Executive Director, Fundraising

Mencap; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent charity organization in the UK is seeking an Executive Director of Fundraising. This pivotal role will lead efforts to increase annual fundraising from £14m to £20m, ensuring that individuals with learning disabilities are central to all activities. The successful candidate will possess strong leadership, excellent communication skills, and a proven track record in fundraising. The position requires collaboration with the executive team and the ability to foster diversity within the organization.

Qualifications

• Experience of cross-organisational leadership and fundraising growth.
• Ability to align fundraising goals with organisational strategy.
• Demonstrated leadership promoting diversity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Drive a strategy to increase annual income from £14m to £20m.
• Lead and motivate a high-performing fundraising team.
• Contribute to organisational leadership and strategic decision-making.

Skills

Cross-organisational leadership

Data-driven decision-making

Excellent communication skills

Relationship building

Values-based leadership

Job description

Overview

Mencap is seeking an Executive Director, Fundraising to deliver ambitious fundraising goals and drive growth and impact, whilst ensuring that people with a learning disability are at the heart of their fundraising activities.

Mencap's vision is for the estimated 1.5 million people with a learning disability across the UK to get the best chance in life. This is a pivotal moment to join the charity as they launch their new five-year strategy, Mencap 2030, with this role central to delivering its ambitious vision in which people with a learning disability can live life to the full.

Responsibilities

• The Executive Director, Fundraising will play a key organisational leadership role - modelling Mencap's values, contributing to cross-organisational transformation and championing belonging, equity, diversity and inclusion. With fundraising central to the charity's future growth, the postholder will drive a strategy designed to increase annual income from an average of £14m to £20m and beyond, building on recent high-profile partnerships and investment across all fundraising channels.
• The role requires an inspiring leader who can galvanise 7,500 colleagues behind a shared fundraising mission and authentically involve people with a learning disability in shaping fundraising approaches.
• The successful candidate will lead and motivate a high-performing team, steward major corporate and individual relationships and ensure innovation, strong forecasting and long-term income growth.
• As a full member of the Executive team, they will contribute to organisational leadership, governance and strategic decision-making, working closely with the Chief Executive and Board.
• The role requires a values-led, impact-driven leader with a strong record of cross-organisational leadership, a proven ability to deliver ambitious, sustained fundraising growth and experience of aligning fundraising goals with wider organisational strategy.
• They must also be able to demonstrate values-based leadership that promotes belonging, equity, diversity and inclusion, and which supports team wellbeing and drives high performance.
• The successful candidate will be an exceptional communicator, skilled at building high-value relationships and engaging wider audiences through excellent stewardship.
• They will bring forward-thinking insight into market trends, data-driven decision-making and the effective use of technology, including leading CRM implementation to enhance fundraising impact.
• Mencap is also seeking candidates who will strengthen or champion diversity within the Executive team, with a track record of nurturing inclusive teams and developing diverse talent.

Qualifications

• Experience of cross-organisational leadership and delivering ambitious, sustained fundraising growth.
• Proven ability to align fundraising goals with wider organisational strategy.
• Strong values-based leadership that promotes belonging, equity, diversity and inclusion, and supports team wellbeing and high performance.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills; ability to engage diverse audiences and stakeholders.
• Experience with data-driven decision-making and use of technology in fundraising, including leading CRM implementation.

About Mencap

Empower individuals with learning disabilities and autism to reach their full potential and lead the lives they choose.