Head of funding jobs in westminster, greater london
Be part of the breakthrough. Help change lives through world-class medical research.
At the Medical Research Foundation, we don’t just fund research – we fuel progress. We back bold ideas, support brilliant minds, and invest in science that’s often overlooked but urgently needed. As our remit is as broad as medical research itself, we fund an exciting variety of science and are able to step in where others cannot. We are looking for a dynamic, forward-thinking Head of Research Funding to join us on a one-year maternity cover. This is a unique opportunity for someone passionate about improving human health and advancing medical research to step up or across into a leadership role to manage our dynamic Research Funding Team and deliver our strategic research objectives.
Why this role matters
As the Head of Research Funding, you will be the driving force of the Research Funding team, ensuring our funding mechanisms uphold the highest standards of integrity, supporting research with the greatest potential for impact. Your leadership will be crucial in identifying new funding opportunities, maintaining rigorous oversight of grant management, and ensuring that our research funding remains innovative and effective.
You will:
- Oversee the planning and execution of all research funding competitions and ensure the robust management of the full lifecycle of grant funding.
- Undertake health and research landscape reviews to identify emerging areas of research need and innovation.
- Manage and develop a team of six people, maintaining the highest professional standards.
About You
You are inspired to help us to deliver our vision of a world where medical research improves the health of everyone.
You bring:
- A PhD in biomedical sciences or related fields; or equivalent experience and a degree in biological sciences.
- Significant experience of biomedical research funding, including developing and managing funding calls; financial oversight of funding; peer review processes; and grant management.
- Line management expertise.
Bonus points if you have:
- Postdoctoral research experience
- Experience of preparing landscape reviews and strategic cases for support.
What we offer:
- A chance to be part of a mission that matters.
- A supportive, collaborative, and ambitious team culture.
- Opportunities to grow, learn, and make a real impact.
About the Medical Research Foundation
Our vision? A world where medical research improves health for everyone. We fund life-changing science, and we’re proud of the role good governance plays in that mission.
Salary & Working Style
- £61,000 - £65,000 per year full-time (36 hours per week) dependent on experience
- 30 days' holiday plus bank holidays
- 12% employer pension contribution + life assurance
- Generous other benefits
- Wellbeing support and flexible working culture
This is a full-time post, but we are happy to consider a part-time contract (min 0.8 FTE). This is a fixed-term maternity cover post expected to start in January 2026 and end on 31 December 2026. We are very happy to consider secondment opportunities from other organisations.
We value spending time working in-person to develop strong connections with each other and with our mission, so you will be based at our central London office for a minimum of three days a week if you are full-time (Monday, Tuesday, and either Wednesday or Thursday) with the option to work remotely for the remainder. If you are part-time, you will be office-based for at least 50% of your time.
A Place for Everyone
At the Medical Research Foundation, we believe that diversity drives creativity and innovation. We are dedicated to promoting equality of opportunity, fostering fairness and inclusion, and creating an environment where everyone feels that they belong.
We especially welcome applications from individuals from minoritised groups, including those from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and members of the LGBTQI+ community.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
2025 has been a defining year for the Tibetan community. From the devastating earthquake at the start of the year, to the joyful global celebrations of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, to increased political focus on the region in recent months — Tibet is firmly on the global stage. Now is the perfect time to join our team and help us harness this attention to raise Tibetan voices and secure the future of our work.
We are seeking an ambitious, creative, and strategic Head of Fundraising to lead our income generation, diversify our revenue, and build the sustainable growth needed for decades to come.
This is a career-defining opportunity: you will have the chance to innovate brand new fundraising products, shape strategy, and be a spokesperson for our organisation at a time of real international momentum.
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading our fundraising work with responsibility for delivering a £500k income target in year one.
- Growing and diversifying our income across individual giving, major donors, corporates, trusts & foundations, and legacies.
- Managing and developing our Sponsorship Scheme, with support from a Fundraising Officer.
- Building new supporter pipelines and creating compelling propositions that inspire people to act.
- Working closely with colleagues to connect fundraising and communications, sharing powerful stories of Tibetan resilience and culture.
Why join us?
This is not just another fundraising job. It’s a rare opportunity to:
- Shape a new era of fundraising at a pivotal time in Tibetan history.
- Be exposed to the beauty of Tibetan culture, with opportunities to learn directly from communities — and where possible, to visit them.
- Lead innovation, testing bold new products and approaches.
- Own both new and existing income streams, making your mark on our long-term sustainability.
- Step into the public spotlight as a spokesperson for our cause.
The global and political picture of Tibet will only grow in prominence in the years ahead. This is your chance to be at the forefront — helping ensure Tibetan communities around the world have the resources and support they need.
Benefits
- Enhanced annual leave increasing from 25 to 30 days over the first five years (plus bank holidays)
- Contributory pension scheme
- Holiday buying and selling scheme
- Employee volunteer days
How to Apply
Please submit your CV and a cover letter (no more than two pages) outlining your experience and motivation on CharityJobs.
Applications close on Thursday 30th October.
First round interviews will take place online, with second round interviews in person at our Camden office.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We're the UK's specialist blood cancer charity and our vision is clear: we’re here to beat blood cancer. We fund world-class research; provide information and support to patients and their loved ones; and raise awareness of blood cancer.
We’re looking for an experienced and forward-thinking HR leader to shape and drive our people and culture strategy at Blood Cancer UK. As Head of People and Culture, you’ll lead the delivery of our people strategy, enabling the organisation to deliver.
In this pivotal role, you'll work closely with senior leaders to embed inclusive leadership, drive organisational effectiveness, and build a workplace culture where everyone can thrive. As we continue to grow and evolve, becoming more digitally capable and representative of the communities we serve, you’ll play a central role in ensuring our people practices are aligned, future-focused, and truly impactful.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead transformational change at a time of real ambition and momentum.
We are committed to actively promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity. In line with our strategy we welcome approaches from individuals from underrepresented groups, including minority communities, and applicants with a disability, to better reflect the community we serve and help broaden our perspectives.
We research, we support, we care. Because it’s time to beat leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and all types of blood cancer.




The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Dementia Concern is a long-established local charity providing life changing care and support to people living with dementia and their families across West London.
Our mission is simple and vital: to help people live well with dementia, and to ensure that no one faces it alone.
We are entering an exciting new phase. After several years without a dedicated fundraising department, we are ready to rebuild and strengthen our income base, reconnect with the community we serve, and create sustainable funding for the future. This role will be central to that transformation, shaping how we tell our story, engage supporters, and grow our impact.
We’re looking for a Head of Fundraising, someone who can design, develop and deliver our fundraising stratergy. Someone who can innovate and who can combine stratergy, can lean in and has energy to connect with people, and who sees potential everywhere. If you’re motivated by the challenge of shaping something lasting and meaningful, this role offers the chance to make a visible difference, both to the charity and to the lives of people living with dementia.
Reporting directly to the CEO, you will have both the freedom and responsibility to build a thriving, sustainable fundraising function, securing income initially from trusts and foundations and then corporates, philanthropists, individuals, and community supporters.
You will play a key hands-on role, supported by a fundraiser, volunteers, and an experienced and engaged CEO and Board.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategy and Leadership
- Develop and deliver a clear fundraising strategy that diversifies income and builds long-term sustainability.
- Inspire a culture of fundraising across the organisation, empowering staff, volunteers, and trustees to become confident advocates and ambassadors.
- Use the compelling stories of our frontline team and clients to engage, motivate, and retain supporters.
Trusts, Foundations and Corporate Giving
- Lead the development of high-quality, strategic funding applications to trusts, foundations, and corporate partners (typically £20k+).
- Build and manage a sustainable pipeline of prospects, ensuring timely applications and stewardship.
- Line-manage and mentor the newly appointed Trust Fundraiser, supporting their development and success.
Individual Giving and Appeals
- Refresh and strengthen Dementia Concern’s case for support, ensuring a consistent, powerful message across all audiences.
- Design and deliver the charity’s first major appeals — including digital campaigns, local community drives, and postal appeals — to attract and retain individual donors.
- Develop engaging donor journeys and opportunities for people to give regularly, locally, and meaningfully.
Community and Partnership Development
- Reconnect Dementia Concern with its local community through relationship-building, events, and partnerships.
- Represent the charity externally with warmth and confidence, growing our network of local supporters, volunteers, and champions.
- Work closely with the CEO and Trustees to build mutually beneficial partnerships with local businesses, groups, and influencers.
- Oversee the charity’s website and digital presence, ensuring our communications are clear, inspiring, and supporter focussed.
- Lead on campaigns and public relations that raise awareness of dementia and the charity’s impact in West London.
About you:
You will have experience in:
- Trust Fundraising and at least one of the following: corporate partnerships, individual giving, or community fundraising.
- Proven ability to develop and deliver successful fundraising strategies.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to craft compelling cases for support and inspire others.
- A collaborative, ‘hands-on’ approach comfortable working in a small, dedicated team.
- Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities.
- Passion for dementia care and improving the lives of older people and their carers.
- Experience of working in a local or regional charity setting.
- Knowledge of Ealing and/or West London communities. (desirable)
If you would like an exploratory conversation about the role, please do send an email to the above contact (email info visible when you click 'How to apply') and we will be happy to arrange a time to speak with you.
#fundraising #head of fundraising #fundraising stratergy #fundraising management
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About the role
You’ll join us at a vital and exciting time, as we help to shape what the future of health and care looks like with our new strategy and a reshaped communications and engagement directorate.
We’re looking for a strategic and creative digital communications leader to join our team, overseeing our digital channels, including email, paid and social media. In this role, you will plan, produce and evaluate all kinds of digital content, ensuring it is engaging and accurate, and aligns with our strategic and income-generating goals. You'll work closely with colleagues across The King's Fund to find interesting stories to tell and use insight and data to craft the right assets for our audience and make improvements to our channels.
You’ll oversee the delivery of marketing and communications campaigns across multiple channels and enjoy both the creative and technical aspects of channel and community management. You'll be a compassionate and inspiring people manager and a confident communicator.
If you’re passionate about storytelling, data-driven strategy, and delivering meaningful results, we’d love to hear from you.
The Fund has an ambition to increase the diversity of our workforce and introduce careers in health and care policy to a broader range of people. We encourage applicants from all sections of the community, including those from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We believe that diversity of background and experience contributes to a broader collective perspective that will improve the way we influence health and social care policy.
What you'll get in return
The King’s Fund is committed to a hybrid working model that meets the organisation’s needs, while giving staff flexibility to choose between office and home working. In keeping with our current policy, the post-holder will be required to work a minimum of two days per week from our central London office (pro rata, averaged over a month).
In addition to a competitive salary, The King’s Fund offers generous holiday entitlements, a £3 daily discount in our café and an on-site gym.
How to apply
To apply, please visit our website and read our supplementary guidance documents below, then download and fill in our application form. If completing the application form presents any challenges, contact us by email so we can discussion options.
Please note that in order to apply, you must have existing documented proof of your right to live and work in the UK.
No agencies please.
CVs will not be accepted as applications. Applications must be submitted using The King’s Fund application form.
The deadline for receipt of applications is Tuesday 4 November, 9.30am. Late applications will not be considered.
Interviews will be held on Wednesday 12 November. The role is available to start immediately.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Salary: £68,000–£72,000 per annum
Contract: 6-month FTC (ASAP start)
Location: Hybrid, London (2 days office / 3 days home)
We are seeking a confident and experienced funding professional to provide steady leadership and oversight within a well-established funding team. This role will be key in maintaining the smooth running of day-to-day operations, ensuring funding programmes are delivered effectively and in line with governance and organisational priorities.
You will oversee the full funding cycle, from the development and review of proposals through to decision-making, monitoring, and reporting, ensuring activity continues to meet high standards of accountability and impact. Leading a small, experienced team, you’ll provide direction, support, and guidance to keep delivery on track and champion best practice across all areas of funding.
Collaboration is central to the role, working closely with colleagues across finance, impact, and engagement to ensure information flows smoothly and the team remains aligned.
We’re looking for:
- Senior-level experience within grantmaking, funding, or programme management.
- Strong people management skills with the ability to motivate and support a team.
- Excellent organisational, analytical, and communication skills.
- A pragmatic and professional approach, with sound judgement and attention to detail.
We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.
This senior leadership role will be at the forefront of identifying large new long term income opportunities in a fast-changing funding landscape. This is not just applying for money, it’s about building the reputation and sourcing future possibilities so that Beat is positioned to become the charity of choice across large gives. The role will provide strategic oversight and drive the organisation’s partnership approach to large gift income generation through trusts and grants, major donors, corporates and tenders whilst also leading a team of three. This leadership role is responsible for shaping and delivering a cohesive external funding strategy, and ensuring our approach is proactive, creative and aligned with both internal priorities and external funding trends.
Founded in 1989 as the Eating Disorders Association, our mission is to end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders.



High Trees Community Development Trust is seeking an experienced and dynamic Head of Community Action to join our senior management team and lead one of our core service areas.
This is an exciting and important role within our work, continually shaped by the needs and priorities of the communities we work alongside. While the focus of our Community Action service evolves year on year, it always centres on social action, capacity building, and strengthening community voice.
This coming year will see this work expand rapidly, following High Trees’ successful bid to deliver the local authority contract for capacity building support to voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations across Lambeth. We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with experience in this area – although more important are the leadership, skills and aptitude to successfully oversee the delivery of this vital workstream. The service also plays a central role in driving forward social action within our flagship partnerships, including Building Young Brixton, the Lambeth Peer Action Collective, and the Lambeth Community Research Network – helping to ensure communities take a leading role in action linked to research and advocacy.
The Head of Community Action leads on a diverse range of areas, which shift each year in response to community needs and opportunities to strengthen civic voice and local infrastructures. In recent years, this has included supporting residents to lead community organising campaigns to improve the built environment, coordinating digital inclusion initiatives during the Covid-19 pandemic, capacity building Tenants and Residents Associations and supporting the creation of local neighbourhood plans that put residents’ voices at the centre of decision-making.
As part of High Trees’ senior management team, the Head of Community Action will not only oversee delivery in their service area, but also help shape organisational strategy, grow partnerships and income, and ensure we work as one High Trees – keeping our practice responsive, collaborative, and always led by community need.
About High Trees
Based in Tulse Hill, High Trees has been rooted in the local community for over 27 years. We delivery community action, employment, education, youth services and community research, working in partnership with local people and local organisations, to build stronger communities and create meaningful change. We are recognised for our collaborative, long-term approach and our ability to adapt and respond to the issues that matter most to local people.
About the role
As Head of Community Action, you will:
- Lead and inspire our Community Action team to deliver high-impact, community-led work.
- Oversee a portfolio of projects and contracts, ensuring they are delivered to time, budget, and quality.
- Drive forward High Trees’ new local authority contract for capacity building support across Lambeth’s VCS.
- Work collaboratively across High Trees and with our partnership projects to support impactful community action and capacity building support.
- Support and develop High Trees’ consultancy and volunteering offer, including corporate social responsibility partnerships.
- Contribute as a member of High Trees’ senior management team, ensuring a joined-up approach across all our services.
About you
We are looking for someone who brings:
- Significant experience in community organising, social action, or community development.
- A proven track record of leading teams and managing complex projects.
- Excellent communication and partnership-building skills across diverse stakeholders.
- A strategic mindset with the ability to balance day-to-day delivery with long-term vision.
- A passion for collaboration, and supporting communities to have a stronger voice.
Why join us? This is a rare opportunity to take a senior leadership role in a values-led organisation at a time of growth and ambition. You will shape meaningful, responsive community action work and be part of a collaborative team dedicated to creating lasting change.
Connecting with people and communities to strengthen skills and build stronger voices.




The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
We are building a compassionate and high performing organisation at Kentown Support. We are
looking for an ambitious, energetic and collaborative colleague who has both a passion for their work
and the difference it can make to children and their families. This is a pivotal leadership role and
opportunity to join an incredible charity at the beginning of its journey offering a real opportunity to
shape our future success
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Job title: Head of Development, Faculty of Medicine
Salary: £69,365 to £79,257
Location: White City (Hybrid)
Are you passionate about advancing world-changing medical research? Do you thrive on building relationships that inspire transformational philanthropy?
Here at Imperial, we are looking for our new Head of Development for the Faculty of Medicine. This is a rare opportunity to connect visionary donors, grateful patients, and world-leading academics to make a tangible difference in healthcare and patient outcomes.
At Imperial, innovation is part of who we are. Our scientists and clinicians are turning breakthroughs into real-world impact — improving lives across the globe. As we prepare to launch the university’s most ambitious fundraising and alumni engagement campaign, you will play a central role in shaping and driving its success.
As Head of Development, Faculty of Medicine, you will have the opportunity to work at the most senior levels, securing gifts at the high six-figure level and above for multi-disciplinary research such as public health, cancer and surgery, neurology, paediatrics, immunology, and infectious disease.
You might have worked with senior volunteers before, opening their networks to guide successful relationship building, or have a track record of successful medical fundraising and/or work with grateful patients.
If you’re ready to play a defining role in medical advancement at one of the world’s most influential universities, we’d love to hear from you.
About Imperial
Welcome to Imperial, a global top ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact.
Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, we navigate some of the world’s toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.
As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you’ll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network.
This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you’ll join us at Imperial.
Our culture
We work towards equality of opportunity, eliminating discrimination and creating an inclusive working environment. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities
Our values are at the heart of everything we do and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate respect, collaboration, excellence, integrity and innovation.
Closing date: Midnight on Wednesday 12 November 2025.
Interested?
Please familiarise yourself with the attached Candidate Pack.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter.
Imperial is partnering with Constellate Global Talent on this search. No agencies please.
Please familiarise yourself with the attached Candidate Pack. To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter by Midnight on Wednesday 12 November 2025.
The Charity and The Vision.
For over 15 years, Scotty's Little Soldiers has been supporting children and young people who have been bereaved of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces. We are about to embark on an exciting journey which will see the charity evolve to support anyone affected by a military-connected bereavement and ultimately empower a community of more than 25,000 bereaved individuals and their families by 2035.
Founded in 2010 by Nikki Scott following the death of her husband, Corporal Lee Scott, the charity currently offers a unique blend of emotional, practical, and educational support to over 750 young people.
We are proud of our vibrant, non-traditional culture, which puts the needs of bereaved children and young people at the heart of everything we do. We embrace innovative approaches, are committed to creating smiles and believe in the power of community, resilience, and connection.
Role Mission.
I am here to lead Scotty’s outreach to bereaved military families — helping more people find, trust, and access our support by creating a visible, welcoming, and engaged community.
I am accountable for:
- Developing and delivering Scotty’s Outreach strategy, aligned with the charity’s long-term vision and growth targets.
- Leading the development of a new in-house team, ensuring strong performance, alignment, and support across all outreach activities.
- Achieving our beneficiary reach and engagement targets, including community growth, email sign-ups & engagement, social reach, and event/webinar attendance.
- Ensuring all outreach activity is sensitive, on-brand, and audience-focused, particularly in the context of bereavement and the military community.
The key responsibilities of this role are:
- Shape and deliver the Outreach strategy to engage bereaved military families across the UK, helping us to a) reach more bereaved families, and b) maintain regular engagement with those families.
- Lead and support the development of the Outreach squad as it grows.
- Plan and oversee delivery of digital and offline outreach activity, including social media, email marketing, website content, printed publications, and event promotion.
- Initially take responsibility for the delivery of outreach activity (except social media) until the squad grows.
- Ensure strong audience insight, segmentation, and tone of voice in all comms.
- Set and report on performance metrics to the CEO, SLT, and Trustees.
- Work closely with internal teams, especially our Service Delivery, to align comms and campaigns with our Programme goals, and to ensure we sensitively engaged with the bereaved military community.
- Uphold the Scotty’s tone and brand across all outreach activity — adapting to the needs of a sensitive, bereaved audience.
The 3-month goals for this role are:
- Build a deep understanding of Scotty’s mission, our audience, the services we provide, and strategic direction.
- Finalise the Outreach strategy with the CEO, including key audience segments, platform focus, and performance metrics.
- Begin recruitment of the Outreach Squad (Social Media Exec to start, subject to funding confirmation).
- Produce and maintain a 90-day content and campaign plan, working closely with other teams.
- Establish baseline data for outreach KPIs and set up regular performance reporting.
- Picked up accountability for beneficiary marketing-related tools such as email, website, social etc.
The 6-month goals for this role are:
- Support the recruitment and onboarding of the Social Media Exec (TBC).
- Have created audience journeys and set up systems (CRM) to mirror them.
- Launch first targeted outreach campaigns focused on increasing awareness and sign-ups to services, particularly SMILES and SUPPORT programmes.
- Begin the repositioning journey for Scotty’s brand, working alongside PR & Comms and the CEO.
- Strengthen working relationships with Service Delivery to ensure handovers from outreach to support are smooth and consistent.
- Launched a regular programme of beneficiary focused comms including monthly email, annual magazine, daily social content.
The 9-month goals for this role are:
- Demonstrate progress against outreach KPIs (e.g. increased social reach, community email sign-ups, beneficiary engagement).
- Deliver a successful cycle of outreach to support 2+ SMILES or SUPPORT campaigns/events.
- Complete internal and external review of what’s working in outreach — optimise content, messaging, and tactics accordingly.
- Refine and relaunch Scotty’s beneficiary-facing email comms strategy to improve open and click-through rates.
- Begin developing a 12-month Outreach roadmap for Year 2, including content themes, campaign ideas, and team development needs.
Skillset and Experiences Required:
Marked as D (Desirable) or E (Essential)
· Experience in leading marketing or engagement strategy - E
· Team leadership and people management experience - D
· Proven track record of delivering audience growth and engagement - E
· Strong understanding of digital channels (social, email, content) - E
· Experience working in a charity, community-focused or purpose-driven role - D
· Experience with campaign planning and performance reporting - E
· Ability to write and oversee content that is clear, warm, and sensitive - E
· Familiarity with bereavement support, the Armed Forces, or similar sectors - D
· Proficient in using data to inform strategy and optimise campaigns - E
· Comfortable working with autonomy and initiative in a remote environment - E
Additional Information
· The role may require occasional evening or weekend work
· Enhanced DBS check required
· Travel will be required to events and team training days
The Scotty’s Way
At Scotty’s, our personal performance is only 50% of what success looks like. Our culture is equally important. When you join our team, you sign up to The Scotty’s Way, rooted in our four core values:
1. Families Come First
2. Everyone a Supporter, Every Supporter a VIP
3. Love What You Do
4. Remember, Every Day
Our values are further supported by our four non-negotiable behaviours of Show Respect, Speak Up, Take Ownership and Actively Collaborate. We are looking for an individual who embodies these values and behaviours.
Thank you for your interest in joining our team, we are an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees are treated with respect and given equal opportunities for employment and advancement.
We do not discriminate based on race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or any other protected characteristic.
We encourage all qualified individuals to apply for employment within our charity, and we provide a fair and inclusive recruitment process for all candidates.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Citizens UK
Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.
Our community sponsorship work fits within our ‘Migrants and Refugees’ theme of work, which combines place-based and multi-issue organising through our Migrants and Refugees Organising (MARO) team, and effective national campaigns, alongside the pioneering community sponsorship of refugees. Staff joining Sponsor Refugees are joining a thriving team that works collaboratively with the wider Migrants and Refugees theme.
About
This is a rare opportunity to combine strategic leadership, policy influence, and grassroots impact. As Head of Community Sponsorship, you’ll be at the forefront of one of the UK’s most inspiring community movements. Citizens UK played a pioneering role in bringing community sponsorship of refugees to the UK and now leads national programmes helping hundreds of people find safety, belonging, and a new start.
You’ll oversee national delivery of our sponsorship work, manage a talented cross-functional team, and shape the future of the UK’s refugee resettlement system. From working with community organisers and local groups to engaging senior policymakers and funders, your leadership will help grow a movement that places compassion, collaboration, and lived experience at its heart.
We’re looking for a mission-driven leader who can think strategically, build partnerships, and inspire others, someone who believes that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things when they act together. If you’re ready to help shape the next chapter of the UK’s refugee welcome story, we’d love to hear from you.
Purpose
At Citizens UK, our organisers and project staff work within communities to develop leaders, strengthen organisations, campaign for change and organise across difference. There are various project roles and operational, communication, finance and HR roles that support the organisation and project staff and organisers to deliver on this mission and work. This work is rewarding and can be challenging; it requires a personal commitment to inclusion, a willingness to listen and disagree respectfully, and an interest in working in an organisation where our staff, member institutions and leaders will come from a diversity of backgrounds and often hold views that may be very different from our own. More information about how we operate within this context and build trusted relationships across difference can be found on our website and is covered in induction. Onboarding and navigating this relational culture, and type of work, is supported by line managers and further training.
Citizens UK has played a pioneering role in introducing and developing community sponsorship of refugees in the UK. In response to the Syrian refugee crisis, it called for a Canadian-style scheme in 2015, which led to the UK government launching its own programme in 2016. Citizens UK was instrumental in shaping the policy and later established the Sponsor Refugees programme in 2017 Through training, advocacy, and coordination, it has helped hundreds of local groups welcome refugee families. In 2022, Citizens UK expanded its work by launching the Communities for Ukraine programme, matching Ukrainian refugees with UK hosts and most recently has run Communities for Afghans, resettling dozens of refugees. Throughout, it has combined grassroots mobilisation with national advocacy to build a sustainable, community-led model of refugee resettlement.
Main Responsibilities
As Head of Community Sponsorship at Citizens UK you will lead the complex strategic and operational delivery of the Sponsor Refugees programmes. This currently includes funded work to deliver a second phase of the Communities for Afghans programme to welcome 125 Afghan refugees as well as oversee the development of influencing work around the UK Government’s forthcoming sponsorship reform agenda. The post-holder will oversee a cross-functional team, ensuring that goals around refugee resettlement, host and sponsor recruitment, and strategic partnerships are met. This includes managing project performance through effective monitoring and evaluation, aligning operations with the organisation’s business plan, and integrating teams to deliver impactful results. The role also involves coordinating outreach to grow the network of hosts and community sponsorship groups, while embedding refugee voices in strategic planning and promoting meaningful community engagement.
In addition to project leadership, the Head of Community Sponsorship will drive organisational development by fostering collaboration, developing sustainable funding strategies, and ensuring alignment with Citizens UK’s broader migration and transformation goals. They lead relationship management with senior stakeholders, policy makers, and funders, and support the creation of campaigns and resources to expand public awareness and support for community sponsorship. With responsibilities spanning staff management, communications, and external representation, the role is key to shaping Citizens UK’s refugee resettlement strategy and sustaining its national impact.
Working as the Head of Community Sponsorship for Citizens UK, initially reporting to the Director of Communications and External Affairs, your main responsibilities will include:
Contribute to Citizens UK and Project Strategic Objectives
• Demonstrate ability to initiate and lead large-scale, national-level community sponsorship programmes that reflect and advance Citizens UK’s mission.
• Develop and implement strategic approaches that integrate community organising with refugee resettlement policy influence.
• Build and grow innovative that centre lived experience and drive systemic impact.
Build and Manage Projects & Achieve Work Targets Effectively
• Oversee multiple complex projects with national reach, ensuring targets on refugee resettlement, host recruitment, and strategic partnerships are achieved.
• Develop and manage project workplans, KPIs and budgets, ensuring delivery to time, standard, and impact goals.
• Establish systems for performance tracking, evaluation, and continuous improvement across project streams.
Learning, Expertise, Wellbeing & Inclusion
• Lead the team in learning and reflective practice, ensuring up-to-date expertise on sponsorship policy, refugee needs, and civic engagement models.
• Act as a senior expert in sponsorship strategy; coach and mentor staff and partners, and facilitate learning across departments and projects.
• Influence and lead the integration of equity, wellbeing and refugee voice into strategic decisions and delivery frameworks.
Develop and Manage External Relationships
• Lead high-level relationships with national and senior stakeholders, including government departments (e.g. Home Office), delivery partners and civil society institutions.
• Build and manage partnerships that advance sponsorship reform and position Citizens UK as a sector leader.
• Ensure stakeholder experience is consistently excellent and take the lead on resolving reputational risks or tensions.
Communications
• Act as a senior spokesperson for Citizens UK’s sponsorship work in the media, at public events, and in government or civil society forums.
• Lead the design and implementation of a high-profile communications strategy to influence narratives on refugee welcome and community leadership.
• Ensure communications align with ethical storytelling principles and amplify sponsor and refugee voices responsibly.
Develop and Manage Internal Relationships
• Lead and develop high-performing cross-functional teams, with clear expectations, direction, and collaboration structures.
• Effectively line manage senior staff and foster shared leadership culture across sponsorship and Citizens UK teams.
• Contribute to senior leadership structures, including strategic planning processes and transformation initiatives.
Generate Income and Resources
• Initiate and grow significant and sustainable income streams to fund Citizens UK’s sponsorship work.
• Develop and lead high-value funding partnerships with trusts, foundations and strategic donors.
• Demonstrate strong budget oversight and ensure effective use of financial and human resources in sponsorship delivery.
Personal Specification
(D) Desirable, (E) Essential
Qualifications
Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field such as migration, social policy, international development, or community organising (D)
Management or leadership qualification, or relevant CPD in project or programme management, public policy, or team leadership (D)
Experience
Proven experience in leading complex, multi-stakeholder programmes related to refugee resettlement, community organising, or social impact (E)
Demonstrable track record of strategic leadership in a charity or community-focused setting (E)
Experience of managing cross-functional teams to deliver against ambitious organisational goals (E)
Experience of developing and sustaining strategic partnerships with civil society organisations, local authorities, or government departments (E)
Experience of designing and implementing systems for monitoring, evaluation, and learning to track progress and report to funders and or government stakeholders (D)
Demonstrable experience of driving collaborative campaigns or outreach efforts that engage diverse communities (E)
Key skills and knowledge
Strong leadership and team coordination skills – able to motivate, direct, and support multidisciplinary teams across multiple workstreams (E)
Excellent project and performance management skills – able to set strategic priorities, delegate effectively, and ensure accountability (E)
In-depth knowledge of refugee resettlement systems, community sponsorship models, and UK migration policy, including recent developments affecting Afghan and Ukrainian pathways (E)
Outstanding written and verbal communication – confident in producing compelling cases for support, policy communications, and public messaging (E)
Ability to design and deliver stakeholder engagement strategies, with a clear understanding of influencing policy and public opinion (E)
Skilled in developing and managing strategic partnerships with funders, policy-makers, and community groups (E)
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills – able to assess complex challenges, identify risks, and implement effective solutions (E)
Personal qualities & values
A mission-driven leader with a passion for refugee rights, community empowerment, and social justice (E)
Politically astute and able to navigate relationships with stakeholders from civil society, government, and grassroots communities (E)
Collaborative and people-centred, able to work constructively across teams and with volunteers, refugees, and community leaders (E)
Committed to embedding refugee leadership and lived experience into programme design and delivery (E)
Resilient, adaptable, and able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced and evolving policy environment (E)
Comfortable working within an accountable team culture – open to feedback, reflective practice, and continuous improvement (E)
Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends, and to travel when necessary to support programme delivery (E)
Build Up is a youth-led charity that designs and builds public spaces, supporting young people aged 10-23 years old to shape their local area. We’re looking for a Head of Income Generation to drive our fundraising strategy and secure significant investment for our youth-led projects.
The Role
You’ll shape priorities, diversify income, and build lasting funder relationships – while writing compelling bids that win investment. With consultancy support on communications and evaluation, you’ll have the tools to make a powerful case for our work. We are a small, agile organisation capable of delivering big change - this is a new role in our team and combines big-picture strategy, innovation and hands-on delivery.
Who You Are
You’ll have a proven track record in leading fundraising strategy, securing charitable investment and writing successful grants. Alongside trusts and foundations, you’ll bring experience across other income streams (like corporates or major donors). You’ll balance strategy with delivery, thrive under pressure, and be excited by the chance to fund young people’s ideas. Because our model is unique, we need someone who can turn our distinctive approach into clear, inspiring narratives that unlock new opportunities.
About Build Up
Build Up is a London based award-winning youth-led construction charity. Since 2014, we’ve supported young people (10–23) to gain the skills, confidence and connections they need to thrive. On our projects, young people don’t just take part – they lead. With professional support, they design and build permanent public spaces that transform their communities.
Our approach is unique – and it works. Young people gain skills, confidence and power over decisions that affect them, while local communities benefit from safer, more inclusive spaces designed by and for local people.
Why Join Us
At Build Up, your work has a visible, lasting and personal impact. You’ll lead strategy, enjoy flexibility and support, and join a small, passionate team where your ideas genuinely shape the organisation’s future.
Key Details
Salary: £47,008 – £52,090 (pro rata, depending on experience) + 8% employer pension contribution
Part-time (3 days / 22.5 hrs per week)
Location: Hybrid – at least 1 day per week in our Elephant & Castle office
Contract: 2 years (with potential to extend)
Start date: January 2026 (flexible)
To Apply
For more information and to apply, please view our website.
Applications close 2nd November 2025.
Build Up runs practical construction projects across London, supporting young people aged 10-23 years old to shape their local area.




The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The role is responsible for managing supporter relationships and realising new funding opportunities. The Head of Fundraising will lead our income generation activities from the ground up.
This is a pivotal leadership role, responsible for shaping and delivering a sustainable fundraising strategy to support our ambitious global agenda. The role requires effect relationship building coupled with a proven track record in securing income from trusts and foundations, high-net-worth individuals (HNWI), institutional donors and corporate partnerships.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job overview
The role will focus on growing the value of funding from large trusts and foundations globally, as well as from corporate foundations and institutional funders via consortium partnerships with larger conservation actors.
The role will oversee grant and contract management with existing organisational and institutional partnerships, as well as grow this portfolio through developing a robust pipeline of new opportunities, finding creative ways to secure visibility and first meetings, developing relationships, compelling funding applications and ensuring strong contract management oversight.
The role will lead a team of two, work collaboratively with fundraising colleagues based in the US and UK to secure visibility with and develop strong long-term partnerships with new Trusts and Foundations; and work closely with colleagues in Kenya to ensure strong project delivery and grant management. Responsibilities include:
- Lead the implementation of the Trusts & Foundations (T&Fs) programme with a particular focus on growing the portfolio of large T&Fs in the USA, UK and European markets;
- Work with fundraising colleagues across priority markets and with communications colleagues, using innovative and proactive approaches to business development and relationship building to unlock visibility opportunities and develop relationships with new prospects; in order to develop and maintain a strong pipeline of high-value funding opportunities.
- Continue to oversee the current ‘programme funding’ portfolio which includes existing institutional funding partnerships and corporate foundation relationships in Kenya, ensuring that ongoing and new opportunities where they exist are capitalised on.
- Collaborate closely with and provide technical expertise to Ol Pejeta’s Project Implementation function in Kenya to develop and embed ‘programme funding’ systems, policies, processes, to ensure that the organisation works to the highest standards in grant management;
- Oversee collaboration and co-working with Ol Pejeta’s Programme teams and other colleagues to ensure high quality project design content is translated into technical proposals and budgets for donors;
- Work closely with Kenya’s implementation function to support strong project delivery and contract management.
- As a Head of, actively contribute to team and department objectives through decision making and action on planning, budgeting, monitoring and reporting.
Key Activities
- Support the Chief Fundraising Officer with overall strategy development, implementation and adaptation;
- Work closely with the Chief Fundraising Officer to ensure operational and budget planning, management and reporting of resources;
- Oversee the T&F team’s operational planning processes, annual reporting and core performance monitoring;
- Strategic coordination of multiple stakeholders in proposal development processes (programme experts, internal stakeholders, partners and donors);
- Build strong relationships across all departments of the organisation and with existing and new partners;
- Support the recruitment process/selection/appointment of fundraising staff across the department.
Strategic leadership delivery and management of Trusts and Foundations priority in the global fundraising strategy.
- Develop and implement tactics for T&Fs that support Ol Pejeta to meet its overall strategic objectives;
- Ensure that the relevant parts of the Fundraising strategy, planning and practice is adaptive to both internal and external changes and that the team adopts innovative approaches to its work;
- Effectively integrate T&F team objectives and outcomes into wider Ol Pejeta income targets and programme priorities.
Business development and management
- Proactively cultivate relationships with key prospects, donors and partners (with particular focus on US, UK and European markets);
- Network both internally and externally to ensure relevant stakeholder participation and intelligence gathering in various fora;
- Lead and coordinate proposal development, including budgeting, with programme teams and finance;
- Collaborate with Ol Pejeta’s communications and marketing department to ensure communication activities appeal to donor interests, promote our partnerships and help to position Ol Pejeta as a partner of choice;
- Research and share trends and intelligence on T&Fs, and develop relationships that strategically position the organisation to mobilise resources from new and existing donors.
Support effective grant & risk management and compliance
- Support the development and implementation of improved business policies to facilitate improved management of and accountability for T&F funding and other larger institutional partnerships;
- Provide quality assurance and technical backstopping on reporting and general compliance, in line with organisational and donor requirements;
- Guide the negotiation of strategic grants/contracts to ensure the organisation signs up to appropriate contractual requirements;
- Advise on the interpretation and application of donor rules, regulations, processes and procedures;
- Provide guidance and capacity building on grant cycle management to colleagues across the organisation.
People Management, Financial Management and Departmental contributions
- Provide inductions to staff across the organisation on T&Fs and institutional funding opportunity;
- Build, motivate and effectively collaborate with teams remotely;
- Conduct probationary reviews and annual performance management reviews for direct line management staff;
- Support the Chief Fundraising Officer to have oversight of the team budget lines;
- Work collaboratively with colleagues in the global fundraising team based in different geographical locations
- Contribute to overall departmental processes and initiatives;
- Act within the parameters set by the organisation on financial policies and procedures.
Capacity Building and Knowledge Management
- Ensure effective cross-functional collaboration to strengthen fundraising and grant management skills across the organisation;
- Oversee the development and maintenance of information systems and tools for sharing donor policies and guidelines, funding opportunities and best practice across the organisation;
- Keep pace with international developments and engage with other INGOs to keep abreast of opportunities and global trends in T&F fundraising.
Education, Language & Qualifications
- Bachelors or equivalent in a relevant field preferably Fundraising / International Development;
- Excellent verbal and written communication with fluency in English;
- Language skills in Swahili and German advantageous.
Essential Knowledge, skills and Experience
- Relevant experience working in an international NGO or philanthropy environment with diverse workforce;
- Experience in Trusts & Foundation fundraising across international markets;
- Demonstrated experience cultivating and managing relationships with trusts and foundation donors (or others) to secure six figure grants;
- Substantial experience cultivating and managing donor and stakeholder relationships;
- Exceptional interpersonal, influencing and negotiation skills with demonstrable proactivity in business development;
- Strong technical proposal writing and budget skills;
- Strong ability to manage staff and influence team members remotely;
- Ability to manage and facilitate complex projects and processes;
- Experience working on the African continent with a deep knowledge of conservation and community development;
- Willingness to travel internationally as required;
- Willingness to be on call for donor enquiries out of hours.
Desirable Knowledge, skills and Experience
- Tendering and project management experience;
- Knowledge of conservation finance including the biodiversity credit market;
- Personal network of contacts and relationships in T&Fs;
- Experience in developing complex institutional funding bids;
- Understanding of developments in alternative finance for conservation;
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.