Head of individual giving jobs for the Disability sector

Fundraising Manager — £35,000–£40,000 | Hybrid / Somerset / Bristol | Permanent | 35 hrs (flexible)

Thrive has been at the heart of Somerset's communities for 100 years. Village agents supporting isolated older people. Diverse communities programmes. Fuel poverty campaigns. Real, local, human work — delivered across every corner of the county.

This centenary year, Thrive is building its next chapter. A new chief executive has reset the strategic direction. Community energy is building. And the organisation has made a clear decision: it wants a sustainable fundraising base that isn't dependent on statutory contracts alone.

This role is the cornerstone of that ambition.

This isn't a maintenance hire. It's a builder's role.

The Fundraising Manager will lead across community fundraising, individual giving and trusts and foundations — with community and individual giving as the primary focus. The tools are in place. The mission is compelling. The stories are extraordinary. Thrive already has the reach, the relationships and the centenary momentum. What's missing is the right person to build the pipeline and turn that momentum into lasting income.

The target: 2,000 active supporters by year end, with a clear pathway to converting them into regular givers over time.

What you'll be doing:

• Building a structured community fundraising programme — creating frameworks that enable supporters, staff and volunteers to fundraise on Thrive's behalf
• Growing the individual giving base from a low starting point — developing supporter journeys, regular giving and stewardship
• Managing a grants pipeline and writing compelling applications to trusts and foundations
• Leading digital acquisition campaigns in partnership with the marketing team
• Line managing the Fundraising Administrator and helping them develop grant-writing skills over time
• Helping build a fundraising culture across the organisation where frontline staff feel part of the story

What we're looking for:

• A track record in community fundraising, individual giving or events fundraising
• Some experience of trusts and foundations — this doesn't need to be your primary specialism
• Strong written skills — the ability to translate real human stories into compelling fundraising copy
• A self-starter who works well with autonomy in a small team
• Genuine connection to Thrive's mission and the communities it serves
• Based in Somerset or within easy reach of Taunton — primarily home-based with approximately one day per week in the office

What Thrive offers:

• £35,000–£40,000 FTE
• Genuine flexibility — hybrid working that actually reflects how the organisation operates
• A values-led culture where kindness, compassion and psychological safety aren't just policies
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Real scope for career progression — if the fundraising function delivers, the trajectory in salary, responsibility and seniority is genuine

This role will suit you if:

You want to be a Head of Fundraising one day. You're frustrated by being siloed. You want breadth, autonomy and the chance to build something that matters — in a place where the mission is real and the communities are real.

This role is being recruited exclusively through Raise + Recruit, an independent not-for-profit executive search adviser. All enquiries are handled in complete confidence.

For a confidential conversation, contact John Austin — no obligation, no lengthy application process at this stage.

This is an opportunity to play a leading role in shaping the future of Resources for Autism.

Since 1997, we have supported autistic people and their families through services that are safe, empowering and neuro-affirming. As demand for our work continues to grow, we are looking for an ambitious and strategic Head of Income Generation & Business Development to help us build a stronger, more diverse and sustainable future.

Reporting to the CEO and joining our Senior Leadership Team, you will lead the development of a progressive income generation strategy that expands new partnerships, income streams and opportunities for growth — ensuring we can continue delivering life-changing support to autistic people across London and the West Midlands. 

We are looking for someone who combines commercial awareness with creativity, relationship-building and a genuine commitment to social impact.

LOCATION: London (or Birmingham with regular travel to London)

SALARY: £50,000 - £56,000 depending on experience

HOURS: Full time

The Role

You will design and deliver a new income generation strategy that unlocks growth across:

· Corporate partnerships

· Major donors and philanthropy

· Community, individual and digital giving

· Earned and paid‑for services

· Grants, trusts and public sector funding (as part of a balanced mix)

· Recurring /regular donations from committed individuals

You will take an “intrapreneurial” approach — spotting opportunity, building new propositions, testing ideas and learning quickly — while embedding a culture where income generation is seen as a shared organisational priority, not the responsibility of one team.

Essential Experience & Track Record

• A demonstrable track record of generating income and/or building sustainable revenue streams, across more than one income source.
• Evidence of developing and delivering an income or growth strategy, particularly in contexts requiring diversification or change.
• Experience of driving new opportunities — such as partnerships, products, services or supporter propositions — rather than only maintaining existing income.
• Proven success in building and stewarding senior relationships, including corporates, funders, donors, commissioners or strategic partners.
• Experience working at a senior level within an organisation, with exposure to executive decision‑making and governance (e.g. Board or Trustee engagement).

Essential Skills

· Demonstrable evidence of success and business growth

· Experience and success in one or more of the following:

• Corporate partnerships or sponsorship

• Major donor / philanthropy programmes

• Earned or paid for services/ sales

• Community or digital fundraising

· Experience developing and delivering successful strategies.

· Evidence of successful relationship-building skills with funders, donors, corporate partners or others.

· Experience managing or mentoring staff or volunteers.

· Strategic thinker with the ability to work collaboratively across teams and with senior stakeholders.

· Good market research and data analysis skills that have influenced decisions

· Experience contributing to or leading at organisational growth.

· Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

· Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) adaptable to different populations including: colleagues, external professionals, service users, families, volunteers, donors

Desirable Skills

· Understanding of and commitment to adhering to fundraising policies, ethical standards, and relevant regulatory frameworks (e.g. Fundraising Regulator Code of Practice, GDPR).

· Experience in minor/major donor fundraising and/or corporate partnerships.

· Familiarity with the autism or disability sector.

Staff Benefits 

90% of our staff say that Resources for Autism is “a great place to work”. 

Not only will the work you do ensure we are making vital differences and inspiring others, but our other benefits also include: 

· 25 days of leave (pro rata for part time roles) each year plus 8 bank holidays and an additional 3 Celebration days that could be used between Christmas and new year, but may be used for other religious days or significant days such as your birthday 

· access to ongoing training and progress in the areas that interest you 

· access to our wellbeing initiatives and an Employee Assistance Programme 

Application Process

Read more about us and the role on our website

To apply, you will need to complete our application form in full, including your full employment and education history. Any gaps in employment should be clearly explained within your application.

Please note that CVs may be included as supporting documents but will not be accepted in place of a completed application form.

As part of your application, we ask that you provide a personal statement outlining how your experience, skills and approach meet the requirements of the role and person specification.

About the role

This role leads our income generation and communications function, playing a central part in securing the charity’s long-term sustainability and growth.

You will be responsible for developing and delivering our fundraising and communications strategies, ensuring we generate the income needed to sustain and expand our work. A key focus will be building a diverse and resilient funding model, balancing multiple income streams while strengthening engagement with our supporters and stakeholders.

This is both a strategic and hands-on role. It is also a broad brief, and you won’t be expected to be an expert in everything. Instead, we are looking for someone with the knowledge, confidence and strategic approach to play to their strengths and those of their team, while drawing on additional expertise and capacity where needed.

The role includes leadership of our communications and media activity, ensuring our messaging is clear, compelling and aligned with our brand across all audiences, including supporters, partners and the wider public.

You will lead and support a team of staff and volunteers, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment, with the capacity to grow and evolve in line with our ambitions.

As a senior leader, you will contribute to the wider strategic direction of the organisation, helping to identify new opportunities for innovation and impact.

This role would suit an experienced income generation or fundraising leader who is looking to broaden their impact across communications, or someone seeking an opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future direction of a values-driven organisation.

Closing date: midnight Sunday 14th June 2026.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a first interview with OpenSight week beginning 22nd June and, if successful, a potential second interview week beginning 29th June.