Head of Fundraising in London

Join Racing Welfare as Head of Fundraising and make a lasting impact! Are you an ambitious, results-driven fundraising leader with a passion for making a difference? Racing Welfare is looking for an exceptional Head of Fundraising to join our senior management team and take the helm of a thriving, high-performance fundraising operation. This is a unique opportunity for someone who wants to shape the future of British horseracing’s charitable support, driving growth and innovation in a vital sector.

About Racing Welfare: Racing Welfare is a registered charity dedicated to supporting the workforce of British horseracing – from stud, stable, and racecourse staff to those in related professions. Our mission is to help these dedicated individuals thrive in their careers and lives, offering guidance, practical assistance, and support throughout their journey – from recruitment to retirement.

The Role: As Head of Fundraising, you will play a central role in Racing Welfare’s strategic direction and growth. You’ll work closely with the Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer to craft and execute an ambitious fundraising strategy that delivers innovative income streams to fund our vital services. You’ll lead, inspire, and develop a talented team, empowering them to deliver outstanding fundraising initiatives and events that drive real change.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop & Deliver Fundraising Strategy: Work with senior leadership to shape the charity’s fundraising vision, ensuring the strategy aligns with our wider goals and drives long-term sustainability.
• Innovative Fundraising Campaigns: Create and implement engaging campaigns, managing budgets and evaluating performance to optimise success.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and motivate a high-performing fundraising team, supporting their professional growth and achieving collective goals.
• Building Strategic Partnerships: Cultivate relationships with trusts, foundations, and corporate partners to build lasting, mutually beneficial collaborations.
• Drive Operational Excellence: Oversee day-to-day fundraising operations, ensuring smooth management of income, expenditure, and compliance.

You Will Bring:

• Proven experience in fundraising or commercial management, with a track record of successfully recruiting donors and sponsors.
• A natural leader with exceptional people management skills, able to inspire and empower teams to excel.
• Solid experience in budgeting, financial planning, and performance management.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage and motivate diverse stakeholders.
• A passion for innovation and the ability to think strategically about fundraising opportunities.

Bonus: Experience in the horseracing industry is desirable, but not essential.

Why Racing Welfare? This is your chance to take on a leadership role in a respected and impactful charity. You’ll be part of a passionate team, working in a dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth. The role offers flexibility with the option to work from home or our Newmarket office, alongside occasional travel across the UK (including evenings and weekends). As a charity, wellbeing is at the forefront of all we do. We aim to be a leading employer in the industry and make sure everyone at Racing Welfare has the opportunity to thrive.

If you’re ready to make a significant contribution to the future of Racing Welfare and help improve the lives of those who dedicate themselves to British horseracing, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply Today: Submit your CV and covering letter to join Racing Welfare and lead our fundraising efforts to new heights. We welcome enquiries from everyone and value diversity in our workforce. The closing date for this role is 16 February 2026. First stage interviews will be held the week commencing 23 February 2026 in person in Newmarket. We reserve the right to bring forward the closing date if we receive a large number of suitable applications.

Salary: £50,000 – £60,000 DOE

Racing Welfare is committed to safeguarding and will always recruit all personnel in line with government guidelines, relevant legislation, and the Charity Commission’s best practice guidance. This post is not exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. We only ask applicants to disclose convictions which are not yet spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Racing Welfare’s Safeguarding Statement of Intent can be found on our website.