Community Fundraising and Engagement Lead

Cancer Fund for Children; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Cancer Fund for Children is seeking a Community Fundraising and Engagement Lead in Northern Ireland to drive the growth and delivery of the Community Fundraising programme. You will lead a small team, shape strategy, and work closely with the Fundraising Manager (NI) and wider teams to grow income and build sustainable community partnerships.

The role emphasizes strategic leadership, collaboration, and the development of engaging supporter journeys across Island of Ireland partnerships, ensuring

Qualifications

• Leadership of a small team within Community Fundraising.
• Budget planning and income management.
• Building strong relationships with supporters, partners and volunteers.
• Strategic development of community fundraising initiatives.
• Ensuring compliance with data protection and fundraising regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead NI Community Fundraising Officers to meet plans and budgets.
• Contribute to annual budgets and income targets for NI programme.
• Monitor KPIs and provide insights to the Fundraising Manager (NI).
• Oversee supporter and volunteer stewardship and retention plans.
• Collaborate across NI and Republic of Ireland teams and with marketing/communications.

Skills

Team leadership

Budget management

Relationship building

Strategic planning

Data protection compliance

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the development, growth and delivery of Cancer Fund for Children's Community Fundraising programme in Northern Ireland, driving sustainable income growth that makes a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people with cancer and their families. Reporting to and working closely with the Fundraising Manager in Northern Ireland, the postholder will help shape and implement the Community Fundraising Strategy, identifying opportunities to grow income, expand regional presence and develop sustainable community fundraising products, partnerships and volunteer engagement.

The Community Fundraising and Engagement Lead will provide leadership to a team of three Community Fundraising Officers, whilst working closely and collaboratively with colleagues in the wider Northern Ireland Fundraising Team as well as with colleagues across the organisation. The role requires a strategic, innovative and collaborative leader who can build strong relationships, develop high-performing teams and create meaningful supporter experiences that inspire long-term engagement with Cancer Fund for Children.

Key Accountabilities:

• To lead, coach and support the NI Community Fundraising Officers to enable them to thrive in their roles and be successful in achieving the plans and budgets set for NI. To complete regular 121’s and performance development meetings in line with HR practices.
• To ensure compliance across the team to fundraising and other relevant legislation such as data protection etc.
• To manage the wellbeing of the team, particularly during busier times.

2. Income & Performance Management

• Contribute to the development of annual budgets and income targets.
• Manage agreed income and expenditure budgets for the Community Fundraising Programme.
• Monitor performance against KPIs, analysing results and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Provide regular reports and insight to the Fundraising Manager (NI).
• Ensure all activity delivers strong return on investment and complies with organisational financial procedures.
• Support the Fundraising Manager (NI) in developing and delivering the Community Fundraising Strategy.
• Identify new opportunities to grow community fundraising income, ensuring activity aligns with organisational priorities and service expansion.
• Work collaboratively with the Fundraising and Brand, Marketing & Communications Teams to help develop innovative fundraising products, campaigns and community initiatives that attract new supporters and maximise both opportunities and income.
• Monitor fundraising trends, supporter insight and market developments to continually evolve the programme.
• Support the growth and development of our Community Champion programme.

4. Supporter & Volunteer Recruitment and Retention

• Support the growth and development of our Community Champion programme alongside our Volunteer Co-ordinator.
• Develop and ensure management across the team of excellent stewardship plans for all supporters and volunteers, ensuring a key focus on retention and ensuring they feel valued, supported, and informed on the impact of their generous support.
• Develop and maintain sustainable relationships with supporters in local communities, working with the team to develop all island of Ireland partnerships, and strong regional community partnerships. Develop and deliver coherent, measured inspiring supporter journeys that are delivered across the team.

5. Cross-Organisational & All-Island Collaboration

• Work closely with the Fundraising Manager (NI), Community Fundraising colleagues in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland and the wider fundraising leadership team to support the development of community fundraising across the island of Ireland.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with colleagues across fundraising, services, marketing and communications to maximise supporter engagement and fundraising opportunities.
• Share insight, innovation and best practice across teams, contributing to the continuous development of community fundraising across the organisation.
• Contribute to cross-functional and all-island projects, campaigns and organisational initiatives as required.
• Foster a collaborative, one-team culture, ensuring consistency of approach while recognising the differing opportunities across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

6. General Duties

• To represent Cancer Fund for Children and act as a confident and passionate spokesperson when required.
• To network within the charity sector and keep abreast of developments within the sector and other relevant sectors, to keep informed of changes in fundraising trends and best practice and keep own knowledge up to date.
• To perform any other reasonable duties and specific projects as assigned by management to contribute to the overall aims of the Cancer Fund for Children.
• To comply with all Cancer Fund for Children Policies, Procedure, and Guidelines.