We are looking to recruit a Head of Development and Partnerships to join our team based at either our London or Midlands site. You will join us on a full-time, permanent basis. In return, you will receive a salary of £55,000 - £65,000 per annum dependent on experience and location.
The Royal Air Force Museum is a national museum, a Government non-departmental public body (NDPB) and a registered charity, with two sister sites at London and Midlands. Our purpose is to share the RAF story, past, present and future - using the stories of its people and our collections in order to engage, inform and inspire. Our Vision is to inspire everyone with the RAF story – the people who shape it and its place in our lives. We have two public sites (London and Midlands) and a stored collection (Stafford). Our trading company and active fundraising supplement Grant in Aid which comes through the Ministry of Defence.
Purpose of the Head of Development and Partnerships role:
The Royal Air Force Museum is seeking an experienced and ambitious Head of Development and Partnerships to lead and grow our fundraising activity at a pivotal time for the organisation. As a national museum and registered charity, we rely on successful fundraising to support our day-to-day operations as well as major capital and development programmes that enable us to share the RAF story with current and future generations.
Reporting to the Director of Finance and Resources and working closely with the CEO, you will develop and deliver an ambitious fundraising strategy covering both revenue and capital income. You will lead a skilled Development team and personally cultivate and secure significant gifts. A key part of the role is building strong relationships with Trustees, senior colleagues and external partners, including leading the Museum’s partnership with the RAF Museum American Foundation.
Key responsibilities of our Head of Development and Partnerships include:
- Leading fundraising for the RAF Museum - developing and delivering an ambitious fundraising strategy, and championing fundraising as a discipline within the Museum
- Working closely with Trustees, Directors and colleagues to identify and develop cases for support around capital and revenue needs
- Identifying and cultivating new prospective donor markets in the UK and overseas – showing a willingness to travel internationally as appropriate
- Developing and delivering identified stand-alone fundraising campaigns in support of agreed capital and activity programmes
- Working closely with the CEO, lead the Museum’s partnership with the RAF Museum 3 American Foundation (RAFMAF), support the Chair to manage Board meetings and direct the effective planning and delivery of the annual dinner in Washington DC and other events as appropriate
- Overseeing and co-ordinating Museum partnerships, representing the Museum with external non-commercial stakeholders, in particular the RAF. Liaise closely with the Head of Events to deconflict visits and bookings, working together for the best reputational and financial outcomes for the Museum
What we are looking for in our Head of Development and Partnerships:
- Educated to first degree level or equivalent experience
- Demonstrable experience in developing and delivering fundraising strategies and plans, personally securing five to six figure support
- Is able to inspire team to engage with the long-term vision and purpose of the Museum
- Delegates decision making to the right level within team
- Pushes themselves and team to achieve, setting a clear plan and objectives and ensuring they/their team stay focussed
- Demonstrates positivity in relation to change and encourages team to embrace change
- Ensures own team’s strategy and activities are aligned to the Museum’s priorities and clearly articulates these to team
- Experience of securing National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) Funding
Closing Date: 18th January 2026
Interviews will take place on: 29th and 30th January 2025
If you think you have what it takes and want to be part of this exciting journey, please visit the jobs page on our website for further information. Join us in delivering our purpose and achieving our vision, ensuring that the Royal Air Force's story continues to enrich and inspire current and future generations. We would love to hear from you!
Please note there are two positions available: 1 Permanent and 1 Fixed Term Contract (12 Months)
Location: Office Based - London (Southwark) (due to the nature of this role, it cannot be offered on a home-working or hybrid basis)
Job Profile
Are you interested in an opportunity in the charity sector? Would you like to develop an understanding of internal processes and liaise with multiple teams in the organisation? Are you someone who likes to work with money, data and people?
The post holder will contribute to ensuring the Supporter Donations Team (SDT) manage and administer supporter donation activity on behalf of CAFOD, providing a high level of supporter care while delivering within agreed service levels and Key Performance Indicators. SDT has the overall responsibility for managing and thanking all supporter donations to CAFOD made through a variety of channels and schemes. SDT works within the Finance and infrastructure group, liaises across all teams in CAFOD, and external service providers to ensure donations are processed within agreed service levels and quality standards. Due to the nature of SDT’s role, SDT has particularly close ties to CAFOD Fundraising activities and actively engages in our fundraising programmes and schemes.
Key Responsibilities
Supporter Care:
- Handle telephone, email and postal enquiries from supporters; identifying and resolving queries in a prompt, warm and sensitive way.
- Provide phone cover to the Supporter Care team as required.
- Provide reception cover to the Supporter Care team as required.
Donations:
- Accurately code donations received, ensuring agreed departmental procedures are followed.
- Process, set up and administer instructions and payments through a variety of donations channels and schemes such as Online, Direct Debit, standing orders, BACs, Payroll giving schemes and online giving platforms.
- Input and maintain data on CAFOD’s supporter database, ensuring high degrees of accuracy on our donor records.
- File and archive financial data, while adhering to strict audit controls.
Gift Aid:
- Understand Gift Aid and its application within CAFOD.
- Assist with all aspects of tax effective giving, in accordance with agreed procedures and priorities, including preparation of regular tax claims for submission to HMRC.
Thanking:
- Produce and dispatch letters to thank and acknowledge donations received.
- Write bespoke letters of thanks to supporters to respond to exceptional donations and provide a personal touch.
- Contribute to ongoing enhancement and improvement of supporter thanking
Post/banking:
- Assist with all incoming and outgoing postal duties held by SDT to maximise effectiveness of processes and delivery of key service levels.
- Preparation of daily banking, cash handling and initial reconciliation of all monies received daily.
All SDT staff are expected to:
- Attend and contribute to regular team, section, divisional and CAFOD-wide meetings and briefings.
- Work as a supportive member of the team, providing cover for and training of the section staff and volunteers as required.
- Participate in training and other activities as requested by the line manager
- Assist with the rapid set up of projects and work packages in response to major emergency and disaster appeals.
- Rotate through all key tasks within the team / section.
This list of duties and responsibilities is by no means exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake other relevant and appropriate duties as required. This job description is subject to regular review and appropriate modification.
Safeguarding
All CAFOD staff share responsibility to promote and maintain a strong safeguarding culture, including identifying the key actions they should take given their role and responsibilities.
Job Specific Competencies
- Displays a methodical approach to administrative tasks to meet processing deadlines, whilst maintaining an excellent standard of attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to communicate professionally with supporters, from individual givers to religious communities.
- Displays excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to build strong collaborative relationships with colleagues.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience with CRM software/ database
Please click here for a full list of CAFOD’s Staff Benefits
Come and join us and help make a real difference in the lives of the world’s poorest communities.
CAFOD is an equal opportunities employer. Recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
CAFOD is the official Catholic aid agency for England and Wales tackling poverty and injustice across the world.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.