Director of fundraising, marketing and communications for Sense International

Director of fundraising, marketing and communications for Sense International

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About the role

We're looking for an exceptional Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications to join Sense International at a pivotal moment in our journey.

With a new organisational strategy launching in April 2027, we're embarking on an exciting period of transformation, strengthening our locally led approach and amplifying the rights and voices of people with deafblindness and complex disabilities around the world.

Reporting directly to our Chief Executive, you will provide strategic leadership across fundraising, marketing and communications, helping to build a financially sustainable future for Sense International. You will lead the development and delivery of an ambitious global fundraising strategy, with a particular focus on growing and diversifying income and funding.

Working closely with our UK and international teams, you will strengthen existing income streams, identify new opportunities and support the development of locally led fundraising capabilities across our country programmes. You'll also oversee our marketing and communications strategy, raising our profile, strengthening supporter engagement and ensuring the voices and experiences of the people we support remain at the heart of our storytelling.

This is a fantastic opportunity to play a central role in shaping our future, developing innovative fundraising approaches, diversifying income and building the partnerships needed to deliver meaningful, lasting impact.

About Sense International

Founded in 1994, Sense International is the only international non-governmental organisation dedicated to people with deafblindness.

Today, we work across eight countries – Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Nepal, Peru, Romania, Tanzania and Uganda – supporting people with deafblindness and complex disabilities to overcome barriers, exercise their rights and live fulfilling lives.

Our new strategy places locally led development at its heart, ensuring the people and communities we work alongside have a greater voice in shaping the support and opportunities available to them.

Key Responsibilities

Developing and delivering an ambitious global fundraising strategy that drives sustainable, multi-year income growth.

Growing and diversifying unrestricted income and flexible funding through high-value fundraising, corporate partnerships, events and other income streams.

Supporting international country teams to develop locally led fundraising strategies, capabilities and opportunities.

Leading and developing a high-performing UK fundraising and communications team, creating a collaborative and ambitious culture.

Building and stewarding relationships with major donors, trusts, foundations, institutional funders and corporate partners.

Working closely with the Chief Executive, trustees and Fundraising Advisory Committee to unlock new networks and strategic funding opportunities.

Leading marketing and communications activity to strengthen our global profile, increase engagement and communicate our impact.

Championing ethical, inclusive storytelling that amplifies the voices of people with deafblindness and complex disabilities.

Overseeing fundraising performance, budgets, forecasting and reporting to ensure effective delivery against strategic objectives.

Representing Sense International externally and building strong relationships across the international development sector.

About you

We are looking for an inspiring, commercially minded and values-driven fundraising leader who combines strategic vision with a proven ability to deliver results.

Experience working within the international development sector is essential for this role. You'll understand the complexities of international fundraising and development, and bring the sector knowledge needed to support our global ambitions and transition towards a more locally led approach.

You'll be an experienced senior leader who can build high-performing teams, develop compelling fundraising propositions and establish strong relationships with donors, partners and senior stakeholders.

You will bring:

Essential experience working in the international development sector, with an understanding of the opportunities and challenges of fundraising within an international context.

Proven experience leading fundraising at a senior strategic level.

Experience leading fundraising teams responsible for generating over £2 million annually across multiple income streams.

A demonstrable track record of growing and diversifying unrestricted income or flexible funding, particularly through high-value fundraising, corporate partnerships and/or events.

Experience developing and successfully delivering ambitious fundraising strategies.

The ability to develop compelling fundraising propositions and secure significant investment.

Experience working closely with boards, trustees and senior executives to develop fundraising opportunities and maximise networks.

Strong financial and performance management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, pipeline management and income reporting.

Experience building, leading and developing high-performing teams.

Experience driving effective marketing and communications strategies.

Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.

Why join Sense International?

This is more than an opportunity to lead a fundraising function. It's a chance to help shape the future of an international organisation at a particularly exciting point in its development.

You'll have the opportunity to influence our new strategy, build and diversify our funding base, strengthen our global voice and support the transition towards a more locally led approach.

Working alongside passionate colleagues in the UK and internationally, you'll play a central role in ensuring people with deafblindness and complex disabilities are included, heard and empowered to shape their own lives.

Our values

Our values shape the way we behave and work alongside disabled people with complex needs to break down barriers. 

We're creating change
We're always learning
We're better together
To apply

Please use the link below to complete your application. Managers will use your application to shortlist candidates for interview, in relation to the Personal Specification. Therefore, it is very important you complete this section thoroughly.  We would recommend that you read the job description and person specification before applying. 

Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close posts at any time.

No agency submissions please: any submissions without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own and as such no fee will be payable.

Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role.

Sense is here to break down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs. That's why we're committed to increasing the number of disabled people working across our organisation and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

We actively encourage disabled people to apply for our vacancies and believe that a diverse range of perspectives, experiences and talents makes us stronger.

We know there's always more we can do to become a truly inclusive employer, and we're working together to achieve that. Join us and help create the change thousands of disabled people with complex needs and families told us they want to see: a world without limits.

If you need us to adjust our recruitment process to help you access our vacancies, then please get in touch with a member of the talent acquisition team. We are a Disability Confident Leader and commit to interviewing disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for a role. More information on this can be found here Our commitment as an employer | Sense Careers