federal Major Giving team, and international colleagues, to develop compelling proposals and provide timely impact reporting.

Stewardship

You will ensure exceptional donor stewardship and provide a high-quality experience for supporters at every stage of engagement.

Cultivation events

You will initiate and run high quality cultivation events for your donors and prospects, to form part of their stewardship journey.

Data Management

You will accurately manage donor records, communications, and reporting through our CRM.

Other duties

· Maintain a positive and collaborative working relationship with HI UK colleagues, the Federal fundraising and communication teams, and Major Giving counterparts in other HI national associations in Europe and North America.

· Ensure compliance with fundraising regulations and high standards.

· Keep up-to-date and adhere to any changes in legislation, regulatory procedures, innovation, best practice and industry standards in relation to private fundraising.

· Any other activities commensurate with the level of the post, as may be required by the Global Specialist in Major Giving.

Equal Opportunities Policy

HI UK is committed to diversity and inclusion. We recognise that discrimination shapes the opportunities that many people have in society and that people have different needs in order to realise their full potential.

Addressing this requires organisations to be proactive in creating environments that encourage the inclusion and development of all. Though we still have a long way to go, inclusion is central to our identity at HI UK and we are strongly committed to the continuous work that it requires.

We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates with disabilities and/or from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds, to help make us more representative. If you have a disability and meet the minimum requirements for the role, we will guarantee you an interview. 

Chief Executive Officer - The Brain Charity

Location: Liverpool-based - occasional travel across Merseyside and the UK

Salary: circa £65,000 (+ 10% company pension on successful completion of probation)

Contract: permanent, full-time

Are you ready to lead a values-driven charity that supports people affected by neurological conditions and their families across Merseyside and nationally?

The Brain Charity is a Liverpool-based national charity supporting adults, children and their families affected by any of more than 600 neurological and related conditions. Since our roots in Merseyside community neurology (1992) we have grown a centre-based offer, hospital liaison roles and a national information, training and support service - from practical welfare and legal advice, counselling and rehabilitation (Neuro Gym) to peer connection via The Brain Food Café and employer/school training. We put lived experience, co-production and neuro-inclusive practice at the heart of everything we do.

As our next Chief Executive, you will:

• Strategic leadership: Develop and deliver a 5-year strategy and an operational plan with clear priorities that secures the charity’s long-term impact and sustainable growth.
• Values leadership: Model and embed the charity’s person-centred, inclusive and co-productive values across services and culture.
• Growth & income diversification: Lead development of diverse income streams - fundraising, legacies and commercial activity - to strengthen financial resilience.
• Partnerships & advocacy: Strengthen senior relationships with NHS partners, local authorities, commissioners and wider stakeholders; amplify the charity’s voice in neuro-health and community settings.
• Service quality & impact: Embed rigorous outcome measurement, quality assurance and contract compliance so our impact drives commissioning and service development.
• People leadership: Stabilise staff morale, lead and develop a high-performing Senior Leadership Team, and promote wellbeing and inclusive working practices.
• Governance & financial stewardship: Provide timely, high-quality reporting to the Board; oversee budgeting, forecasting and risk management to safeguard financial sustainability.

Who you are:

• An experienced Chief Executive or senior director with a minimum of three years’ experience at CEO or equivalent level.
• Proven track record of winning and managing commissioned contracts and delivering against local authority or health contracts.
• Skilled at building strategic partnerships and commanding credibility with senior stakeholders across health, local government and the voluntary sector.
• Confident at leading turnaround and financial sustainability work - experienced in budgeting, forecasting and making difficult decisions when needed.
• A values-led, collaborative leader with high emotional intelligence, resilience and a commitment to co-production and inclusion.

Why The Brain Charity?

• Lead a respected, person-centred organisation with a unique, wide-ranging offer across advice, emotional support, rehabilitation, social connection and national training.
• A high-impact role where you can stabilise the organisation, professionalise fundraising and scale services strategically.
• Liverpool-based centre with hybrid working and national reach - a chance to influence neuro-health practice and commissioning across the UK.

Please see the attached Recruitment Brief with details on how to apply.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 10th November 2025

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

QuarterFive are delighted to partner with The Outward Bound Trust to find an experienced and strategic Director of Fundraising to lead a capable, established team and play a key role in driving the next phase of growth and impact.

The Outward Bound Trust's mission is to inspire young people to believe in themselves and achieve more than they ever thought possible. For over 80 years, its outdoor learning and adventure programmes have helped hundreds of thousands of young people develop confidence, resilience, and the skills they need to thrive in life and work.

Each year, around 25,000 young people take part in Outward Bound programmes across the UK, delivered through partnerships with schools, youth groups, and employers. Around 80% of school participants receive charitable bursary funding, ensuring that financial barriers never prevent young people from accessing these life-changing experiences. Bursaries are central to OBT’s purpose, underpinning its commitment to equity of access, diversity, and the belief that every young person, regardless of background, should have the chance to experience adventure, challenge, and growth.

The Outward Bound Trust is now delivering its 2030 Strategy, which sets out an ambitious plan to grow reach, strengthen partnerships, and invest in its six heritage outdoor centres. 

Reporting to the CEO, you’ll directly manage four experienced team heads and oversee a high-performing team of 18 who generate bursary, unrestricted, and capital income. The role sits on the Senior Management Team, working closely with colleagues across the charity to connect fundraising with programme delivery, marketing, and business development, ensuring shared priorities and greater collective impact. You’ll also play a key role in the Fundraising and Marcomms Steering Group, ensuring effective working between fundraising and external engagement.

This is a broad, strategic role combining leadership, direction, and hands-on relationship management at one of the UK’s most respected youth charities. You’ll work alongside a supportive CEO and senior leadership team, lead an experienced and capable department, and shape a fundraising strategy that will help thousands of young people access the power of outdoor learning and adventure.

As Director of Fundraising, you will:

• Lead and support a multi-disciplinary fundraising function spanning major donors, corporate partnerships, legacies, trusts and foundations, and events
• Deliver growth across bursary, unrestricted, and capital income, ensuring fundraising priorities align with organisational strategy and long-term sustainability
• Develop and implement capital fundraising plans, supporting the upgrade of existing outdoor centres and laying the groundwork for a potential new site acquisition
• Review and refine OBT’s approach to new business and innovation, identifying where to invest, consolidate, or reshape activity to maximise return
• Build and steward high-value relationships, personally managing key donors, corporate partners, and foundations capable of transformational giving
• Ensure fundraising, business development, and marketing operate in partnership to maximise opportunities for income growth and profile building
• Contribute to organisational leadership as a member of the Senior Management Team, supporting financial planning, strategic decision-making, and cross-directorate collaboration
• Represent OBT externally with senior supporters, funders, and government stakeholders, acting as a visible ambassador for outdoor learning and youth development

Ideal skills and experience: 

• Substantial senior-level fundraising experience with demonstrable success in leading multistream teams
• Proven ability to secure and steward six- and seven-figure partnerships and relationships with high-net-worth individuals, corporates, and foundations
• Strategic and analytical mindset, confident in planning, budgeting, forecasting, and evaluating performance
• Experience of capital fundraising or large-scale campaigns advantageous
• Credible, empowering leadership style – able to guide senior managers, foster collaboration, and provide clarity of direction
• Strong influencing and relationship-building skills, able to engage confidently with trustees, senior stakeholders, and external partners
• Motivated by The Outward Bound Trust’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and enable all young people to thrive through outdoor learning

Employee benefits include:

• 10% employer pension contribution
• 24 days plus bank holidays (increasing by one day per year to 30 days).
• Life Assurance (3 x salary)
• Long-term Disability Insurance (2/3 salary less state incapacity benefit after 6 months’), absence for up to 5 years, covered from start date
• Employee Assistance Programme: with easy access to medical and mental health support, including instant GP appointments, physio and counselling services
• Personal Accident Insurance while at work or commuting
• Health Cash Plan with Medicash (after completion of probation; taxable benefit)
• 8 weeks’ sick pay at full salary in any 12 months
• Personal Adventures! Outward Bound has a positive attitude to extended/unpaid leave (forward planning is required)

Job title: Employer Engagement Manager

Reports to:   Head of Programmes

Line reports: None

Location: Flexible, hybrid, with some travel required to our offices (London, Manchester or Birmingham)

Salary:          £38,000-£41,000 (£39,000-£42,000 in London)

Hours:           Full-time, 37.5 hours per week, with occasional evening or weekend work (TOIL provided). Open to flexible working.

Contract: FTC 12-months, with intention to convert to permanent position subject to funding and organisational requirements.

Overall purpose

The Employer Engagement Manager (EEM) will play a critical role in ensuring refugees supported by Breaking Barriers access meaningful, opportunities that align with client needs and labour market demand. The postholder will lead employer outreach and partnership building in priority sectors and embed consistent systems and processes that make employer engagement coordinated and impactful across the organisation. The EEM will support pathways, work placements, recruitment pipelines and workshops by ensuring employer input is actively embedded where relevant.

This is a strategic, hands-on role, the successful candidate will map and cultivate employer relationships, secure employer input into sector pathways, workshops and recruitment initiatives, translate labour market intelligence into programme improvements, and design the operational processes that enable Programmes and Corporate Partnerships to work together effectively. You will operate in a matrix environment, collaborating closely with the Programmes, Corporate Partnerships and Client Services teams but will not hold direct line-management of delivery staff.

The role is set up to be ambitious but achievable within 12 months. The priority is to build tested, repeatable employer engagement practice (relationships, processes, insight-sharing and measurable impact) that can form the foundations of a permanent employer engagement function if/when funding allows.

To view the full job description and person specification, as well as details on our accessible recuitment process, please view the attached recruitment pack.

Other considerations

• This is a fixed-term contract for 12 months. Toward the end of the term, a review will be conducted to assess the impact and scope of the role, with the intention to adapt into a permanent position subject to funding and organisational need.
• This role may require occasional travel for employer meetings, events, and networking opportunities.
• Some evening or weekend work may be required to attend employer engagement activities (TOIL provided).

• As part of our safeguarding commitment to our clients, we carry out pre-employment checks to ensure that successful applicants are suitable to work with adults at risk. These include basic DBS checks, obtaining references and verifying a candidate’s identity and right to work in the UK.   

• We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief.

  Breaking Barriers is committed to protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect and for their views, wishes and beliefs to be fully considered when deciding action.

How to apply 

If you are looking for a role where you can make a real difference, we want to hear from you. To apply, please submit a statement of interest (up to approximately 500 words/1 A4 page) outlining:

• Why you are interested in the role
• What skills you would bring to be successful in this role
• Any experience you would like to highlight
• Any reasonable adjustments you require for the interview process
• Disclosure of disabilities if you wish to do so (as a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role)

Closing date for applications is 11:30pm on Tuesday 28 October. Please note that interviews will be held on a rolling basis and we reserve the right to close the advert early if a suitable shortlist is found.

We belong to the Experts by Experience Employment Initiative, which advocates and supports organisations to emply more people from a refugee background. With this in mind, we particularly welcome applicants with experience with of seeking asylum and / or a refugee background.

If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experince of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network. Please reasch out to HR Manager, Caroline Meechan for further details (we are unable to include email addresses in this advert, but you can find contact details on the final page of the attached recruitment pack).