Fundraising Officer

We're looking for someone who knows that £500 isn't just money – it's six speech therapy sessions that will transform a child's life. That £1,500 in event sponsorship? That's an adapted bike returning the joy of cycling to a child who thought they'd lost it forever.

If you're the kind of person who gets excited about quiz nights, corporate partnerships, and big events in equal measure – and you can turn that excitement into results – we want to hear from you.

THE ROLE

As our new Fundraising Officer, you'll be joining OSCAR's Charity at a pivotal time in our growth. This isn't a rigid, box-ticking role – it's an opportunity to shape your own fundraising legacy. You'll have the freedom to be creative, take ownership, and implement bold ideas whilst working within our established charitable framework. You’ll have financial targets to meet, and the backing of the whole team to help you achieve them.

Your time will be split across three closely-linked key areas:

Corporate Partnerships (35%)

• Researching and identifying potential partners
• Making initial approaches and developing warm contacts
• Supporting our Charity Manager to get partnerships over the line
• Preparing compelling materials and presentations
• Maintaining and stewarding relationships

Flagship Events (35%)

• Boosting sign-ups and participation
• Securing sponsors
• Providing event day support
• Finding creative ways to maximise income

Community Fundraising (30%)

• Building school partnerships
• Coordinating local events (such as quiz nights, bake sales, virtual events)
• Engaging with community groups
• Motivating and inspiring volunteer fundraisers

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Must-haves

• Proven fundraising experience
• Proven experience in achieving/exceeding targets in the not-for-profit or commercial sectors.

You'll be perfect for this role if you:

• Are comfortable with ambiguity and excited by the opportunity to shape your own role
• Can take ownership and work independently within the team
• Excel at building relationships and inspiring others
• Can balance multiple priorities and create your own systems
• See every pound raised for the life-changing impact it creates
• Are tech-savvy and comfortable with digital tools such as Slack, Notion, Beacon CRM, CapCut, Canva, Excel, Powerpoint and SharePoint
• Are strong at admin processes and have attention to detail

Essential Requirements:

• Based within Yorkshire
• Available to work in York 9-5 on Wednesdays (our team day)
• Valid UK driving licence and access to a vehicle
• Willing to undergo DBS check
• Happy to travel across the region for events and meetings
• Available for occasional evening and weekend work

IMPORTANT DETAILS

• Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays
• Start Date: 1st January 2026
• Working hours: Ideally 5 days per week 9-5pm but we are open to 4 days per week pro rata
• Location: York-based (with regional travel)
• Working Pattern: Wednesday in office, home-based the rest of the time

TIMES AND DATES TO BE AWARE OF

Thursday 23rd October: Applications open

Wednesday 12th November: Application deadline (5pm)

Friday 14th November: Shortlisted candidates notified

Tuesday 18th November: First round interviews (in person, York)

Wednesday 19th November: Successful second round candidates notified

Thursday 27th November: Second round interviews (in person, York)

Friday 28th November: Successful candidate notified

THE INTERVIEW PROCESS

We want to see you at your best, so we've designed our interviews to give you the chance to showcase your skills in realistic scenarios.

First-Round Interview (60 minutes):

• A conversation about your experience and motivation (20 minutes)
• Case study analysis (we will send you this the day before): review event data and suggest improvements (20 minutes)
• Written exercise: draft a compelling fundraising email or social campaign (20 minutes)

Second-Round Interview (60 minutes):

• Presentation: share a creative fundraising idea with implementation plan (prepared in advance)
• Response test: corporate partnership meeting
• Problem-solving: respond to a fundraising scenario with limited resources

WHY JOIN US?

This isn't just another fundraising job. You'll have the freedom to be creative, the support to succeed, and the satisfaction of knowing that every pound you raise changes lives. You'll work with a team who care deeply about our cause, and you'll have the autonomy to shape this role according to your strengths.

If you're ready to make a real difference and create your own fundraising legacy, we'd love to hear from you.

If you have recently been affected by a brain tumour, please consider carefully if this role would be right for you, as your welfare is the utmost priority and our work may be triggering.

OPTIONAL VIDEO APPLICATION

We want to see your personality shine through so, in addition to your CV and cover letter, we'd love you to record a short video as well (maximum 3 minutes) addressing the following and add the link to your CV:

• Who you are: Brief introduction to yourself and your fundraising background (30 seconds)
• Why OSCAR's Charity: What draws you to our organisation and this role specifically? (1 minute)
• Your fundraising approach: Share an example of a successful fundraising initiative you've led or been part of, and what made it work (1 minute)
• Your creative spark: Give us one bold fundraising idea you'd love to explore at OSCAR's Charity (30 seconds)

Tips for your video:

• Keep it natural and conversational – we want to get to know the real you
• Film somewhere quiet with good lighting
• Use your phone or laptop – no fancy equipment needed
• Upload to YouTube, Vimeo, or Google Drive and share the link with your CV
• Make sure your video is set to 'unlisted' or 'anyone with the link can view'