You will be joining us at a time that holds the greatest potential for fundraising in our history, following the launch of the UK Government’s Delivery Plan for ME and initial findings of the DecodeME genetics study (co-led by Action for ME) in Summer 2025.
Building on our charity’s already established level of support from major donors, you will provide exceptional relationship management to existing donors alongside growing our network of high value supporters.
Working closely with the CEO, alongside managing a portfolio of donors and prospects ensuring excellent stewardship, you will support our Breakthrough-ME Group (a group of high net worth and highly networked individuals). There is an established level of support from major donors at Action for ME so this is a role that will require exceptional relationship management to retain our current valued supporters while growing this crucial area of fundraising.
This would be an ideal role for an experienced philanthropy professional seeking to work for a small but ambitious charity, helping us to achieve our mission to improve the lives of all people affected by ME – better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.
Key duties
Major Donor Fundraising
• Successfully develop and implement the philanthropy strategy to secure and maximise funds from high value individuals for Action for ME achieving annual income of £250k+
• Set plans and budgets which will deliver income through major gift fundraising and philanthropic giving through family trusts and foundations, including quarterly forecasting.
• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors at the £5k to £100k level, to develop and maintain strong and long-standing partnerships
• Work closely with the Director of Fundraising and Development and other colleagues to ensure that plans and activities for fundraising from high value individuals are integrated into the overall fundraising strategy and plan for significant growth.
• Be responsible for our Breakthrough-ME Group with high quality proposition development. Contribution to Group fundraising activities with a specific focus on ensuring their networks support pipeline growth for future fundraising.
• Lead the delivery of our biennial fundraising gala dinner, maximising income and new opportunities from attendees.
• Develop engaging and inspiring opportunities to steward and cultivate support creating a calendar of activities including events, presentations, approaches, networking and meetings.
• Utilise the CRM database (Raisers Edge) to provide the data required to strategise your approach to philanthropy, monitor progress and provide a high-quality donor experience.
• Ensure utilisation of insight & data, producing management information data to inform planning and strategy development.
• With the Director of Fundraising & Development, create inspiring cases for support and resulting propositions with clear budgets and outcomes.
• Create adequate systems and processes to support the major donor programme.
• Undertake and manage research into prospects and major donors, preparing for approaches and presentations and briefing senior leadership and trustees for donor meetings and events.
• Develop and maintain relationships with donors, a wide range of staff and volunteers from trustee level down.
• Provide regular feedback and internal reporting to line management.
• Work with other fundraisers to ensure that all fundraising opportunities and leads are followed up – particularly in corporate, community and trust fundraising.
• Work with Trustees, the Chief Executive and members of the Leadership Team to develop relationships with major donors.
• Self-administrate including managing your own diary and meetings, keeping accurate and up to date records of activity
• Occasional travel to London, Bristol & events
Other duties
• To positively promote the work and activities of Action for M.E. at all times.
• To contribute to the team’s overall, ongoing and annual planning and budgeting.
• To undertake any other reasonable activity in line with the responsibilities of the post as requested by the Director of Fundraising and Development, Chief Executive or any other senior Action for ME management.
• Act as an advocate for the Charity and its work.
• To work in accordance with Action for ME’s values of collaboration, equity and empathy.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
Our mission is to improve the lives of people affected by ME. Better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Job title: Professional Communities Manager
Reporting to: Director of Membership
Line Manager Responsibility for: Professional Communities Co-ordinator
Location: This is a remote UK-based role with regular travel to CST’s national and regional events, mainly in Birmingham and London. Candidates within reasonable travel distance to these locations are preferred.
Salary: £41,603 - £45,470 a year.
Pension: We offer a workplace pension and life assurance scheme. CST makes contributions equivalent to 10% of your gross salary.
Annual leave: Initially 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with an additional two days leave after three years’ service.
Working hours: Full-time 37.5 hours.
Application Closing Date: Tuesday 30th September, 12 noon.
Interview Date: First stage interviews will be conducted on Tuesday 7th October 2025, second stage interviews will be conducted on Friday 10th October 2025.
Job overview
The Professional Communities Manager leads the development, content curation, and operational delivery of CST’s 11 Professional Communities. These networks, events, and forums are a core benefit of CST membership and are provided free of charge to members.
This is a proactive, member-focused role that blends operational excellence with strategic content oversight. The postholder will work directly with community chairs, subject experts, community supporters, CST platinum partners and members to ensure that all communities are vibrant, professionally hosted, and deliver high-quality, relevant content.
The role also plays a key part in ensuring a joined-up approach to content across CST’s full range of activities, working closely with the professional learning and conference teams and partnerships to ensure alignment and maximise value for members.
Key responsibilities
Strategic Development and Continuous Improvement
- Develop and implement strategic plans to strengthen the value, engagement, and content of CST Professional Communities.
- Set clear objectives and KPIs to monitor success and drive continuous improvement of community services.
- Regularly evaluate community activity, identifying ways to increase engagement, relevance, and impact for members.
Community Content Curation and Management
- Oversee the quality, consistency, and relevance of content across all 11 Professional Communities, ensuring alignment with member priorities and organisational objectives.
- Work in partnership with community chairs, subject experts, community supporters and CST’s platinum partnerships to proactively commission, curate, and quality-assure community content (e.g., webinars, blogs, resources, discussions).
- Work closely with the professional learning and conference teams to ensure a joined-up, coherent approach to content across CST activity, avoiding duplication and enhancing overall member value.
- Identify content gaps and work creatively, including drawing upon resources and contacts within the policy and partnership team to address them, ensuring a balanced and evolving programme across the communities.
Community Engagement and Facilitation
- Lead and facilitate virtual and in-person community events, ensuring professional delivery and high-quality member interaction.
- Support and brief speakers, chairs, and contributors to ensure a consistently excellent experience for members.
- Actively promote member engagement through community platforms and other channels, driving participation and interaction.
Stakeholder Relationships
- Build and maintain strong relationships with CST members, community chairs, speakers, and supporters.
- Collaborate with internal colleagues across membership, communications, professional learning, policy, and conference teams to maximise the impact of community activities.
- Manage relationships with sponsors where appropriate, ensuring alignment with CST values.
Digital Platform and Event Management
- Oversee the effective use of digital and platforms (including CiviCRM and Hivebrite,) to host communities, deliver events, and share content.
- Manage operational aspects of events and online communities, ensuring smooth logistics and excellent user experience.
Data, Insight, and Reporting
- Monitor and report on community engagement, content performance, and member feedback, using data to guide improvements.
- Lead the ongoing development of data processes for the communities, ensuring accurate insights are captured and shared.
Team Leadership and Development
- Manage, develop, and support the Professional Communities Coordinator, fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture.
- Encourage learning and development across the team to ensure consistently excellent member service.
Adaptability and Wider Contribution
- Contribute to broader membership engagement strategies and initiatives.
- Undertake any other duties as required by the Director of Membership to support CST’s mission
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.