At a Glance
- Tasks: Plan and deliver exciting fundraising events while engaging with donors and supporters.
- Company: Join Switch the Play Foundation, a charity dedicated to supporting sportspeople's transitions.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 25 days leave, pension, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic and passionate environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the lives of sportspeople while shaping a growing charity.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in event planning and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Hours: Part-time (28 hours / 4 days) with the option to increase to full-time (35 hours) after probation
Contract: Permanent
Location: Home-based with regular UK travel
Reporting to: Director of Fundraising
About Switch the Play Foundation
Switch the Play Foundation is the UK’s only charity dedicated solely to supporting sportspeople as they transition to life beyond sport. We empower individuals across all levels and disciplines to thrive during and after their sporting careers through tailored development, wellbeing, and transition support. With our new five-year strategy well underway, this is an exciting time to join a growing, ambitious, values‑driven team committed to scaling our impact across the UK.
The Role:
We’re looking for an energetic, creative and highly organised Events & Community Fundraising Manager to help shape and deliver an inspiring programme of fundraising events and supporter engagement initiatives. Working closely with our Director of Fundraising, you’ll manage a diverse events portfolio—including large-scale public fundraisers, third‑party challenge events like the London Marathon, and stewardship or networking receptions—to generate income, raise awareness, and strengthen supporter relationships. You’ll also lead our community fundraising activity, engaging donors, partners, and supporters to help grow a thriving and connected fundraising community around Switch the Play.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with proven events experience who is looking to bring fresh ideas, develop new initiatives, and really make the role their own in a supportive and collaborative environment.
What You’ll Do
- Plan and deliver Switch the Play’s established calendar of fundraising events, including challenge/sporting events, dinners and receptions.
- Create and manage a pipeline of new fundraising events aligned to our strategy and income goals.
- Develop engaging event marketing collateral and promotional plans, working with our Marketing Manager.
- Lead all event participant recruitment and stewardship, ensuring accurate tracking in Salesforce.
- Build strong, long-lasting relationships with participants, donors and supporters.
- Maintain a rolling inventory of auction prizes for use at events.
- Work with staff and trustees to maximise uptake and support for third-party fundraising events.
- Lead on community fundraising activities such as donor‑led campaigns, online raffles, and partner‑supported events.
- Maximise opportunities through national fundraising moments, such as Giving Tuesday and The Big Give.
- Develop new initiatives to engage individuals—such as former beneficiaries—in fundraising for Switch the Play.
- Produce supporter communications (event brochures, newsletters, Mailchimp campaigns) with support from Marketing.
- Contribute to the development of general and regular giving campaigns to grow our donor base.
What You’ll Bring
- Strong project management capability with excellent planning and organisational skills.
- Confident communicator with the ability to build rapport quickly and influence at all levels.
- Outstanding attention to detail and ability to juggle multiple projects.
- Creative thinker and problem-solver who thrives in a fast-paced environment.
- Resilient, self-motivated, and a collaborative team player.
- Comfortable engaging with donors, supporters and high-profile individuals.
- Calm and adaptable during live events.
Experience
- Minimum three years’ experience planning and delivering fundraising events end‑to‑end.
- Experience driving participation through effective marketing and sales processes.
- Experience organising community fundraising initiatives and digital fundraising campaigns.
- Strong stewardship experience with donors and/or VIPs.
- Experience using a fundraising CRM (ideally Salesforce).
- Relevant fundraising or higher education qualification.
Personal Qualities
- A passion for sport and supporting sportspeople through life’s transitions.
- Commitment to Switch the Play’s values and Team Code.
What We Offer
- Be part of a supportive, passionate, values‑led team.
- The opportunity to shape the future of a growing national charity.
- Flexible working culture built on trust and wellbeing.
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays + 3 days at Christmas.
- Employer pension, CPD budget, tech allowance and travel expenses.
- A high‑impact role where your voice and ideas genuinely matter.
Other Requirements
- Right to work in the UK and current UK residency.
- Full driving licence and access to a vehicle.
- Willingness to work occasional evenings/weekends.
Events & Community Fundraising Manager employer: Switch The Play Foundation
Switch the Play Foundation is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work within a passionate and values-driven team dedicated to supporting sportspeople in their transition beyond sport. With a flexible working culture, generous annual leave, and a commitment to employee development, you will thrive in a supportive environment where your ideas and contributions truly matter. Join us in making a meaningful impact across the UK while enjoying the benefits of a high-impact role that aligns with your passion for sport and community engagement.
Contact Details:
Switch The Play Foundation Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Events & Community Fundraising Manager
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Switch The Play Foundation.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Switch The Play Foundation.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Switch The Play Foundation.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Switch The Play Foundation. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Events & Community Fundraising Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Switch The Play Foundation. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Events & Community Fundraising Manager, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Switch The Play Foundation
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Switch The Play Foundation. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
