Head of fundraising jobs in Leeds, west yorkshire

We are partnering with a leading educational charity that believes every young person deserves access to high-quality education and career support, regardless of their background. 

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, and as a member of the Senior Management Team, you will lead the organisation's fundraising strategy and team to secure significant, multi-year income from major donors, trusts and foundations and corporates. You’ll be responsible for expanding their funding base, deepening key relationships, and ensuring the organisation has the partnerships and resources to achieve its mission.

Fundraising has developed rapidly in recent years, with investment, board-level commitment and a growing team driving success. With strong foundations in place and a portfolio of high-value partnerships, there is an exciting opportunity to scale their strategic influence and deepen their impact.

We’re looking for a relationship-driven leader who will take an entrepreneurial approach to identifying opportunities for new funds and develop long-term, high-impact partnerships.

This is a mostly home-based role, with monthly team meetings and occasional overnight stays at the N.England headquarters, and fortnightly attendance at the London office. Travel costs covered.

As Head of Fundraising, you will:

• Lead on fundraising strategy with major donors, trusts and foundations and corporates, focusing on driving  new funder engagement and developing long-term, high-impact partnerships
• Secure high-value, multi-year funding partnerships with major donors, trusts and foundations and corporates, achieving six-figure and above income targets
• Manage, develop and inspire a team of five, fostering a proactive, collaborative, innovative and high-performing culture
• Build and maintain a strong, diversified pipeline of new and repeat funders aligned to organisational priorities and ethical fundraising principles
• Engage senior stakeholders including the CEO, Chair, Trustees and senior partners to unlock networks and open opportunities
• Work closely with programme and delivery teams to create compelling funding propositions and ensure excellent stewardship and impactful reporting
• Represent the organisation at senior-level networking events, conferences and sector forums, influencing decision-makers and strengthening brand positioning

Essential skills and experience:

• Success in securing and growing income from a range of sources, including HNWIs and trusts and foundations — delivering six-figure and multi-year partnerships
• Skilled relationship builder with experience developing and stewarding complex, multifaceted partnerships that deliver mutual value and long-term impact
• Strong managerial skills to empower teams and support their professional development and enjoyment in their role
• Strategic business developer with the ability to build and maintain a strong pipeline of funding opportunities, identifying, cultivating, and converting prospects to meet fundraising targets
• Entrepreneurial and proactive, with a strong sense of ownership and the confidence to identify, shape, and present compelling cases for support
• Collaborative and influential, experienced in working across matrix structures and with remote or cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals, ensuring alignment and effective delivery
• Highly skilled communicator, comfortable presenting to diverse audiences and tailoring messages to inspire and engage at all levels
• Strong networker, eager to represent the organisation at events and conferences, identifying new opportunities, and staying informed on market trends and developments in the philanthropic and corporate partnership landscape

Desirable, but not essential:

• An understanding and general knowledge of the education landscape in the UK
• Experience of establishing or maintaining a Fellowship programme

Employee benefits include:

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Up to 15% employer pension contributions 
• Private health care via Benenden Health plus Healthcare Cash Plan and Dental Plan
• Annual salary review
• Electric Car Benefit Scheme

Role description: 

We are currently looking for a Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships to join our Fundraising & Supporter Experience Team. 

Reporting to the Director of Fundraising & Supporter Experience, the postholder will lead the development and delivery of the charity’s philanthropy and partnerships strategy, translating organisational ambition into compelling propositions, high value relationships and sustainable income growth. 

Leading a small, committed and recently established team, the Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships will build on early successes to define future direction, strengthen capability, and scale income from major donors, trusts, foundations and corporate partners.  

This role offers a significant opportunity to shape and grow a developing function and play a pivotal part in enabling Yorkshire Cancer Research to deliver its ambitious growth plans and achieve its vision of a Yorkshire free from cancer.  

Specifically you will: 

• Lead and work in partnership with relevant Fundraising Managers to develop and deliver Yorkshire Cancer Research’ Philanthropy & Partnerships strategy to the charity’s mission, values and organisational strategy.

• Provide clear strategic leadership across all high value, aligned income streams, including: Philanthropy, Trusts and foundations, Corporate partnerships, Strategic and multi year funding partnerships

• Ensure the philanthropy and partnerships strategy aligns with, and complements, the public fundraising strategy, delivering a coherent overall income approach. 

To be considered for this role, you will need to be a member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising and have significant experience leading high-value fundraising and/or partnership income streams, with evidence of delivering significant and sustainable income growth.

For further details please refer to the role profile. 

Application 

Before applying, please visit our Careers Page to view the full role profile and find out more about working for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

To apply please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to Claire Wooldridge, Head of People before 9th June 2026. Please read our privacy notice before applying. 

The charity is a responsible and flexible employer.We welcome any discussion for flexible working at the interview/offer stage where we will consider an individual’s circumstances against the needs of the charity.

We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. If we can make any reasonable adjustments to support your application, please contact us.

Role description: 

We are currently looking for a Head of Public Fundraising to join our Fundraising & Supporter Experience Team. 

Reporting to the Director of Fundraising & Supporter Experience, the postholder will lead the development and delivery of the charity’s public fundraising strategy, translating organisational ambition into sustainable, insight‑led and supporter‑focused income growth.  

Leading an established and high‑performing team, the Head of Public Fundraising will build on strong existing foundations to diversify and grow public fundraising income at scale, while strengthening long‑term relationships with supporters and communities across Yorkshire.  

The role will play a pivotal part in delivering the charity’s ambitious growth plans and supporting Yorkshire Cancer Research’s vision of a Yorkshire free from cancer. 

Specifically you will: 

• Lead and work in partnership with relevant Fundraising Managers to develop and deliver Yorkshire Cancer Research’s public fundraising strategy, aligned to the charity’s mission, values and organisational strategy.

• Provide clear strategic leadership across all public fundraising income streams, including individual giving, community fundraising, challenge and mass participation events, in‑memory giving,Gifts in Wills and legacy giving 

• Ensure the public fundraising strategy aligns with, and complements, the philanthropy and partnerships and supporter experience strategies, delivering a coherent overall income approach and exceptional supporter journeys and interactions at every touchpoint. 

To be considered for this role you will need to be a member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising and have significant experience developing, managing and evaluating a broad public fundraising portfolio (e.g. individual giving, community fundraising, mass participation/challenge events, and legacy giving). 

For further details please refer to the role profile. 

Application 

Before applying, please visit our Careers Page to view the full role profile and find out more about working for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

To apply please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to Claire Wooldridge, Head of People,  before 9th June 2026. Please read our privacy notice before applying. 

The charity is a responsible and flexible employer.We welcome any discussion for flexible working at the interview/offer stage where we will consider an individual’s circumstances against the needs of the charity.

We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. If we can make any reasonable adjustments to support your application, please contact us.

About the Charity:

‘Ending Homelessness, Restoring Lives, and Sharing God’s Love.’

Rooted in Christian compassion, our mission is to ensure that every person in Leeds has access to shelter, support, and dignity - regardless of background - through compassionate care on their journeys out of homelessness.

About Our Employees:

The twin objectives of St George’s Crypt are the relief of hardship and poverty among those living with homelessness, poverty and addiction in the city of Leeds and beyond; and the advancement of the Christian religion for public benefit. Therefore, it is key for the employees and volunteers of the Crypt to be sympathetic to the Christian faith which underpins all our work.

Job Purpose:

To drive, lead and grow our income generation strategy. This senior leadership role has responsibility for developing diverse, sustainable income streams and building strong relationships with supporters, partners, and funders.

To play a key role in shaping the organisation’s future, working closely with the deputy CEO, senior leadership team, and trustees to ensure we have the resources needed to deliver lasting impact.

To increase income from the corporate sector and raise the organisation’s profile within the business community.

Key Job Role Responsibilities and Main Tasks:

Strategy & Leadership

• Improve on and deliver the fundraising strategy aligned with organisational priorities and growth plans.
• Lead, motivate, and develop the fundraising team, fostering a high-performance and collaborative culture.
• Contribute to organisational strategy as a member of the leadership team.
• Provide regular reporting and insights to the senior leadership team and Board of Trustees.
• Following agreement of budget and discussions with departmental leads, prepare clear objectives for Fundraising.
• Have 3 121s with the team per annum followed by and annual appraisal review.

Income Generation

• Grow and manage income across a range of streams, including:
  • Trusts and foundations
  • Major donors and high-net-worth individuals
  • Corporate partnerships and sponsorships
  • Community fundraising and events
  • Individual giving and digital fundraising
• Identify and develop new funding opportunities and innovative approaches to income generation, particularly corporate donations and partnerships.
• Oversee budgets, forecasts, and income targets, ensuring financial sustainability.

Corporate Fundraising & Partnerships

• Identify, secure, and grow corporate partnerships, sponsorships, and Charity of the Year relationships.
• Build and manage a portfolio of corporate supporters, ensuring effective stewardship and retention.
• Develop tailored partnership proposals, sponsorship packages, and presentations for corporate audiences.
• Represent the organisation within the local and regional business community, including networking events.
• Drive engagement opportunities including employee fundraising, volunteering, and corporate-led initiatives.
• Oversee and grow existing corporate schemes, including the Angel Scheme.
• Monitor corporate income performance against targets and provide regular reporting.

Relationship Management

• Build and steward strong relationships with funders, donors, corporate partners, and key stakeholders.
• Act as a senior ambassador for the charity, representing the organisation externally at meetings and events.
• Work closely with communications and service teams to ensure compelling, accurate impact storytelling.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure all fundraising activity is ethical, compliant, and aligned with relevant regulations and best practice
• Manage risk across fundraising activities and ensure robust systems and processes are in place

Person Specification:

Essential requirements:

·Significant experience in a senior fundraising or targeted role, ideally within the charity or not-for-profit sector

·Proven track record of delivering and growing income across multiple streams

·Corporate fundraising experience

·Strong leadership and people-management skills

·Excellent relationship-building and communication abilities

·Strategic thinker with strong financial and analytical skills

·Commitment to the values and mission of tackling homelessness

·Must hold a full, clean driving licence

Desirable:

·Experience working with or reporting to a Board of Trustees or director level equivalent

·Knowledge of homelessness, housing, or social justice issues

·Experience of organisational growth or income diversification

·Relevant professional fundraising qualification

Please see the attached documents for full role details and information regarding the selection process

Head of Mass Fundraising.

Salary: £57,000 - £66,500 per annum depending on experience.  

Location: Remote. (Must be based in the UK.) 

Contract: Permanent, 35 hours per week. 

Benefits:    

· 29 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays, with up to 5 additional days for continuous service, and the option to buy or sell leave.  

· Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities.  

· Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages.  

· Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover.  

· Staff discounts and Blue Light Card eligibility with discounts across 15,000 national retailers.  

Why Action for Children?    

Working here is more than a job. We are passionate about protecting and supporting children, young people, and families. All our departments work together to achieve the high standards that ensure more children are safe and happy. 

A bit about the role  

In this role of Head of Mass Fundraising, you will be strategically responsible for setting and managing Action for Children’s mass-fundraising portfolio through the leadership of an ambitious, insight-led Mass Fundraising Team. You will drive significant and sustainable income growth from the public, including across Individual Giving, Legacy Giving, Consumer PR, Celebrity Partnerships, and Integrated Campaigns and Products.

How you'll help to create brighter futures  

· Lead and manage a high-performing team working across multiple disciplines.

· Develop and spearhead a multi-faceted mass-fundraising strategy, containing outstanding products and campaign moments that deliver significant sustainable income growth.

· Drive the delivery of significant income growth from individuals via Cash Appeals, Regular Giving, Campaigns and Legacy fundraising.

· Lead eye-catching, fundraising-focused Consumer PR and Celebrity activity as a key income-growth lever.

· Provide clear prioritisation, strategic direction and performance-focused leadership across the mass fundraising portfolio by setting stretch income targets, performance metrics, priorities and KPIs.

· Champion charity-wide collaboration, and influencing at senior level, to ensure mass fundraising is embedded across the organisation.

· Contribute to wider commercial planning and governance, preparing high-quality business cases, strategic plans, and performance reports for senior stakeholders.

Let's talk about you 

· Must have proven experience of leading large-scale mass fundraising programmes in a complex organisation, with accountability for strategy, performance, and delivery, and with the credibility to influence at senior leadership level.

· Must have an established history of delivering significant income from the public through large-scale, integrated fundraising campaigns.

· Must have demonstrable experience of setting strategic direction and leading teams through audience-led delivery.

· Must have considerable experience leading and developing high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams.

· Must have strong commercial and financial acumen.

· Must have excellent creative nous and vision.

· Must have experience of working cross-organisationally, using persuasive communication, judgement and influencing skills.

 Please see the Job Description for the full list of accountabilities and requirements.   

Diversity, equality, and inclusion  

At Action for Children, we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace.  

We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic, and disabled candidates, as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children.  

Want to know more about Action for Children?  

Find us on  Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube to get to know us better.  

Closing Date: Thursday 11th June 2026 at 23.59pm

Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.