Director of Fundraising and Communications

Overview

Whichever job you take on at ShelterBox, you will be working towards a world where no family goes without shelter after disaster.

Our team are the foundations of ShelterBox. They create a framework in which we are able to transform lives.

You would be joining ShelterBox at an exciting time of growth, helping us to continue to maximise both our reach and the impact of our work. Our team is full of positive, people focused individuals with a real passion for our cause.

Do you have the skills, personality and ambition to help us write our next chapter?

Role details

Position type: Permanent, Full time 37.5 hours a week. Flexible hours considered.

Responsible to: CEO

Direct reports: Deputy Director of Fundraising and Communications, Head of Global Brand and Content, Head of Global Comms and Digital, Head of Fundraising Operations, Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships

Location: ShelterBox HQ, Truro, Cornwall (hybrid working, mix of office and home) or Remote (UK only)

ROLE PURPOSE

The Director of Fundraising and Communications is a member of the Executive Team. This is ShelterBox’s most senior management team, with overall responsibility for leading, planning and managing the work and development of ShelterBox.

You will be responsible for the delivery of our current 5 year organisational strategy 2022-27 as well as the implementation of the departmental Fundraising and Communications strategy, driving continued ambitious growth in our reach, engagement and fundraising. You will also play a leading role in driving the development of the next 5-year strategy for 2027 onwards.

You will work with the wider organisation and stakeholders to represent Fundraising and Communications and ensure the team are supported and able to thrive.

This is a role for a dynamic senior fundraising and communications specialist, who will bring significant experience within the sector. Working collaboratively across the organisation, you will develop and implement a strategy that builds foundations for growth and drives a bold and confident ShelterBox of the future. You will take full accountability for the successful delivery of income forecasts and expenditure budgets. You will work with the team to deliver best in class communications across our channels, reach new audiences and grow unrestricted income through digital and offline acquisition, oversee the strategic growth of our philanthropy and partnerships programme, support our strategic partnership with Rotary, and ensure that the ShelterBox brand is optimised to ensure we stand out in a crowded market.

You will also be responsible for understanding the needs and ambitions of the ShelterBox network of affiliates (in Europe, North America and Australasia), seeking to understand the strategies and tactics that will drive global income growth. You will recommend where investments by ShelterBox Trust can support global fundraising into the future.

You will be a proven, highly effective communicator with an empowering management style and the ability to quickly build relationships. A personal desire to invest in your teams with limited resources is essential. Creativity, commitment and best practice implementation are key.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

We are seeking a highly experienced fundraising and communications expert, who has a passion for storytelling and building impactful relationships. You must be able to hit the ground running, have a strong record of developing and leading successful teams by building highly effective relationships. This role is all about inspiring leadership, strategic innovation, and maximising every opportunity to grow our vital work.

Experience and understanding of the humanitarian sector is desirable, as is an understanding of current fundraising opportunities and challenges, ethical storytelling and communication trends. This includes an understanding of the competitive fundraising environment in the sector, following announcements by some government donors. The need for emergency shelter around the world is vast and growing daily. This role must understand and drive ambitious and effective ways to communicate our specialist focus on shelter and the tangibility of our offer to current and future supporters.

The role will support the Fundraising and Communications department to deliver 2025/2026 plans, as well as implement the longer-term fundraising and communications strategy, seizing all opportunities in an ever-changing landscape.

As well as leading the UK team, working with colleagues from different countries to grow international fundraising, requires excellent communication skills and a commitment to a long-term diplomatic approach.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for the wider cultural context that affects our supporter’s lives and behaviours. You will be results oriented and be confident using data and insight to inform decision making and drive our fundraising to the next level. Driven by a desire to connect in a meaningful way with audiences old and new, you will continuously seek new ways to ensure supporters are at the heart of everything we do.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone to lead a passionate and high-performing team, drive longer-term strategy and ensure the development of ShelterBox’s strategic planning at a time of considerable change across the sector

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO

As part of the Executive Team:

• Support the development, implementation, and evaluation of ShelterBox’s Strategy 2022-27 as well as play a leading role in developing the next organisational 5 year strategy.
• Support the development and implementation of ShelterBox’s vision, mission and values, including through demonstrable leadership and communication skills.
• Direct all fundraising and communication activities to achieve strategic goals, in line with our vision, mission and values.
• Work closely with the ShelterBox Board of Trustees, reporting on progress against strategy.
• Deputise for the CEO as required.
• Regular travel to our Headquarters in Truro will be required. Occasional travel to London, affiliate offices internationally, and other locations.

As Director of Fundraising & Communications:

• Provide inspiring leadership and direction for the Fundraising & Communications department’s multi-disciplinary team, ensuring ongoing development and implementation of our strategy to see continued ambitious growth in our income and profile.
• Drive and mentor a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, setting clear expectations, providing ongoing support and ensuring that teams are aligned with the strategy and our vision, mission and values.
• Ensure we grow the profile and influence of ShelterBox through the delivery of compelling fundraising and communications strategies to increase our supporter base and income.
• Line manage the FundComms SLT: Deputy Director of Fundraising and Communications, Head of Global Comms and Digital, Head of Global Brand and Content, Head of Fundraising Operations, Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships.
• Embed a culture of data and insight driven decision making, innovation and collaboration.
• Build strategic relationships with internal stakeholders to support collaboration, integrated planning and effective delivery of fundraising and communications activities.
• Be accountable for budgets and the best use of financial resources within the department, ensuring all budget and procurement processes are effectively implemented.
• Drive performance against targets within the department, identify and mitigate risk and develop contingency plans.
• Ensure our global brand aligns with the organisational strategy and audience insight, and that there is consistent application across the international team.
• Ensure our reputation is enhanced and protected - our teams produce high-quality, accurate materials, our processes are safe and robust, our supporters feel valued, and we are upholding our organisational values.
• Represent and act as an ambassador for ShelterBox externally, including with strategic partners like Rotary, and our community of incredible supporters. This includes taking part in media interviews to promote our work to a wide audience.
• Work closely across the department and affiliate teams to deepen understanding of our audiences, using data and sector insights to better target and grow these audience groups and increase lifetime value.
• Keep up to date with sector trends and developments, and particularly work with the CEO office to build networking and profile-building opportunities.

As a senior team leader and people manager at ShelterBox

• Actively demonstrate the importance of staff development in line with ShelterBox’s policies and procedures, for example by undertaking regular 1:1 meetings with direct reports and investing in performance management.
• Model ShelterBox’s values through behaviours and leadership and build on what is a great senior leadership team in the Fundraising and Communications Department
• Champion equality, diversity and inclusion within the organisation.
• As part of an emergency organisation there will be times when you will be required to work evenings and weekends at short notice in response to a disaster.

Other responsibilities

• Any other duties as required which are deemed appropriate to the level and grade of the post.

ShelterBox is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

At ShelterBox we are committed to safeguarding and protection of children and vulnerable people in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work with children and vulnerable people are recruited to work with us.

Successful applicants will also be required to apply for and hold a valid DBS check.

Please download to view supporting documents below.

Director of Fundraising and Communications Job Pack 2025.docx

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