Senior corporate fundraising executive jobs

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) is a membership organisation and the voice of the profession, with over 4,750 members in the UK and overseas. Our role is to champion the specialty, set standards of training and practice, and influence change to make a difference to the lives of patients with eye conditions.

Job Purpose  

The Director of Finance and Operations plays an important role within the College, providing strategic leadership, oversight and development of a portfolio of corporate support functions. This includes finance, membership, HR, IT and facilities. 

This role has responsibility for a team of 8 members of staff and also forms a key part of our Senior Leadership Team, taking corporate responsibility for the overall direction and operational management of the College. 

Main responsibilities 

1. To lead the strategic and operational management of our finance function 

• Provide strategic leadership and quality assurance for the annual budgeting and forecasting process, delivered by the Financial Controller and finance team 

• Review and challenge monthly management accounts, forecasts and financial performance reports prepared by the Financial Controller, working closely with budget holders

• Present financial reports and analysis to the Finance Committee and Board of Trustees to underpin informed discussion and decision-making

• Oversee, develop and maintain effective finance systems to reflect best practice and to help ensure timely and accurate figures  

• Provide assurance to the Chief Executive and Trustees that appropriate systems and controls are in place to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements 

• Provide executive oversight of the annual audit and statutory reporting process led by the Financial Controller, including the production of the annual report, working closely with auditors and ensuring that any management control points are implemented promptly 

• Lead trustee engagement on investment strategy and monitor investment performance 

• Support the operation of the College’s trading subsidiary 

• Co-ordinate the College’s use of restricted funds, ensuring compliance with contractual terms.

2. To foster individual and organisational development

• Monitor and develop our organisational culture, championing our values at every opportunity 

• Empower staff and teams to actively inform the direction of the College and our activities 

• Oversee the delivery of our equity, diversity and inclusion strategy, evaluating progress against key metrics 

• Support the implementation and delivery of our new strategy from 2027.

3. To oversee other areas of our corporate support function 

• Oversee our membership strategy to support sustained growth, identifying new opportunities to develop our offer to UK and international members 

• Lead on operational and contractual efficiencies and service improvement programmes including IT and facilities management, ensuring the smooth running of the organisation, raising productivity, and delivering value for money 

• Oversee all aspects of our HR function, including learning and development, in line with our values and behaviours framework, and new organisational strategy from 2027. 

• Oversee the robust management of risk, data protection, and health & safety compliance. 

4. To lead the department

• Lead and support the team, including through the identification and delivery of professional development opportunities 

• Establish individual and team objectives linked to our strategic priorities, monitoring and holding colleagues to account for delivery 

• Share key updates with the team on a regular basis and champion the department’s work internally 

• Ensure rigorous financial management and long-term forecasting to ensure departmental and College-wide sustainability 

• Support and provide strategic insight to committees, including the Board of Trustees and Finance Committee 

• Establish appropriate structures and processes to drive forward key projects, including collaborative working across the College and evaluating success against identified metrics. 

5. To be an active member of our Senior Leadership Team (SLT)

• Provide leadership and support across the organisation, ensuring consistency of operation, high standards of service and driving a one-team approach 

• Agree organisation-wide policies and procedures and ensure their correct implementation 

• Assume corporate responsibility for trustee and senior leadership decisions 

• Role model our organisational values and behaviours at every opportunity

To undertake other duties as required:  

• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Chief Executive

• Some travel may be required, including attendance at our annual congress. Working outside normal hours may also be needed from time to time on key projects 

Person specification 

Knowledge, Qualifications and Experience 

• A CCAB-qualified accountant, with at least five years of experience in a senior leadership role 

• Detailed knowledge of charity financial management, budget preparation and reporting, risk, GDPR and health and safety 

• Experience of leading successful growth, such as through the delivery of a membership or fundraising strategy, alongside high levels of organisational productivity and efficiency 

• Experience of delivering against challenging performance targets, and of managing others to do so 

• Experience of HR, IT and Facilities management 

Skills and Abilities 

• Ambitious, dynamic, values-driven leader with established leadership skills and emotional intelligence 

• Successful track record of achieving results in a leadership role 

• Strategic thinker with excellent attention to detail and a willingness to adopt a hands-on approach when required 

• Ability to present and write clear reports for non-financial managers, trustees and committee members 

• Highly developed influencing, persuading & communication skills 

• Sound understanding of systems management, including accountancy software and CRM 

• Ability to innovate, recognise challenges, analyse problems and apply effective solutions 

Personal Qualities (Attributes) 

• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and understanding of how this applies to own area of work 

• Commitment to own continuing professional development 

Got business development skills?  Honed in, or applicable to, the charity sector?  Take a look at our new Business Development Manager post!

This new role will lead the development and delivery of sustainable business services for WLCVS and its member organisations, supporting organisational resilience, income diversification, and collaborative partnerships. The post-holder will play a key role in formalising new partnerships, securing new funding and contract opportunities, and promoting innovation across the sector.

The Business Development Manager in conjunction with the Operations Manager together form the CVS’s Senior Management Team. They will ensure the charity operates in compliance with all regulatory requirements while maximising impact for beneficiaries and communities.

We are seeking an Assistant Director – Digital and Innovation to play a central role in shaping how Villiers Park delivers and develops its programmes at a pivotal point in the implementation of our 2025-30 strategy. This role represents an exciting opportunity to lead on the development of our digital education offer and innovation work, ensuring it enhances both the reach and depth of our programmes for young people across the UK.

Villiers Park is a national social mobility charity with a strong track record of delivering impactful programmes that support young people from under-represented backgrounds to fulfil their potential. As we continue to grow, digital provision and innovation are increasingly important in enabling us to reach more students, and to do so in engaging and inclusive ways.

Digital learning and programme innovation will be critical to the next phase in our strategy, building on the foundations we have already established, including the development of our learning platform and programme model. Alongside this, Leadership Challenge continues to expand as a key national outreach and social action programme, and this role will be instrumental in ensuring its quality and impact.

Our work is possible because of a brilliant team of staff, trustees and volunteers and committed funders and partners who believe in what we do and want to make the greatest possible difference. The Assistant Director – Digital and Innovation will work closely with colleagues across programmes, partnerships, communications and fundraising, as well as external partners, to ensure our digital and programme offer is coherent, forward-thinking and aligned with our mission.

This is a unique opportunity to combine strategic leadership with practical delivery, helping to translate ambition into impact for the young people we serve.

Sarah Chick

Head of Programmes 

Job purpose

The Assistant Director - Digital and Innovation leads the development, implementation and ongoing improvement of Villiers Park’s digital education provision. This includes the design and delivery of online learning experiences, the development of digital and physical resources for use across programmes, and ensuring that digital delivery is accessible, safeguarded and aligned with the organisation’s mission.

The role also provides strategic and operational leadership for Leadership Challenge, Villiers Park’s national student outreach and social action programme. This includes programme design, partner engagement, monitoring and evaluation, and ensuring the programme is effectively resourced and financially sustainable.

Working closely with the Head of Programmes, Senior Leadership Team (SLT), Communications and Fundraising teams, and external partners, the postholder supports the development of digital innovation, programme resourcing and Leadership Challenge activity to enhance reach, impact and quality. 

Key responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership for the development, implementation and continuous improvement of Villiers Park’s digital education provision, ensuring alignment with our Theory of Change, priorities and values
• Lead the design and evolution of high-quality digital learning experiences, content and pathways for students, schools, parents/carers and volunteers
• Oversee the adoption and integration of digital platforms and tools, ensuring accessibility, safeguarding, GDPR compliance and scalability
• Drive innovation in digital delivery by monitoring sector trends and embedding relevant approaches to enhance reach and impact
• Ensure digital provision complements and strengthens face-to-face delivery across programmes, working closely with the Head of Programmes and Assistant Directors
• Provide strategic oversight of the use of AI within programmes, ensuring its application enhances learning experiences while maintaining safeguarding and ethical standards
• Provide strategic oversight of the development and ongoing review of physical resources, ensuring consistency, quality and alignment across programmes
• Ensure all resources are inclusive, engaging, curriculum-aligned and reflect organisational standards and brand expectations
• Maintain a coherent approach to resource development, ensuring materials support programme delivery and learning outcomes effectively
• Lead the strategic and operational development of the Leadership Challenge programme, ensuring it is high-quality, sustainable and aligned with organisational priorities
• In collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team, develop and strengthen partnerships with charities, corporates and universities to support programme growth and delivery
• Oversee the development of an appropriate recognition or award framework for participants
• Establish and oversee robust quality assurance and evaluation processes for digital and physical content and delivery
• As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contribute to strategic planning, budgeting and risk management, and provide quarterly updates to the Board of Trustees.
• Work collaboratively with Fundraising and Communications teams to support income generation, bid development and programme promotion

This list is not exhaustive, and the post-holder will be required to undertake other tasks relevant to the role and within their capability.

Skills and experience:

• Significant leadership experience in education, youth or social mobility sectors
• Knowledge of school and college curricula and the needs of learners aged 13–19
• Proven experience in designing and/or delivering digital learning
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, digital accessibility standards and inclusive design
• Experience developing high‑quality educational resources (digital and physical)
• Ability to lead programmes, manage projects and deliver to deadlines
• Ability to build relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders to further organisational aims and fundraising objectives

Personal attributes:

• A genuine commitment to and care for social mobility and young people’s futures
• Organised and proactive, effectively, prioritising workload and delivering outcomes independently
• Strategic and forward-thinking, with an ability to see the bigger picture
• Collaborative and able to work effectively with colleagues, partners and stakeholders across different functions
• Willingness to learn and develop your own practice and experience

Additional Information:

• The postholder will be required to travel regularly to schools, events and partner organisations
• An enhanced DBS check will be required
• The postholder will hold responsibility to be one of the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads
• The postholder will require a full UK driving licence
• Evening work and overnight stays may be required
• Hybrid – location local to our Cambridge office or near to one of our Regional Hubs

Employee Benefits

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rated) and additional leave over Christmas.
• A dedicated wellbeing day for you to take at any time and three days (pro-rated) paid leave for volunteering or study each year.
• Training and professional development, including termly staff development days.
• Support from our wellbeing working group and access to an employee assistance programme.
• Opportunity to join working groups with other colleagues from across the organisation as well as wider networks such as the Fair Education Alliance.
• Flexibility in working hours.
• Additional sick pay and compassionate leave policies. 

Safeguarding

Villiers Park Educational Trust is committed to safeguarding and to providing a safe and supportive environment, which secures the well-being and best outcomes for the young people with whom we work.

Safeguarding is embedded in all aspects of Villiers Park's work and integral to the commitment we make to our schools, partners and the young people and communities we serve and work with. All employees and volunteers are expected to share this commitment by adhering to our organisational safeguarding procedures, attending regular in-house training and keeping up to date with developments in policies and legislation.

All employees and volunteers will also agree to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services check and successfully complete our mandatory online training courses including NSPCC Safeguarding in Schools and PREVENT training.

Warwickshire & Solihull Community and Voluntary Action

is recruiting

Area Programme and Development Manager (Solihull)

£44,088 per annum pro rata

30 hours per week

Permanent subject to funding

Hybrid/Office (The Core, Solihull) with regular travel

across Solihull and occasionally Warwickshire and Birmingham

About CAVA

CAVA provides infrastructure support to the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector across Warwickshire and Solihull. CAVA also works heavily in partnership with its respective organisations in both Birmingham and Coventry, collaborating across the landscape to reduce inequality. CAVA operates as a Volunteer Centre and delivers projects that support social and community action through the voices and engagement of local people.

CAVA has offices based in Leamington Spa, Nuneaton, Rugby, Stratford-Upon-Avon and a dedicated office space within a shared Community Hub in Solihull.

Area Programme and Development Manager

Area Programme and Development Manager will work as part of the Management Team and are key ambassadors for the organisation and the wider VCFSE. They provide leadership and accountability for the work of CAVA, overseeing and growing our position and portfolio of work as the VCFSE Infrastructure organisation for both Solihull and Warwickshire. The manager also occasionally works in partnership with the Board of Trustees on matters related to strategy and governance.

The Opportunity

The Area Programme and Development Manager will provide management and leadership of CAVA’s Solihull portfolio, which is at an evolving and exciting phase of integration across the Borough.

The Area Programme and Development Manager has a key role in leading and shaping CAVA’s presence in Solihull, working strategically alongside the Board and Management Team, to lead the organisation into its next era of growth and delivery.

The Area Programme and Development Manager has a key role and responsibility representing voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise groups and organisations, providing a strong and confident voice on behalf of the sector as we work alongside partners from the Public, NHS and the wider Integrated Care System (ICS).

The remit provides the successful candidate the opportunity to make a significant impact to reduce inequality within communities by supporting the VCFSE sector and working in a dynamic and collaborative environment, especially through prevention, early intervention and community engagement.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (please see Job Description for full details)

- Leadership and Management of the Solihull programme portfolio (including public sector contract) and CAVA Strategy

- Line Management of a small, focussed team

- Strategy, Planning and Control in line with need, compliance, business planning, lead areas

- Financial Management including setting and managing budgets and risk in line with sustainability and financial controls/compliance

- External Representation and Partnership Working across the landscape, provide the voice of the sector and working in collaboration, alongside public VCFSE, private, public and statutory sector partners

- Income Generation and Growth through the writing of tender and funding applications, evaluation and funding returns/reports and including other fundraising strategies

- Office Management environment within your area in line with regulatory policies, procedures and delivery need

- Corporate Support and Team Participation in wider, CAVA activity and events

What We're Looking For:

We are seeking a dynamic and self-motivated individual with evidence of:

- strong programme leadership and management experience and skills

- a strong and analytical eye for detail supporting contract management in line with KPI’s and budgets

- ideally, a background of working in the VCFSE sector

- confident, objective and effective voice and communication skills at all levels

- collaborative skills working as part of a supportive Senior Management Team

- a commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and reducing inequality

- a ‘can do’ approach to work and objective thinker and problem solver

- skills and experience of writing tenders and funding applications

 Values

All employees are expected to demonstrate CAVA’s values by working positively as part of a team, delivering high quality services where all are supported and encouraged and to promote an ethos which values and encourages equality and diversity within the organisation and is respected through the VCFSE.

To apply for this role, you are required to hold a driving licence and have use of a car for work purposes. Flexibility to undertake occasional work out of contracted hours is essential for this role.

Competitive salary and benefits package including enrolment with an employee assistance programme of support.

If you think you fit the brief for this exciting role, please view the job opportunity on our website and submit your CV, accompanied by a covering letter which outlines why you would like this job and what you could contribute, focusing on the criteria detailed in the job description and person specification Letters should be no more than 3 sides and if typed, no smaller than size 11 font.

Closing Date: Monday 29th June 2026 at 10am

Interviews: Monday 13th July 2026

No agencies please

WCAVA is an equal opportunities employer

‘Putting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion into Practice’