Head of fundraising jobs

Who are Guts UK Charity?

Guts UK Charity is committed to a world where digestive conditions are better understood, better treated and everyone who lives with one gets the support they need. Too many people are suffering or dying in silence or alone. They don’t know where to turn for information or support, diagnosis takes too long for many, and treatment can often come too late.​

We are the only UK charity that covers the entire digestive system. We raise vital awareness of digestive conditions, fund life-saving research, and provide patients and loved ones with expert information and support – we are informed by evidence and expertise, our community, and the patient voice.​ 

Our mission is simple: to improve the lives of millions of people affected by digestive conditions 

The role of Interim Head of Fundraising

This is an exciting interim (9-12 month) opportunity for a strategic and people focused leader to head up our Fundraising team and help drive meaningful change for people affected by digestive conditions.

This role is primarily focused on strengthening and scaling voluntary income and leading our fundraising team and activities.  The postholder will also shape the future fundraising operating model and support a smooth transition to a permanent fundraising lead.

​You’ll be responsible for leading our small and growing fundraising team delivering exceptional supporter care, ensuring high quality service and operational delivery.  With our Chief Executive, you'll develop and implement strategies to support fundraising growth, team performance, and supporter engagement and satisfaction.  You'll work collaboratively across the charity. 

This is a hands-on role suited to a highly experienced fundraising lead who enjoys working with a growing and developing charity.

Hours & Salary range

We are looking for someone to work full-time, or a minimum of 4 days (or 30 hrs) per week. We will consider self-employed candidates for the role but this is subject to appropriate experience. Please stipulate clearly in your covering letter if you are applying on this basis.

Salary range is £65 - £68k (+£2k London weighting) to be calculated pro-rata for anyone looking to work reduced hours. Salary offers will be based on experience. 

Location

We have offices in London and Huddersfield, both of which are easily accessible by public transport or road. We support hybrid working but attendance in the chosen office is required for a minimum of 1 day per week.

Please see the attached detail job pack for further information and how to apply. 

PLEASE NOTE: Applications will be reviewed, and candidates invited to interview, on a rolling basis. We will close the advert once a suitable candidate has been identified. 

Summary:

The Head of Engagement & Fundraising will play a pivotal role in driving the charity's mission forward by developing and implementing innovative fundraising strategies. This position is essential for enhancing community engagement and building lasting relationships with donors, ensuring the sustainability and growth of our initiatives in North Leeds, Yorkshire. The successful candidate will lead a dedicated team, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence in fundraising efforts.

Why This Role Matters

As Head of Engagement & Fundraising, you’ll be the strategic force behind the charity’s mission — developing and delivering an ambitious engagement and income‑generation strategy that strengthens long‑term sustainability.

You’ll lead a passionate team, champion the charity’s voice across all channels, and build meaningful relationships with funders, partners, community groups and local networks.

This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior role where your ideas, leadership and creativity will directly shape impact across the region.

What You Will Do:

• Strategic fundraising growth — Create and deliver a forward‑thinking fundraising strategy that increases and diversifies annual income.
• Marketing & engagement leadership — Oversee all marketing activity across digital, social, PR, campaigns and events.
• Team development — Coach, inspire and develop a high‑performing team across marketing and fundraising.
• Funding applications — Lead and project‑manage compelling bids to trusts, foundations and grant‑making bodies.
• Stakeholder relationships — Build trusted partnerships with funders, community groups, local networks and internal teams..

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for an experienced, values‑driven professional who combines strategic thinking with the ability to deliver in practice.

You’ll be:

• An experienced fundraising and engagement manager from the UK charity, social care or community sector
• A confident, inclusive leader with a coaching mindset and proven experience of managing and developing teams
• A strong grant writer with a successful track record of securing funding from trusts, foundations and grant‑making bodies
• A digitally savvy marketer with hands‑on experience across social media, email, CRM systems and online fundraising platforms
• A natural communicator and relationship‑builder who thrives in community‑focused environments
• A creative storyteller able to craft compelling campaigns and messages that inspire action
• Someone with a proactive, can‑do attitude, excellent time‑management skills and the ability to get things done in a fast‑paced setting
• A values‑driven professional who wants their work to make a genuine and lasting difference

Why join us?

• Salary up to £55,000, depending on experience
• Early finish every Friday at 2pm
• Supportive, values‑driven and collaborative culture
• Senior leadership role with real influence and autonomy
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives

How to apply

To apply, please submit your CV along with a supporting statement outlining how your experience, skills, and values align with this role.

We actively welcome applications from people with lived experience and from under‑represented communities.

Closing date: 26 May 2026 at midday
We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Please note: no recruitment agencies or third‑party applications, thank you.

Our values

• Collaboration- Working closely with our residents, customers, locality and service users to understand and respond to their needs
• Caring- Caring for others and the environment
• Respectful- Treating people with respect
• Efficiency -Using resources effectively and efficiently

This is a rare opportunity to join a charity at the very start of its journey.

Head of Fundraising & Communications

• Salary: £60,000-£65,000
• Location: Initially from home until opening with travel for prospect meetings primarily in Wakefield and the surround. Once open, hybrid, with 3 days per week on site.
• Contract: Permanent, 37.5 hours (open to flexible working requests)
• Benefits: 33 days holiday, pension, professional development

Wakefield Youth Zone will be the newest member of OnSide's growing network of state-of-the-art youth centres, giving young people somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to when school is out. With capital funding secured and construction about to begin, the next critical phase is revenue fundraising.

This is more than a fundraising leadership role. It's an opportunity to build the fundraising and communications function from day one. Initially, you'll be the driving force behind building a community of around 34 Founder Patrons, each giving £25,000 per year for four years, creating the financial foundation for the Youth Zone's first years of operation. As opening approaches, you'll recruit and lead your own team, shaping strategy, culture, and long-term sustainability.

We're looking for someone entrepreneurial, relationship-led and comfortable working independently. You'll be supported by the national OnSide network, an exceptionally successful proven model, and a growing Yorkshire partnership with Barnsley Youth Zone.

What you'll be doing:

• Lead the Founder Patron campaign, securing multi-year major/corporate gifts
• Build and lead the fundraising and communications function
• Develop and deliver a sustainable fundraising strategy
• Personally manage key donor and corporate relationships
• Work collaboratively across the OnSide network and region
• Sit on the future Senior Leadership Team
• Oversee the Youth Zone's communications function, supported initially by a regional comms manager, and later by a dedicated local comms hire.

What we're looking for:

You will be an ambitious and relationship-driven senior fundraiser with:

• A strong track record of securing major relationships
• Experience working with corporates and/or high-net-worth individuals
• Strategic thinking alongside hands-on delivery
• Confidence in building partnerships and making the ask
• Entrepreneurial mindset and collaborative approach

This is a career-defining opportunity to build something from the ground up and create lasting impact for young people in Wakefield.

How to Apply

If you're as excited about this role as we are, please send your CV or profile to Ellen Drummond at Charity People to start the conversation. If your experience aligns with the brief, we'll be in touch with next steps on how to make your formal application.

Closing: 9am, on Friday, 15^th of May

First stage virtual interviews: 21^st & 22^nd of May

Second stage in-person interviews: W/C the 1^st of June

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.