Head Of Fundraising and Communications

About Penumbra Mental Health

Penumbra Mental Health is a pioneering charity providing dedicated services for people with mild to serious and enduring mental ill health. 

The charity supports people on their journey to better mental health, by working with each person to find their own way forward. The power of people’s lived experience enables Penumbra to deliver pioneering services which transform lives.

From being there for people in crisis to suicide prevention, supported living to self-harm management and peer support. Penumbra is with those they support every step of their journey to a better place. People's experiences are at the centre of everything that it does.   It also pro-actively champions peer workers; they know that recovery is possible, because they’ve been there too.

The value of Penumbra's approach is a deep understanding that  everyone’s journey is different, so it works with people to identify, believe in, and reach their goals, whatever they may be. 

This is a newly created role which is part of a recharged Business Development Directorate aimed at developing a range of potential income streams and building a sustainable income model, reducing the dependency on statutory income. 

Background information

The Director of Business Development is primarily focussed on growing commercial opportunities and engaging at a strategic partnership and corporate level. The Head of Fundraising and Communications will boost the capacity and leadership of the team to develop voluntary fundraising, lead on smaller corporate partnerships, develop grants and trusts income, create and deliver headline grabbing campaigns that appeal to the wider public thereby developing an individual giving function and lead on organisational communications, including fundraising comms. You will be supported by a Communications Assistant who has a good knowledge of the charity and Fundraising Assistant. The latter post is currently vacant and, it is hoped,  the Head of Fundraising will be involved in the recruitment. There is a strong pipeline of innovative projects which will create compelling cases for support with which to fundraise. The assets are in place, it just takes an exceptional fundraiser to capitalise on opportunities. 

Job description 

Education

• A relevant professional qualification at SCQF Level 9 or above or equivalent knowledge acquired by other means.

Experience

• Experience in both fundraising (multiple and sustainable income streams) and communications(fundraising and organisation-wide), with evidence of developing strategy and delivery as well as management and leadership of these areas.

• Proven success in securing  income through a range of income channels including grants and trusts, partnerships, running campaigns, and raising profile.

• Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on activity delivery.

• A track record of planning and delivering successful multiple and sustainable initiatives at a local and national level.

• Excellent writing, storytelling, and communication skills across multiple channels.

• Experience of working with and supporting senior leaders (e.g. comms, media engagement).

• Strong organisational skills, able to juggle multiple projects with limited resources.

• Line management experience and ability to support junior staff in development.

• Experience  of developing and executing a comprehensive communications strategy managing both internal communications and external engagement, ensuring a unified voice across all platforms. This includes ensuring the Communications strategy supports Penumbra’s strategic goals, including service promotion, policy influence, fundraising, and brand awareness.

• Experience of managing projects from inception to completion.

• Sourcing and sharing powerful stories from service users, staff, and volunteers, using personal experiences to demonstrate the impact of Penumbra’s work and humanise mental health issues.

• Acting as Penumbra’s lead for media relations, securing press coverage and responding to media enquiries in a timely, professional manner. This includes developing relationships with key journalists, mental health advocates, and influencers to increase Penumbra’s profile. Leading on the creation and delivery of public-facing campaigns to raise awareness of mental health challenges and reduce stigma, including high-profile events like Mental Health Awareness Week.

Knowledge

• Understanding of the voluntary sector, fundraising regulatory frameworks, communications and policy context and partnership agendas.

• Oversee content creation across digital platforms, press releases, speeches, and internal communications.

• Develop and oversee brand guidelines, ensuring all internal and external materials are on-brand and adhere to the highest standards of quality.

• Distribute press releases, statements, and opinion pieces that showcase Penumbra’s expertise and impact on mental health in Scotland.

• Design and implement multi-channel fundraising campaigns targeting major donors, corporate sponsors, foundations, and community partners.

• Knowledge of fundraising regulations, data protection and financial compliance.

How to apply

Closing date: Closing date is midnight, Wednesday 15th October 2025

Application: Please submit a CV and covering letter (each no more than two pages) in Word format.

Interviews: Interviews will take place in Edinburgh on Thursday 30th October 2025. Please keep this date free unless I inform you that you are not progressing to interview. 

Queries: If you would like to ask me anything about this role which is not expressed within this candidate pack, please e-mail me and we can arrange a mutually convenient time to talk. I'd be delighted to speak to you.