Head of Legacies, In Memory and Supporter Care

We are looking for an interim Head of Legacies, In Memory and Supporter Care to play a vital role in strengthening the supporter experiences and relationships that help power our lifesaving work. This is a 12 month offering a rare opportunity to step into a leadership role where you'll help shape and deliver our Legacy, In Memory and Supporter Care programmes. You'll put insight, compassion and supporter needs at the heart of everything we do. You will lead a talented team to inspire people to give in meaningful ways, deepen their connection with our cause, and help us grow sustainable income that ensures we can be here for anyone who needs us.

We're looking for someone who can drive our ambitious plans to grow our legacy income. Working collaboratively across teams and directorates, particularly Data, Finance and External Engagement, making sure our strategies are based on insight and are effective in communicating the need. With significant direct marketing experience, ideally across legacy and in memory fundraising, strong leadership capability and a passion for exceptional supporter care, you'll bring the expertise and energy needed to help us reach new audiences and build long lasting supporter relationships. If you're driven by purpose, motivated by insight and inspired by the chance to make a real difference, we'd love you to join us.

Contract terms: 12 month fixed term contract (maternity cover). Full time hours are 35 hours per week, but we are passionate about flexible working, talk to us about your preferences. Linked to our Ewell (Surrey) office. In-person working: Meeting in person and working collaboratively are things we value. We work in person around 2 days or more per month.

What you'll do:

• Lead the delivery of Samaritans' legacy and in-memory giving strategy.
• Deliver excellent supporter experience, maximising the attraction and retention of our supporters.
• Grow and sustain Samaritans' legacy income in line with our fundraising strategy.
• Encourage, explore and develop our supporter care approach to help improve our supporter experience and retention.
• Build and manage strategic relationships with external agencies and suppliers.
• Produce comprehensive campaign evaluations and make recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team through a culture of ambition and proactive performance management.

What you'll bring:

• A supporter led mindset and approach.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering income growth from legacies and in-memory income streams.
• Experience of understanding, using and reporting on data for marketing purposes.
• Experience of using a range of marketing channels and approaches, including a strong understanding of different audience needs to maximise income generation.
• Excellent people management skills with experience of leading a high performing team.
• Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting.
• Skilled in strategic thinking and planning, with a creative approach to solving complex problems.
• Confidence in negotiating and influencing at senior levels of the organisation.
• Strong understanding of fundraising legislation.

At Samaritans, you'll be part of a people‐first organisation deeply committed to inclusion, compassion and learning. You'll contribute to a team where your voice matters, your expertise makes a difference, and your work helps save lives. We welcome applications from individuals with lived experience and encourage those from underrepresented communities to apply. We are committed to creating an environment where all our people feel seen, heard and supported. You'll join a values‐led organisation with a powerful mission and a collaborative culture. We offer flexible hybrid working, excellent benefits, and the chance to make a tangible difference in suicide prevention across the UK and Ireland.

We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from disabled, racialised minority and LGBTQ+ candidates, as these people are under‐represented at Samaritans.

We take safeguarding seriously at Samaritans and follow safe recruitment practices. As this role has direct contact with children and adults at risk, this role will require an Enhanced DBS check. At offer stage, as part of the conditional job offer, we will require the candidate to disclose in full, spent and unspent convictions by completing a declaration form. The declaration form will only be seen by those who need to see it as part of the recruitment process.

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please apply. You will be asked to answer some short application questions and to upload your CV. Applications close: 09:00am on Monday 30th March. 1st stage Interviews: w/c 6th April 2026 (online). Second stage interviews will be held in person, at our office in Ewell (Surrey) w/c 13th April.

At Samaritans, human connection is at the heart of everything we do. We do not use AI at any stage during the selection process. Your application will always be carefully reviewed by the recruiting manager or a member of the Talent Attraction Team. We kindly ask that you avoid using AI tools to generate your application or interview answers. We want to hear your own ideas, insights, and writing style so your unique strengths can shine through.