Director of Fundraising

Join this charity and help transform mental health research. Our client champions and funds world-class research to transform the lives of everyone affected by a mental health condition. They strive to create a world where mental illness is better understood, diagnosed, treated and, hopefully someday, prevented. They believe research is the first step towards making that a reality.

They connect scientists with supporters, people with lived experience of mental health illnesses, policymakers, and practitioners, so together they can strive to understand mental health, improve treatments and prevent mental illnesses. Supported by their world-class Science Council, this charity funds research globally and works in partnership with leading organisations in the field including Wellcome Trust, the Mental Health Mission, DATAMIND, University of Oxford, Glasgow University and Kings College.

What you'll be doing

The Director of Fundraising is a senior, strategic leadership role responsible for driving significant and sustainable growth in income for this charity, with a target of achieving £10 million annual turnover over the next five years. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the postholder will set and deliver an ambitious, data-led fundraising strategy across philanthropy, trusts and foundations, partnerships and other income streams. They will personally steward high-value relationships while building a high-performing, commercially minded fundraising function capable of supporting the organisation’s long-term mission.

Key Responsibilities

• Fundraising Strategy & Income Growth
  • Develop and deliver This charity’s overall fundraising and income generation strategy, aligned to organisational priorities
  • Set clear income targets and KPIs across all fundraising streams
  • Personally lead and secure six- and seven-figure gifts, grants and contracts
  • Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with major donors, funders and partners
  • Ensure excellent stewardship, reporting and donor experience across all income streams
• Pipeline, Performance & Data Oversight
  • Provide strategic oversight of the fundraising pipeline, ensuring a healthy balance of prospecting, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship
  • Use data, insight and CRM reporting to track performance, forecast income and manage risk
  • Identify income concentration risks and develop mitigation strategies
  • Drive continuous improvement in fundraising processes, systems and ways of working
• Financial Management & Reporting
  • Own the Fundraising budget, including income forecasting, expenditure control and cost-of-fundraising oversight
  • Work closely with the Finance team to ensure accurate income phasing, reporting and financial planning
  • Produce regular reports for the CEO, Executive Team and Board on income performance, pipeline health and risks
  • Ensure all funding is managed in line with grant conditions, donor expectations and regulatory requirements
• Leadership & Team Development
  • Provide strategic leadership and line management to the team
  • Build, develop and retain a high-performing, motivated fundraising team
  • Foster a collaborative, ambitious and accountable fundraising culture
  • Support succession planning and talent development within the Fundraising function
• External Profile, Partnerships & Thought Leadership
  • Represent the charity at high-level events, conferences and networking opportunities
  • Strengthen the organisation’s profile with funders, corporates, policymakers and partners
  • Work closely with the Board and Science Council to maximise fundraising and partnership opportunities
  • Undertake speaking engagements where appropriate to generate visibility & awareness
• Executive Leadership & Governance
  • Act as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to organisational strategy and decision-making
  • Support the CEO with Board engagement, particularly around fundraising strategy and performance
  • Ensure fundraising activity complies with all relevant legislation, regulation and best practice
  • Uphold the employer’s values, reputation and commitment to ethical fundraising

Person Specification

The following is highly desirable:

• Significant senior leadership experience in fundraising or income generation, ideally within the charity, research or mission-driven sector
• Proven track record of delivering substantial income growth and securing high-value gifts
• Experience leading and developing high-performing fundraising teams
• Strong commercial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting and performance management
• Demonstrable experience of managing complex stakeholder relationships
• Strategic, analytical and data-driven approach to decision-making
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, including at Board and senior stakeholder level
• Strong understanding of the UK research funding or philanthropic landscape
• Clear alignment with the employer’s mission and values
• Knowledge of mental health research and lived-experience-led approaches
• Experience of US philanthropy or international fundraising
• Experience working with Boards, trustees or scientific advisory groups
• Familiarity with modern CRM systems and fundraising analytics

Why Join this charity?

They offer a great working experience within a friendly team. Hybrid working (in the London office Mondays and Tuesdays, with the remaining days from home). They are located near Barbican Tube. Plus, they offer lots of generous benefits and training opportunities. This charity is a Sunday Times Top Company to work for.

Benefits

• Flexible working: As a mental health charity, staff wellbeing is of paramount importance. They operate a core hours policy (10-4) to encourage flexible working and staff are mainly home based with the requirement to come into the office two days per week. A standard full-time working week is 35 hours, plus an hour for lunch breaks.
• Holidays: Annual holiday entitlement of 31 days (inc. office closure between Xmas and New Year) plus bank holidays.
• Wellbeing Allowance: This employer provides an allowance of up to £1200 per annum for each employee to spend on activities that increase their wellbeing. This is paid through payroll and is taxable.
• Virtual GP & Other wellbeing services - Get quick GP appointments and support with cancer and caring responsibilities through the Zurich benefits scheme.
• Cycle to work scheme: An interest-free loan is available to enable employees to purchase a bike and accessories, repaid via equal deductions from the employee’s salary over 12 months.
• Employee Assistance Programme: All employees and their families have access to a 24-hour confidential advice and support line.
• Counselling: Employees have access to a number of free face-to-face sessions, via the EAP scheme.
• Pension: The employer makes contributions of 5% and employees make contributions of 3%.
• Life Assurance - Up to 4 x your salary in the event of death in service.
• Season Ticket Loan: An interest free season ticket loan is available, repaid via equal deductions from the employee’s salary over 12 months.
• Personal Development: This organisation values employee development and review individual training needs through their performance management system. HR also runs internal management development sessions for all staff.

Closing date: 22nd February 2026. Please note, this employer typically starts interviewing within two weeks of the job advert going live. They reserve the right to close the job before the deadline based on the volume of applications, so it is encouraged that you to apply as soon as possible.

Interested? To find out more information, please click the apply button. You will be taken to a simple CHM Recruit form and then redirected to complete your application for this position. Our client believes in equality and inclusion and they welcome job applications from everyone, provided you meet the criteria for the job. Safer recruitment is important to this employer and the successful applicant will be asked to provide two references. You will also be required to complete a safeguarding self-declaration and undertake a DBS check. No agencies please.