Fundraising and Communications Manager in Leeds

Ready to build the Fundraising for Nell Bank’s 50th year?

Every year, Nell Bank welcomes 24,000 visitors, most of them children from across Yorkshire. On 25 acres near Ilkley, they find confidence, resilience and friendships they take home with them. A quarter of them come on a free or subsidised place, and fundraising makes that possible.

In 2027 we turn 50. Our promise for 2027 to 2030 is simple: every child included. This is Nell Bank’s first dedicated fundraising role. The ambition and the support are already here. The pipeline, the partnerships and the voice will be yours to build.

Fundraising and Communications Manager

• Salary £21,000 a year for three days a week (£35,000 full-time equivalent)
• Contract 12-month fixed term, with a route to a permanent post if the first year’s measures are on track
• Start Early 2027

What you will do

• Grow grant income from trusts and foundations, and widen the funder base so we depend less on a few large funders
• Turn introductions into corporate partnerships: sponsorship, charity of the year, employee volunteering, gifts in kind
• Shape and launch our 50th anniversary giving proposition, and rebuild our volunteer ambassador network
• Tell Nell Bank’s story across our website, social media, e-newsletters and the press, working with our comms partner in 2027 and then leading marketing communications and PR in-house
• Build the pipeline, calendar and playbooks that keep Nell Bank fundraising into the future

What you will bring

• A track record of raising income from at least two of trusts, corporate partners and individual giving, with figures you can evidence
• Persuasive writing, and a talent for storytelling that adapts to each audience: funders, schools, brand & corporate partners, supporters and the local community
• Marketing communications experience, including using social media platforms commercially to grow audiences, drive donations and fill events
• An understanding of PR, and how local, regional and sector media can raise our profile and open doors with funders and partners
• Confidence leading volunteers and working with trustees
• A practical approach to CRM, data and the Code of Fundraising Practice
• A full UK driving licence
• Experience in a charity, in outdoor learning, education or youth work, knowledge of Bradford, Leeds and West Yorkshire funders
• Hands‑on experience of Claude AI or similar tools would be a real advantage.

What you will get

• A role with real scope: trusts, corporate, individual giving and communications, all in one
• The chance to leave a lasting mark in our 50th anniversary year
• Backing from the CEO, a Board sponsor, trustees and a committed volunteer network recognised with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service
• A beautiful working setting, flexible working and a workplace pension
• 15.5 days’ holiday for the 0.6 FTE contract, plus bank holiday entitlement
• A route to a permanent post if the first year’s measures are on track

About Nell Bank

Nell Bank was founded in 1977 by Paul Hockney, former Lord Mayor of Bradford and brother of the artist David Hockney. Nell Bank is a 25-acre outdoor learning centre near Ilkley, welcoming more than 24,000 visitors a year, most of them children and young people from across the Bradford district. We hold Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) accreditation and the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a UK voluntary group can receive, in recognition of the volunteers at the heart of Nell Bank.

We help children build confidence, resilience, teamwork and wellbeing through time outdoors. Around a quarter of our visitors attend through a free or subsidised place, funded by our fundraising. Our commitment for 2027 to 2030 is simple: “Every child included”. As we approach our 50th anniversary, we want to protect and grow that commitment, and fundraising is how we will do it.

Why this role, and why now

Around a third of Nell Bank’s total income comes from grants, events, corporate supporters and individual donors. Today, most of that fundraising is led by the CEO, supported by a committed group of 30 trustees and regular volunteers. Historically, there has been no dedicated fundraising post, given the focus on core operations. In October 2026 our Board approved investment in this new role as the first step in a hybrid model: one experienced, paid fundraiser working alongside the CEO, existing staff and a strong volunteer network.

Purpose of the role

To lead and grow Nell Bank’s voluntary income through grant applications, individual giving andpartnerships, and to tell Nell Bank’s story through marketing, social media and the press in a way that raises our profile and brings in new supporters. The postholder turns fundraising strategy into a steady, well‑organised programme of applications, approaches, campaigns and stewardship, and builds the systems and playbooks that make it possible. The CEO retains responsibility for fundraising strategy (what we raise for and how much) and final sign-off. The postholder leads delivery. Nell Bank Charitable Trust is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.