Development Officer

The fundraising team at Breaking Barriers generates income from a range of sources: trusts and foundations, statutory and lottery, corporate and major donors. We sit within the wider Income and Engagement Directorate, alongside communications and public fundraising, and work closely together to drive income and engagement from funders, partners and supporters who share our vision that every refugee can access meaningful employment and build a new life.

The Development Officer manages our portfolio of small trusts and foundations (grants up to £10,000), securing income and developing relationships from existing donors and new prospects. The role involves writing compelling funding proposals, delivering effective stewardship, and meeting all reporting requirements to a high standard. Alongside portfolio management, the post-holder co-ordinates our fundraising events programme, ensuring both online and in-person events deepen engagement with our cause. The role also provides active support across fundraising appeals and the statutory, lottery and major donor income streams, including prospect research. The post-holder will also contribute to the operational efficiency of the fundraising team through effective administration. This is a varied, fast-paced role that will suit someone with strong writing skills, attention to detail and a genuine commitment to our mission. It offers real scope to develop knowledge and skills across a wide range of fundraising disciplines within a supportive and ambitious team.

Key Responsibilities

• Income generation (60%)
  • Manage and develop a portfolio of trusts and foundations awarding grants of up to £10,000, delivering tailored stewardship and relationship management across both warm relationships and cold prospects.
  • Plan, write and submit compelling funding applications based on a clear understanding of Breaking Barriers' programmes, funding needs and funder requirements.
  • Manage all reporting requirements within your portfolio, ensuring reports are completed accurately and to deadline.
  • Undertake research to identify new prospects, gathering relevant background information including funding interests, grant levels and connection points with Breaking Barriers.
  • Ensure all income and pipeline activity is accurately recorded and kept up to date in Salesforce.
  • Act as the philanthropy lead for the Big Give Challenge Appeal.
• Fundraising Events and Stewardship (20%)
  • Co-ordinate Breaking Barriers' fundraising events programme, working across the fundraising team and wider Income and Engagement Directorate to shape a calendar that inspires and engages funders, supporters and senior volunteers.
  • Manage event logistics including venue sourcing, guest list coordination, on-the-day support and follow-up.
  • Lead on the development of stewardship materials for philanthropy audiences, including impact updates, newsletters and event collateral.
• Prospect Research and Fundraising Administration (15%)
  • Carry out prospect research to support the major gifts, statutory and lottery fundraising pipelines, producing clear, well-structured briefings for senior colleagues.
  • Build and maintain funder profiles, recording prospect activity, research findings and pipeline information accurately in Salesforce.
  • Support colleagues in the finance team with gift administration and thanking processes.
  • Contribute to the directorate's approach to data quality and CRM best practice.
• Other Responsibilities (5%)
  • Participate in cross-team projects to build a thorough understanding of Breaking Barriers' work and wider activities.
  • Undertake any other duties that may reasonably be required within the scope of this role.
  • Demonstrate Breaking Barriers' values of being welcoming, collaborative, mission-led and entrepreneurial.

Person Specification

Essential

• Demonstrable knowledge of and/or interest in the refugee or employment sectors.
• Experience of writing compelling funding proposals or other relevant persuasive content for different audiences.
• Understanding of the principles of trusts and foundations fundraising, whether through direct experience or study.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesise information and present it clearly.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to take initiative and problem-solve.
• Able to build effective working relationships with colleagues at all levels.
• Confident using Microsoft Office and comfortable learning new systems.

Desirable

• Experience of trusts and foundations fundraising in the charity sector.
• Familiarity with major donor, statutory or lottery fundraising.
• Experience using Salesforce or another fundraising CRM.
• Knowledge of GDPR and data protection principles as they apply to fundraising.

Other considerations:

• Breaking Barriers is committed to protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect and for their views, wishes and beliefs to be fully taken into account when deciding action.
• We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief.
• Breaking Barriers particularly welcomes applicants with experience of seeking asylum and/or a refugee background.
• As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, we are committed to offering an accessible recruitment process and guarantee an interview to all applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the role.