We love celebrating our successes and building our supporter base, and we already do it really well. However, there’s always room for improvement. Our ideal candidate will be a powerful storyteller and collector of data, energised by the prospect of making an impact on the lives of children and young people. You may already be an experienced fundraiser or someone with transferable skills that’s ready to pivot. Either way you’ll be our lead Trusts and Foundations contact; researching prospects, crafting appeals, managing relationships and reporting activity. You won’t do it alone, there’s a strong Head Office team, led by our Founder/Artistic Director and Chief Executive, plus a really cracking set of assets. You’ll also inherit a great funding pipeline, strong contacts book, and an exciting plan for our 2026 30th anniversary celebrations. We already raise more than £200,000 from Trusts and Foundations each year; we believe there’s scope to secure more. So if you like a challenge, love music and live for detail, this could be the role for you.
Persuasive Advocacy
Design and deliver a successful income generation plan and targets that enables the delivery of our ambitious strategic direction, with the CEO, Artistic Director and National and Regional Choir Producers.
Ensure our overall Case for Support remains compelling and up-to-date. In particular liaise with Producers on evaluation waves and with the Marcomms function to develop creative new storytelling approaches that will bring the impact we make to life.
Lead the application process for Trusts and Foundations and some statutory and corporate organisations, working closely with colleagues across the organisation to collate all necessary information, and compile final applications with detailed budgets and supporting material.
Provide timely receipts, invitations and reports to funding partners, in order to maintain productive and positive relationships with administration staff and Trustees.
Continuously monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of fundraising activities, aiming to deliver maximum impact and maximum efficiency.
Recommend and drive targeted additional cultivation activity, from the development of standalone investment materials (digital and hard copy) to receptions and events.
Represent NYCOS at internal and external networking opportunities, developing existing and identifying new institutional relationships.
Research and qualify further development opportunities in response to planned activity including artistic and creative learning programmes.
Work closely with colleagues to ensure that grants are spent in line with funding agreements.
Carry out any other duties as deemed appropriate by the Chief Executive .
Precise administration
Maintain accurate records of all grants and donations including the appropriate destination and Gift Aid Declarations using the organisation’s Customer Relationship Management system (CRM).
Manage budgets, prepare financial data and monitor incoming grant payments with the Finance Team.
Ensure the maintenance of up-to-date records, with the ability to generate and analyse data, and ensuring all data adheres to applicable legislation and guidance, including GDPR.
Produce reports for and make presentations to the Board of Trustees as appropriate
Skills & Experience
Essential
Exceptional writing and communication skills, with an ability to convey detailed information in a concise and compelling way.
Ability to work proactively and constructively with senior and junior colleagues to develop high-quality proposals and creative campaigns.
Experience in establishing and stewarding productive relationships with funders and/or other external stakeholders.
Exceptional attention to detail and organisational skills.
Ability to prioritise and meet regular deadlines whilst working under pressure.
Experience of budget development and management.
Desirable:
Track record of designing and implementing fundraising strategies with Trusts and Foundations (or other donor sources) to achieve sustainable revenue
Proven ability to manage, cultivate and grow a list of active and significant donors.
Track record of designing and implementing sustainable strategies to achieve successful revenue fundraising activities.
Experience of managing innovative fundraising campaigns (for example, via events or digital media).
Knowledge of relevant charity and tax laws.
Understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods and best channels to target audiences .
Experience working with young people and/or in the arts sector
Competencies
Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of people with our work
Exceptional influencing, negotiation and diplomacy skills
Ability to think and operate strategically and provide flexible solutions
Able to deliver to demanding deadlines and with a hands-on approach
Excellent IT skills including use of CRM
Ability to self-motivate, work as part of a small team, and support colleagues, even under pressure
Confident, resilient and resourceful, with the capacity to negotiate through personal influence
A commitment to excellence and professionalism
Appreciation of and support for the aims, values and ethos of NYCOS
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Join an amazing charity that makes a difference for the more than 110,000 adults and children in the UK with a muscle-wasting condition. This is a role where you can really make a difference.
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented groups including people from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with lived experience of conditions we represent. We believe that diversity strengthens our work and helps us better support our beneficiaries.
As part of our safer recruitment and safeguarding responsibilities, this role requires a DBS check and professional/character references. We are committed to inclusion and will consider each application fairly.
About you:
This is a terrific opportunity to play a fundamental role as Research Communications Manager at Muscular Dystrophy UK’s in developing and shaping our research communications ensuring the timely and proactive communication of our research impact.
- You will have a strong ability for explaining research and science to a lay audience.
- You will also proactively identify communication opportunities and ideas for engaging content to promote and publicise our research projects.
- You will work closely with teams across the organisation providing them with information about our research activity to support their work.
- You will manage the charity’s research information service, our Research Line.
- You will work with the Director of Research and Innovation and Director of Marketing and Communications to lead the development of our research communications plan.
Your Cover Letter Guidance
When submitting your application, please ensure your cover letter provides clear evidence of the following:
• Experience of communicating scientific and clinical information to a range of target audiences
• Proven experience in communicating complex research topics to a lay audience
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to build effective relationships internally and externally
•Proactive and able to identify communication opportunities and ideas for content in a range of formats
• Excellent copywriting, editing and proof-reading skills with ability to write copy for a range of audiences
Your cover letter should demonstrate how your background aligns with these criteria, using specific examples where possible.
About us:
Muscular Dystrophy UK is a charity that connects a community of more than 110,000 people living with one of over 60 muscle wasting conditions, and all the people around them. So everyone can get the healthcare, support and treatments needed to feel good, mentally and physically.
This is an exciting time to join Muscular Dystrophy UK. We recently launched our new 10 year strategy to transform the lives of people living with muscle wasting conditions. Our vision is clear, a world without limits for people with muscle wasting conditions, and we won’t stop until we achieve it.
Values and behaviours:
- A positive attitude and approach that reflect the charity’s values.
- Seek opportunities to contribute to the development of the charity.
- A commitment to and an understanding of disability issues, equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Always demonstrate role model behaviour.
Benefits:
We appreciate the range of skills and experience our staff have to offer. In return for your enthusiasm and commitment we commit to actively developing and supporting you. We believe in supporting our people both professionally and personally.
Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to promote wellbeing, work–life balance, and career development. Our offerrange of benefits includes great pension contributions, life insurance, cycle scheme, health cash plan, employee assistance programme, instant retail and events discounts, and much more...
Location: We operate a hybrid model (home and office, London SE1).
Closing date: Sunday, 11th January 2026
NB Interviews likely to be held on Wednesday, 21st January 2026
Please download the job description to see full role responsibilities
Registered Charity
51 - 100
We connect a community of more than 110,000 people living with one of over 60 muscle wasting and weakening conditions and people around them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.