Major Donor Executive Jobs
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.
About Us
Tearfund is a Christ-centred INGO, founded over fifty years ago. We have a big vision: to see all people freed from poverty, living transformed lives and reaching their God-given potential.
Our income last year was over £85m making us one of the UK’s largest humanitarian and development INGOs.
Our Approach
We have a highly distinctive and strategic approach; we do everything with and through the church. It is the church that is local, relational and long-term – present before, during and after a crisis hits. It is the church that was called by God to build his Kingdom. So it is the church that can truly bring community transformation.
And in these volatile times, with shifting patterns in funding, and in the very challenging contexts in which we work, we see a moment of great opportunity for the church.
Our role is to help the church identify and realise this opportunity. We have set ourselves the goal of enabling 250,000 churches in the countries we operate to become the transformation centres for their communities that they are called to be. The Fundraising and Engagement team will make this possible by growing our global community of people who want to enter into a whole-life response to poverty with help from Tearfund.
Tearfund’s vision and ambitious strategy has seen us embark on a process of transformation, of focusing and simplifying our structures, operating model and messaging.
Role and Person Overview
We are seeking a creative and bold Christ-centred leader who can take this work forward, building on this season of change, to guide and inspire the 150-strong fundraising and engagement team. You will bring a deep knowledge and expertise in fundraising, marketing and communications allied to the spiritual maturity that ensures prayer and reliance on God are always at the heart of how we work. And you will have an empowering approach to leadership that will enable agility, creativity and impact in all we do.
If this vision inspires you, if this description of what we are seeking resonates, then please consider applying. We look forward to hearing from you and mutually discerning whether you are called to serve in this key leadership role.
For more details including how to apply please see the job pack. Closing date 16th April.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Every 6 minutes someone learns that they are losing their sight. Every five hours, a baby is born with sight problems. In these moments, two profound questions emerge:
• Can this be stopped?
• How do I (or my child) live this life?
The merger of Fight for Sight and Vision Foundation on 1st April 2023 will enable us to address both questions. By combining our strengths and expertise we’ll be the only significant national funder with the efficiency, capability, and capacity to increase investment in medical research and social improvement. Together we can mitigate both the prevalence and impact of sight loss.
We have a clear ambition, led by our CEO, Keith Valentine, who has valuable lived experience of sight loss. We’ve secured well-respected and highly engaged ambassadors and patrons, such as Sir John Major and Marsha De Cordova MP. We also benefit from world renowned researchers on our Research Grants Assessment Panel.
We are now looking for experienced, committed, and creative individuals to join our dynamic team as we devise and launch new five-year organisational and research strategies. You’ll have a chance to contribute to the delivery of these strategies and lead on plans for disseminating them.
Sarah Kidner, Head of Communications and External Affairs
JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
As Research Communications Lead, you will use your knowledge of the medical research field and science communication experience and expertise to create a suite of research impact communications and stories.
In addition, you will build the base for the charity to confidently talk and communicate the difference that our funded research makes to the lives of people affected by sight loss. These stories should substantiate our position as leaders in funding ground-breaking and world-class research and be used in any instance where we need to demonstrate our research impact, from fundraising materials to our brand marketing.
Working with teams across the organisation, you will act as an advisor, keeping teams up to date on the cutting-edge research we’re funding and what it could mean for people affected by sight loss conditions as well as building relationships with the research community and our partners.
Responsible to
Head of Communications and External Affairs with dotted line reporting to the Acting Head of Research. The role sits between the Marketing and Communications and Scientific Research teams and works closely with the Fundraising Directorate.
Direct reports
None
Working hours and contract
This is a 6 month fixed-term contract, 21 hours (3 days) a week.
Salary
£35,000 - £40,000 (pro-rated to £21,000 - £24,000) dependent on experience
Location
Aldgate E1 and hybrid working. Minimum two days in the office and external meetings and events as required
Start date: As soon as possible
Role Responsibilities:
Strategic Research Communications
· Support the Head of Communications and External Affairs and Research Grants team, to develop and deliver a Communications Strategy that amplifies our reach and demonstrates our impact
· Work with the communications and fundraising teams to plan, prioritise and schedule research content
· You will liaise with external research partners and colleagues, to ensure relevant information is available for use when communicating with prospects and donors.
· You will develop an in-depth understanding of the research portfolio, working with the Scientific Research Grants team, funded researchers and our funding partners.
· Communicate the vision and mission of the charity's new brand strategy to the research community with a focus on impact
Content creation
· Produce high quality content, including case studies, e-newsletters, web and other copy focused on the charity's funded research. This could include writing plain language summaries of the research we fund, describing recently published research and working with researchers to create video content to help our audience understand more about their work and to demonstrate the impact of our funding.
· Where appropriate respond to media stories that resonate with the charities vision, mission and values specifically relating to research
· Promote the impact of our funding on the career progression of academics, clinicians, and clinician scientists working in eye health
Cross-team and collaborative working
· Build a strong and collaborative relationship with the research team to support cross functional working including identifying stories that demonstrate the impact of our funding
· Build relationships with funded researchers and future funded researchers to engage them in communicating our impact
· Build relationships with the scientific communications community specifically trade and scientific press to inform them of our impact
· Promote grant funding opportunities to the scientific community encouraging quality applications from researchers across multiple disciplines
· Liaise with researchers as the key point of contact for fundraising and communications activities including PR and media opportunities, conferences and events (including webinars)
Representing the charity
· Provide authoritative and clear expert briefings to researchers and clinician researchers for media opportunities
· Support colleagues who are representing the charity at national and international conferences and events. Represent the charity at national and international events, including presenting the impact of our work.
· Be an effective ambassador for the charity at any activity you attend
· Leading the updating and development of content for the research pages of the website, ensuring that complex topics are communicated in an accessible and interesting format for people affected by eye conditions and other stakeholders.
· Develop and maintain a network of positive relationships with national, regional and academic/trade media contacts.
Person specification:
Skills, knowledge & experience
Essential
· A scientific or biomedical degree or equivalent in a science-based subject
· Demonstrable experience or passion for scientific research
· Excellent written and oral communication skills
· Ability to communication complex information simply and with passion and to flex tone of voice for the appropriate audience and tone of voice in keeping with our emerging brand identity and values and who can communicate how research contributes to vision and mission
· Excellent interpersonal and networking skills and stakeholder management
· The ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team (including grants, research, communications, fundraising and others)
· Evidence of a diplomatic and confident approach to handling stakeholders through negotiation, conflict resolution and presentation capabilities
· Good IT skills with proficiency in MS Office applications
· Demonstrable experience of working in communications, media communications or public affairs
· Meeting deadlines in a busy environment
· Producing high quality content for publications, website and social media
· A flair for finding a good angle, producing sharp headlines and for transforming information into a potential news story
· Proven ability to write tight, coherent well-argued and fluent editorial copy to an excellent standard
Desirable
· Experience of working in the charity sector or within a medical research charity
· Post graduate qualification in a relevant science discipline or equivalent qualification
· A degree or qualification with a science communication component and/or experience working in science journalism
· A clear understanding of a range of research methodologies, including basic biomedical research, clinical trials and qualitative research
Personal qualities:
· An understanding of and commitment to the sight loss community
· Good relationship management skills with the ability to build, grow and maintain rapport with internal and external stakeholders
· Strong design skills to create engaging, accessible content that helps to support engage and inspire a range of audiences across a range of mediums
· A self-starter, proactive with a constructive and collaborative approach
· The ability to make the complicated seem simple; you will enjoy sharing your skills, and developing others
· Highly motivated and able to juggle a varied workload
· Personable, with excellent listening skills and high emotional intelligence, with the ability to think creatively
· An intelligent and proactive approach to problem-solving
· Excellent accuracy and attention to detail
Flexibility
·The role description is a general outline of duties and responsibilities and may be amended as the newly merged charity develops and the role grows. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties as may be reasonably required from time to time.
When writing job applications, we want to see if candidates are the right fit for our charity, so they should be written using your own words. Use of Artificial Intelligence, such as Chat GPT, is considered plagiarism, and applications drafted with the assistance of AI will be automatically rejected.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.