At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fundraising and communications to drive growth and impact for children in need.
- Company: LCH Charity, a rapidly growing children's charity in the East Midlands.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape strategy, creative freedom, and make a real difference.
- Other info: Be part of an ambitious journey with significant growth potential.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven team and help transform lives through innovative fundraising.
- Qualifications: Proven fundraising success, strong leadership, and a passion for children's welfare.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
LCH Charity is one of the East Midlands' fastest-growing children's charities.
In just five years, we have grown from an annual income of £70,000 to a forecast £1.2 million by August 2027.
We have expanded our reach across the East Midlands, built strong partnerships with schools, businesses and communities, and supported tens of thousands of children and families experiencing poverty.
Our growth has been driven by innovation, ambition and a relentless focus on meeting the needs of children and young people.
Through close collaboration with our school partners, we deliver practical support where it is needed most, helping children to thrive regardless of their circumstances.
While our impact within schools continues to grow, we know there is still enormous potential ahead.
Awareness of our work beyond the education sector remains relatively low, and the opportunity to engage businesses, philanthropists, individual supporters, trusts and foundations across the region is significant.
We are now seeking an exceptional Director of Fundraising and Communications to help unlock that potential and lead the next phase of our journey.
The Opportunity
This is not a role focused on maintaining the status quo.
This is an opportunity to build on a proven success story and help shape the future of a charity with ambitious plans for growth.
This is a genuinely exciting opportunity that offers the freedom to be creative and ambitious, with the autonomy to shape, lead and deliver your own strategy.
Reporting directly to the CEO and serving as a member of the growing Executive Leadership Team, you will lead the creation, development and delivery of an ambitious fundraising and communications strategy that diversifies income, elevates our profile and strengthens our reputation across the East Midlands.
You will inherit an organisation with strong foundations, a compelling story and a highly successful fundraising model.
Our flagship School Colour Dash programme currently generates approximately 70% of our income and has become a powerful platform for both fundraising and engagement.
The challenge, and opportunity, is clear.
We are looking for a dynamic and entrepreneurial leader who can develop sustainable income streams capable of matching, and ultimately exceeding, the success of our flagship event.
This is a rare opportunity to help create the next £1 million of income growth.
About the Role
As Director of Fundraising and Communications, you will
- Lead the creation, development and delivery of a bold and ambitious fundraising and communications strategy.
- Diversify income across corporate partnerships, major donors, trusts and foundations, community fundraising, individual giving and philanthropy.
- Develop compelling propositions that inspire investment in our mission.
- Increase awareness, visibility and understanding of LCH Charity across the East Midlands.
- Strengthen and protect the charity's brand and reputation.
- Build strategic relationships with senior business leaders, philanthropists, partners and stakeholders.
- Identify and develop innovative new income opportunities.
- Lead and inspire a talented, committed and growing fundraising and communications team.
- Use insight, data and market intelligence to drive decision-making and growth.
- Act as a passionate ambassador and advocate for children, young people and families.
- Use systems to increase engagement across all supporters.
- Contribute to organisational leadership and strategic development as a member of the Executive Leadership Team.
Who We Are Looking For
We are seeking an ambitious, strategic and inspirational leader with a proven ability to deliver significant growth.
You will be someone who combines vision with action, enjoys building relationships, and thrives in environments where there is genuine opportunity to innovate and make a lasting impact.
You will bring
- A successful track record of securing substantial fundraising growth.
- Experience working across a range of income streams, including corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, philanthropy and individual giving.
- Strong commercial awareness and an entrepreneurial mindset.
- Exceptional communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
- Experience of developing successful communications, marketing or brand strategies.
- Strong leadership experience and the ability to motivate and develop teams.
- The confidence to identify new opportunities and convert them into sustainable income.
- A genuine passion for improving outcomes for children, young people and families.
Most importantly, you will be excited by the opportunity to take an already successful charity to the next level.
Why Join LCH Charity?
This is a unique opportunity to join a charity that has already demonstrated what can be achieved through ambition, innovation and determination.
Over the last four years, we have transformed our income from £70,000 to a forecast £1.2 million, expanded our reach across the East Midlands and built a model that is changing lives every day.
Yet we believe we are only at the beginning of our journey.
We are looking for a leader who shares our ambition, who sees opportunity rather than limitation, and who wants to play a defining role in shaping the future of a growing and impactful organisation.
What Success Will Look Like
In this role, you will
- Build income streams capable of matching the success of our flagship School Colour Dash programme.
- Secure transformational corporate, philanthropic and strategic partnerships.
- Significantly increase awareness and recognition of LCH Charity.
- Strengthen our influence across the East Midlands.
- Position LCH Charity as a charity of choice for businesses, donors and supporters.
- Help drive the organisation through its next phase of transformational growth.
- Enable thousands more children and families to access the support they need.
- Join Us
We have grown from £70,000 to a forecast £1.2 million in just five years.
Now we are looking for an exceptional fundraising and communications leader who can help us do it again.
If you are ambitious, entrepreneurial and motivated by the opportunity to create lasting change for children and families, we would love to hear from you.
Join us and help build the future of LCH Charity.
We are looking for ideas as well as experience.
- Please submit your CV together with a supporting statement (maximum two pages) outlining:
- Why this opportunity interests you.
- Why this role is the right next step in your career.
- What excites you most about the growth opportunity at LCH Charity.
Informal and confidential conversations with our Chief Executive Officer are welcomed and encouraged.
Director of Fundraising and Communications in Leicester employer: LCH Charity
LCH Charity is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead a dynamic team in a rapidly growing children's charity that has already made a significant impact across the East Midlands. With a strong focus on innovation and collaboration, employees are encouraged to be creative and ambitious, while benefiting from professional growth opportunities and the chance to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families. Join us in shaping the future of our organisation and enjoy a supportive work culture that values passion and commitment to social change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Fundraising and Communications in Leicester
✨Get Involved with Local Charities
Dive into the local fundraising scene in your area! Volunteer for events or get involved with committees at organisations you admire. Not only will you gain experience, but you'll also make connections that could lead to that coveted full-time role at places like LCH Charity.
✨Network through Fundraising Events
Attend fundraising galas, charity auctions, and networking events. These gatherings are perfect for meeting industry professionals and perhaps even landing an interview on the spot. Plus, if you mention how you love the mission of LCH Charity, you’ll definitely make an impression!
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Don’t just sit back; actively connect with fundraisers on LinkedIn! Join groups related to fundraising development and share your insights or experiences, which can position you as a knowledgeable candidate for full-time roles. This is a platform where visibility really counts in our industry.
✨Showcase Your Passion through Content
Consider writing articles or creating posts about fundraising strategies, non-profit success stories, or your experiences in the field. Sharing this content can help establish your expertise and draw attention to yourself for full-time positions like that at LCH Charity. It’s all about being visible and passionate!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Fundraising and Communications in Leicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the world of fundraising, we want to see your genuine enthusiasm for the mission that LCH Charity supports. Be sure to weave in your personal connection to the cause in your cover letter. This isn't just a job for us; it's about making a difference, so let your passion shine through!
Highlight Relevant Experience:In your CV, focus on any past experience related to fundraising, community engagement, or donor relations. If you've organised events or developed marketing materials for a charity, make sure we see it front and centre. Quantify your achievements where possible—donor retention rates or funds raised can make a huge impact!
Use Engaging Language:When crafting your application, use engaging language that reflects the tone and values of LCH Charity. We're looking for enthusiasm and creativity in how you present your experience. This is especially key in fundraising, where storytelling can connect potential donors with our mission.
Tailor Your Application:One size does not fit all! Make sure to tailor your CV and cover letter specifically for the Director of Fundraising and Communications role at LCH Charity. Research us to understand our specific initiatives and align your skills with our goals. A personalised approach shows that you’re genuinely interested and willing to put in the effort—qualities we absolutely love!
How to prepare for a job interview at LCH Charity
✨Display Your Passion for the Cause
Let’s face it, fundraising is all about passion! Show up to your interview with genuine enthusiasm for the mission of LCH Charity. Share specific experiences that demonstrate your commitment to similar causes, and don't shy away from discussing why this role and this organisation matter to you.
✨Know Your Fundraising Strategies
Brush up on different fundraising strategies and tools that are common in the industry, such as grant writing, event planning, or online campaigns. Be prepared to discuss which methods you've used successfully before and how they could translate to your work at LCH Charity.
✨Be Ready for Scenarios and Challenges
Expect scenario-based questions where you’ll have to talk about how you’d tackle potential challenges in fundraising. Whether it’s overcoming donor objections or streamlining donor processes, think about examples from your past that showcase your problem-solving skills.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Network Building
Fundraising is rarely a solo effort; collaborative skills are key! Talk about how you've worked with different teams to achieve fundraising goals, and mention any networks you have that could be beneficial for LCH Charity. This shows you're not only a lone wolf but a team player with valuable connections.
