Major Donor Fundraiser Jobs
We are looking for two new driven fundraisers to join us in the roles of Associate Director for the School of the Humanities & Social Sciences and Associate Director for the School of Arts & Humanities.
Associate Director, Major Gifts
Reference: DH40852
Location: Cambridge, CB2 1TN/Hybrid you will be expected to be in the office for a minimum of two days a week
Salary: £45,585 - £57,696 per annum
Hours: Full Time
Contract: 1x Permanent / 1x 5 year fixed term
Both individuals will be part of dynamic, innovative and supportive teams whilst developing long-term holistic partnerships with high-level donors. You will work to secure six and seven figure gifts to underpin strategic needs such as research, academic posts and student support.
The School of the Humanities and Social Sciences includes disciplines from deep history to close engagement with contemporary social, economic, and cultural issues. The School brings a global perspective to most research questions, deepened by the presence of the University's interdisciplinary centres for Area Studies and for Development Studies.
The School of Arts and Humanities is a diverse and vibrant community of academics, students and staff with a reputation for excellence in teaching and world-class research. The School's faculties and institutes range from music, ethics and architecture to foreign languages, classics and artificial intelligence, among others. All are leading authorities in their fields who push the boundaries of our knowledge to refine how humanity thinks and sees the world.
You might already be an experienced major gifts fundraiser or perhaps you are someone with outstanding relationship management techniques and experience working in another sector who would like to transition and build your major gifts fundraising career with us.
Whatever your background, you will be collaborative, strategic and innovative in approach. Key to your success will be the knowledge of how to engage with high-net-worth people, senior level staff across Collegiate Cambridge, academics and key stakeholders, both internally and externally.
This position is an exciting opportunity to join teams that work at the cutting edge of what we do at an institution where philanthropy has a real impact. We have extraordinary aspirations and know we can make these a reality - come and be a part of our team!
This role is based in central Cambridge. We practise a hybrid working model and the successful candidate will be expected to be in the office for a minimum of two days a week.
Please be advised that the role of Associate Director for Humanities and Social Sciences is a permanent position, whereas the role of Associate Director for Arts and Humanities is offered on a fixed-term contract for five years, in the first instance.
The closing date for this position is 14th April 2024.
First round interviews for this position are anticipated to take place in the week commencing 22nd April 2024.
Second round interviews for this position are anticipated to take place in the week commencing 29th April 2024.
Please quote reference DH40852 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
No agencies please.
1. About Us
Sound and Music is the national charity for new music.
We support anyone who wants to make music and sound to shape the modern world. We enable individuals to challenge expectations and discover their potential, and act as a friendly guide for those who want to listen deeper. Our work sustains more careers, progresses creativity and achieves greater equity across music in the UK.
We are guided by our Fair Access Principles, a code of best practice which ensures our work is open and inclusive for all.
Sound and Music is supported by Arts Council England and proud to be a National Youth Music Organisation.
The creative programme for Sound and Music makes a unique and distinctive contribution to the arts in the UK. We are a National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England. NPO funding is confirmed until March 2026.
Sound and Music is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to making recruitment and employment at Sound and Music inclusive and accessible. We particularly welcome applications from backgrounds that experience racism, and/or who are disabled or neurodiverse, to whom we will offer an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role (see section 4).
2. Job Description
The Head of External Engagement is a key leadership post within the organisation. The role encompasses responsibility for the development and delivery of the organisation’s external activity, including profile, brand identity and stakeholder engagement (including the public), fundraising, and driving income generation in new areas, notably commercial partnerships. It also forms part of Sound and Music’s senior management team, who under the leadership of the Chief Executive are responsible for overseeing the organisation’s programme of activity, strategic development, external profile and a positive and productive organisational culture.
An experienced fundraiser and communicator, you will lead the external engagement team and support the delivery of its strategic and operational plans. The broad remit of the role means the successful candidate will be a strong and confident communicator who builds networks easily and prioritises exceptional stakeholder management and relationship development.
Sound and Music operates a hybrid working model with a mix of in person and remote working, so we welcome applications from anywhere in the UK. Our office is in London and the minimum requirement will be to attend one day per week.
The post holder will support Sound and Music’s commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, contributing to a culture of respect and collaboration in the organisation’s internal and external activities.
3. Key Responsibilities
Leadership and management
External leadership:
· Represent Sound and Music publicly, including through stakeholder and supporter events
· Work with the Head of Programmes to ensure Sound and Music’s advisory groups are meaningfully engaged
· Be the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead for Sound and Music
Internal leadership:
· Shared strategic responsibility and accountability for Sound and Music’s three core aims and their associated objectives, outcomes and outputs
· Shared accountability (with other senior management colleagues) for the successful delivery and implementation of the organisation’s Business Plan
· Lead the organisation’s External Engagements team. This team includes a Communications and Insights Manager and Fundraising Coordinator (both line managed by the Head of External Engagement) plus support from other Sound and Music team members
Development and fundraising
· Develop and support the Chief Executive on the overall business and development strategy for the organisation to ensure we meet fundraising targets (£200k in 2024-25) for annual programmes and major projects
· Develop an ambitious fundraising programme which builds our supporter base and individual funding streams, including individuals, major gifts and public funders
· Drive income growth by identifying and negotiating commercial partnerships and contribute to the development of an enhanced commercial mindset across the organisation
· Develop and cultivate the existing trusts and foundations pipeline
· Prepare documents and reports for key funders including Arts Council England
· Build and maintain positive and productive relationships with key funders, commercial organisations and stakeholders and cultivate existing relationships within the organisation
· Establish new income streams, for example, by maximising the intellectual property created within the organisation
· Engage the Board of Trustees and senior management team in fundraising activities and the ongoing strategy to optimise donor management and stewardship to develop a culture of fundraising across the organisation
· Maximise the opportunities provided by the new CRM system and contribute to the development of a data-led mindset across the organisation
Communications and campaigns
· Develop and lead the overall communications and reputation management strategy for varied stakeholders to ensure we increase our visibility and influence in the sector
· Support the Chief Executive to build the profile of our brand, drive the media messaging and oversee and power our content media campaigns
· Support the Chief Executive to build and maintain positive and productive relationships with government and culture and media opinion formers
Strategy and planning
· Work with the Chief Executive and other senior management team members to monitor, evaluate and review KPIs, strategies and activity so as to maximise Sound and Music’s impact. This includes reporting and presenting to the Board and externally to help build engagement and relationships in the sector and with funders
· Assess the reputational, financial, delivery and other risks associated with current and new projects and partnerships
· Empower, model, support and encourage cross-team working to realise the full income generating possibilities of projects
Finance and governance
· Contribute to creating and monitoring the overall organisation budget
· Work closely with the Chief Executive, Head of Programmes and Finance Manager to formulate financial strategy against specified budget areas, and to ensure that the programme activity is sufficiently resourced, planned and delivered to budget
· Ensure close monitoring of income and expenditure for relevant budget lines and contribute to senior management team financial planning and review
· Attend Board and Financial Subcommittee meetings to present and report impact on a quarterly basis
Special conditions of the post
· Travel within the UK, as required by the role
· A willingness to represent the organisation internationally on an occasional basis
· Evening and weekend working to attend and network at events will be required (time off in lieu is taken afterwards)
· Satisfactory completion of an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (if offered the role, and paid for by Sound and Music)
4. Candidate profile
Essential:
· A demonstrable commitment to Sound and Music’s vision, mission and values
· A track record of generating income across different channels, meeting targets, with the ability and experience to manage and develop long-term and sustained fundraising relationships (for example, with major donors and trusts and foundations)
· Leadership (a strong combination of these are essential):
· A track record of leadership, including leading or working at a senior level in an organisation during a period of growth and change
· Excellent team leadership skills, with high emotional intelligence and generosity, a genuine enthusiasm for encouraging the input and ideas of others
· Strong budgeting and financial planning skills, and the ability to work collaboratively on this
· An entrepreneurial mindset: success in leveraging income, developing new income streams and value through commercial acumen and effective strategic partnership building
· A track record in championing and addressing under-representation in culture and a deep-rooted commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
Desirable:
· Experience of increasing brand profile, developing brand awareness, and expanding audiences for a specialist product or service
· Understanding of the current political, economic, social and technological climate, including the context for culture and public funding and an active engagement with technological developments in creativity
· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills: able to engage confidently with different audiences and areas of the sector both publicly and on a 1:1 basis
· Excellent understanding of digital communications and infrastructure and how it can build reach and engagement, including using data to drive decision making
5. How to apply
If you are interested in working with us, please apply by completing the application form.
Sound and Music is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to making recruitment and employment at Sound and Music inclusive and accessible. We particularly welcome applications from backgrounds that experience racism, and/or who are disabled or neurodiverse, to whom we will offer an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.
If you feel you have just some of the required skills and experience but meet the person specification, we would still encourage you to apply; we are very open to continuing the training and development of individuals who are self-motivated to acquire new skills and knowledge relevant to the role.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Join our team as a Communications Officer and be at the heart of sharing inspiring stories from our incredible fundraisers. This role is pivotal in communicating the remarkable efforts of MND Association fundraisers, donors, partners, and supporters, and the impact they have on our work.
Within this role you will inform, inspire, and engage diverse audiences through compelling communications that showcase the profound impact of our community's dedication.
Collaboration is key! You will build strong partnerships across our Fundraising team, ensuring seamless information flow for targeted communications and identify innovative opportunities to spotlight our fundraisers across various media platforms.
You will equip our spokespeople within the Fundraising team with the tools and training needed to champion our cause in the media. From major fundraising events like the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon and London Marathon, to partner and/or VIP gatherings, you'll provide end-to-end communications support including the creation and delivery of comms plans, utilising multiple channels.
And that's not all. You'll liaise with the press and media, cultivating relationships to amplify our fundraising stories both reactively and proactively.
Utilising your creativity, you will produce engaging written content for a variety of audiences and make use of audio and video platforms to share our messages further.
Plus, you'll collaborate closely with our Marketing team to identify and maximise opportunities to promote our core messages and plans around our fundraising activities at relevant Association-led and partner events.
Hybrid Working Expectations: No minimum requirement for weekly office attendance. However, flexibility to attend in-person meetings is essential.
(Flexibility to attend the office more regularly on occasion may be required to meet business needs.)
What are we looking for?
A creative and innovative individual with experience of working in communications, public relations, or media.
You will need excellent communication skills and the confidence to interact and influence at all levels both internally and externally.
You will need to work effectively while managing conflicting priorities. Experience of developing relationships and working collaboratively is essential.
For full role responsibilities please view the job description located within the Recruitment Pack.
Our Benefits
- 28 days holiday, rising to 33 days after 5 years' service, plus Bank Holidays
- Access to UK Healthcare which includes reimbursement for dental appointments, eyecare, Health & Wellbeing screening and therapies
- Access to a 24/7 phone and video GP Service
- Life assurance
- Confidential counselling helplines
- Salary sacrifice schemes to include:
- Cycle to work
- Buy and sell annual leave
- BenefitHub which offers lifestyle discounts and offers on everyday shopping
- Enhanced pension scheme
- Opportunities for training and personal development
- Hybrid working
How to apply
Please submit a CV and supporting statement. Your supporting statement should be no longer than one side of A4 and demonstrate how you meet the following areas of the role.
- Experience of working in communications, public relations, or media.
- Excellent communication skills (including your experience of writing copy/ producing content).
- Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills.
Where experience is asked for, please give one example showing what you did and what it achieved. Where we require evidence of ability, please explain either how you would approach that particular competence or give an example to support your suitability.
Alternative Applications
To provide an inclusive application process for all our opportunities, we are open to receiving alternative applications from candidates who may find it difficult to complete our online form. For example, if you would like to apply via video or audio format, please email your recorded application, ensuring you cover the supporting statement aspect.
About Us
Our vision is a world free from MND. Our mission is to improve care and support for people with MND, their families and carers. We fund and promote research that leads to new understanding and treatments and brings us closer to a cure for MND. The Association also campaigns and raises awareness so the needs of people with MND, and everyone who cares for them, are recognised, and addressed by wider society.
We are committed to equality and value diversity. We are working hard to remove perceived and actual barriers to participation for people with and affected by MND, current and future staff, volunteers, and stakeholders.
We guarantee interviews for disabled applicants that meet the requirements of the role as part of our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme. Reasonable adjustments can be made as required.
Important Information
Adverts may be closed before the deadline once sufficient applications are received. To avoid disappointment, please apply early.
We request that recruitment agencies do not contact us in relation to this role.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.