Director of development jobs
Job Title: Community Fundraising and Engagement Executive – West Midlands
Salary: £24,160 per annum (£30,200 FTE)
Hours: 0.8FTE, 30 hours per week (flexible over 5 days – to be discussed with successful candidate). There may be occasions when evening or weekend availability is needed.
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: Hybrid – based 2/3 days per week in our Birmingham centre
Reports to: Fundraising Manager Community
THE CHARITY
Suicide is the leading cause of death of men under 35 and three quarters of those who die by suicide are men. James’ Place exists to save the lives of men in suicidal crisis through delivering clinical services. We are a charity currently offering free, life-saving therapy to suicidal men at our centres in Liverpool, London, Newcastle and Birmingham.
James’ Place was set up by Clare Milford Haven and Nick Wentworth-Stanley in 2008 after their twenty-one-year-old son, James, died by suicide ten days after a minor operation. James had no history of mental illness or depression and had sought urgent help for anxiety and suicidal thoughts but didn’t find it.
James' Place was set up to make the experience of finding help as easy as possible. We offer men who are experiencing a suicidal crisis a brief, intensive, therapeutic intervention in a safe environment. Men who walk through the door at James’ Place will be in a space where they feel valued and respected. We provide a calm and peaceful environment both inside the centres and in our outside spaces, accessible to men who visit us as well as their friends and families. We have so far treated over 5,100 men who might otherwise have been unable to access the support they desperately need.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This is a new role designed to raise and facilitate fundraising for James’ Place Birmingham and to grow community and voluntary sector relationships across the region to raise awareness of James’ Place to drive referrals to our Birmingham centre.
As part of the Fundraising team, you will take a leading role in building strong networks across Birmingham and the West Midlands, helping to establish our centre as a sustainable source of life-saving support for men in suicidal crisis.
The postholder will spend 50% of their time working collaboratively and taking responsibility for establishing fundraising activity across the West Midlands with appropriate support from centre staff and fundraising colleagues, the Head of Fundraising and Communications, Director of Fundraising and External Affairs and the Chief Executive and Trustees. They will spend 40% of their time building community-based relationships with the aim of raising awareness to drive referrals to the centre, working closely with the Head of Centre Birmingham and the Centre Manager in Birmingham to do so. It is recognised that this will vary week to week depending on the current needs of the organisations.
This opportunity is ideal for an ambitious individual eager to grow their skills and career while helping to secure the funding and relationships needed to achieve the charity’s long-term goals.
Direct Fundraising Work 50%
- Develop and grow a network of local donors (including HNWI, corporates, community fundraisers as well as Trusts and Foundations), volunteer supporters and influencers across the West Midlands with a view to increasing the fundraising reach of the organisation.
- Steward existing donors volunteers and prospects to secure long-term multi-year support.
- Support community engagement and attend fundraising events to help achieve the organisation’s fundraising ambitions.
- Identify regional funding opportunities and support with the preparation and submission of grant applications and funding proposals.
- Collaborate closely with internal teams across fundraising, communications, events, and clinical teams to maximise opportunities.
Direct Outreach Work 40%
- Support Heads of Centre to identify and engage with a range of partner organisations across Birmingham and the West Midlands, helping to raise awareness of the charity’s work.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with local statutory, voluntary, and community sector organisations, acting as a professional and approachable representative of the charity.
- Assist with partnership activity, including attending meetings, forums, and events, to share information about services and strengthen local connections.
- Help to coordinate partnership communications and ensure relevant information about the charity’s work is shared clearly and consistently with external partners.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to support joined-up approaches to partnership and engagement activity.
- Identify and feedback opportunities for partnership working that could support fundraising, community engagement, and service awareness.
Administration 10%
- Ensure all fundraising activities are delivered to a high standard ensuring compliance with fundraising regulations and best practice guidelines.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records on the CRM database.
- Work collaboratively with both clinical and non-fundraising colleagues within the Birmingham centre and across the organisation, building their confidence and capability in fundraising activities.
- Ensure all fundraising activities are delivered to a high standard, meeting regulatory and ethical requirements.
Working in the Wider Charity
- Represent James’ Place with professionalism, respect, and confidence at all times.
- Participate in review and evaluation processes to support the ongoing development, effectiveness, and sustainability of James’ Place as a respected charity.
- Undertake any additional duties as required to support the successful delivery of the organisation’s business plan.
Values
- Demonstrate commitment to the James’ Place values of Focus, Bravery, Respect, Compassion, Professionalism, Collaboration and Hope through all aspects of work
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
- Proven experience of fundraising in the charity sector, with a track record of achieving results in at least two of the following income streams: Community fundraising, Corporate partnerships, events, major gift fundraising from High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) and Trusts and Foundations.
- Strong understanding of donor motivations and what drives charitable giving across different audiences.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft persuasive messages and build rapport.
- Confidence and professionalism in engaging and maintaining relationships with stakeholders and partners.
- Excellent time management skills
- Practical, resilient, and flexible, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities.
- Innovative thinker, open to exploring new ideas and approaches to fundraising.
- Collaborative and solution-focused, able to work constructively with others to overcome challenges.
- A team player, willing to support colleagues and take on additional responsibilities when required.
- Capable of working on difficult and sensitive issues, demonstrating kindness, integrity, and emotional resilience, and seeking or offering help when needed.
Desirable
- Experience using CRM databases (e.g. Salesforce)
- Understanding of, and interest in, mental health and suicide prevention.
WE OFFER
- A 7% employer contributory pension scheme.
- Family friendly policies.
- Death in service insurance scheme.
- 25 days plus bank holidays leave entitlement (FTE), including enhanced holiday allowance with incremental rises after qualifying period.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please use the online application system to submit your CV detailing your experience, roles and responsibilities, and answer the screening questions.
If you have any queries or experience challenges with the application process, please email [email protected]
Closing date: 9am on Monday 22nd June 2026
Interviews are expected to be held online on 7th July 2026
Here at James' Place, we want you to feel comfortable in sharing your authentic selves and personal experiences, so we ask that you do not submit an application that has been formulated by AI. You may wish to use AI to support with structural aspects such as grammar and formatting, however your application must reflect your own genuine experiences, critical thinking and creativity.
James’ Place is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community. Our aim is that no job applicant, temporary worker or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender and transgender status, race and ethnicity, religion and belief (including no belief), marriage or civil partnership status or sexual orientation.
If you have a disability or health conditions which means you'd benefit from any adjustments to the interview process to help you perform at your best, please do let us know in advance.
Any job offers made are subject to the receipt of two relevant satisfactory employment references. We expect this to include one from your most recent or current employer. Any job offers made are also subject to a satisfactory DBS check and a Right to Work in the UK check.
REF-229 053
Thank you!
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.
Prostate Cancer Research exists to honour the men and families who have been through things no family should have to go through, and to work for a future where no one needs to fear a prostate cancer diagnosis.
We are always working to provide resources to help, support and empower patients. Giving them the information they need to make better choices about their treatment, while working to identify and target specific unmet needs in the prostate cancer ecosystem, such as racial inequality and bone metastasis.
Our dedicated staff team is the key to our success, expanding the amount of research that we fund five times over in four years. Over the past three years, PCR has won:
- the Change Project of the year award in 2023
- the Excellence in Healthcare Partnerships award at the Communiqué 2025 awards
- Fundraiser of the Year award at the National Fundraiser Awards 2026
- The Mark Collins Award for Most Powerful Use of Insight to Improve Supporter Experience at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Awards 2026
Marketing & Communications Manager Role
This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the voice, profile and public presence of one of the UK’s leading prostate cancer charities at a pivotal moment in its growth.
As Marketing & Communications Manager, you will lead and deliver dynamic, integrated marketing and communications activity that raises awareness, strengthens our brand, supports fundraising growth and positions Prostate Cancer Research (PCR) as a trusted and influential voice in prostate cancer research and patient advocacy.
Working across the organisation, you will bring campaigns, stories and partnerships to life through compelling content, proactive media outreach and audience-focused communications. From coordinating awareness campaigns and celebrity engagement to developing press releases, managing digital channels and responding to media opportunities, this is a varied, fast-paced role with real impact.
You will play a central role in ensuring PCR remains visible, relevant and influential, helping us reach new audiences, inspire supporters, amplify patient voices and ultimately drive change for men affected by prostate cancer.
Why join us?
This is a chance to join one of the UK’s fastest-growing charities at an exciting stage in our journey. Ambitious, innovative and purpose-driven, we are working to change the future of prostate cancer through groundbreaking research, powerful partnerships and bold awareness activity. You’ll be part of a passionate and collaborative team delivering meaningful work every day.
Key Responsibilities
Marketing & Communications
- Deliver integrated marketing and communications activity across the charity, ensuring consistency of messaging, tone of voice and brand identity.
- Manage and maintain the organisational communications calendar and messaging hierarchy.
- Support the development and delivery of high-impact campaigns, awareness activity and organisational announcements.
- Create engaging content across digital and print channels including website copy, email communications, campaign assets and supporter materials.
- Coordinate and support social media activity in collaboration with colleagues.
- Support internal communications activity to improve collaboration, awareness and information sharing across teams.
- Lead the planning and coordination of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month activity annually.
Media & PR
- Work closely with our external media agency to develop and deliver impactful media campaigns.
- Draft press releases, media statements, briefing documents and reactive comments as needed.
- Support proactive media outreach and identify opportunities to secure media coverage and raise PCR’s profile.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with journalists, media outlets and external partners.
- Monitor the news and identify opportunities for PCR to contribute expert comment and thought leadership.
- Provide out-of-hours media support, including responding to journalist enquiries where required.
Brand, storytelling & ambassadors
- Uphold and strengthen PCR’s brand identity across all communications and platforms.
- Manage and grow PCR’s ambassador, celebrity and case study programmes.
- Identify, recruit and steward compelling patient stories and supporter case studies.
- Support photography and video shoots to ensure content is impactful, inclusive and aligned with the brand.
- Work closely with ambassadors and celebrity supporters to maximise engagement, visibility and campaign impact.
Cross-organisational support
- Partner with fundraising, research, patient projects and influencing teams to deliver coordinated communications support.
- Develop marketing materials and storytelling assets to support fundraising campaigns, partnerships and events.
- Identify opportunities for greater collaboration, integration and impact cross-organisationally.
- Support the delivery of a future brand review and refresh project if required.
Skills and Competencies
Our ideal candidate would have the following:
- Experience in a marketing, communications, PR or media role, ideally within the charity, healthcare or not-for-profit sector.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to create compelling, audience-focused content.
- Experience drafting press releases, media materials and digital communications content.
- Strong understanding of media relations, storytelling and brand communications.
- Experience managing multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Experience managing social media and digital communications channels.
- Ability to build strong relationships with colleagues, journalists, ambassadors and external stakeholders.
- A proactive, creative and solutions-focused approach with the confidence to spot opportunities and act on them.
- Commitment to PCR’s mission and values.
How To Apply
Please apply by submitting your CV and a short supporting statement (maximum 750 words) outlining why you would like the role and why you think you’d be a good fit, giving examples of previous experience.
There will be a two-stage interview process. The first interview will be online, and the second will be in-person interview at our offices in central London.
For more information about the role, please contact our Claire Walsh, Director of Marketing & Engagement for an informal chat. Contact details are availabe in the full job description.
For more information about our organisation, visit the Prostate Cancer Research website, the Prostate Progress webpage, and the PCR online patient resource, The Infopool.
PCR is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of their race, gender, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.
Applications without a cover letter will not be considered
Registered Charity
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Transforming Research. Transforming lives.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
What you’ll be doing:
- Managing the organisation’s financial responsibilities, working to tight deadlines, and a varied workload across different areas of responsibility, particularly in relation to financial reporting. As well as ensuring that financial processes are accurate, up to date and compliant with statutory requirements
- Taking a proactive approach to maintaining efficient office systems and operations, ensuring that orders are processed and providing support for the general up-keep of the office equipment
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- The postholder must be able to communicate financial information clearly to a range of stakeholders with differing levels of financial understanding, both verbally and through written reports or presentations relating to the organisation’s finances and funded projects.
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If this role is of interest, please refer to the full job description and person specification for further details.
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The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.