Job Title: Development Officer
Reports to: Senior Development Manager
Location: Contracted to Breaking Barrier’ office in London, Birmingham or Manchester, with some expectation of travel
Terms: 5 days per week (37.5 hours) but open to part-time (minimum 30 hours) and flexible working arrangements
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £28,000 - £33,500 (Depending on the location and experience)
Purpose of the Role
The fundraising team at Breaking Barriers generates income from a range of sources: trusts and foundations, statutory and lottery, corporate and major donors. We sit within the wider Income and Engagement Directorate, alongside communications and public fundraising, and work closely together to drive income and engagement from funders, partners and supporters who share our vision that every refugee can access meaningful employment and build a new life.
The Development Officer manages our portfolio of small trusts and foundations (grants up to £10,000), securing income and developing relationships from existing donors and new prospects. The role involves writing compelling funding proposals, delivering effective stewardship, and meeting all reporting requirements to a high standard.
Alongside portfolio management, the post-holder co-ordinates our fundraising events programme, ensuring both online and in-person events deepen engagement with our cause. The role also provides active support across fundraising appeals and the statutory, lottery and major donor income streams, including prospect research. The post-holder will also contribute to the operational efficiency of the fundraising team through effective administration.
This is a varied, fast-paced role that will suit someone with strong writing skills, attention to detail and a genuine commitment to our mission. It offers real scope to develop knowledge and skills across a wide range of fundraising disciplines within a supportive and ambitious team.
Key Responsibilities
1. Income generation (60%)
· Manage and develop a portfolio of trusts and foundations awarding grants of up to £10,000, delivering tailored stewardship and relationship management across both warm relationships and cold prospects.
· Plan, write and submit compelling funding applications based on a clear understanding of Breaking Barriers' programmes, funding needs and funder requirements.
· Manage all reporting requirements within your portfolio, ensuring reports are completed accurately and to deadline.
· Undertake research to identify new prospects, gathering relevant background information including funding interests, grant levels and connection points with Breaking Barriers.
· Ensure all income and pipeline activity is accurately recorded and kept up to date in Salesforce.
· Act as the philanthropy lead for the Big Give Challenge Appeal.
2. Fundraising Events and Stewardship (20%)
· Co-ordinate Breaking Barriers' fundraising events programme, working across the fundraising team and wider Income and Engagement Directorate to shape a calendar that inspires and engages funders, supporters and senior volunteers.
· Manage event logistics including venue sourcing, guest list coordination, on-the-day support and follow-up.
· Lead on the development of stewardship materials for philanthropy audiences, including impact updates, newsletters and event collateral.
3. Prospect Research and Fundraising Administration (15%)
· Carry out prospect research to support the major gifts, statutory and lottery fundraising pipelines, producing clear, well-structured briefings for senior colleagues.
· Build and maintain funder profiles, recording prospect activity, research findings and pipeline information accurately in Salesforce.
· Support colleagues in the finance team with gift administration and thanking processes.
· Contribute to the directorate's approach to data quality and CRM best practice.
4. Other Responsibilities (5%)
· Participate in cross-team projects to build a thorough understanding of Breaking Barriers' work and wider activities.
· Undertake any other duties that may reasonably be required within the scope of this role.
· Demonstrate Breaking Barriers' values of being welcoming, collaborative, mission-led and entrepreneurial.
Person Specification
Essential
· Demonstrable knowledge of and/or interest in the refugee or employment sectors.
· Experience of writing compelling funding proposals or other relevant persuasive content for different audiences.
· Understanding of the principles of trusts and foundations fundraising, whether through direct experience or study.
· Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesise information and present it clearly.
· Excellent organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
· Strong attention to detail.
· Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to take initiative and problem-solve.
· Able to build effective working relationships with colleagues at all levels.
· Confident using Microsoft Office and comfortable learning new systems.
Desirable
· Experience of trusts and foundations fundraising in the charity sector.
· Familiarity with major donor, statutory or lottery fundraising.
· Experience using Salesforce or another fundraising CRM.
· Knowledge of GDPR and data protection principles as they apply to fundraising.
Other considerations:
· Breaking Barriers is committed to protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect and for their views, wishes and beliefs to be fully taken into account when deciding action.
· We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief.
· Breaking Barriers particularly welcomes applicants with experience of seeking asylum and/or a refugee background.
As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, we are committed to offering an accessible recruitment process and guarantee an interview to all applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the role.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Breaking Barriers exists so that every refugee can access meaningful employment and build a new life.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
The Pepper Foundation is a local charity funding children’s hospice care at home, specialised play and family days for children living with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. The Community Fundraiser will be joining Pepper at an exciting time as we launch our new three-year fundraising strategy. Backed by committed investment and with full Board approval, we are delighted to be growing the charity to deliver sustainable income that directly supports local children and families with hospice care in the comfort of their own homes.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced relationship-builder to lead and grow community fundraising and challenge events activity, helping to raise vital income for The Pepper Foundation.
You will take ownership of a varied portfolio of community fundraising activity, building and developing relationships with volunteers, schools, clubs, local businesses and community groups, while also nurturing existing supporters and creating an excellent experience for everyone who engages with us. You will lead the day-to-day delivery of our community fundraising and challenge events activity, proactively identifying new opportunities, developing a strong pipeline of support and managing your portfolio to grow income and deepen engagement with The Pepper Foundation.
Hours: 30 hours per week (37.5hrs FTE) working from home - applicants must live within Hertfordshire or Buckinghamshire (or surrounding counties)
Salary: £25,600 pro-rata (£32,000 FTE)
Key Responsibilities:
Financial
• Deliver or exceed agreed income targets across community and challenge event fundraising activities.
• Manage agreed budgets for community fundraising activities and challenge events, monitoring income and expenditure and ensuring activity is delivered in line with agreed targets and plans.
• Ensure activities are delivered as cost-effectively as possible, monitoring expenditure and helping to maximise return on investment.
• Develop and refine fundraising products, activities and supporter experiences that put supporters at the centre of what we do and encourage long-term engagement.
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of community fundraising opportunities, identifying prospects, converting enquiries and building repeat support from individuals, groups and local organisations.
• Help convert one-off supporters and new enquiries into repeat fundraising relationships through strong stewardship, follow-up and tailored engagement.
Communication
• Build and develop strong long-term relationships with community groups, schools, clubs and individuals to increase awareness, support and donated income.
• Support and manage key fundraising volunteers to help deliver income and activities.
• Work with the Head of Fundraising and marketing partners to ensure community and challenge fundraising activities are promoted effectively through suitable online and offline channels.
• Confidently communicate the work of The Pepper Foundation and inspire support through a variety of channels, including informal conversations, networking, presentations, written materials, newsletters and website copy.
• Deliver a high standard of donor and supporter care to maximise fundraising potential and encourage long-term support.
• Contribute ideas and content for promotional materials within agreed budgets and timelines.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to broaden participation in community fundraising and increase supporter engagement across the region.
• Proactively identify, develop and secure new community fundraising opportunities with local schools, groups, businesses and supporters to grow income and broaden engagement.
• Ensure relevant staff and volunteers are well briefed on community fundraising activities.
• Always represent The Pepper Foundation positively and professionally.
• Communicate confidently with a wide range of supporters and stakeholders, handling queries and resolving issues in a calm and professional way.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the fundraising team to ensure community fundraising activity is aligned with the wider fundraising strategy and income goals.
Management
• Recruit, train, support and motivate fundraising volunteers to help deliver community fundraising activities and events.
• Manage relationships with external suppliers and partners, such as venues and event providers, to support successful delivery.
Planning and Organisation
• Develop and deliver activity, stewardship and campaign plans for community and challenge event fundraising within agreed priorities, budgets and income targets.
• Deliver high-quality fundraising events that raise awareness of The Pepper Foundation across Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.
• Use Donorfy, our fundraising CRM, to administer and manage fundraising activity accurately and effectively, working with the Database Volunteer as needed.
• Produce post-event evaluations and recommendations in line with agreed requirements.
• Use insight, pipeline information and performance data to review results, identify trends and recommend improvements to future activity.
• Manage the day-to-day planning and delivery of key events and campaigns, making decisions within agreed plans, budgets and fundraising procedures.
• Take responsibility for health and safety in community fundraising activities, ensuring appropriate risk assessments are completed and relevant fundraising and safety procedures are followed.
• Respond appropriately to unexpected incidents at community fundraising events, following agreed procedures and escalating where needed.
• Take an active role in setting up and clearing down events and community fundraising activities, including periods of standing and occasional unsocial hours.
• Arrange appropriate Pepper Foundation attendance at local community events when needed.
• Manage resources effectively, including volunteer support, to maximise reach, income and engagement.
Reporting
• Produce regular reports on pipeline, activity, outcomes, income performance and learning for the Head of Fundraising, highlighting opportunities, risks and recommendations.
How to apply: For further details about the role, please download our recruitment pack. Please send your CV with a cover letter explaining why you would make a great candidate for this role and how you meet the job description.
Closing date: Monday 13th July 2026 at 5pm
Interview dates: First-round interviews on 22nd and 23rd July with second-round interviews on 29th July 2026.
Interviews will take place at our office in Berkhamsted. Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements or need any adjustments for the interview.
If appointed, an enhanced DBS check will be required.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.