At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead income generation and develop strategic partnerships for a mental health charity.
- Company: Join a growing mental health charity focused on sustainability and impact.
- Benefits: Flexible working, competitive salary, and the chance to shape organisational strategy.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to work autonomously in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in mental health support while building something impactful.
- Qualifications: Proven track record in securing funding and building partnerships.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: Surrey/Hybrid
Hours: 3 days per week (0.6 FTE)
Term: Permanent
Closing Date: Applications closing date: 21 June 2026, interviews will be scheduled for the beginning of July 2026.
We are open to reasonable adjustments and flexible approaches to the role.
This is an exciting opportunity to shape and lead a new phase of income generation and organisational sustainability within a growing and ambitious mental health charity. We are investing in this role because we believe the organisation can significantly strengthen and diversify its income, increase unrestricted funding, and build new strategic partnerships and opportunities that support long‑term impact across Surrey.
The postholder will establish and lead a high‑performing income generation function, bringing strategy, structure and momentum to activity that is currently fragmented and underdeveloped. This role combines strategic leadership with hands‑on delivery. We are looking for someone who can build pipeline, secure funding, develop partnerships and create the systems and relationships needed for sustainable growth.
The role will work closely with senior leadership at both Mary Frances Trust and Catalyst Support on selected partnership initiatives and collaborative opportunities that strengthen mental health support across Surrey. There is a clear expectation that the role will contribute significantly to improving the organisation’s financial resilience and move towards generating net financial contribution over time.
Purpose of Job
Help shape the future of mental health support in Surrey. This is not a traditional fundraising role. It is an opportunity to build something. Mary Frances Trust is entering an exciting new phase focused on strengthening long‑term sustainability, developing strategic partnerships and creating new opportunities to support mental health and wellbeing across Surrey. We are looking for an experienced and ambitious income generation professional who can help lead that journey.
Why this role matters
Demand for mental health support continues to grow while funding environments become more pressured and competitive. We believe there is significant opportunity to grow and diversify our income, strengthen unrestricted funding, and build innovative partnerships that increase our impact and long‑term resilience. This role is central to making that happen.
What makes this role different
- Build an income generation function from the ground up
- Shape organisational strategy and sustainability
- Develop high‑value partnerships and collaborative opportunities
- Work across innovation, community mental health and system partnerships
- Help position MFT as a key partner in improving mental health support across Surrey.
The role will also contribute to selected partnership initiatives and joint funding opportunities with Catalyst Support as part of strengthening collaboration across the county.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and lead our income generation strategy
- Build and manage a strong pipeline of funding opportunities
- Secure income from trusts, statutory and partnership sources
- Strengthen our case for support and external positioning
- Develop strategic partnerships and collaborative opportunities
- Establish systems, structure and focus across income generation activity.
Person Specification
We are looking for someone who:
- Has a strong track record of securing income across multiple streams
- Has built and converted funding pipelines into secured income
- Understands the UK charity and/or commissioning landscape
- Can work strategically while remaining hands‑on and delivery‑focused
- Is comfortable operating autonomously in a growing and evolving environment
- Brings energy, credibility and relationship‑building strength.
Highly Desirable
- Experience of securing commissioned income (e.g. NHS, local authority)
- Experience of developing unrestricted income streams
- Experience in mental health, wellbeing or community services
- Experience working in partnership or system‑based environments
- Experience of building income systems and processes from scratch.
Skills & Capabilities
- Strong ability to build, manage and prioritise income pipelines
- Strategic thinking with a strong bias towards delivery and outcomes
- Excellent written communication and bid development skills
- Strong relationship‑building and influencing skills
- Ability to identify and develop new income opportunities
- Financial awareness, including understanding of income targets, value and return
- Ability to work autonomously and operate at pace in a lean environment.
Personal Attributes
- Highly self‑directed and accountable for results
- Comfortable operating in ambiguity and building new systems from scratch
- Resilient and adaptable in a performance‑driven environment
- Confident and credible with senior stakeholders
- Values‑driven and aligned with the organisation’s mission.
This role is not suited to someone looking to learn income generation in post. We need someone who can bring experience, momentum and delivery from the outset.
Equal Opportunities
We acknowledge the unique contribution that all host organisations employees and patients can bring to our organisation in terms of their culture, race, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital status, nationality, age, religion or belief and any physical disability or history of mental health or additional problems. All appointments and promotions are based on merit and no job applicant or employee will be treated unfairly or discriminated against. All staff have equal access to staff development. Any member of staff who breaches this policy may be subject of grievance and/or disciplinary procedures. This post is subject to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level. Please note past drug and/or alcohol or criminality history will not necessarily discount you from undertaking this role.
Income Generation & Development Lead employer: Mary Frances Trust
Mary Frances Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead and shape the future of mental health support in Surrey. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we foster a collaborative work culture that values innovation and strategic partnerships, ensuring our team members can make a meaningful impact while enjoying flexible working arrangements. Join us in our mission to enhance organisational sustainability and create lasting change in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Income Generation & Development Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the mental health sector or those who have experience in income generation. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your past successes in securing funding and building partnerships. Use real examples to demonstrate how you can bring value to the role. This will help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to organisations you admire, like Mary Frances Trust, and express your interest in contributing to their mission. Sometimes, creating your own opportunity is the best way to land the job.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and the organisation. So, don’t hesitate – get your application in!
We think you need these skills to ace Income Generation & Development Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Income Generation & Development Lead role. Highlight your relevant experience in securing income and building partnerships, as this is what we’re really looking for!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you’ve successfully generated income or developed strategic partnerships in the past. We want to see the impact you’ve made!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value authenticity and want to get a sense of who you are beyond your professional achievements. Share your passion for mental health and community support!
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mary Frances Trust
✨Know Your Income Generation Strategies
Make sure you’re well-versed in various income generation strategies, especially those relevant to the charity sector. Be prepared to discuss how you would build and manage a strong pipeline of funding opportunities, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
This role requires strong relationship-building abilities. Think of examples from your past where you successfully developed partnerships or secured funding. Be ready to share these stories during the interview to demonstrate your credibility and influence.
✨Understand the Mental Health Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the current mental health support landscape in Surrey and beyond. Being able to discuss the challenges and opportunities in this field will show that you’re not just experienced but also genuinely interested in making an impact.
✨Prepare for Strategic Thinking Questions
Expect questions that assess your strategic thinking and delivery focus. Prepare to discuss how you would approach building an income generation function from scratch and what systems you would implement to ensure its success.
