Senior philanthropy manager jobs in brighton, east sussex
We’re Hiring: Corporate and Philanthropy Fundraising Manager
UK (Remote) | Full-time | £40,000
Apply by: Monday 27th April 2025
Cerebra is the national charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with neurological conditions and their families. We provide vital research, support, and practical solutions that empower families facing complex challenges.
With an annual income of £3 million, we have ambitious plans to double our income by 2027, ensuring we can extend our impact, reach more families, and drive real change. To achieve this, we are investing in fundraising innovation, income generating ventures, and strategic partnerships, alongside enhancing our brand to increase our national recognition.
Our work is underpinned by our values ensuring that everything we do aligns with our mission to create a better world for children with neurological conditions.
In this pivotal role, you’ll:
✨Develop and grow relationship building and stewardship strategies and programmes for existing business and major donor supporters.
✨ Manage existing corporate relationships and major donors with a view to deepen engagement and develop levels of support.
✨ Grow and sustainably increase income from existing corporate partners and major donors.
✨Use the charity’s CRM to manage relationships and record key information.
✨ Develop a strategy and programme for identifying and securing the support of new businesses and potential major donors.
✨ Implement the strategy by proactively identifying, approaching and securing new corporate relationships in line with the Charity’s corporate and philanthropy strategy.
✨Create and deliver compelling proposals and pitches to prospective new corporate and major donor supporters.
✨Manage the pipeline through the charity’s CRM and record/update key information as required.
✨ Work to continue the development of a strong, person-centred, empathetic, supportive and inclusive culture at Cerebra.
✨ Build on excellent relationships between different teams and directorates for each other’s and Cerebra’s overall strategic goals and objectives.
✨ Collaborate across departments to align partner activity with service delivery and communications.
✨ Contribute to strategic, organisational and cultural development.
✨ Champion innovation, growth mindset and learning from failure.
✨ Working with the team and Director to set income and expenditure budgets for Corporate, Philanthropy, Legacy and Trust & Foundations.
✨ Monitoring and reporting on income and expenditure and KPIs throughout the year.
✨ Providing quarterly income and expenditure re-forecasts.
✨ Ensuring all relevant information is recorded in line with charity, fundraising and data legislation and best practice.
✨Provide effective, remote line management, support and performance management to direct reports to help them maximise their potential and effectiveness.
✨Provide practical and person coaching support to the Legacy and Trusts & Foundations fundraisers.
✨ Ensure there is a continual culture and focus on learning and development and wellbeing.
You bring:
✅ Proven experience in corporate account management of corporate partners.
✅ Strong track record of delivering income growth and a demonstrable commercial mindset.
✅ Excellent stakeholder management skills.
✅ Excellent communication and presentation skills.
✅ Passion for the charity sector and a commitment to Cerebra’s mission, culture and values.
We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits, including 29 days holiday (plus bank holidays), pension match up to 6%, £300 home-working allowance, company sick pay, organisational membership of Fundraising Everywhere learning and development platform and the opportunity to work for a cause that truly matters.
To apply, send your CV and a short cover letter (max 800 words) outlining why you’re a great fit.
Interviews:
- Online (Teams): Week commencing 3rd November 2025
- 2nd Stage: Week commencing 10th November 2025
Join us in creating a better world for children with neurological conditions. Let’s do something extraordinary—together.
We are an equal opportunities employer. If there is anything you need to support you to take part in an interview please let us know.
In line with our commitment to safeguarding, a full DBS check will be required of the successful candidate.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Can you identify and inspire new high value corporate partnerships? Have you got a proven track record of securing significant and sustainable income from corporates? Do you enjoy a challenge and want to help develop our corporate partnership strategy, enabling Lifelites to increase its reach and impact across Britain and Ireland?
We are looking for an experienced corporate partnership fundraiser to join our team and help us secure high value, multi-year corporate partnerships with a value of £30,000 plus that will help to power our ambitious growth strategy.
This is an amazing opportunity to join an established charity looking to expand and diversify both its fundraising and service provision over the next 5 years.
Whether you are looking for a new challenge or are ready for the next step in your career, we would love to hear from you.
Purpose of the role
- To identify and develop a robust pipeline of potential high value corporate partnerships that align with our mission and values.
- To create and deliver proposals, pitches and agreements.
- To secure exceptional partnerships upwards of £30k in value.
- To ensure internal reporting and recording processes, alongside reporting to partners on the impact of their support
- To work with the Senior Philanthropy Officer, Head of Fundraising and Communications (HoFC) and CEO to develop and steward high value corporate relationships.
Main duties and responsibilities
- To work closely with the HoFC and Senior Philanthropy Officer to develop and deliver a strategy for maximising support and income from high value corporate partnerships and foundations.
- To lead on prospecting and research, outreach and stewardship that result in high value, multi-year partnerships.
- To develop key messaging and resources that effectively deliver a compelling case for support which demonstrates impact and a return on investment.
- To steward and co-ordinate high value corporate relationships, working with the wider team as and when necessary.
- To ensure internal reporting and prospecting processes are adhered to at all times
- To provide compelling and inspiring impact reports to partners, reflecting the importance of their support.
- Work collaboratively with other members of the team to help develop a robust and successful corporate recruitment and retention programme, sharing knowledge and experience that can be applied to all levels of corporate giving.
Summary person specification
Experience
- Proven experience of successful corporate fundraising, including securing high value partnerships with income in excess of £30,000.
- Proven track record of delivering high quality cultivation, stewardship and retention programmes that encourage long-term support and significant income in line with budget.
- Experience of prospecting and researching high value corporate partnerships, managing pipelines and busy workload.
- Experience of reviewing activities, analysing outcomes and making evidence-based recommendations.
- Experience of successfully working collaboratively as well as alone, balancing consensus opinion alongside autonomous decision making and setting personal objectives.
Skills
- Creating and delivering a compelling case for support and deliver inspiring impact reports to partners.
- Experience of using a fundraising CRM for reporting and prospecting.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to liaise with people at all levels, adapting communication methods to suit differing audiences.
- Confident, effective written and verbal communication with internal and external stakeholders, especially presentation skills
- Excellent time management and ability to prioritise competing responsibilities and deadlines
Please see the full Job Description for full details.
To apply, please send your CV with a covering letter to Simon Pitts, Head of Fundraising and Communications.
If you have any questions or would like an informal conversation before applying, please contact us to arrange a convenient time.
We empower children with life-limiting conditions to play, create and communicate by harnessing the power of sensory and assistive technology.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Working within the Development and Outreach Department, (responsible for fundraising, marketing and communications) the Partnerships Team crafts and steward collaborations with companies and brands, in the UK and globally, to generate significant income, raise awareness of WDC brand and work and advocate for positive action.
The Partnerships manager:
- is responsible for developing and implementing a strategy, alongside the corporate engagement lead, to deliver an agreed annual income target, across charitable and trading activities and facilitate valuable in-kind support for WDC.
- is required to expertly research, develop, manage, and enhance relationships with new and existing partners across a diverse range of sectors.
- will be an adept communicator, capable of thinking on their feet, delivering inspiring pitches with authority and securing buy in from colleagues across WDC, and external stakeholders.
- will lead a varied and exciting area of fundraising, covering a diverse range of activities and opportunities which involves balancing the needs of WDC colleagues with external partners.
A world where every whale and dolphin is safe and free


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are looking for a hands on Head of Philanthropy to lead on trusts and foundations and major donor income for a small, innovative health charity.
This is a remote role within the UK, with monthly travel to London and/or Leeds.
The Charity
A creative, innovative health charity that has grown from strength to strength, offering fantastic benefits, including flexible working, generous life assurance and pension scheme, and a committed learning and development budget for each staff member.
The Role
You will join the SMT to work alogisde various stakeholders to deliver the philanthropy income stream with a focus on Trust and Major Donor giving.
Your first 6 months:
Familiarise yourself with the fundraising strategy and your role in operationalising it.
Continue to submit applications to deliver against the 2025/26 pipeline which include small, medium and larger trust funders.
Send out stewardship communications to past and current funders.
Support major donor communications.
In your first 12 months :
When you are more established in the team and your work, you will aim to scale your success, continuing to deliver the annual income target, whilst making the case for team expansion in line with the Fundraising Strategy.
Lead the Fundraising Committee, lead major donor programme develoment and delivery.
Develop case for the recruitment of an additional UK fundraising team member (e.g. Trusts Fundraiser)
Work with the internal team to understand our plans to move into the US market
The Candidate
A creative, hands on fundraiser, happy to lead the startegic and donor facing aspects of high value fundirasing.
A demonstrable track record of securing significant gifts from a range of trusts and foundations.
An ability to write and submit a regular stream of applications.
Experience of researching and writing high-quality, well-structured and persuasive communication materials, and delivering convincing verbal presentations to a variety of stakeholders.
Experience in working with major donors/high net worth individuals, ideally of setting up an income stream to support high net worth giving.
An understanding of funders needs, and how to meet these needs through thorough and relevant research, and creating compelling applications for support.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Our aim is to respond to all successful applications within 5 days. If you havent been contacted within 5 days your application has been unsuccessful but, we positively encourage you to apply for any other positions that you may see in the future.
We apologise that we cannot contact everybody in person but thank you in advance for your interest.
Third Solutions encourages applications from individuals of all ages & backgrounds. Appointment will be made on merit alone but candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to work in the UK. Third Solutions acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment & an employment business for temporary recruitment as defined by the Conduct of Employment Agencies & Employment Business Regulations 2003.
Harris Hill is delighted to be working with a leading national children’s health charity to recruit a Corporate Partnerships Manager.
This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced corporate fundraiser to develop and grow a successful corporate partnerships programme, helping to drive meaningful support for children and young people affected by long-term health conditions.
Reporting to the Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships, you will manage a Corporate Partnerships Officer and play a key role in delivering the organisation’s ambitious fundraising goals. You’ll manage existing partnerships with care and creativity while proactively identifying and securing new opportunities across a range of sectors.
Location: UK-wide (home-based, with occasional travel to London)
Contract: Permanent, Part-time (4 days per week)
Salary: £38,000 per annum (pro rata)
Key Aspects of the Role
- Develop and deliver a corporate fundraising strategy to meet agreed annual targets.
- Manage and steward existing corporate supporters, maximising engagement and income.
- Identify and secure new business partnerships through research, networking, and creative proposals.
- Prepare tailored proposals and high-quality reports for partners and prospects.
- Collaborate with colleagues across fundraising, marketing, and programmes to align partnership activity with organisational priorities.
They Are Looking For
- Proven experience in corporate fundraising or business development, ideally within the charity sector.
- Strong relationship management and negotiation skills.
- Experience of working to financial targets and deadlines.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, with confidence presenting to senior stakeholders.
- A proactive, strategic thinker with initiative and creativity.
- A collaborative team player who thrives working independently and flexibly.
To apply: Please send your CV and supporting statement to Hannah Laking at [email protected]
Closing date: 27th October 2025
As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
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
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Job Title: Communications Director
Reporting To: CEOs
Location: Remote, with preference for candidates based in the Global South (occasional travel as required)
Contract Type: Full-time
Duration: 1 year
Compensation: $90,000 - $105,000
WHO WE ARE:
.
“Remaking the world with and for girls”
Purposeful is a movement-building hub for adolescent girls. We amplify girls’ voices, resource their resistance, build solidarity between and across girls’ movements, catalyse collaborative philanthropy and support innovation in grassroots programming with and for girls.
Our work is both global and deeply local. In Sierra Leone, we bring our work together into one integrated strategy, sparking a groundswell of girls who can access and imagine new possibilities for themselves and their communities. Across the world we support girls’ organising and activism through a girl-led participatory grant-making process called the With and For Girls Awards. No matter where we are, we work so that girls and their allies can access the resources, networks and platforms they need to remake the world for themselves.
Purposeful is a proudly feminist organisation, with a strong intersectional power analysis. We pursue strategies that prioritise the collective liberation of girls. We are looking for team members who share our feminist ideals.
We believe the best work happens in dialogue, and we value collective decision-making. We believe in celebrating success, amongst staff and partners alike. We are looking for team members with a deep commitment to collaborative working, and who bring a sense of joy and humour to what can be challenging work.
We pride ourselves on our diversity, the multiple languages we speak and places we live. We are all parents or have other caring responsibilities. We prioritise work-life balance, many of us have other projects and passions outside of Purposeful. As a team we prioritise opportunities for learning, sharing, and embedding different worldviews. We are looking for team members who thrive in diverse and cross-cultural contexts, and who bring passion, creativity and a thirst for learning to their work.
We are our partnerships. We are most proud of the shared vision we have built with our partners - rooted in mutuality, trust, and collaboration. After years of informal and formal support to the Sierra Leone Adolescent Girls Network, we are proud to be part of a growing ecosystem of organisations working with and for girls. We are looking for team members who will work tirelessly to rebalance power disparities in funder-partner relationships, acting as responsible stewards of resources of and for our movements.
CONTEXT OF THIS ROLE:
At Purposeful, communications is political. It is how we amplify girls’ voices, sharpen feminist narratives, and push back against regressive agendas. The Communications Director will sit at the heart of this work - shaping and delivering a bold communications strategy aligned with Purposeful’s vision, mission, and growth.
This role leads the stewardship of Purposeful’s voice, visual identity, and storytelling practice, ensuring that everything we produce - whether op-eds, reports, campaigns, or digital content - carries our politics with clarity and conviction. The Communications Director will work closely with the Co-CEOs and across all Purposeful teams, including Advocacy, grant-making, Learning & Insights, Programmes, and Resource Mobilisation, to amplify girls’ organising, showcase our impact, and influence the broader philanthropic and activist ecosystem.
This is both a strategic and hands-on role, requiring a deep commitment to feminist movements, an instinct for storytelling as political practice, and a proven track record of positioning organisations on the global stage.
SCOPE OF WORK
1. Communications Strategy & Leadership
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Lead on delivery and implementation of a new communications strategy, building on 2025 planning foundations.
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Work closely with the Co-CEOs and director team to horizon scan and adapt strategy in response to organisational vision and external landscape.
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Provide leadership to a small team of staff and consultants (designers, digital specialists, artists) and work collaboratively with partner communications leads on joint campaigns and initiatives.
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Meticulously manage and forecast the communications and editorial budget, ensuring value for money and strong planning.
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Track and analyse content performance, using insights to refine reach and engagement.
2. Storytelling & Content Development
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Oversee the creation of compelling storytelling content that highlights Purposeful’s impact, amplifies girls’ and young feminists’ voices, and influences funders.
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Lead editorial planning and content workflows, balancing evergreen storytelling with crisis-response or time-sensitive outputs.
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Oversee production and capture of content from live and digital events (webinars, IG Lives, panels, etc.).
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Coordinate brand refresh projects, including a website refresh, and strengthen Purposeful’s digital visibility with a focus on graphic-led content across social platforms.
3. Writing & Editorial Oversight
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Review and edit all external content to ensure quality, editorial standard, and alignment with Purposeful’s voice and values.
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Write op-eds, blogs, social media posts, campaign messaging, press materials, and executive summaries.
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Collaborate with colleagues in Learning & Insights to integrate data into storytelling and publications.
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Edit and manage the production of publications and reports, commissioning artists and graphic designers as needed.
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Provide editorial oversight for media projects, including radio, film, and animation.
4. Media Engagement & Positioning
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Cultivate strong relationships with international, regional, and local media outlets.
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Proactively position Purposeful in global and regional conversations, ensuring girls’ and feminist movements’ voices are at the centre.
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Lead on preparing and supporting spokespersons, including Co-CEOs and external partners, for media engagement.
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Design and execute media strategies for key campaigns, events, and publications.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Experience & Skills
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Proven experience developing and delivering communications strategies aligned with organisational goals.
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Demonstrated leadership in managing small teams and consultants.
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Strong hands-on skills in digital communication tools (e.g., Mailchimp, Canva, Adobe, basic video editing).
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Extensive experience in content planning and editorial workflows.
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Strong published track record (op-eds, blogs, media features) and evidence of positioning organisations in the public spotlight.
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Excellent writing and editing skills, with experience commissioning and managing creative contributors.
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Experience building and maintaining media relationships, particularly in activist and philanthropic contexts.
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Proven experience overseeing websites and digital platforms, using analytics to inform strategy.
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Strong project management and budget forecasting skills.
Closing date: 31st October 2025
"Remaking the world with and for girls"
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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
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Significant experience leading multi-stream fundraising, with success in at least two of: trusts, corporates, major donors, public fundraising.
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Experience developing marketing and communications strategies beyond fundraising – including brand, service promotion, membership, campaigns, and digital engagement.
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Track record of delivering growth, innovation, or transformation in income and/or organisational profile.
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Strong people leadership skills: ability to coach, inspire, and develop staff, including senior managers.
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Exceptional relationship-builder – credible with philanthropists, corporates, trustees, commissioners, and media.
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Strategic thinker with financial acumen (budgets, ROI, investment planning).
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Authentic communicator with excellent storytelling ability.
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Commitment to Adoption UK’s mission and values, with an inclusive and collaborative leadership style.
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Demonstrates commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of role at all times.
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Contributes to an open and honest culture
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Supports, encourages, and motivates colleagues.
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Encourages challenge, creativity and innovation.
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Leads by example.
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Values transparency and consistency.
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Understands the role of individual and collective accountability.
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Actively contributes to Adoption UK’s mission.
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Has a clear understanding of other colleagues’ roles and responsibilities
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Shares skills and knowledge.
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Promotes Cross Functional team working.
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Offers outstanding service to members.
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Takes pride in Adoption UK and promotes its values in all interactions with external stakeholders.
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Identifies and uses the most appropriate form of communication.
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Communicates clearly, seeking clarity when unclear and valuing the opinion of others.
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Treats colleagues and other stakeholders with respect, honesty, fairness and courtesy
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Is responsive to colleagues, third party professionals and service users.
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Takes pride in own development.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
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Enthusiastic and committed to achieving high standards and meeting agreed objectives.
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Takes an active interest in recognising professional and personal development needs and priorities within Adoption UK.
Desirable
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Experience in child welfare, family support, education, or adoption.
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Evidence of leading digital transformation in fundraising, marketing, or CRM.
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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.
Adoption UK is the leading charity for adopted and care experienced people and adoptive families.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Summary
The Charity Spark is looking to appoint a Strategic Fundraising Consultant to expand our fundraising support for clients across the UK. This pivotal role will be a strategic fundraising lead, working with a diverse portfolio of clients to develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies. You will advise on a range of income generation methods, including trust and foundation grants, legacy giving, major donor philanthropy, and corporate partnerships.
A key part of your role will be to provide strategic development, helping clients diversify their income streams and build sustainable fundraising programmes. This position is critical as we expand our team to meet growing demand. We are a tiny, collaborative team committed to ensuring brilliant outcomes for our clients and stability for our team.
The Charity Spark are a consultancy for the non-profit and charity sector. We work with clients from across the charity sector and help them do more good daily through excellent fundraising and transformative impact measurement. That is, we help them prove they do what they say they do and then use that proof to raise more money, so they can continue the work that they do.
We are committed to tackling inequalities and to making The Charity Spark an inclusive and diverse workspace. The Charity Spark’s purpose is core to every part of our business.
We’re keen to find the right people for the future of The Charity Spark, so we’d love to talk to you if you’re interested in us or this role, but want to know a bit more before applying.
Important Details. What you’ll get:
Salary: £40,000 - £45,000 FTE (3 days per week is £24,000-27,000 per year)
Hours: Up to 3 days per week. We keep core office hours of 8:30am-6pm however this role does not require the holder to work solely within these hours. We will work with you to find a working pattern which suits your needs and lifestyle as well as the needs of our business and clients.
Benefits: We will provide you with a laptop if required and equipment for you to work comfortably at home, as well as a monthly contribution towards your home broadband contract. We offer a company pension scheme and an employee assistance programme. We believe in the power of chocolate and tea!
Commission structure: Recognising the important role all our team play in client relationships, and in securing new contracts, TCS operates a commission structure which rewards staff who work on a successful client proposal.
Holiday: 22 days plus bank holidays (FTE contracts – pro rata for PT) and your birthday off.
Volunteering: We encourage our employees to volunteer so we will provide you an additional 2 days (FTE) a year volunteering leave.
Training and development: We want to invest in our staff team so we will provide you with an annual budget for training courses and books to enhance your skills.
Employment status: Fixed term contract of one year with permanent contract to be discussed.
Location: The Charity Spark is based in Winchester. This role is predominantly home-working with an expectation of regular co-working (around 2 days per quarter and typically in Winchester although location may vary).
Responsible to: Director
What you’ll be doing:
1. Fundraising
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- Develop and Lead Fundraising Strategies: Create bespoke, multi-stream fundraising strategies for a range of clients. This includes capital appeals and other large-scale projects, helping clients raise significant funds for transformative goals.
- Income Diversification: Advise clients on how to diversify their fundraising portfolio, reducing reliance on any single income source and building resilience.
- Trust and Foundation Fundraising: While the role is broader, you will still oversee and deliver trust fundraising work, including researching funders, writing bids and proposals, and supporting clients to steward donors effectively. You will also mentor and upskill clients and their teams on best practices.
- Support the Director with developing strategic resources for fundraising including digital courses, blogs and downloadable resources for charities.
- Client Management and Support: Serve as a senior point of contact for clients, providing expert advice, hands-on support, and strategic guidance throughout their fundraising journey.
2. Business Development
· Deal with client enquiries in an efficient and timely manner.
· Support the Director with onboarding new clients.
· Liaise with clients to gain testimonials and write client case studies.
· Research opportunities for new business products and/or clients.
· Support with B Corp certification process and improve The Charity Spark’s impact as a company.
· Assist on the organisation of team events and away days, alongside the Director.
About you:
- Experienced Fundraising Leader: You have a proven track record of success with five or more years of experience in fundraising. You demonstrate the ability to develop and execute effective, multi-stream strategies. You can tell us about fundraising successes you have been an important part of.
- Strategic Thinker: You are adept at seeing the bigger picture, identifying growth opportunities, and creating long-term plans for organisations. You have an entrepreneurial spirit and a creative growth mindset.
- Diverse Fundraising Knowledge: You have demonstrable hands-on experience in at least one of the following areas: major gifts, legacy, and/or trust fundraising. Experience with capital appeals or with Christian charities/churches is highly desirable.
- Practical skillset: Target-driven, with experience of budget-setting, financial processes, monitoring and reporting outcomes across income streams. You have a practical understanding of fundraising and charity regulation and best practice regarding prospecting, stewardship, and reporting, together with IT and database skills including knowledge of CRMs.
- Excellent Communicator: You have a talent for using words powerfully, with excellent written communication and presentation skills. You can build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, clearly communicating complex ideas and inspiring confidence.
- Proactive and Results-Oriented: You are target-driven and have a proven track record of meeting fundraising goals. You are able to balance competing priorities and work under pressure, with the ability to anticipate and formulate solutions to problems.
- Comfortable in a small team with an entrepreneurial spirit: we are a small growing business led by our founder. You will have a passion for working with a business with a strong social mission and looking for a positive purpose in the company you work for.
We want to encourage those with a disability or neurodiversity who may experience difficulties with some forms of communication to apply and tell us how we could help you be the best version of you in the workplace. Contact us to discuss how we can make the application process accessible for you.
You can contact us via our website for an informal chat about the role.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.