Head of Fundraising

Contract type: Part-time (28 hours per week), 9 month fixed-term until March 2027

Salary: £55,000 - £60,000 per annum (pro rata £44,000 - £48,000)

Hybrid working: 2 days per week at Kings Place, London, 2 days remote or home working.

Join our team at The Guardian Foundation and be part of a diverse and inclusive organisation whose purpose is to promote access to liberal journalism through news and media literacy and support to aspiring journalists from underrepresented backgrounds. Our vision is a world where people have access to reliable information from a diverse range of sources, strengthening their ability to hold power to account. This is an exciting time to join as we prepare to launch a new five‑year strategy in Spring 2027.

Our programme participants include children and young people, and people who are underrepresented in the media industry, particularly those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ communities, and people with disabilities. We recognise the value of lived experience and welcome candidates who bring this. We value and respect all differences (seen and unseen) in all people at The Guardian Foundation.

About the Role

• Drive growth across a diverse portfolio of income streams, including but not limited to trusts and foundations, statutory funding, individual giving and earned income, setting and delivering strategy and annual work plans to meet annual and multi‑year fundraising goals.
• Launch new fundraising activities appropriate to the capacity, vision and values of Guardian Foundation.
• Manage income and expenditure budgets and provide reports to the Executive Director and Board.
• Deliver the Foundation’s strategy by leading cross‑organisational projects and contributing to the charity’s long‑term priorities and goals.
• Optimise fundraising processes, systems and CRM data to maintain accurate donor records, support budgeting and forecasting, and track actions to keep the pipeline on track.
• Produce timely high‑quality written communications for donors and funders, including proposals, grant applications, reports and impact statements.
• Support the Executive Director on delivering the new business development strategy and cultivation plans for priority prospects in line with GF’s income generation strategy.
• Lead and support high‑level pitches and negotiations with prospective donors, positioning GF as a credible and strategic partner.
• Build a dynamic prospect pipeline across priority audiences using diverse outreach and networking tactics including desk research and event attendance.
• Represent the Foundation externally with professionalism, credibility and enthusiasm.

About You

• Fundraising track record: significant experience in securing and stewarding high‑value gifts from grant‑making trusts and foundations, major donors and/or corporate partners.
• Strategic planning: proven ability to develop and execute multi‑year fundraising strategies that consistently meet or exceed income targets.
• Relationship management: proven ability to personally lead and manage donor relationships across the full fundraising cycle: from lead generation, through prospect qualification, engagement, asking and stewardship.
• Pipeline management: experience of managing a caseload/pipeline of donors, working with senior managing interactions to keep relationships moving forward and achieving KPIs and financial target.
• Prospect research: excellent research and qualification skills, with the ability to prioritise and proactively take forward high‑value opportunities.
• Persuasive written communication: highly developed written skills, with the ability to craft compelling pitches, proposals and impact reports for diverse audiences.
• Personal credibility and emotional intelligence: excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and influence senior stakeholders, board members, and high‑net‑worth individuals.
• Project leadership: experience of leading and delivering projects, balancing multiple priorities and deadlines and delivering desired outcomes.

Benefits

• Culture & Wellbeing: inclusive employee forums, access to daily newsroom briefings, free yoga and pilates, corporate gym membership discount, cycle‑to‑work scheme.
• Learning & Development: a wide range of professional development opportunities, with support for vocational courses and qualifications.
• Workplace & Flexibility: modern office space at Kings Place with excellent facilities and hybrid working.
• Additional Benefits: 30 days annual leave plus 5 days purchase scheme, generous pension (5% employee / 8–12% employer), life cover, income protection, enhanced family leave, and specialist support policies including IVF, menopause, baby loss, and trans equality.

We appreciate the time taken to prepare each application we receive. We do not use AI‑assisted technology to review applications; every application is reviewed by a member of the Guardian Foundation team. We actively encourage applications from candidates underrepresented within the media and not‑for‑profit sectors, including Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, and candidates with a disability.