Executive Director Of Fundraising And Communications

Do you want to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people in London? London Youth is seeking a dynamic and ambitious new Director of Fundraising and Communications to play a vital role in their mission to empower and uplift the next generation of young Londoners.

For over 135 years, London Youth has played a unique role in igniting the potential in young Londoners. The charity’s vision is that all young Londoners grow up healthy, able to express themselves, navigate a fulfilling career and make a positive contribution in their communities. Because good youth work works.

Last year alone, more than 600,000 young individuals were supported through their expansive network of members. They are dedicated to creating opportunities and fostering growth through their wide range of transformative programmes in sports development, employability, youth action and involvement, arts, and outdoor education.

It is an exciting period of change for London Youth. In September, the organisation made an internal appointment of a new CEO, Pauline Daniyan, who has extensive experience in their programmes, external engagement, and strategic development. A broadened director role has now been created to merge and lead their Fundraising and Communications and play a key role in delivering the new organisational strategy for 2023-2026: ‘Powering the Grassroots’. 

Reporting to the CEO, you will lead three team heads and strategically lead a fundraising programme focused primarily on trust, statutory, corporate and HNWI donors. The director role also has personal responsibility for a portfolio of high value relationships and will empower the Head of Communications and Policy to deliver organisational communication and policy goals.

As a member of the SLT, you will shape the delivery of the new organisational strategy, particularly in relation to Fundraising and Communications, and ensure integrated organisational narratives that drive Fundraising and broader internal and external engagement.

As Director of Fundraising and Communications, you will:

• Lead a fundraising team that will secure £4.5m this year and is targeted to raise £5m in 2025-2026 from trusts and foundations, statutory funders, corporate partners, HNWIs, challenge events, and community fundraising
• Personally manage relationships with London Youth’s most significant HNWIs, corporate supporters and key stakeholders in the youth sector space
• Line manage the Heads of Trust and Foundations, Corporate Partnerships, and Communications and Policy, with overall responsibility for leading a team of thirteen
• Manage the Fundraising Working Group that includes a fundraising Trustee, London Youth’s Chair, individuals from corporate partners and HNWIs who support in a personal capacity
• Empower the Head of Communications and Policy to deliver their remit
• Ensure outstanding stewardship of key funders, personally and across the team
• Oversee communications and branding that convey a consistent tone of voice and identity
• Continue diversifying the fundraising portfolio, exploring the viability of other income streams

Ideal skills and experience:

• Senior leadership experience, including working with CEO and Trustees
• Expertise in relationship fundraising, particularly major donors, and other high value income streams
• A successful track record of leading 7-figure+, multi-income stream fundraising teams
• Interest and experience in a blend of hands-on relationship Fundraising and leading team heads
• A good understanding of communications
• Outstanding strategy development and cross-organisational collaboration abilities
• Dynamism and ambition, who brings energy and drive to teams and organisations
• Alignment with London Youth’s new organisational values: Ambition, Collaboration, Inclusivity, and Accountability

Employee benefits include:

• 28 days per year plus bank holidays and 3 closure days in December
• 4% employer pension contribution (where employees make an additional voluntary contribution, employer contribution increases to 5%)
• Cash Health Plan
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Employee Assistance Programme (for you and your family)
• Volunteering days