This is an exciting opportunity to join WellChild and lead an established, ambitious Challenge Events Programme. From major international marathons to high-profile UK mass participation events, you will play a key role in delivering a successful fundraising programme that generates vital income for seriously ill children and their families.
Purpose of the Role:
Working alongside the Director of Fundraising and managing a team of 2 x Challenge Event coordinators, the Challenge Events Programme Manager will be responsible for driving the growth, development and success of the programme, ensuring participants receive an exceptional experience while maximising fundraising income and supporter engagement.
Details:
- Hybrid, mostly home-based with 1-2 days per week at our Cheltenham office. Occasional travel around the UK and occasional international travel for events.
- 35 hours per week / full time
- Permanent
We are looking for:
An enthusiastic, organised and confident fundraising or events professional who is passionate about developing opportunities, building strong relationships and inspiring supporters to raise funds for WellChild. The successful candidate will bring:
- Strong project management and organisational skills.
- Experience in fundraising, challenge events, event management, sales or a related field.
- Creativity in event promotion and supporter engagement.
- Confidence in managing budgets and monitoring performance.
- Excellent relationship-building and communication skills.
- The ability to work collaboratively across teams and with external partners.
- A proactive, target-driven approach with a focus on achieving results.
You will:
Lead the planning, delivery and growth of WellChild’s Challenge Events Programme, ensuring every participant enjoys a positive and rewarding fundraising journey.
Key responsibilities:
- Managing WellChild's places in major third-party challenge / mass participation events.
- Identifying and developing new event opportunities to grow participation and income.
- Supporting the delivery of WellChild-led challenge events.
- Providing outstanding stewardship and support to participants throughout their fundraising journey.
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with event organisers, supporters, volunteers and corporate partners.
- Working closely with fundraising, communications, operations and finance teams to maximise event promotion and engagement.
- Managing programme budgets and ensuring income targets are achieved.
- Monitoring performance, producing reports and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Leading and supporting the Challenge Events team to deliver a sustainable and successful programme.
About You:
You are positive, proactive and relationship-focused, with the confidence and drive to turn ideas into successful outcomes. You will have:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Experience working towards and achieving targets.
- Confidence using data, budgets and performance metrics to inform decision-making.
- A genuine commitment to helping WellChild raise vital funds for seriously ill children and their families.
We can offer:
- Competitive starting salary of £36,487 per annum*
- 23 days’ holiday on appointment, rising to 27 days, plus 8 bank holidays
- Stakeholder Pension Scheme from appointment, with 5% employer contribution
- Employee Assistance Programme
- TOIL for out-of-hours work
*Our policy is that we show candidates the bottom of the salary band for the role they are applying for, all appointments will be made at the start of the salary range, successful candidates have the opportunity to move up the payscale over time and this will becommunicated as part of the recruitment process. Progression up the salary range is reviewed on an annual basis and subject to individual performance and affordability.
