Head of Fundraising

About the role

Guided by Nene Park Trust's Business Plan and Fundraising Strategy, the Head of Fundraising will lead and develop a comprehensive fundraising programme across all income streams. You will need to be highly competent at applying to Trusts and Foundations, including Lottery funders - our most lucrative channel for charitable income, whilst also able to drive the growth of our corporate and individual fundraising programmes which are at an exciting stage of development. 

As the senior member of the Fundraising Team, you will oversee and lead innovative fundraising campaigns, appeals and events, and build and steward lasting relationships with donors, partners and supporters at local and national levels.

You will lead and manage the Fundraising Team, setting clear objectives, supporting professional development and driving high performance aligned to the Trust's values and culture. Working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation, you will ensure fundraising activity is well-coordinated, compliant and  mpactful, helping to secure the income needed to realise the Trust's considerable ambitions.

Key areas of work:

Fundraising Strategy and Planning

• Lead the delivery of the Trust's Fundraising Strategy, devising and managing an annual work programme that covers a wide range of fundraising opportunities, maintains diverse and sustainable income streams, and builds the organisation's voluntary income capacity to meet its strategic aims and objectives.
• Initiate, manage and coordinate major project-based fundraising campaigns, events and other activities in support of the Trust's Business Plan.
• Monitor best practice among close competitors and the wider charity sector to ensure the Trust's approach to fundraising is coherent and delivering the required impact.
• Ensure that all fundraising activity is responsible, delivery-focused and compliant with relevant charity and statutory legislation, fundraising regulations and recognised codes of practice.

Trusts, Foundations and Statutory Funding

• Lead the development and submission of grant applications to charitable trusts, foundations and statutory/public bodies to support standalone projects, capital purchases and core cost recovery.
• Help develop cases for support, business cases and budgets for projects and activities, and support project leads to monitor and control work programmes and expenditure.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting to funders and other stakeholders in line with grant conditions. 
• Identify funding information sources and carry out in-depth research on funding opportunities. 

​Corporate Fundraising and Partnerships

• Build relationships through networking with local and national organisations to attract sponsorship, corporate donations and other partnership opportunities.
• Lead the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of corporate supporters and donors in collaboration with the Chief Executive, Senior Leadership Team and Trustees.
• Develop strong cases for support to present a compelling proposition to corporate partners and sponsors.

Individual and Community Fundraising

• Oversee and support the team to raise money from individuals, including community fundraising, regular giving, in memoriam giving and membership.
• Plan and coordinate the stewardship of individual supporters and develop the donor journey, including the provision of NPT membership.
• Manage a schedule of regular appeals and campaigns to supporters through a variety of communication channels.
• Utilise fundraising and marketing tools, such as online donation platforms, crowdfunding and mailshots, to encourage donations and other forms of giving. 
• Develop and implement fundraising events and supporter engagement activities within the Park and elsewhere.
• Subject to strategic priorities, develop the potential for major donor and legacy fundraising.

Supporter Relations and Data

• With support from colleagues, maintain and develop the Trust's CRM system to underpin effective individual and corporate supporter management.
• Ensure the fundraising function remains compliant with all relevant data protection laws and fundraising regulations at all times.
• Manage and oversee fundraising budgets responsibly and in line with the Trust's financial policies and procedures.
• Contribute to reporting on the Trust's fundraising performance, providing regular and accurate updates to the Chief Executive and Trustees.

Team Leadership and Management

• Provide clear, values-based leadership to the Fundraising Team, creating an environment where people can bring their best to the Trust.
• Effectively manage and support staff through regular meetings, setting and reviewing work programmes and objectives, annual performance reviews, and identifying training and professional development needs.
• Build strong working relationships with colleagues across the organisation to engage their support for fundraising initiatives.

Knowledge, skills and expierence

• Degree level qualification or equivalent experience, with evidence of recent and ongoing professional development relevant to fundraising
• Extensive experience of fundraising across multiple income streams, including writing successful applications to charitable trusts, foundations, Lottery and statutory funders 
• Demonstrable experience of building and implementing individual giving and corporate fundraising programmes 
• Track record of securing corporate partnerships, sponsorship and grants
• Experience of creating and implementing a successful fundraising strategy that has significantly increased revenues
• Experience of leading and line managing a fundraising team, motivating individuals to achieve their potential
• Experience of compiling and overseeing budgets for projects, taking into consideration funders' requirements
• Familiarity with CRM software, databases and MS Office
• Exceptional written communication skills, with the ability to write compelling, persuasive funding applications and cases for support
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills, with the ability to present confidently to donors, funders and partners
• Strong financial acumen, with the ability to work within agreed budgets and maximise return on investment
• Ability to collate and analyse data to produce informative reports for funders and internal stakeholders
• Strategic thinker with creativity and an entrepreneurial attitude towards fundraising
• Self-motivated, proactive and resilient, particularly when faced with setbacks
• A collaborative team player who inspires and supports colleagues
• Calm under pressure with the ability to deliver high-quality work to deadlines
• An appreciation of parks and countryside and the outcomes they deliver for environment, health, education and social cohesion
• Ability to attend events and other activities outside of normal working hours

Why Nene Park Trust?

As Gold accredited Investors in People, we recognise the high level of service we deliver is dependent upon our excellent staff team. That's why we're pleased to offer an extensive rewards package to recognise employees' commitment to the Trust. You can find out more about the benefits of working with us on our website.

More information and how to apply

Please visit the Nene Park Trust website to view the full recruitment pack and apply for this role. Completed application forms should be submitted by 12:00 noon on Monday 3rd August.