Head of Fundraising and Communications in Wakefield

This is a rare opportunity to join a charity at the very start of its journey.

Salary: £60,000-£65,000

Location: Initially from home until opening, with travel for prospect meetings primarily in Wakefield and the surrounding area. Once open, hybrid, with 3 days per week on site.

Contract: Permanent, 37.5 hours (open to flexible working requests)

Benefits: 33 days holiday, pension, professional development

Wakefield Youth Zone will be the newest member of OnSide’s growing network of state‑of‑the‑art youth centres, giving young people somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to when school is out. With capital funding secured and construction about to begin, the next critical phase is revenue fundraising. This is more than a fundraising leadership role. It’s an opportunity to build the fundraising and communications function from day one. Initially, you’ll be the driving force behind building a community of around 34 Founder Patrons, each giving £25,000 per year for four years, creating the financial foundation for the Youth Zone’s first years of operation. As opening approaches, you’ll recruit and lead your own team, shaping strategy, culture, and long‑term sustainability.

We’re looking for someone entrepreneurial, relationship‑led and comfortable working independently. You’ll be supported by the national OnSide network, an exceptionally successful proven model, and a growing Yorkshire partnership with Barnsley Youth Zone.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead the Founder Patron campaign, securing multi‑year major/corporate gifts
• Build and lead the fundraising and communications function
• Develop and deliver a sustainable fundraising strategy
• Personally manage key donor and corporate relationships
• Work collaboratively across the OnSide network and region
• Sit on the future Senior Leadership Team
• Oversee the Youth Zone’s communications function, supported initially by a regional comms manager, and later by a dedicated local comms hire.

What we’re looking for:

• You will be an ambitious and relationship‑driven senior fundraiser with:
• A strong track record of securing major relationships
• Experience working with corporates and/or high‑net‑worth individuals
• Strategic thinking alongside hands‑on delivery
• Confidence in building partnerships and making the ask
• Entrepreneurial mindset and collaborative approach

This is a career‑defining opportunity to build something from the ground up and create lasting impact for young people in Wakefield.

How to Apply

If you’re as excited about this role as we are, please send your CV or profile to Ellen Drummond at Charity People to start the conversation. If your experience aligns with the brief, we’ll be in touch with next steps on how to make your formal application.

Closing: 9am, on Friday, 15th of May

First stage virtual interviews: 21st & 22nd of May

Second stage in‑person interviews: W/C the 1st of June

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.