Head of Fundraising

Are you a strategic fundraiser who loves building something meaningful from the ground up? Would you like to use your skills to help shape the future of a place that sits at the heart of its community - spiritually, culturally and historically?

Charity People is delighted to be partnering with Derby Cathedral to recruit their first ever Head of Fundraising. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to design and deliver the fundraising strategy, playing a pivotal role in ensuring the Cathedral's long-term sustainability as it approaches its centenary year in 2027.

Salary: £40,000-£45,000 per annum
Contract: Three-year fixed term (funded by the Church Commissioners' Cathedral Sustainability Fund), with the clear ambition for the role to become self-sustaining. Full time (0.8 considered)
Location: Hybrid - Cathedral Centre, Derby and home
Benefits: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, up to 9% employer pension contribution
Culture: A warm, ambitious and values-driven team, with autonomy and trust to lead your work

About Derby Cathedral

The first church on the site of Derby Cathedral was founded in 943, with parts of the current building dating back to 1530. Today, this Grade I listed landmark remains a vibrant place of worship and a hub for the local community, welcoming people for services, music, events and moments of reflection.

Since being hallowed as a cathedral in 1927, Derby Cathedral has grown into a spiritual, cultural and community beacon for the city and county. With the 100-year anniversary on the horizon, the Cathedral has ambitious plans to strengthen its financial resilience and ensure it can continue serving future generations.

About the role

As a member of the Senior Management Team, the Head of Fundraising will lead the creation and delivery of a bold, sustainable fundraising strategy aligned with the Cathedral's Strategic Development Plan.

You will:

• Build and nurture relationships with Trusts and Foundations, existing supporters and new funding partners
• Design and deliver engaging fundraising campaigns, events and initiatives
• Work closely with the Dean to identify and cultivate relationships with high-net-worth individuals and secure major gifts
• Lead on donor communications and stewardship, ensuring supporters feel valued and connected to the Cathedral's mission

This is a highly visible role with real influence, offering the chance to leave a lasting legacy in a historic institution.

About you

Derby Cathedral is looking for a proactive, thoughtful and ambitious fundraiser who brings both strategic insight and warmth to their work.

You will bring:

• Experience of securing significant gifts, including Trusts, Foundations and/or major donors
• A strong track record of developing and delivering successful fundraising income streams
• A strategic, collaborative approach, with the ability to manage a funding pipeline and work towards ambitious goals
• A genuine passion for donor care, stewardship and relationship-building

You will also actively support the Cathedral's commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, bringing cultural awareness, openness and a willingness to engage with its increasingly diverse communities and congregations.

Why apply?

This is a unique opportunity to shape a brand-new fundraising function within one of Derby's most iconic institutions. You'll be joining a committed, welcoming team and playing a central role in securing the future of a place that means so much to so many.

If you're excited by the idea of building something purposeful, meaningful and enduring, we'd love to hear from you.

Please send a copy of your profile or CV to Ellen Drummond at Charity People as the first step.

Deadline: 9am on Thursday the 12^th of February
Interviews: One stage, in person on the 26^th or 27^th of February

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.