Population Matters – Director of Fundraising and Engagement
Location: Home-based with occasional travel (and a regular presence in the office).
Salary: £70k per annum, reviewed annually.
Contract: Permanent, full-time hours.
Population Matters, the organisation shining a light on the impact our growing population is having on us and nature, is seeking a Director of Fundraising and Engagement to lead and inspire a passionate team towards achieving a global funding model that is diverse, sustainable and pioneering by 2030.
Population Matters is a small yet ambitious global organisation with a vision of a world in which our human population lives fairly and sustainability with nature and each other. With Sir David Attenborough as a patron, the charity works to campaign, inform, undertake research and do all they can to encourage an open fair-minded and constructive debate about population to achieve a better future for people and the planet. They aim to create a wave of public awareness and corresponding policy action on a growing population and unsustainable consumption.
This is an exciting time to join the organisation with a revised vision, mission and values, in conjunction with a new global strategy for 2025-2030 launched earlier in the year.
The role of Director of Fundraising and Engagement will play a pivotal part in bringing the organisation’s five new strategic goals to life through targeted fundraising work made possible through strong relationship management, influential fundraising and engagement activity and effective partnership building with key stakeholders and donors. Using a test and learn approach, you will develop a diverse range of donors, allies and influencers who care about the planet and who will support and amplify the charity’s work. The role will also be responsible for exploring global funding opportunities around the creation of new regional hubs and ensuring that Population Matters’ fundraising is supported by clear, compelling, positive, targeted communications.
The role will also sit on the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), working collaboratively with the CEO and other Directors to ensure the organisation delivers impact across its strategic goals.
The successful candidate will have a strong track record in successfully developing and implementing fundraising strategies or plans, including leading a high performing team, as well as experience of securing funding from international sources or experience working in an international/global context. You will also have demonstratable success in developing and/or delivering an individual giving or legacy programme as well as a philanthropy or grant-seeking function.
You will have strong relationship building skills with major donors and individual supporters, able to align their giving needs with Population Matters’ work. Excellent communication skills will be combined with a resilient and optimistic approach and the ability to work independently with professional drive. Finally you will be passionate about the vision and mission of Population Matters.
Please download our Candidate Pack for further information [PDF], which includes details on how to apply.
Closing date: Monday 7th July, 9.00 am.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
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First Steps ED are looking for a passionate and strategic Head of Fundraising and Communications to join our team and help make a difference in the lives of those we support. First Steps ED provide person-centred support to our service users for a range of disordered eating and eating disorder presentations.
The Head of Fundraising and Communications will lead on the development and implementation of strategies to diversify and grow our income streams, strengthen our brand, and increase engagement with key audiences. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the postholder will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships across trusts and foundations, corporate partners, individual donors, and community supporters. This role will also oversee all aspects of external communications and marketing, ensuring a consistent and compelling voice for the organisation across digital, print, media, and stakeholder channels.
The Head of Fundraising and Communications will provide line management and strategic direction to the fundraising and communications team, with accountability for delivering income targets and enhancing the charity’s profile and impact.
Role Overview:
This position requires a strategic leader who will be a proactive engagement lead and support the charities overall strategy and mission. You will have a proven background of successful fundraising activities, diversifying engagement and income and cultivating key relationships through communication strategies.
Key Responsibilities:
This is an opportunity to develop and shape the fundraising and communications strategy for a growing charity, in an are that is getting more and more attention. The role will require an agile mind to adapt to the ever changing environment, and in return the charity leadership promises flexibility and understanding, as we test learn and adapt these strategies.
Some of the area you are expected to work on are the following, and the rest can be defined by you:
- Budgets and Targets: You are directly responsible for the budgets, and income targets attached to Fundraising and Communications.
- Engagement and Income Diversification: Develop and implement strategies to diversify income streams, including legacy giving, corporate partnerships, individual donations, and major donors.
- Marketing and Communications Strategy: Create and implement strategies to reach a wider audience through innovative marketing and communications channels.
- NHS and Private Sector Opportunities: Identify and pursue new business opportunities within the NHS and private sector.
- Relationship Management: Manage key relationships with donors, partners, and stakeholders.
- Team Leadership: Manage and support Fundraising, Marketing and Communications officers, ensuring alignment with fundraising goals and charity objectives overall.
- Lead our flagship campaigns: This year we are developing an online campaign, currently called Scroll Safe, to tackle the issues with online safety, we are included in the parliamentary act, and we wish this to be a multi-year campaign. It is in development for 2025, and you are expected to hit the ground running. Other campaigns include Eating Disorder Awareness Week, and Christmas.
- Digital Agency and PR Management: Oversee the work of digital agencies and PR consultant to enhance online presence and engagement with public relations and media outreach.
- Ambassadors and Patrons Management: Engage and manage relationships with ambassadors and patrons to leverage their support and influence.
- Web Development Leadership: Lead the development and maintenance of the charity's website to ensure it effectively supports fundraising and communication efforts as well as providing clear and concise support to our service users, carers and professionals.
- Manage our portfolio of events: We have an emerging trend in challenge events, and we manage these carefully and mindfully especially long-distance sporting events. This requires key insights in trends and work with our marketing team on key insights.
- Working with the CEO: You will identify opportunities for strategic communications and growth. You will network with likeminded individuals from other charities and build sector connections.
- Senior Leadership Team: You will be an integral part of our Senior Leadership Team, which means working across the whole charity on tasks that may pop up, and planning with the team our Organisational Development.
Qualifications:
- Experience: Minimum of 5 years in a senior fundraising and communications role, preferably within the charity sector.
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Relationship Management, or a related field.
Skills:
- Strong strategic planning and implementation skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
- Proficiency in fundraising software and CRM systems.
- Strong leadership and team management skills.
What we offer
- 28 days annual leave (pro rata for part time)
- Enhanced sick pay
- Company events
- Blue Light Card
- Access to our Employee Assistance Program + Wellbeing App
- Company pension - 5% employee, 3% employer
- On-site parking
- Referral programme
- Work from home (depending on role)
- Accredited training programme towards CPD
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Should we met our target number of applications we reserve the right to close the advert earlier than the closing date.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
To ensure everyone impacted by eating disorders and disordered eating has access to professional care.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Lead a transformative project to expand vital healthcare support services across the Southwest.
Hearts Together is a much-loved Plymouth-based charity supporting thousands of families each year with a safe and compassionate place to stay near Derriford Hospital.
We’re searching for a visionary Chief Executive to lead our charity into its next chapter of purposeful growth—including supporting the ongoing £6M capital build project that will ultimately double our capacity and ensure no family is ever turned away for lack of space.
If you're an empathetic, values-led leader with a passion for social impact—committed to driving organisational success through focused investment in people, capability, and leadership at all levels—this is your moment.
You will bring:
- Proven experience in strategic leadership, income generation and organisational development
- A strong connection to our mission and values
- Exceptional relationship-building and ambassadorial skills
- Confidence leading capital projects and working with professional advisors
- A passion for social impact, innovation, and compassionate service
This is a rare and exciting opportunity to shape the future of a well-established charity and lead the delivery of life-changing services across Devon, Cornwall and beyond.
To apply:
Download the full candidate brief and for a confidential conversation with our recruitment partners Public Leaders Appointments, please contact Melissa Stewart (details in the attached)
Apply by sending your CV and a cover letter (each max 3 pages) outlining your motivation and suitability (applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered)
Deadline: Midday, Friday 18 July 2025
Interview date: TBC August. Plymouth
If you are interested we encourage conversations with our recruitment partners Public Leaders Appointments. Please contact Melissa Stewart (details in the pack).
To apply, please submit a CV, supported by a cover letter, (each document should be no more than
3 sides of A4) outlining your motivations for applying (affinity for our vision and mission) and highlight
how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements as set out in the brief. (applications received without a cover letter will not be considered)
