Community Fundraising Lead

Make fundraising meaningful – join us and help save lives. At Friends of PICU, we’re dedicated to supporting the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital Southampton, funding lifesaving equipment, providing family support, and enhancing care for critically ill and injured children. We’re looking for a Community Fundraising Lead to grow our community and events fundraising activities, inspire supporters, and make a lasting impact for families when they need it most.

The Role

As our Community Fundraising Lead, you’ll be the driving force behind our community and event fundraising. You’ll build relationships with existing and new supporters, community groups, and corporate partners developing opportunities to raise income and awareness for Friends of PICU. Working closely with our Operations Manager, you’ll deliver an annual calendar of exciting fundraising events, from local community challenges to large-scale campaigns, ensuring each activity connects people to our mission and delivers excellent supporter experiences. This is a full-time role (37.5 hours per week) with hybrid working – based partly at our charity office at University Hospital Southampton and partly from home. Some evening and weekend work, plus travel across Hampshire and neighbouring counties, will be required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Grow community fundraising by engaging with fundraisers, schools, faith groups, clubs, and small businesses.
• Build and nurture relationships, delivering exceptional supporter care and stewardship.
• Lead event fundraising – plan, deliver, and evaluate an annual calendar of fundraising events.
• Create inspiring fundraising materials and digital content.
• Promote events through social media and the website with engaging storytelling.
• Support corporate engagement and develop partnerships.
• Manage data, CRM records, and ensure accurate banking and reporting.
• Meet fundraising targets and contribute to budgets and reports.
• Represent Friends of PICU at community events and presentations.
• Support grant applications with evidence and stories from fundraising activities.
• Collaborate across the team, supporting operations, volunteers, and event logistics.

About You

You’re enthusiastic, confident, and driven by the difference your work makes. You’ll thrive in a busy, people-focused environment, balancing creativity with organisation. You’ll bring initiative, positivity, and a “can do” attitude to everything you do.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Excellent relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
• Confident in public speaking, networking, and representing a charity professionally.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Organised, able to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.
• Experience using Microsoft Office and social media platforms.
• Understanding of fundraising principles, legislation, and GDPR.
• Ability to work flexibly, including evenings/weekends, and travel locally (car and full UK driving licence required).
• Self-motivated, proactive, and comfortable working both independently and as part of a small team.
• Committed to equality, inclusion, and the values of Friends of PICU.

Desirable:

• Experience of managing fundraising events within a charitable organisation.
• Experience in event management and volunteer coordination.
• Knowledge of charity sector practices and Gift Aid processes.
• Experience using CRM databases.

Competencies:

• Relating and Networking: Builds positive relationships with supporters and colleagues, using empathy and humour appropriately.
• Persuading and Influencing: Inspires others, negotiates effectively, and promotes ideas with confidence.
• Delivering Results: Focuses on quality, productivity, and supporter satisfaction, consistently achieving goals.
• Creating and Innovating: Develops new ideas and approaches, driving improvements and change.
• Entrepreneurial Thinking: Adapts to new challenges and opportunities with creativity and commercial awareness.
• Coping with Pressure: Maintains professionalism and positivity under pressure, learning from feedback.

What You’ll Get:

• Salary range: £28,000 – £33,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Flexible hybrid working between home and our Southampton base.
• Autonomy to design and lead your own events calendar.
• Support from a small, friendly, and passionate team.
• Real impact: See how your work directly improves care for critically ill and injured children, and their families.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your fundraising career and want to make a genuine difference, we’d love to hear from you.