Senior brand marketing executive jobs in edinburgh

JOB TITLE: Director of Fundraising, Marketing & Communications

LOCATION: Flexible, with regular travel to London

RESPONSIBLE TO: Chief Executive

DIRECT REPORTS: Senior Trusts & Grants Manager, Marketing Manager, Fundraising Manager

HOURS OF WORK: Full time, 35 hours per week

DURATION: SALARY / GRADE: £65,000 to £75,000 (dependent on experience) plus benefits

TEAM SIZE: 6 FTE (with growth plans of up to 12 fte by 2030)

JOB PROFILE

ABOUT ADOPTION UK

Adoption UK is the leading national voice for adoptive families. We exist to ensure that every child and young person who cannot grow up with their birth parents gets the right support at the right time – from childhood into adulthood.

Every year, thousands of children in the UK are adopted – most having experienced trauma, loss, or neglect. Adoption transforms their futures, but it is rarely the end of the story. Adoptive families face unique challenges: children struggling to trust, thrive in school, or feel safe; parents battling to secure the right support; young people navigating identity and belonging. Without the right help, too many families reach breaking point. Adoption UK is there to change this. We are a lifeline for families – offering community, advice, advocacy, and practical support. We champion their voices with government and professionals, driving changes in policy and practice so that no adoptive family feels they are facing the journey alone.

With over 6,000 members, strong credibility with policymakers, and a powerful lived experience community, we are uniquely placed to influence change. Our mission is urgent and nationally significant: to ensure that every adoptive family can thrive, and every adopted child has the chance to fulfil their potential.

DIRECTORATE PURPOSE

The Fundraising, Marketing and Communications directorate is responsible for:

• Income generation across trusts and foundations, corporates, major donors, community fundraising, public donations, and legacies, alongside relationships with commissioners and public sector funders.

• Partnership development, engaging businesses, philanthropists, trusts, and volunteers.

• Marketing of services and membership to families, adoptees, commissioners, and professionals in health, education, and social care.

• Awareness raising and thought leadership, ensuring adoption and permanence issues have a strong voice nationally.

Currently a team of six, the directorate has strong ambitions to grow in size and scope, with scope to re-imagine its structure to meet future needs.

THE ROLE

This is a career-defining opportunity to shape the future of fundraising, marketing and communications at a charity of national importance.

As Director of Fundraising, Marketing & Communications you will:

• Build unrestricted income in a competitive funding environment

• Lead the transformation of Adoption UK’s income model, scaling from £500k to £2m+ contribution (by 2030) to organisational income growth from a £4.2m baseline.

• Develop and deliver a bold, integrated fundraising, marketing, and communications strategy.

• Build Adoption UK’s brand and profile with families, adoptees, commissioners, policymakers, funders, and the wider public.

• Inspire, coach, and grow a talented team, embedding a culture of confidence, creativity, and innovation.

• Personally cultivate and steward high-value donor, corporate, and foundation relationships, working with the CEO, Board of Trustees, and ambassadors.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the design and delivery of a multi-year fundraising, marketing, and communications strategy aligned to organisational priorities.

• Act as a cultural change leader, shifting from risk-averse to confident, outward-facing engagement.

• Contribute fully to the Senior Leadership Team, influencing strategy, governance, and financial planning.

Income Growth & Diversification

• Oversee all voluntary income streams – trusts, major donors, corporates, community/public fundraising, legacies – while also strengthening public sector and commissioning relationships.

• Oversee marketing and growth of membership as a core element of income and impact.

• Deliver long-term growth targets.

• Use and promote data-driven decision-making, supporter journeys, and digital fundraising/marketing effectively.

• Design and deliver a signature annual Showcase event, alongside new products such as a Giving Circle and Corporate Club, ensuring clear ROI and upgrade potential.

• Personally lead cultivation of transformational donor and partner relationships, supported by trustees, ambassadors, and patrons.

• Identify and test new funding streams and partnerships to diversify income and reduce risk.

Marketing & Communications

• Oversee a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy covering fundraising, membership, services, training, campaigns, and advocacy.

• Ensure a compelling and consistent case for support and brand identity across all channels.

• Raise Adoption UK’s national profile with media, commissioners, professionals, and the public.

• Lead digital transformation: CRM upgrade, supporter journeys, analytics, social media, and digital marketing.

• Manage media relations and reputation, including crisis communications alongside the CEO.

Team Leadership & Culture

• Lead, inspire, and grow a team of talented and motivated individuals.

• Model authentic, adaptive, and inclusive leadership – balancing ambition with staff wellbeing.

• Act as a coach and mentor, supporting professional growth and building the next generation of leaders.

• Champion Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and embed values-led behaviours across the team and all external engagement.

• Foster cross-organisational collaboration so fundraising and marketing are understood and supported across Adoption UK.

Financial & Governance

• Lead financial planning, budgeting, and ROI analysis for the directorate.

• Report regularly to CEO and Board of Trustees on progress, opportunities, and risks.

• Lead fundraising due-diligence and reputational risk processes, with regular reporting to Trustee-led committees (e.g. Finance & Risk).

• Ensure compliance with the Fundraising Code, GDPR, charity law, and safeguarding standards.

• Embed robust CRM, data, and analytics to support continuous improvement.

External Engagement

• Act as a visible ambassador for Adoption UK with donors, corporates, trusts and foundations, policymakers, and media.

• In collaboration with the CEO and Chair, direct ambassadors and patrons to open doors, advocate, and steward transformational relationships.

• Represent Adoption UK externally at events, forums, and national platforms.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• Significant experience leading multi-stream fundraising, with success in at least two of: trusts, corporates, major donors, public fundraising.

• Experience developing marketing and communications strategies beyond fundraising – including brand, service promotion, membership, campaigns, and digital engagement.

• Track record of delivering growth, innovation, or transformation in income and/or organisational profile.

• Strong people leadership skills: ability to coach, inspire, and develop staff, including senior managers.

• Exceptional relationship-builder – credible with philanthropists, corporates, trustees, commissioners, and media.

• Strategic thinker with financial acumen (budgets, ROI, investment planning).

• Authentic communicator with excellent storytelling ability.

• Commitment to Adoption UK’s mission and values, with an inclusive and collaborative leadership style.

• Demonstrates commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of role at all times.

• Contributes to an open and honest culture

• Supports, encourages, and motivates colleagues.

• Encourages challenge, creativity and innovation.

• Leads by example.

• Values transparency and consistency.

• Understands the role of individual and collective accountability.

• Actively contributes to Adoption UK’s mission.

• Has a clear understanding of other colleagues’ roles and responsibilities

• Shares skills and knowledge.

• Promotes Cross Functional team working.

• Offers outstanding service to members.

• Takes pride in Adoption UK and promotes its values in all interactions with external stakeholders.

• Identifies and uses the most appropriate form of communication.

• Communicates clearly, seeking clarity when unclear and valuing the opinion of others.

• Treats colleagues and other stakeholders with respect, honesty, fairness and courtesy

• Is responsive to colleagues, third party professionals and service users.

• Takes pride in own development.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Enthusiastic and committed to achieving high standards and meeting agreed objectives.

• Takes an active interest in recognising professional and personal development needs and priorities within Adoption UK.

Desirable

• Experience in child welfare, family support, education, or adoption.

• Evidence of leading digital transformation in fundraising, marketing, or CRM.

• Existing networks in philanthropy, corporate CSR/ESG, or foundations relevant to Adoption UK’s mission.

This role profile is a guide to the nature of the work required and may involve other such duties as deemed necessary by the Organisation. It is not wholly comprehensive or restrictive. The role profile will be reviewed with the post-holder at significant points for the Organisation.

Postholder is expected to abide by all organisational policies, codes of conduct and practice, and to work within a framework of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.

The Opportunity

This is more than a fundraising role — it is an opportunity to lead transformational change for a cause of national importance. You will:

• Shape and lead a directorate spanning fundraising, marketing, and communications.

• Deliver transformational income growth and secure Adoption UK’s sustainability.

• Build Adoption UK’s brand and reputation as the national champion for adoptive families.

• Market services, membership, and campaigns so more families and professionals engage with our work.

• Lead cultural change, inspiring a confident, outward-facing, and innovative fundraising and marketing function.

Few roles offer such scope to combine fundraising growth, brand leadership, and culture change in a mission of such national importance. This is your chance to make a lasting impact – on Adoption UK, on your career, and on thousands of children and families across the UK.

Timetable:

The closing date for this role is 20th October 2025. However, Adoption UK reserves the right to end the application period sooner so we would recommend you complete the application form as soon as possible.

Shortlisting will be carried out on 22 to 24 October 2025 and you should be notified of an outcome within fifteen working days of the closing date.

The panel will shortlist based on those applicants who best meet the criteria for the role.

The date(s) scheduled for first interviews will be 3rd November 2025. These dates may be subject to change and applications will be advised in advance should this happen.

Head of Income Generation and Marketing

• FTE £37- £42k dependant on experience.

• 35 hours a week (flexible for right candidate).

• Home based with travel for events and meetings.

The PDA Society is looking to recruit its first ever Head of role and we believe the right person could be transformative for our organisation. We are a small charity that makes a big impact – and we are excited to recruit someone who is hands on, pragmatic and experienced in raising income onto our team.

We are looking for a goal oriented, entrepreneurial individual who can help us maximise our fundraised and earned income through effective relationships and online communications. Over the next three years, we must significantly expand our free services and support offers for the people who most need them – and this role will be entrusted with ensuring we can afford to do that.

You will be part of a fast moving, high performing team who are determined to make a difference. This is a small organisation where senior team members do as well as plan. So while you’ll be setting direction and leading strategy, you’ll also be rolling your sleeves up and delivering directly alongside colleagues. You’ll be supported by a small communications team and a small budget to commission trust applications, and you’ll hold responsibility for maintaining trust funder relationships and ensuring reporting is timely and accurate.

If you have provable experience in growing income in a small charity or training organisation, are excited by growth, and want to make a difference to some of the most underserved disabled people in the UK this could be the job for you.

Head of Marketing (International Eye Care Charity, home based in the UK)

The Organisation

Our client is a UK-based international development healthcare charity supporting sight restoration and prevention of blindness. With a mission to provide high-quality, free eye care to underprivileged communities, the organisation has transformed the lives of millions. As it strengthens its presence in the UK, it is seeking a seasoned marketing leader to help grow its reach, deepen supporter engagement, and enhance its brand.

The Role

This is a senior-level opportunity for a strategic and hands-on marketing professional to lead content, campaigns, and digital engagement. The Head of Marketing will be responsible for growing brand awareness, managing multi-channel campaigns, and delivering high-quality communications that reflect the organisation’s mission and impact. The role involves managing a small budget and external agencies, while working closely with leadership to align messaging with key goals.

Key responsibilities include overseeing brand strategy and positioning, leading on email, web, social, SEO, and PPC, and delivering integrated campaigns—particularly during high-impact periods such as Ramadan. The role requires strong project management skills and the ability to evaluate campaign performance through analytics and KPI reporting.

The Candidate

The ideal candidate will be an experienced marketing leader with at least five years in the sector, including two or more in a managerial role. You will be well-versed in all areas of marketing, from content creation and digital marketing to branding and campaign execution. You’ll bring a strong track record of leading successful campaigns, managing budgets, and using data insights to drive performance. Prior experience and knowledge of the Islamic giving community and managing Ramadan campaigns will be a distinct advantage.

You should have a clear passion for humanitarian causes, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the cultural sensitivity required to work within faith-based environments. Knowledge of tools like Mailchimp, CRMs, analytics software, as well as familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite and HTML/CSS would be advantageous.

Application Process

For further information, please contact Syed at Civitas Recruitment for a full JD. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis.

We are building a compassionate and high performing organisation at Kentown Support. We are 
looking for an ambitious, energetic and collaborative colleague who has both a passion for their work 
and the difference it can make to children and their families. This is a pivotal leadership role and 
opportunity to join an incredible charity at the beginning of its journey offering a real opportunity to 
shape our future success

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Director-level communications professional with a strong background in knowledge translation of technical information to different audiences internationally. 

Reporting to the Executive Director and serving as a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), the Director of Communications & Knowledge Translation will provide strategic leadership for all Health Care Without Harm Europe’s Communications and KT activities. The Director will lead exciting new digital KT initiatives in line with our new Strategy and as a key part of a small, high-performing team working at the timely intersection of health and the environment. S/he will lead and support all of the organisation’s engagement and communication with target audiences, so that they achieve maximum impact on European healthcare policy and practice in support of the organisation’s mission. 

The post is for an initial 12-month period, at a critical time of development for the organisation’s communications and KT activities. We intend to make the post permanent thereafter, subject to receiving sufficient funding, and we have high hopes that this will be the case.

The Talent Set are delighted to be working with a national Children’s Charity to find their new Relationship Manager.

The organisation offers a flexible working environment, with a fully remote working pattern and salary between £35-40k dependant on experience. This role will require occasional travel for engagement activities.

As Relationship Manager you will manage high value (5-6 figure) existing partnerships with leading global brands, as well as on boarding and new business partnerships to deliver on ambitious partnership objectives, maximising income and supporting awareness for the charity. You will collaborate across departments internally to build awareness and ensure effective delivery of the Partnership objectives and targets.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the aims and objectives of partnerships through preparing, managing and delivering activity plans and income budgets in support of the Partnership plan
• Responsible for the implementation of national, regional and local corporate partnership initiatives
• Develop and deliver innovative approaches to achieving fundraising targets and new opportunities for employee engagement
• Lead on designated partnerships, projects and events contributing to the Partnership plan
• Implement and maintain excellent communications procedures with colleagues and key stakeholders across all areas of the Charity to coordinate delivery and raise awareness of partnership objectives and targets
• Administer appropriate income/expenditure procedures, produce monthly reports and maintain accurate records of fundraising and other activity to enable evaluation and analysis
• Represent and/or deputise for the Senior Corporate Relationship Manager as required
• Proactively support Corporate Partnerships and colleagues in the ongoing development of activities and initiatives that will contribute the corporate team objectives. Including Support of Relationship Executives in their day to day job, providing direction, sharing experiences and providing advice and assistance as required.
• Assist and advise others in the successful production of fundraising, communications and promotional materials for corporate partners

Person Specification:

• Experience of working in a demanding and profit driven corporate/business, fundraising, sales or marketing environment.
• Managing profitable client/donor relationships within large and complex organisations/companies
• A proven track record in implementing and managing account plans and delivering financial targets.
• Experience of managing corporate relationships or equivalent.
• Present oral/written communication professionally and persuasively.
• Appreciation of equalities and diversity and how it affects this position, the organisation and supporters.
• Understanding the corporate sector and raising funds and awareness from partnerships
• Marketing, Business Development and Account Management

To be considered for this position please apply with your CV as soon as possible, regrettably please note we may not be able to reply to each and every application.

We are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practises that ensure equal opportunity for everyone, regardless of race, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age or gender. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and will happily make reasonable adjustments to always ensure a fair process.

Sight Scotland is Scotland’s leading charity providing specialist care, education and research for people with vision impairment. The charity has been in existence for over 230 years, and offer a variety of services in the community as well as education, transcription into alternative formats and residential care for adults and children. Their vision is of an inclusive Scotland where people of all visual abilities have the opportunity to thrive.

The Digital and Social Media Creative is responsible for developing and creating engaging digital content and for managing Sight Scotland’s social media channels. This role requires a mix of creativity, digital storytelling and a passion for social media in the charity sector. The role will enhance Sight Scotland’s online presence and engage their audiences, inspiring people to donate, take part in sponsored events and online campaign actions as well as contacting the charities for support with sight loss.

It is important that the successful candidate for this role has existing experience of working within a charity/fundraising environment. In order to ensure the role is successful, an understanding of fundraising and how we can effectively apply digital tools and techniques to support income generation is vital. 

• Hybrid, with 2 days a week in Edinburgh office 

• 37 days leave pro-rata (inclusive of bank holidays) 

• Contributory pension scheme – up to 12% employer contribution 

• Closing midnight Tuesday 21st October

• Interviews are scheduled for Wednesday 29th October in person at Sight Scotland's HQ in Edinburgh. 

In order to progress your application, please download the Candidate Pack and make contact with THINK Recruitment for an informal screening call. Please ensure you reach out to arrange a call with enough time before the role closes as unfortunately we cannot progress candidates to longlist who haven't been screened.