Head of Development

CHARITY PEOPLE; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 57,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A mental health charity is seeking a Head of Development to drive collaborative funding and diversify income streams. This full-time role involves leading a team, securing grants, and building relationships with key stakeholders. Ideal candidates should have significant fundraising leadership experience and a passion for mental health solutions. The position offers a hybrid working model and the chance to make a meaningful impact in an evolving charity environment.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in fundraising leadership roles with a proven track record.
• Experience in leading collaborative funding strategies and securing significant grants.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver income growth strategies through collaborative funding.
• Build and maintain relationships with funders and stakeholders.
• Lead community fundraising activities and explore legacy giving.

Skills

Fundraising leadership experience

Relationship building

Strategic development initiatives

Budget management

Proactive and entrepreneurial mindset

Job description

Charity People is delighted to be partnering with a mental health charity to recruit for their next Head of Development.

Job title: Head of Development

Salary: £57,000-£63,000

Location: Hybrid working with flexibility (Denmark Hill, Charity office and homeworking)

Reporting to: Director of Programmes

Contract: Full time, permanent (37.5 hours per week)

This is an exciting and impactful new income generating role where you'll have the opportunity to be part of the charity's expert team leading innovative care and solutions for mental health at a time of urgent need.

About The Charity

The charity advances and accelerates positive change in mental health care in south London and beyond. Collaborating with various partners, they create lasting change for people experiencing mental illness.

This is a transformative moment in the charity's journey, and we're looking for an exceptional relationship fundraiser to join us and help grow collaborative income generation at a critical time for mental health. We are a grant‑making charity with a proud history and a bold vision: to ensure that everyone who experiences mental illness, without exception, can access the care that's right for them.

The Role

The charity is entering a new chapter of growth and renewal. We are now seeking a dynamic Head of Development to lead on identifying and building collaborative funding opportunities, to strengthen our work on community fundraising and with the potential to explore expansion in legacy giving.

As Head of Development, you will lead the charity's income generation strategy, focusing on collaborative funding opportunities and diversifying income streams. Reporting to the Director of Programmes and working closely with the Head of Communications, you will lead on income generation and development opportunities in support of our vision.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a strategy to grow our income through collaborative funding and partnerships.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with funders, stakeholders, and partners.
• Lead on securing significant grants from Trusts and Foundations for innovative projects.
• Oversee community fundraising activity and explore legacy giving initiatives.
• Manage a small in‑house team and outsourced fundraising resources.
• Monitor and report on fundraising performance, ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Represent the charity externally and contribute to organisational strategy.

Is this role right for you?

• This is a strategic, relationship focused income generating role.
• You'll have previous fundraising leadership experience, and be confident in leading your own work and driving income growth through strategic development initiatives.
• You have a proven track record of securing significant grants from Trusts and Foundations and know how to build strong, collaborative relationships with funders and partners.
• You're looking for a senior role where you can make a tangible impact, lead on innovative funding strategies, and feel valued for your expertise.
• You thrive in dynamic and evolving environments, enjoy shaping and defining the role as the function grows, and bringing together internal teams to deliver ambitious partnership projects.
• You enjoy working in multi‑stakeholder settings, bringing structure from complexity, and creating clarity where processes are still emerging.
• You are proactive and entrepreneurial, spotting opportunities for income generation and using creative approaches to maximise results.
• You're confident managing budgets, resources, and teams in a fast‑paced setting.
• You demonstrate leadership qualities - whether through managing people, leading projects, or using initiative - and value collaboration and integrity.

How to Apply

The application process is CV and answers to three qualifying questions.

For further details including the full candidate pack, and qualifying questions you will need to complete as part of a formal application, please send your up‑to‑date CV to Philippa at Charity People.

Key dates

Closing date: 5pm on Wednesday 21st January 2026

First round interviews: w/c 9th February 2026

Final interviews: w/c 16th February 2026

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential. Please let us know if you require any assistance or adjustment to help ensure the application process works for you.

Charity People is a forward‑thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.