Vice chair of trustees jobs
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!
Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (CRER) is seeking our next Executive Director. This is an opportunity to lead Scotland’s foremost strategic anti-racist organisation, taking forward its mission and objectives at a pivotal moment.
About Us
The Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (CRER) is Scotland’s leading strategic anti-racist organisation. Based in Glasgow, we work to eliminate racial discrimination and harassment and to promote racial justice across Scotland through research, policy development, lobbying, campaigning and network-building.
Our mission is to protect, enhance and promote the rights of Black and minority ethnic (BME) communities across all areas of life in Scotland, strengthening their social, economic and political capital, particularly for those most at risk of disadvantage.
The Role
As Executive Director, you will be the senior officer responsible for the strategic leadership, policy development, office and staff management, financial control, stakeholder relationships and Company Secretary duties. You will ensure delivery of annual work plans, contractual compliance and organisational sustainability.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategy, Research and Policy Development: Provide strategic direction, delivering CRER’s vision, aims and objectives; lead development and execution of strategy with staff and Board, setting policy, research and advocacy priorities.
- Governance and Operational Management: Act as Company Secretary; oversee OSCR compliance; support the Board’s duties through guidance and information; prepare annual budgets; ensure sound financial management; oversee management accounts and annual reports; maintain infrastructure and regulatory compliance; implement risk management; develop funding applications and tender responses.
- Staff Leadership and Development: Lead and line-manage a motivated team; maintain and apply the CRER Policies and Procedures Handbook consistently.
- Stakeholder Relations and Public Relations: Manage external relationships with BME organisations, third sector, government, funders, academia, and parliamentarians; represent CRER in strategic discussions, public events, media, and on social media platforms.
- Other Duties: Any additional tasks required for effective organisational functioning.
Key Details
- Job Title: Executive Director
- Salary: £67,000 per annum
- Contract: Permanent, full-time (35 hours per week)
- Location: Hybrid home/office (minimum three days per week in our Glasgow City Centre office, with occasional travel across Scotland). Support with required relocation costs available.
Person specification:
- Degree level qualification or equivalent
- Expertise in strategic, anti-racist approaches to race equality
- Strong oral and written communication with diverse audiences
- Ability to interpret complex social policy and devise effective interventions for Black minority ethnic communities in Scotland
- Current awareness of developments in the race equality arena
- Lived experience of racialisation, applied to policy and practice
- Senior leadership with strategic planning and business implementation
- Proven track record in securing varied funding and managing charity finances and governance
- Skilled in report writing, research, presentations and policy influence
- Commitment to CRER’s mission, aims and values
- Relationship-building and interpersonal skills at all levels
- Strategic, analytical thinker who works well under pressure and exercises sound judgement
- Flexible team player with initiative
- Highly motivated self-starter driven to advance racial equality in Scotland
While prior experience in the above areas gained in a Scottish context would be desirable, CRER is keen to appoint the best person for the role wherever they may currently be, so long as they have the right to work in the UK.
The information pack can be found attached to this advert which includes details on how to apply. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny at Harris Hill via the apply button with suitable times to speak.
Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 22nd September 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, and will endeavour to promote equality for all candidates, in line with the protected characteristics and requirements of the Equality Act 2010.
