Senior database officer jobs in Guildford, surrey

Be Our First Hire. Build the Infrastructure that Saves Lives.

About Us
We are a newly registered, fully-funded UK health charity embarking on a variety of health-related Missions.  Having secured Charity Commission approval and robust initial funding, we are now ready to step out of the planning phase.

Duet Health Foundation is starting with significant funding and access to external resources to support our initial campaigns which will include;

- Addressing significant safety issues related to certain commonly used medicines, gathering data on adverse events and deaths in order to campaign for ways to mitigate this.

- Raising awareness of rare diseases which are being missed. These can significantly affect sufferers’ lives, and while they may be relatively easy to diagnose and treat, are often simply not recognised by primary healthcare providers.

We are seeking our first employee—a visionary Director of Operations—to build our operational infrastructure from the ground up and turn our strategic vision into a highly impactful reality.

The Role

As our first hire, you will be a key part of the operational architecture of the charity. Working closely with the Founders, you will help transition the organisation from a newly approved legal entity into a fully functional, compliant, and active campaigning force. This is not a role for someone who just wants to manage existing systems; it is for a builder who also wants to create them.

The Director of Operations is a pivotal senior leadership role within the organisation, responsible for creating the operational backbone of the organisation. This role ensures that the organisation’s systems, people, suppliers and processes operate smoothly, safely and compliantly, enabling high-quality delivery. The Director of Operations will provide strong day-to-day operational leadership and discipline, freeing the Founders to focus on strategy, partnerships and organisational growth. The postholder will be highly organised, practical and accountable, with a strong focus on implementation and follow‑through.

To apply for this role, you will need to have significant operational management experience in a charity or similar environment. You will have demonstrable experience of managing complex operational systems and will have proven experience of workforce planning, operational delivery and implementing organisational change. You will have experience of managing suppliers, contracts and procurement processes and will have a strong understanding of operational compliance, risk management and audit readiness. Overall, you will be practical, organised and solutions-focused, with the confidence to work across teams and with trustees, suppliers and external partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Blueprinting: Design, implement, and oversee all required documentation and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), financial controls, and risk management systems.
• Governance & Compliance: Ensure total alignment with Charity Commission regulations, particularly the CC9 guidelines regarding political and health campaigning.
• Information Governance: Establish secure data sharing, privacy frameworks, and GDPR structures for future collection of sensitive patient and clinical data.
• Strategic Scaling: Manage third-party vendors (legal, IT, Associate contractors etc) and eventually support building the infrastructure for future recruitment.

About You

• Experienced: You have at least 5 years’ experience of operational management within the UK charity sector of the NHS, the pharmaceutical industry, or healthcare regulation (e.g., MHRA, NICE).
• A "Builder": You thrive on both teamwork and autonomy. You have a proven track record of setting up systems, policies, and teams from scratch.
• Governance Savvy: You have a solid understanding of UK charity law, compliance, and financial frameworks.
• Locally Based: You live within 25 miles of Camberley, Surrey, allowing for regular, in-person collaboration with the Founders.

Why Join Us?

This is a rare opportunity to shape a charity's DNA from day one. You will have substantial autonomy, and the opportunity to play a key part in building an organisation that will directly improve patient safety and rare disease outcomes across the UK.

The Founders of the charity are a married couple who have both spent their working lives in healthcare and health research, particularly focussing on  developing treatments for often-neglected patient groups.

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.