Head of communications jobs in london, greater london

You will be joining us at a time that holds the greatest potential for fundraising in our history, following the launch of the UK Government’s Delivery Plan for ME and initial findings of the DecodeME genetics study (co-led by Action for ME) in Summer 2025. 

Building on our charity’s already established level of support from major donors, you will provide exceptional relationship management to existing donors alongside growing our network of high value supporters.

Working closely with the CEO, alongside managing a portfolio of donors and prospects ensuring excellent stewardship, you will support our Breakthrough-ME Group (a group of high net worth and highly networked individuals). There is an established level of support from major donors at Action for ME so this is a role that will require exceptional relationship management to retain our current valued supporters while growing this crucial area of fundraising. 

This would be an ideal role for an experienced philanthropy professional seeking to work for a small but ambitious charity, helping us to achieve our mission to improve the lives of all people affected by ME – better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.

Key duties

Major Donor Fundraising

• Successfully develop and implement the philanthropy strategy to secure and maximise funds from high value individuals for Action for ME achieving annual income of £250k+

• Set plans and budgets which will deliver income through major gift fundraising and philanthropic giving through family trusts and foundations, including quarterly forecasting.

• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors at the £5k to £100k level, to develop and maintain strong and long-standing partnerships

• Work closely with the Director of Fundraising and Development and other colleagues to ensure that plans and activities for fundraising from high value individuals are integrated into the overall fundraising strategy and plan for significant growth.

• Be responsible for our Breakthrough-ME Group with high quality proposition development.  Contribution to Group fundraising activities with a specific focus on ensuring their networks support pipeline growth for future fundraising.

• Lead the delivery of our biennial fundraising gala dinner, maximising income and new opportunities from attendees.

• Develop engaging and inspiring opportunities to steward and cultivate support creating a calendar of activities including events, presentations, approaches, networking and meetings.

• Utilise the CRM database (Raisers Edge) to provide the data required to strategise your approach to philanthropy, monitor progress and provide a high-quality donor experience.

• Ensure utilisation of insight & data, producing management information data to inform planning and strategy development.

• With the Director of Fundraising & Development, create inspiring cases for support and resulting propositions with clear budgets and outcomes.

• Create adequate systems and processes to support the major donor programme.

• Undertake and manage research into prospects and major donors, preparing for approaches and presentations and briefing senior leadership and trustees for donor meetings and events.

• Develop and maintain relationships with donors, a wide range of staff and volunteers from trustee level down.

• Provide regular feedback and internal reporting to line management.

• Work with other fundraisers to ensure that all fundraising opportunities and leads are followed up – particularly in corporate, community and trust fundraising.

• Work with Trustees, the Chief Executive and members of the Leadership Team to develop relationships with major donors.

• Self-administrate including managing your own diary and meetings, keeping accurate and up to date records of activity

• Occasional travel to London, Bristol & events

Other duties

• To positively promote the work and activities of Action for M.E. at all times.

• To contribute to the team’s overall, ongoing and annual planning and budgeting.

• To undertake any other reasonable activity in line with the responsibilities of the post as requested by the Director of Fundraising and Development, Chief Executive or any other senior Action for ME management.

• Act as an advocate for the Charity and its work.

• To work in accordance with Action for ME’s values of collaboration, equity and empathy.

We are a growing, sustainable and ambitious social mobility charity. We know that young people in under-served parts of the country are missing out on opportunities which would unlock their confidence and build their skills for a successful future. 

Our long-term, transformational partnerships with business and civic society which support over 60k+ young people every year discover what they are amazing at. This role will lead our evaluation approaches, data analysis and impact insights for our new five-year strategy - Ambition 2030.

What you will be doing

The insights you bring to our programme delivery will aid our understanding of our short, medium and long-term impact for young people, and our role in careers education and social mobility. Your work will also support us to continue to build on ‘what’s working’ and improve our offer to schools, ensuring our support reaches the young people who are most at risk of missing out on opportunities to spark a successful future.

Responsiblities:

• Evaluation
• Data collection
• Data analysis
• Insight reporting
• Systems management

Read more in our job pack. 

Job details

• £35,000 salary
• Full time (37.5 hrs per week)
• Hybrid working*
• 28 days holiday + bank holidays (inclusive of Christmas closure days)
• Training budget

*Hybrid working

This is a hybrid role. You will be working from home and will join our Team Together Days in a co-working space in London a min of 1 a month, up to a max of 3 per month. These days are considered commuting days. You do not need to live in London to apply for this role, but you will need to consider what you feel is a reasonable commuting distance and to be able to attend our team days in London. You can read more about our approach to hybrid working on our website. 

We take safeguarding seriously, please note for safer recruitment purposes, all applications must clearly state continuous work history for the last 10 years, or since leaving full time education. It is ok to have employment gaps on your CV, please provide a note to explain these. Any CVs without full history (including start and finish months and years) will not be considered. 

To read the full job information pack, download the attachment. Please read this before completing your application as it contains some helpful advice of the key experiences and skills we are looking for. 

Using AI in your application 

Robots need not apply. Human skills and authenticity is incredibly important in the work we do with young people. We want to hear your voice and personality in your application. The best way to learn about our work is from our website, not AI. We receive many applications generated by AI platforms which often include incorrect information about our charity - providing incorrect or misinformation may mean we discount your application. 

Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing and welfare of children and we require everyone associated with The Talent Foundry Trust, including all trustees, employees, and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will need to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the role, including completing our Safer Recruitment process, references from past employers and Disclosure and Barring Service checks.