Fundraising and Communications Executive

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Fundraising and Communications Executive is a new role and will play a pivotal part in advancing our communications and fundraising strategies. As OTR continues to grow, this position will be instrumental in expanding our online presence and ensuring we connect with a broad audience, including young people, families, professionals, and supporters of our mission. It’s an ideal opportunity for someone who is both creative and analytical, skilled in producing compelling content and using data to amplify digital impact. This role would suit someone who can take initiative, think proactively, and confidently manage projects independently – qualities that are especially important in our small, dedicated team.

You’ll work on a wide range of projects, creating engaging content that aligns with OTR’s brand and values across our website, social media, and email campaigns. This includes developing multimedia content (including graphics, videos and blogs) to promote our work and highlight our impact in the local community.

From a fundraising perspective, you will help drive our fundraising activities and ensure efficient administration using the newly acquired ‘Donorfy’ database. This includes leading on the stewardship of donors and community fundraisers, managing our fundraising CRM database, and working on small and medium-sized trust and grant applications. You’ll also support digital campaigns and new initiatives, to encourage sustained support for our work. You’ll directly help to secure the financial support needed to expand OTR’s services and reach more beneficiaries. In addition, you’ll analyse the performance of our digital channels – interpreting website analytics, social media metrics, and email campaign results – to provide recommendations that enhance our communications strategies and ensure ongoing impact.

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a supportive and passionate team. If you’re a skilled communicator driven by purpose, enjoy creating compelling digital content, building strong relationships with donors, and using data to inform creative strategies, this could be the role for you.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Fundraising and Communications Executive

Location: Hybrid or office-based – OTR has two offices, both based in Leigh Park. PO9 3SU and PO9 5BG.

Reports to: Head of Fundraising

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: Part-time (up to 22.5 hours a week, with hours and working pattern negotiable)

Salary: £15,795 – £16,380 per annum (FTE £25,974 – £26,936)

JOB PURPOSE

The Fundraising and Communications Executive will play a key role in implementing OTR’s fundraising and communications strategies. The role involves planning, creating, curating and managing high-quality digital content across our website, social media platforms and email marketing campaigns. Furthermore, you will support key areas of our fundraising strategy, including trust and grant applications, horizon scanning and ensuring excellent fundraising administration across all areas of activity.

This position is instrumental in supporting the Head of Fundraising in developing and strengthening OTR’s income streams and increasing awareness of OTR’s services through effective communications. 

Specific role duties

Supporting the fundraising strategy

• Lead on OTR’s donor and community fundraiser stewardship through excellent communication and effective relationship management.

• Lead on the implementation of fundraising communications across channels.

• Responsible for small to medium size trust and grant applications, including horizon scanning

• Support the stewardship of small and medium-sized trusts and foundations including scoping, applications, reporting and funder management.

• Create engaging content and campaigns to drive income generation.

• Help build the small pool of regular donors.

Website and CRM maintenance

• Work with OTR’s Head of Fundraising, the Administration Manager and web developer to maintain, update and enhance the OTR website.

• Monitor website performance, user engagement and SEO trends, suggesting and

implementing improvements to enhance user experience and visibility.

• Lead on ensuring our CRM (Donorfy) is utilised effectively to record, monitor and report on fundraising activity and income.

Social media

• Working with the Head of Fundraising, CEO and Volunteer Coordinator and Business Support Officer, contribute to OTR’s social media presence by creating and scheduling engaging, accessible, and informative content that resonates with our audience and supports OTR’s mission.

• Monitor social media platforms to ensure timely and appropriate responses to comments and messages.

• Identify new opportunities to grow OTR’s social media reach, building awareness of our services, fundraising and outreach work.

• Regularly report on social media performance, using insights to inform future content and strategy.

• Utilise paid ads to support fundraising and training.

Email marketing

• Support the planning, creation, and delivery of OTR’s, soon to be launched, email marketing campaigns, including newsletters, fundraising initiatives and service information and signposting.

• Ensure all email communications are engaging, well-structured, and in line with OTR’s brand and tone of voice.

• Assist in the promotion of key OTR events, such as the Big Charity Bash and annual Great South Run and other special events.

• Manage and grow OTR’s email marketing lists, ensuring they are up to date and GDPR compliant.

• Track and analyse the performance of email campaigns, providing reports and insights to the Head of Fundraising.

Content creation

• Create engaging, accessible, and informative content for OTR’s digital channels, including the website, social media and email marketing.

• Develop multimedia content (for example, videos and graphics) to enhance OTR’s

communication methods and increase engagement.

• Contribute to blogs, news articles and case studies that highlight OTR’s work, impact and achievements in the sector.

Brand and tone of voice

• Ensure that all digital content aligns with OTR’s brand, tone of voice and style,

maintaining a cohesive and recognisable identity across all platforms.

• Promote OTR as the leading place to turn to for support, ensuring that our content

reflects our professionalism, reputation and expertise.

Analytics and reporting

• Use analytics tools to track the performance of OTR’s digital communications, including website traffic, email engagement and social media reach.

• Provide regular reports on digital performance to the Head of Fundraising, including insights and recommendations for improvement.

• Provide regular reports from the CRM and other online fundraising platforms to the

Head of Fundraising.

Promote

• Promote OTR as an exceptional and specialist charity.

Equality and diversity

• Promote good equality practice and play a key role in ensuring equality of opportunity in the workplace.

• Observe all relevant law relating to equality of opportunities.

• Encourage a working atmosphere where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Any other duties

• The post-holder will work collaboratively with all OTR trustees, staff and volunteers to provide a seamless service.

• Any other duties commensurate with the post.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Knowledge, training and qualifications

Essential

• Understanding of charitable organisations.

• Understanding of principles of communications, marketing and fundraising.

Desirable

• Understanding of issues facing families in Havant and South East Hampshire.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a communications or marketing role.

• Experience in planning, creating, and managing digital content across websites, social media, and email marketing.

• Experience in developing and managing content using online platforms including JustGiving, Mailchimp and Canva.

• Experience of managing a diverse workload in a busy environment.

Desirable

• Experience in utilising a CRM database to improve administrative systems.

• Experience in creating multimedia content, such as graphics and videos, to enhance digital communications.

• Experience in supporting fundraising initiatives, including donor stewardship and relationship management.

• Proficiency in using analytics tools (e.g. Google Analytics and social media insights) to monitor and report on digital communication performance.

• Experience in upholding and applying brand guidelines in various forms of content.

• Experience in communicating expert information/advice to wider audiences.

Skills

Essential

• Strong writing and editing skills with a focus on creating engaging, accessible, and audience specific content.

• Exceptional customer service skills with proven ability to respond appropriately and effectively to enquiries on the phone, on social media, and by email.

• Strong time and project management skills.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build effective relationships and to be impactful with people of varying levels and experience.

• A flexible, pro-active approach to work including the ability to work to deadlines, plan, prioritise and manage own workload.

• Strong interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work autonomously and demonstrate initiative.

• A team player committed to working collaboratively to achieve results.

• Ability to use Microsoft Office Packages including SharePoint, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and the internet.

• Ability to learn and better utilise IT systems.

• Ability to deal with sensitive information with discretion and to always maintain confidentiality.

Safeguarding

Our organisation implements safeguarding protocols in all aspects of service delivery and operations; we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults. All successful applicants will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check with the relevant barred checks in line with the role.

Other requirements

• A commitment to treating your colleagues fairly, consistently and with respect (Essential)

• An interest in and understanding of OTR’s mission and strategy (Essential)

• Resilient, creative, determined and hard working (Essential)

WHAT WE OFFER YOU

We will provide a laptop, and other necessary IT equipment to facilitate hybrid and home working.

As an employee, you will receive the following benefit package:

• Generous annual leave entitlement including bank holidays

• Flexible start and finish times between core hours of 8am and 6pm

• Flexible hours to take time off for medical appointments and caring responsibilities

• Hybrid working

• 3% employer pension contribution if eligible

• Paid sick leave

To apply

Please submit a full CV (accounting for all gaps in employment – for Safer Recruitment).and a covering letter detailing all of the below:

• why you believe you are right for this role.
• why you wish to work at OTR.
• detailing your experience in all ‘essential’ criteria of the person specification

Registered charity number 1064275

Limited company 3333729

Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund