Head of Fundraising

This is an exciting new focus for our Head of Fundraising as part of the restructuring of the senior leadership team at Somerset Wildlife Trust (SWT) to enable the organisation to grow and achieve more for nature’s recovery in Somerset.

Head of Fundraising
Salary: £35,000 - £42,000
Contract type: Permanent / Working hours: Full time
Location: Taunton, Somerset with opportunities for hybrid working

The main aim of this role is to lead development to ensure the Somerset Wildlife Trust can deliver on the 3 goals of the Trust’s Wilder Somerset 2030 Strategy through:

➢ Inspiring and Leading development and delivery of Fundraising activity across the charity

➢ Setting and meeting income targets

➢ Preparing and managing plans, budgets and the fundraising strategy

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

The Head of Fundraising will be part of the Senior Leadership Team and Operational Management Team, partnering with Directors and CEO to:

• Be the strategic lead for SWT’s fundraising operations for both restricted and unrestricted income streams to deliver more for nature in Somerset
• Provide the link between strategic and delivery, helping the Fundraising Team to prioritise and maximise impact of their work to best deliver SWT’s strategic objectives, whilst also feeding back team insight on gaps in delivery, issues, achievements and ideas to a strategic level to inform future planning
• Lead the Fundraising Team to influence and coach teams across SWT to deliver fundraising targets and build fundraising capacity
• Oversee financial management of a number of cost centres including setting & managing budgets, resource allocation and income generation
• Work with the Communications Team to develop and deliver coordinated fundraising messages integrated in wider SWT work, and act as a media spokesperson where required

Responsibility 1: Fundraising Strategy

• Set and deliver the Fundraising Team’s financial contribution to the Business Plan
• Identify & develop strategic opportunities to achieve ambitious fundraising targets to deliver significant growth in unrestricted income enabling SWT to meet strategic goals for nature
• Lead the development and implementation of the most impactful range of new and existing fundraising activities to achieve income goals
• Lead on the design and delivery of effective monitoring of the impact of the Trust’s fundraising activities that maximise return on investment
• Be responsible for reporting on progress, evaluation effectiveness of Fundraising activities and spend, delivering relevant reports, forecasts and analyses for the CEO, SLT and Trustees.
• Be responsible for compliance with fundraising good practice, Charity Commission guidance and the Institute of Fundraising.
• Work closely with the Communications Team to develop the fundraising communications strategy and oversee the development of Fundraising materials.
• Keep abreast of regional and national developments that may positively or negatively impact the Trusts fundraising activities.

Responsibility 2: Supporter Engagement, Growth and Team Wilder

• Work closely with the Engagement Team to develop our approach to delivery of Team Wilder objectives including a range of supporter journeys that include, but are not limited to, fundraising.
• Lead development and implementation of supporter strategies that increase the constituency base of SWT contributing additional unrestricted income, delivering successful appeals, and increasing our collective voice for nature.
• Ensure the highest standards of supporter care by the team and strong relationships are built with key donors.
• Develop positive external relationships and influence with key grant makers, donors and supporters, acting as the public face of the Trust when required.
• Writing reports to stakeholders regarding fundraising opportunities, updates and through presentations to a wide variety of audiences.
• Ensure our fundraising activities contribute to our Equality Diversity and Inclusion objectives and use the Trust’s CRM system effectively to build positive relationships with all our supporters.

Responsibility 3: Grow SWT’s Fundraising Capacity

• Support, coach and mentor other teams within SWT to contribute effectively to fundraising targets and income growth
• Inspire, lead and manage the fundraising team to maximise their motivation, creativity, development and performance
• Lead the development of positive relationships with fundraising sub-contractors and subsidiary companies, such as SWWFL, to ensure the best return on investment for SWT is achieved along with our Team Wilder and EDI targets
• Identify and implement processes, tools and technologies that will improve the efficiencies of the fundraising pipeline across the business

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• Matched pension up to 7%
• Life insurance
• An annual professional institution subscription
• Flexible and agile working
• Wellbeing support – EAP, wellbeing champions
• Diversity networks through RSWT/TWT
• Pool car and mileage allowance
• Paid volunteer days
• Continuous Professional Development opportunities
• Minimum 33 days of holiday (25 annual leave + bank holidays)
• Active staff social events
• The opportunity to make a real and positive difference to nature, communities and the climate

The closing date is 5pm Monday 12th February 2024.

Interested?

If you would like to apply and find out more about this position, please click the apply button to be directed to our website. 

Please note that we will review applications throughout the advertising period and may close the advert early if a suitable applicant is found.

Somerset Wildlife Trust has an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Plan and is committed to continuing to improve the equality, diversity and inclusion of every aspect of our work; we know we need to engage with everyone to live our values and achieve our goals. We welcome applications from everyone and are happy to discuss any accommodations or arrangements that would make the recruitment process better for you, and the working environment should you be employed.

No agencies please.