Major donor manager jobs

Location: Central London/Hybrid
Salary: £90,000k per annum – negotiable depending on experience.
Job Type: Full time
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
 
About In Kind Direct
 
For nearly 30 years, In Kind Direct has been at the forefront of product redistribution in the UK, ensuring that no one misses out on life’s essentials. Founded by HM The King, we partner with leading brands and retailers to channel everyday goods—hygiene items, household products, toys, clothing and more—to over 6,000 community groups. Every week, we help more than half a million people in need. Yet, poverty and exclusion remain as key challenges within the UK, and we’re on a mission to reach even more people with more products.
 
Our values
 
We work with kindness, togetherness and integrity, driving innovation.
 
The Opportunity
 
We’re seeking an energetic, commercially savvy Interim Commercial Director to join us for approximately nine months. You’ll provide strategic leadership to our Commercial Team, manage our thriving e-commerce operation (equivalent to a £30m etail business) and cultivate and deepen long-term partnerships with our FMCG and retail supporters, both new and those who have worked with us for many years. This is a unique chance to shape mutually beneficial relationships that fuel social impact across the UK.
 
Key Responsibilities: 
 
Leadership

• Lead, coach and motivate the Commercial Partnerships team to deliver outstanding results, including achieving 2025 targets and deliverables
• As a key member of IKD’s senior Leadership Team, contribute to the operational and strategic direction of the organisation, and attend regular meetings of IKD’s Board of Trustees
• Provide dynamic day-to-day leadership presence, role-modelling IKD’s values and promoting a culture of entrepreneurship and results-focus

Strategic Commercial Relations

• Accountable for IKD’s relationships with its major commercial partners, ensuring successful collaboration and delivery of mutually-agreed targets and plans.
• Work with the Heads of New Business and Partnerships to develop and implement Commercial Team plans, enabling the delivery of all commercial targets and success criteria 
• Maintain a close watch on the needs of our charitable network, and identify a pipeline of current and new donated products in response
• Lead the Head of Partnerships and Head of New Business in building account plans for current and future product donors. Develop and drive trading strategy, including delivery of partnerships with affiliate schemes 
• Ensure excellent customer service to maximise the potential for product donations, including the development of bespoke proposals, high-quality impact/progress reports and any other engagement collateral required 
• Attend networking and other events relevant to IKD, building relationships with influencers and those able to support IKD 

E-Commerce 

• Accountable for delivering revenue targets through IKD’s e-commerce platform
• Work with the Operations Director and E-Commerce & Digital Marketing Manager to oversee the customer journey, aiming to increase conversion, retention and renewal 
• Support the E-Commerce Manager to develop and deliver the workplan for all corporate sites 
• Work with leadership team to deliver data-led analysis of our performance, both on commercial performance as well as marketing and business development

Marketing 

• Support and guide the Marketing team, to ensure successful delivery of IKD’s calendar of high-impact marketing and advertising campaigns, including social media
• Oversee the internal and external use of branding guidelines – ensuring consistency in the look and feel of all collateral materials, events and campaigns – protecting IKD’s corporate identity and positioning 
• Monitor the effectiveness of all marketing initiatives and activities, providing ROI and engagement measurements 
• Lead the marketing team in developing ambitious plans to celebrate IKD’s 30th anniversary in 2026

 Skills/experience you will bring: 

• Ability to work at both a strategic and operational level, being able to see the bigger picture while also being comfortable with detail and data, and ‘getting things done’ 
• Demonstrable sales and business development experience, having held a lead role in growing commercial revenue
• Strong commercial acumen, with excellent numeracy, analytical and negotiating skills 
• A passion for social impact - a storyteller, able to sell an inspiring vision 
• Excellent ambassadorial, communication and relationship-building skills
• A very clear customer focus
• E-commerce experience 
• Ideal: (It would be great if you have this, but we are open to candidates who may not)
• E-commerce experience in a charity or e-retailer 
• Strong day-to-day marketing experience in particular planning, executing and measuring the success of campaigns 

 
Working at In Kind Direct 
 
Our team receives excellent training and development, and team benefits include an interest-free travel loan, volunteering days, 28 days holiday each year (including 3 days between Christmas and New Year, excluding public holidays) and a generous pension scheme entitlement. We are an equal opportunity employer and support our team to succeed in their roles through training, adaptations, flexibility in working, access to our Employee Assistance Platform, and a range of policies to support people in their personal, family and care responsibilities.
 
We are an accredited Great Place to Work – and have additionally been recognised as a Great Place to Work amongst small Charities and a Great Place to work for Women.
 
We seek to challenge discrimination and are committed to our values of kindness, togetherness, integrity, and innovation. We are on an organisational journey to achieving our EDI vision and welcome any questions about our progress and aspirations. We especially welcome applications from anyone with lived experience of being on a low income or working with smaller charitable organisations. We will meet all reasonable expenses and will support anyone invited to interview to be able to participate.
 
How to apply 
 
The deadline for applying for this role is Friday, June 6th. For details of how your data as an applicant will be used and stored, please read our Privacy Policy. We ask all applicants to complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring form, either through our website or our online application process.  
 
To apply, please submit your CV and a brief supporting statement (max. 500 words) through our online application portal. Applications submitted without a supporting statement may not be considered.
 
Provisional interview dates:
 
Initial screening calls (15 mins) - W/C 9th June
First interviews likely to be W/C 16th June,
Second interviews likely to be W/C 23rd June.
 
REF-221662

CAT is seeking a Director of Development to lead our transformative plans for the regeneration of our Llwyngwern Quarry home, and lead our fundraising, marketing and comms, policy and partnerships.

You will have excellent fundraising knowledge, skills and experience, as well as knowledge of marketing and comms, and the ability to network and influence key stakeholders

About CAT

The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) is an internationally renowned environmental charity, a world-leading eco centre, and one of the foremost providers of postgraduate environmental education in the UK, based near Machynlleth in Mid Wales.

CAT provides inspiration, education and training in solutions to the climate and biodiversity emergency.

Key activities include a visitor centre where groups can see solutions in action, residential short courses, vocational training and postgraduate degrees in a wide range of sustainability-related topics, with online courses and events offered alongside in-person learning.

CAT has ambitious and transformative plans to scale up what we do in response to the climate and biodiversity emergency.  It is an exciting time to join the organisation in a senior leadership role.  We have a £25 million redevelopment plan for our Llwyngwern Quarry home, known as Cynefin.  We have secured £13.5 million from the UK and Welsh Government through the Mid Wales Growth Deal and private match funding for the first phase.  The Director of Development will lead the capital fundraising campaign as well as playing a key role in the charity’s Senior Management Team and leading and managing the fundraising, marketing and communications, and Innovation Lab teams.

The postholder will bring substantial senior fundraising experience and a strong track record in effective and collaborative leadership. In addition, experience of strategic leadership in policy and communications and marketing would be an advantage.

Job details:

DoD250514

Area of Responsibility: Leadership of CAT’s fundraising, marketing, communications, policy and partnerships

Responsible to: Co-Chief Executive Officer (Co-CEO)

Responsible for: Staff employed within the fundraising, marketing and comms, and Innovation Lab teams

Contract type: Permanent

Responsibility Grade: 9 (£54,000 - £67,200)

Location: Flexible: home-working with regular visits to the CAT eco centre near Machynlleth

Hours: Full time: 37.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE).

Working Days: Usually Monday to Friday. Occasional weekend and evening working.

Salary and employee benefits:

£54,000 per annum

CAT offers a generous annual leave allowance of 25 days p.a., plus bank holidays (usually 7-8 days), plus additional allowance at Christmas (usually 3 days), plus 1 extra day for every year worked (up to 5 days).

CAT also offers an attractive package of employee benefits, including:

· a free cooked lunch and free hot drinks from the café whenever working from the CAT eco centre

· 40% discount on retail goods purchased from CAT

· Opportunities for CPD training, qualifications & professional memberships to be funded by CAT

· Opportunity to take 1 CAT short course per year free-of-charge

· the opportunity to purchase additional holiday days

· a ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme

· 5% pension contribution

· generous maternity and paternity entitlement and Death In Service benefit

· 2 hours per month for general health & wellbeing & 2 hours per month for Welsh language tuition.

Work remotely: See Location

Application deadline: 5pm 15 June 2025

Interviews to be held: week commencing 23 June 2025(on site)

Expected start date:  As soon as possible

Overview of Role

1. The Director of Development is responsible for developing and leading strategies to grow the organisations financial resources, supporter base and brand recognition. The Director of Development will lead and manage the fundraising team and have overall responsibility for ensuring the effective leadership and management of the Marketing and Comms and Innovation Lab teams in conjunction with the Co-Heads of Marketing and Comms and Innovation Lab Manager.

2. The Director of Development is responsible for developing and implementing a fundraising strategy, tactics and plans, to deliver the multi-million pound revenue funding needed for CAT to meet its strategic ambitions as well as to build up its reserves.

3. The Director of Development is responsible for developing and delivering the capital fundraising campaign to secure the Mid Wales Growth Deal funding and raise the private match to enable us to deliver on Cynefin.

4. The role involves developing and delivering strategies for increasing core and project-focused income from individual donors, charitable trusts, statutory sources and companies.

5. The post involves development of fundraising bids and pitches in support of the above.

6. The Director of Development will build and maintain strong and trusted senior level relationships with key stakeholders in government, funders, high net worth individuals, corporates and partner organisations

7. The post holder will lead on enhancing CAT’s approach to measurement of impact and ensuring effective systems are in place for monitoring and evaluation.

8. The post will be responsible for oversight of marketing and communications, including ensuring effective marketing and communications strategies are developed, implemented, monitored and evaluated

9. As a key member of CAT’s Senior Management Team, you will play a significant role in the overall leadership and management of the organisation and in particular you will make a significant contribution to the refinement and delivery of our vision, mission and values

10. The postholder will be responsible for setting and managing the budget.

Main Responsibilities

FUNDRAISING AND INCOME GENERATION

· Develop and clearly articulate the case for support for CAT that positions it for fundraising success. Determine the most effective way of positioning its case as compelling and unique.

 ·         Develop, implement and evaluate a comprehensive fundraising programme that meets the needs of the organisation. This includes setting the overall goals and objectives for fundraising, alongside the Co-CEOs and leading the delivery of strategies to achieve these goals.

·Identify, prioritise, cultivate, solicit and steward a major gifts portfolio that includes individuals and organisations, with a particular emphasis on trusts and foundations.

· Working closely with the Co-CEO, refine and lead the organisation’s strategy for securing increased support from statutory sources, including Welsh and UK Government.

· The post will be responsible for oversight of fundraising, including ensuring effective fundraising strategies are developed and implemented for increasing giving, recruitment and retention of members and supporters including legacies, as well as for trusts and corporates.

· Work closely with the Co-CEO, Head of Eco Centre and Project Director to update on progress with funding and funders requirements.

· Lead the development of funding bids and tenders, working with the Co-CEO, Head of Eco Centre, Head of School, fundraising team, trustees and other staff across the organisation.

· Build the realisation of core funds and overhead costs into all bids and tenders.

· Work with the Co-CEO and Management Accountant to ensure strong systems are in place for the financial management of projects and the realisation of projected core and overhead contributions.

·Work collaboratively with colleagues to create robust systems for prospect research, stewardship and contact management.

·Provide regular reports on progress and results with prospects in portfolio.

·In collaboration with the Co-CEO and other senior managers, establish and maintain links with the government, business and voluntary sectors with a view to attracting financial support.

·         In collaboration with the Co-CEO oversee CAT’s external networking and advocacy, in collaboration with staff across the organisation.

·         Lead on embedding the measurement of impact of the charity’s activities across the organisation.

COMMUNICATIONS

 · Working with the CoCEO and Co-Heads of Marketing and Comms, provide leadership to the organisation’s communications and marketing work.

· Working with the Marketing and Comms team, create and oversee the delivery of a marketing and communications strategy that will enhance and build upon CAT’s excellent reputation and enable the effective marketing of CAT’s services and communication of key messages.

·Advise and support the Marketing and Comms team in relation to brand-building, campaigns, supporter mobilisation, media relations and defensive PR.

Working with the Co-Heads of Marketing and Comms and team, develop and update a record of key information and clear and consistent messages about CAT’s work, goals and achievements. Oversee the implementation of key messages in CAT’s communications.​

STRATEGIC AND MOTIVATIONAL LEADERSHIP

· Provide inspirational, collaborative and effective leadership over the range of CAT's fundraising and development activities, harnessing the commitment and knowledge of the staff.

OTHER

• To undertake such other duties and responsibilities as required by the Co-CEO.

 THE PERSON:

Candidates for the role must bring substantial experience and broad expertise and contacts in fundraising, including managing and supporting a fundraising team.

You will have a proven track record of generating significant funds through trust, statutory and corporate sources and from individual giving, preferably including prior success in leading a multi-million capital campaign as well as driving increased core income.

You will need strong experience and skills in networking and developing relationships with individuals and organisations.  Experience of leading marketing and communications work would be an advantage.

Candidates should also have a wide range of business development and communications skills including entrepreneurial flair, excellent communication and inter-personal skills and strong organisational abilities.

Empathy and enthusiasm for the purpose, values and challenges of CAT are essential, together with a collaborative and determined leadership style and the gravitas and presence to inspire confidence at a variety of levels.

Applications should be forwarded to vacancy email address by the deadline stating the job title in the Subject line.

Any queries should be addressed to vacancy email address

Applications are required, CVs will not be accepted.

Please visit our website for further details

This is an exciting opportunity to steer Asylum Aid at an important time in its 30-year existence. As Executive Director you will be responsible for delivering on our strategy for impact. You will oversee our work to increase access to expert, trauma-informed legal representation to those in the asylum, trafficking and statelessness systems and lead our policy and strategic legal work to achieve systemic change that contributes towards our vision.

You will line manage the Director of Legal Casework to oversee the provision of supportive and enabling leadership to Asylum Aid caseworkers so that they can continue to deliver high quality expert advice in complex cases, while being supported in their professional development and wellbeing. You will also manage and develop the work of our welfare advice team within the Westminster Advice Services Partnership and beyond, and work collaboratively with colleagues in the sector to build capacity and increase our impact. 

The ideal candidate, who may be legally qualified, will have experience of leadership in the charity/NGO sector and a sound understanding of the asylum, human rights and trafficking processes in the UK and the legal frameworks which govern the protection of refugees, survivors of trafficking and stateless people, and of the role of law in achieving system change.

We are looking for someone who is strategically minded and passionate about providing supportive and inclusive leadership to our expert team. You will be committed to our objectives and to the role which expert legal representation plays in enabling people in need of protection in the UK to obtain it.

As is the nature of this sector, the role may be exposed to a high volume of traumatic and distressing material and, whilst they will be supported by the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO and surrounding team, the candidate should also be able to demonstrate knowledge of good self-care principles in an intense work environment and dissemination of those principles to junior members of the team.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

 

Leadership and strategy

 

·Be responsible, with the support of the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO, for the development, implementation and monitoring of Asylum Aid’s organisational strategy

·Provide leadership and strategic direction at Asylum Aid in accordance with its aims and objectives, with the support of the Director of Legal Casework

·Act as external spokesperson for Asylum Aid, maintaining and strengthening Asylum Aid’s position as a leader in the refugee rights, statelessness and legal aid sectors;

·Work collaboratively with others in the sector to promote and strengthen Asylum Aid’s work, identify and establish potential partnerships, with the support of the Director of Legal Casework;

·Work collaboratively with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO and Executive Leadership team to drive the implementation of the Group strategic framework;

·Ensure that all reporting and monitoring requirements are met to support fundraising, contract compliance and monitoring strategic impact;

·Support the cross collaboration of the Asylum Aid team with the Helen Bamber Foundation team and play an active part in the management of the Helen Bamber Foundation Group.

 

Governance  

·Act as the Data Protection Supervisor with responsibility for data protection and cyber security within Asylum Aid

·Together with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO and designated safeguarding leads, be responsible for child and adult safeguarding within Asylum Aid

·In collaboration with the Director of Legal Casework, ensure compliance by Asylum Aid with all legal and regulatory obligations, including the Legal Aid Agency contract, the Immigration Advice Authority and Solicitors Regulation Authority;

·Lead on the preparation and presentation of quarterly reports on Asylum Aid’s activities, strategy and risks to the Asylum Aid Board, the Finance and Fundraising Committee and the People and Governance Committee;

·Lead on the preparation of the Trustees’ annual report and ensure that monitoring and evaluation systems are adequate to enable reporting on Asylum Aid’s activities and impact.

 

Management and Supervision 

 

·Responsible for line management of the Director of Legal Casework and Welfare Advice service coordinator, and other team supervisors as required;

·Together with the Group Director of People, responsible for Human Resources and implementation of the People Strategy within Asylum Aid, including development and implementation of HR policies and procedures;

·Together with the Director of Legal Casework and team supervisors, drive the effective management and supervision of the Asylum Aid team and ensure that they comply with relevant professional standards and accreditation;

·Foster a supportive and inclusive team culture at Asylum Aid in which each member feels valued and supported to develop professionally and to perform to the best of their ability;

·Ensure the team’s well-being and that self-care practices are established and work in tandem with the Director of Legal Casework and supervisors to ensure trauma-informed ways of working.

 

Policy & Strategic Legal Work

 

·Together with the Group Director of Policy, identify policy priorities and coordinate the preparation of evidence and briefings drawing on Asylum Aid’s experience and expertise to influence system change;

·Build and maintain relationships and partnerships with sector colleagues to support joint strategic engagement including policy advocacy and strategic legal work;

·Work closely with the Director of Legal Casework and team supervisors to drive changes in the UK asylum, trafficking and statelessness systems through strategic legal work.

 

Finance & Fundraising

 

·Work closely with the CEO and the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Finance Team to set and manage budget(s) and general financial matters for Asylum Aid

·Together with the Director of Legal Casework and the Group Finance Team, establish systems for monitoring legal aid Work In Progress and billing, and securing casework income including legal aid, and inter partes income from judicial review cases;

·Work closely with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Fundraising and Communications Team to secure funding for Asylum Aid from a range of sources including trusts and foundations, corporate philanthropy and major donors;

·Ensure that Legal Aid and other income is maximised, and targets are achieved.

Other duties

·Manage the recruitment and supervision of volunteers where necessary in collaboration with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Volunteers Coordinator;

·Support the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Facilities team to ensure the smooth running of the office and that the facilities meet the needs of Asylum Aid;

·Work outside normal office hours as required and travel in order to carry out the responsibilities of the post.

·To undertake any task that may be requested from time to time that may be consistent with the nature and scope of this post.

Essential Experience, Skills and Knowledge

•Experience of running a small to medium sized charity/legal NGO and/or legal department within the NGO sector (or other equivalent senior management role);

•Demonstrable experience of managing and leading a successful team and the ability to manage a growing team with mixed roles from team supervisors to administrative support staff, working co-operatively with colleagues to maintain transparency and effective working relationships within the team;

•Strong communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds

•Strong understanding of good governance including legal, regulatory and financial responsibilities;

•Ability to work with a range of stakeholders from trustees to external partners;

•Experience of leading and/or participating in organisational strategic planning;

·Experience of legal policy work within the human rights field and /or of strategic litigation, whether as an NGO claimant or legal representative;

•Experience of managing diverse funding sources and setting and implementing budgets;

•Experience of working in a service delivery partnership with other organisations;

•Experience of fundraising, especially grants from trusts and foundations;

•Sound working knowledge of the law and policy as it relates to immigration,  asylum, human rights and modern slavery/trafficking;

•Demonstrable understanding of the asylum and human rights sector in the UK;

•An understanding of the barriers migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers face regarding access to legal advice, reasons why they may become destitute and why this makes it more difficult to access advice and support; and

•The passion for working empathetically and supportively with migrants, refugees, stateless people and asylum seekers.

Desirable Experience

·Experience of managing the delivery of frontline casework with people in the asylum or trafficking systems

·Experience of tendering for and delivering publicly funded contracts e.g. LAA or local authority funding;

·Working knowledge of Legal Aid Agency contracts, including the delivery of casework and billing under a legal aid contract in the immigration and asylum category and/or the public law category;

How to apply 

The first stage is to complete on our online application form on our website by 9am on 23 June 2025.

The website form will ask you to:

1.Upload a short covering letter. Please tell us why the position appeals to you, and how your relevant skills and experience, including any voluntary experience and lived experience, matches the listed responsibilities and person specification. Please also state in your covering letter when you would be available to start the role.

2.Upload your current CV

3.Complete an online Equal Opportunities monitoring form – completion of this form will help us ensure that our recruitment procedures operate in such a way as to provide genuine equality of opportunity. The questions are entirely optional, and this information will not be available to members of the selection panel.

For an informal conversation about the post before applying, please contact Alison Pickup, the current Executive Director.

Selection Process

We anticipate that we will invite candidates to an initial online interview on Wednesday 3rd July 2025, followed by shortlisted candidates attending in-person interviews at our office in Old Street on Wednesday 9 July 2025.

We regret that we can only respond to applicants who make it to the interview stage.

We offer a guaranteed initial interview for refugees, stateless people and others with lived experience of forced migration, provided that they meet at least 50% of the essential criteria.

Eligibility

Please note that the successful candidate must have the right to work in the UK (as a small charity we do not have the capacity to sponsor work visas).

Successful candidates will also be subject to a basic DBS check. If appointed, you will also be required to give your consent to the charity to receive regular updates on your criminal records status throughout your employment and to disclose any relevant convictions incurred during your time with us.

Adjustments

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. If you require a different format of the application form, such as large print or Word format, or if you would like to discuss any specific requirements, please get in touch with us.

EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Our commitment to principles of equity, diversity and inclusion is an integral part of our approach to our clients, our volunteers and our staff, and we are an equal opportunities and Living Wage employer.

We are committed to attracting and recruiting diverse candidates because we are keen to make sure that our staff, trustees, volunteers and ambassadors reflect the communities we serve and the wider community we work in.

We genuinely welcome and encourage applications from candidates from a range of backgrounds, especially people of colour, people with disabilities, people from low socio-economic backgrounds, refugees, stateless people and others with lived experience of forced migration or trauma and of the housing and welfare system, who are under-represented in our organisation.

We recognise and value the role of lived experience in meeting the needs of our clients and acknowledge the under-representation of people with lived experience of forced migration and statelessness in the advice sector. We value experience gained overseas as well as in the UK.

We are also proud to be a member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network which aims to increase representation of people with lived experience in the charitable sector.

If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network and access other information and resources which may help in preparing your job application.

Please complete the form on their website to request support and they will confirm if they can match you with a mentor to support your application.