At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fundraising efforts to empower vulnerable young people through outdoor adventures.
- Company: Youth Adventure Trust, dedicated to making a lasting impact on youth lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible home-based work, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to empowering youth in Swindon, Wiltshire, and Somerset.
- Why this job: Be a key player in transforming young lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven fundraising experience and strong leadership abilities required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 53000 £ per year.
Location: Home-based within Swindon, Wiltshire or Somerset
Salary: £50,000-£53,000
Hours: Full Time 35hrs
About the charity
At the Youth Adventure Trust, we use outdoor adventure to empower vulnerable young people from Swindon, Wiltshire and Somerset to fulfil their potential and lead positive lives in the future. We work with them to build resilience, develop confidence and learn skills that will last a lifetime, helping them to face the challenges in their lives. Dedicated support, guidance and mentoring from our staff and volunteers ensures young people receive the maximum benefit from our long-term intervention. Our aim is to make a lasting improvement to the lives of vulnerable young people. All our programmes are provided completely free of charge to the young people who are nominated by schools and other youth organisations, which means the fundraising team is crucial. With ambitious plans to help more young people over the coming years, our Director of Fundraising role is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference.
About the role:
We are searching for an exceptional fundraising leader, who can be an ambassador for the charity and shape the fundraising strategy to ensure we deliver our organisational ambitions. You should be a strategic thinker with a creative approach, analytical and an expert multi-tasker able to juggle multiple priorities. You will have a proven track record of demonstrating sustainable income growth across multiple streams, with particular experience in developing and managing major donor relationships, corporate partnerships, grant making trusts and fundraising events.
Role responsibilities to include:
- Design, implement and monitor a comprehensive fundraising and engagement strategy to achieve sustainable income growth, aligned with the charity's plan to double its delivery capacity.
- Oversee and optimise a diverse fundraising portfolio encompassing Corporate Partnerships, Trusts & Foundations, individuals and Challenge Events to ensure institutional income stability.
- Have full financial oversight of the charity’s income, including setting, managing, monitoring and reporting on organisational income budgets and fundraising expenditure budgets.
- Serve as an active, collaborative member of the SLT, contributing to the wider strategic direction, risk management and governance of the charity.
- Act as a high-profile ambassador for the Youth Adventure Trust, networking extensively across Swindon, Wiltshire, Somerset and the wider South West.
- Personally manage and steward key strategic relationships with major individual donors (HNWIs), senior corporate partners, local leaders and key grant makers.
- Engage with high-profile individuals of regional influence, including MPs, local councillors, dignitaries, and business networks to raise the profile of the charity.
- Provide strategic oversight of the charity’s communications channels, including social media, the website, media press releases and supporter newsletters.
- Lead, inspire and manage the fundraising team through an effective, supportive and delegated management structure.
- Maintain a strong strategic and operational understanding of our Salesforce CRM platform, ensuring it is leveraged effectively to monitor pipelines, track trends and guide data-driven decisions.
- Ensure the highest standards of supporter care and donor stewardship are maintained, fundraising practice remains ethical and fundraising is carried out in line with our organisational values.
Person specification to include:
- Proven track record of operating at a senior or head-of-department level within a fundraising environment.
- Experience of delivering successful fundraising strategies with a proven track record of increasing income across multiple streams.
- Significant experience in managing staff, setting targets and building a high-performing fundraising team.
- Demonstrable success in driving sustainable income growth across a diverse fundraising portfolio.
- Direct experience in personally securing and managing high-value relationships across individuals, Corporate Partnerships and Grant-Making Trusts.
- Experience in challenge event management and executing highly profitable fundraising events.
- Advanced strategic planning and project management skills with the clear ability to translate high-level vision into operational fundraising success.
- Exceptional financial literacy and numeracy, including direct experience setting, tracking and forecasting income and expenditure budgets and supporting annual audit processes.
- A natural leader of people who balances high expectations and accountability with empathy, support and professional empowerment.
- An exceptional multi-tasker with high attention to detail who can systematically prioritise a varied, fast-paced workload under pressure.
Deadline for applications: 25th June
PSR interviews: ongoing and 29th June
Client interviews: 7th July
To receive a copy of the job pack or to have an informal chat about the role please apply via this site.
Director of Fundaising employer: Youth Adventure Trust
At the Youth Adventure Trust, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering vulnerable young people through outdoor adventure. Our home-based role in Swindon offers a supportive work culture that values collaboration and innovation, alongside competitive salaries and opportunities for professional growth. Join us in making a meaningful impact while enjoying the flexibility of remote work and the chance to lead a passionate fundraising team committed to transforming lives in our community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Fundaising
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the charity sector, especially those involved in fundraising. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for the cause! When you get the chance to chat with someone about the role, make sure to express why you care about empowering vulnerable young people. Authenticity goes a long way in making a memorable impression.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the charity’s current projects and challenges. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you’re not just another candidate, but someone who’s genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Youth Adventure Trust team.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Fundaising
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in fundraising. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at the Youth Adventure Trust, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for empowering young people shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who genuinely cares about making a difference, so share any relevant experiences that fuel your passion for this cause.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key points stand out and are easy to read. Remember, we’re busy too!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application via our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details and can process your application smoothly. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy, which is always a bonus!
How to prepare for a job interview at Youth Adventure Trust
✨Know Your Cause
Before the interview, dive deep into the mission of the Youth Adventure Trust. Understand their programmes and how they empower vulnerable young people. This knowledge will not only show your passion but also help you articulate how your fundraising strategies can align with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Success Stories
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully increased income through diverse fundraising streams. Highlight your achievements in managing major donor relationships and executing profitable events, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Be a Strategic Thinker
During the interview, demonstrate your ability to think strategically. Discuss how you would design and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy that aligns with the charity's ambitions. Be ready to share your ideas on optimising their fundraising portfolio.
✨Engage with Empathy
As a potential leader, it's crucial to show your understanding of team dynamics. Talk about your experience in managing and inspiring teams, and how you balance high expectations with support. This will resonate well with the charity's values and their focus on mentorship.
