Development Manager (maternity cover to March 2027) in Winchester

Are you an experienced fundraiser with a desire to make a difference to young people’s mental health? Are you self-motivated and a collaborative team player, eager to contribute your unique perspective in a supportive environment? If so, we encourage you to apply for the exciting opportunity to become the Maternity Cover for our Development Manager at Winchester Youth Counselling, a leading local youth mental health charity.

About Winchester Youth Counselling ("WYC"): At WYC our mission is to provide counselling, therapy and mental health support to young people aged 11-25 in Hampshire, as well as support and advice for parents and families, so that young people are supported to thrive and live happier lives. Our services include one to one counselling, walk and talk, and nature therapy sessions to local children and young people who are facing difficulties with their mental health. We also run a youth drop-in service in Winchester Town Centre. We offer support to parents and carers too with parent consultations and parent workshops. It’s a pivotal and exciting moment for our charity. We have undergone significant growth in recent years due to multi-year funding, and are looking to make an even greater impact on local young people’s mental health. We also find ourselves within an ever-more competitive fundraising landscape, therefore our team needs to help us to stand out in order to ensure that we are able to continue our vital work for years to come.

About the Role: The Development Manager role is a crucial role responsible for securing funding from a variety of sources in order to support the charity’s mission and financial stability. This position involves a blend of research, relationship building, and persuasive writing to secure grants from foundations, trusts and statutory funders; maintaining and developing strong relationships with local companies and HNW individuals, and helping to organise a varied portfolio of fundraising events. You will work closely with the senior management team and will play a strategic role in shaping the charity’s fundraising goals and fulfilling its mission. The charity has made significant moves to diversify income in the last FY and as a result, there is a strong fundraising strategy in place going into the 26-27 FY. Your role in the organisation will be to ensure that we continue to move forwards and implement its objectives, whilst continuously evaluating our successes and areas for development.

Key Responsibilities

• Grants and Trusts
  • Hold ownership of the Grants and Trusts pipeline to ensure that all planned Grants are submitted in a timely manner.
  • Track applications and success/failures, reporting these to management and Board.
  • Hold responsibility for ensuring that reporting requirements are adhered to.
  • Conduct thorough research to identify potential grant opportunities aligned with the charity’s goals and priorities.
  • Analyse grant guidelines and eligibility requirements to ensure strong applications.
  • Lead the development of compelling grant proposals that effectively communicate the charity’s impact and need for funding.
• Relationship management
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with current and potential funders and corporate partners, including attending meetings and events on behalf of the charity.
  • Plan and facilitate corporate engagement events and trainings to build engagement.
  • Approach and secure Charity of the Year funding for 2027.
  • Attend Networking events and make introductions and connections to further the charity's aims.
• Event and Campaign management
  • Hold responsibility for several events across the year including: WYC 25-year Anniversary Crowdfunder Campaign, the inaugural Winchester Youth Awards, Community Christmas Fundraiser, Children’s Mental Health Week Campaign and Networking events throughout the year.
  • Work with the wider team to bring these events to fruition, including working with our partner organisations.
  • After the event, ensure that wrap-up is completed effectively and events/campaigns are evaluated.
• Community Engagement Management
  • Work with the Community and Youth Engagement Officer to facilitate community-based campaigns and our challenge events programme.
  • Support the CYEO in managing the WYC Community Champions group of volunteers.
  • Assist the CYEO in undertaking leafletting, collections, prize donations and other community initiatives.
  • Work with the Youth Board to keep youth voice at the centre of our planning.
• Line Management
  • Co-manage the CYEO and ensure that they feel supported and have clarity in their role.
  • Assign and monitor income to project and core costs, identifying where funding gaps exist.
  • Regularly monitor fundraising income against the current fundraising strategy.
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of the charity’s long-term financial sustainability plan.
• Strategic Responsibilities (Senior Management & Leadership)
  • Participate in strategic planning to shape the charity’s fundraising goals and initiatives.
  • Identify new areas of development that further the charity’s fundraising and partnership ambitions.
  • Provide regular reports on fundraising progress and performance to the Senior Management Team and Board of Trustees.
• Operational / Systems
  • Lead or significantly contribute to the selection, implementation, and embedding of an effective CRM system to support fundraising and reporting.
  • Provide support with general office cover, team support and other ad hoc tasks as requested by the CEO.

The Ideal Candidate: We are seeking an exceptional candidate with the following qualities:

• Demonstrated passion and commitment to youth mental health and the wellbeing of the local community.
• A collaborative and inclusive approach to working as part of a team.
• Proven ability to incorporate fresh ideas and innovative approaches into organisational development.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to innovation.
• Exceptional organisational and time management skills.
• Good listening and empathy skills.
• A commitment to continued personal and professional development.

Person specification:

• Minimum of five years of experience in grants fundraising within the non-profit sector.
• Proven track record of success in achieving and exceeding fundraising goals.
• Experience in grant writing and securing funding from trusts and foundations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Strong analytical, budgeting and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and fundraising software.
• Good knowledge of Winchester’s locality, demographic, and the local community dynamics.

This is a unique and rewarding opportunity to lead a dynamic and impactful organisation that is making a real difference in the lives of young people. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, along with the chance to work with a passionate and dedicated team in a supportive and stimulating environment. Flexible working subject to business need.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role to Richard Maiden, recruitment@winchyc.org. The closing date for applications is 17th May, and in-person/online interviews will be 21st May or during w/c 1st June. We are an equal opportunities employer and value diversity at our organisation.