Director of Fundraising and External Affairs | James’ Place

Supporting men in crisis, saving lives: James’ Place provides vital, life-saving therapy when it’s needed most. Join us as our new Director of Fundraising and External Affairs and help us transform support for men in suicidal crisis.

Location: National - London, Liverpool, Newcastle, or Birmingham, with regular travel to each centre (min 3 days p/w office based)

Salary: c£80,000, plus benefits and 15% London weighting, if applicable

James’ Place is a charity on a critical mission to save the lives of men in suicidal crisis. With centres located in London, Liverpool, Newcastle and further expansion plans across the UK, we are committed to offering men facing crises, such as relationship breakdowns, financial problems, or bereavement, brief, intensive therapeutic interventions. To date, we have treated over 3,000 men, providing proven clinical services that significantly reduce psychological distress.

The Director of Fundraising and External Affairs is a new and vital role in the organisation and will form one of three new Executive Leadership Team posts. These new roles reflect the stage of development of the charity, which is now one of the leading providers of suicide prevention services in the UK. As the charity has evolved, its governance and senior management team are growing with it.

About the role

This pivotal new role will lead the Fundraising, Communications, and Advocacy functions, working closely with our CEO, ELT and Head of Fundraising to drive expansion and improvement and ensure the Charity’s long-term sustainability. For the first time, the role will bring together fundraising, communications, and advocacy under one directorate, developing strategies for growth and sustainability across all areas. The Director of Fundraising and External Affairs will lead a dedicated, high-performing team of ten, ensuring that income generation is understood and prioritised across the organisation. We have so far raised £8m against an overall 4-year campaign target of £13m, primarily from high-value supporters, and a key priority will be ensuring this success continues beyond our appeal. You will hold a highly strategic position, working closely with the CEO and other ELT members on overarching direction and personally developing relationships with some of our most valued supporters.

Who we are looking for

We seek a proven leader in fundraising with extensive experience of leading teams to deliver tangible results. Your experience will ideally lie primarily in fundraising, particularly across the high-value income streams, with demonstrable experience delivering growth strategies in these areas. You will bring a strong interest in communications and advocacy, recognising their critical role in building our profile and amplifying our impact. You will work closely with the CEO, senior team and the Fundraising, Communications and Advocacy team to develop an integrated external affairs strategy that ensures our brand, messaging, and policy influence are aligned with our organisational goals. You will have a proactive approach in collaborating with others, helping to build a cohesive external affairs function that strengthens our voice nationally and ensures that our life-saving work reaches all who need it in a sustainable way. Your ability to think strategically, coupled with excellent communication skills, will be key to ensuring that the charity can continue to deliver high-quality services. As part of the core leadership team, you will also have the ability to deputise for the CEO when necessary.

This is a unique opportunity for a highly skilled and passionate leader to make a significant contribution to an organisation with an ambitious vision. If you are looking for a role where you can drive organisational growth while supporting an important mission, we encourage you to apply.

For further information about the role, or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners: If you would like to know more about this role please contact Emily Birch.