At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead community fundraising initiatives and engage supporters to drive impactful change.
- Company: Join Spinal Research, a pioneering charity dedicated to curing paralysis.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 4-day work week, flexible hybrid working, and an 8% pension contribution.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team committed to innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while shaping the future of community fundraising.
- Qualifications: Experience in community fundraising and strong relationship-building skills required.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 37000 € per year.
About Spinal Research
Every two hours, someone in the UK becomes paralysed. Globally, more than 15 million people live with paralysis. At Spinal Research, our vision is a world where paralysis can be cured. We fund groundbreaking research to deliver life‑changing treatments for people with spinal cord injuries. By backing the brightest minds and fostering innovation, we are driving progress towards what could be the medical breakthrough of the 21st century: curing paralysis. We will not stop until that future is achieved.
The Role
This is an exciting opportunity to step into a newly shaped role following a restructure that has created space to further strengthen and grow our community fundraising programme. You will be working closely with the Head of Fundraising (C&E) to create and deliver a new community fundraising strategy, and will agree the key priorities for the role to ensure a clear and realistic focus for the contract period. This is a 6‑month contract role, created to provide immediate expertise and momentum during a period of change. There is scope to make the role permanent, subject to success and organisational needs.
As Community Fundraising Manager, you will play a central role in shaping a fundraising programme with lasting impact. You will take ownership of growing income, expanding supporter engagement, and building long‑term relationships across the community. We are looking for an engaging, proactive and enthusiastic individual who can bring structure, creativity and energy to help shape the future of community fundraising and inspire supporters and volunteers to get involved and maximise their impact.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategy & Growth: Work with the Head of Fundraising (C&E) to develop and deliver a refreshed community fundraising strategy. Shape and implement plans to grow income, engagement and supporter involvement. Set clear income targets, KPIs and growth priorities. Develop a diverse and sustainable pipeline of community fundraising opportunities and supporters.
- Supporter Engagement & Stewardship: Build strong supporter and volunteer relationships, delivering high‑quality stewardship and supporter care to enhance journeys, maximise retention and grow long‑term engagement.
- Fundraising Delivery: Lead delivery of a range of community fundraising activities, including individual fundraising activities and challenges, in celebration and in memory fundraising. Identifying and developing new community fundraising opportunities. Create engaging campaigns and opportunities that attract new audiences and grow engagement with existing supporters.
- Recruitment & Communications: Recruit, support and develop volunteers and fundraisers across a range of activities. Encourage progression of volunteers into active fundraisers and community leaders. Provide ongoing guidance, tools and support to enable successful fundraising delivery. Support the promotion of fundraising activity through social media, digital channels and campaign communications. Contribute to marketing activity aimed at attracting new supporters and engaging existing audiences.
- Systems, Insights & Reporting: Use CRM systems effectively to manage supporter data and activity. Monitor income, engagement and performance against agreed KPIs. Analyse results to identify opportunities for growth and improvement. Use insight to inform future planning and campaign development.
- Collaboration: Work closely with internal teams to align community fundraising with wider organisational goals.
About you
Experience: Proven experience in community fundraising at manager level. Strong track record of growing income and supporter engagement. Experience delivering a range of community fundraising activities and campaigns. Experience working with volunteers and supporter communities. Confident use of CRM systems and supporter databases. Experience in marketing, audience growth or supporter recruitment. Worked for a medical or research charity (Desirable).
Skills & Attributes: Strong relationship‑building and communication skills. Creative and proactive approach to developing fundraising opportunities. Comfortable working in a role that is shaping and evolving. Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities. Supporter‑focused with a passion for community engagement. Enthusiastic, collaborative and motivated by purpose‑driven work.
Why Join us?
- Play a key role in shaping and strengthening community fundraising.
- 6‑month contract with scope to make permanent.
- 4‑day working week while working full‑time hours.
- 8% pension contribution.
- Flexible, hybrid working environment.
Working Arrangements: Hybrid role split between home and our London Bridge office. Spinal Research is a four‑day week employer (Fridays Off). Part of a supportive, values‑driven team (commitment, integrity, collaboration, innovation). Occasional evening or weekend working may be required to meet organisational needs, with time off in lieu provided.
Ready to help us deliver life‑changing impact? Apply now to join Spinal Research and play a key role in our mission to cure paralysis.
Community Fundraising Manager employer: Blind Ambition
At Spinal Research, we are dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by paralysis. As a Community Fundraising Manager, you will thrive in a supportive and values-driven environment that champions innovation and collaboration, while enjoying a flexible hybrid working model and a four-day work week. With opportunities for personal growth and the chance to shape a vital fundraising strategy, joining our team means contributing to groundbreaking research and being part of a mission that truly matters.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Fundraising Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the fundraising community. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential supporters or collaborators. The more connections you make, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion! When you get the chance to chat with someone about the role, let your enthusiasm for community fundraising shine through. Share your ideas on how to engage supporters and grow income. Remember, they want to see your creativity and energy!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out to organisations like Spinal Research directly and express your interest in their mission. You never know when an opportunity might arise, and showing initiative can really set you apart.
✨Tip Number 4
Utilise social media to your advantage! Follow organisations you’re interested in, engage with their content, and share your own insights on community fundraising. This not only keeps you informed but also showcases your knowledge and commitment to potential employers.
We think you need these skills to ace Community Fundraising Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for community fundraising shine through! We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission to cure paralysis and how you can inspire others to get involved.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in community fundraising. We’re looking for someone who has a strong track record of growing income and engaging supporters, so be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the role.
Be Creative:This role is all about shaping and evolving our community fundraising strategy, so don’t hesitate to showcase your creative ideas in your application. Share any innovative campaigns or initiatives you've led that could inspire us!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to make a real impact in the community.
How to prepare for a job interview at Blind Ambition
✨Know Your Cause
Before the interview, dive deep into Spinal Research's mission and values. Understand the impact of their work on the community and be ready to discuss how your passion for community engagement aligns with their goals. This will show your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.
✨Showcase Your Fundraising Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully grown income or engaged supporters. Highlight any creative campaigns you've led and the results achieved. This will demonstrate your capability to deliver on the key responsibilities of the Community Fundraising Manager position.
✨Engage with Questions
Come prepared with thoughtful questions about the community fundraising strategy and how you can contribute to its success. Asking about the challenges they face or the types of community engagement they value will show that you're proactive and genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Demonstrate Relationship-Building Skills
Be ready to discuss how you've built strong relationships with supporters and volunteers in the past. Share strategies you've used to enhance supporter journeys and retention. This is crucial for the role, so showcasing your interpersonal skills will set you apart.
