Head of Fundraising

Acre; England; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Acre is partnering with a leading international policy and research organisation to appoint a Head of Fundraising. The role leads the fundraising and communications function to build a resilient funding base amid a changing global funding landscape.

The Head of Fundraising will oversee the Fundraising Team, shape income generation across institutional funding, major donors, foundations and partnerships, and drive strategic growth with a focus on impact, governance and donor stewardship.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading fundraising functions within an international NGO or charity.
• Proven ability to design and deliver income-generation strategies across institutional funding, foundations, major donors and corporate partnerships.
• Strong understanding of the evolving fundraising landscape and digital tools including AI.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Fundraising Team and drive its resource mobilisation strategy.
• Develop and implement fundraising and business development strategy, expanding flexible and programmatic funding.
• Negotiate and close funding agreements with funders and partners.
• Support programmes with donor scoping and fundraising plans, and engage the Board of Trustees.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Income diversification

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Strategic fundraising

Tools

AI tools familiarity

Job description

Acre is proud to partner with a leading international policy and research organisation to appoint a Head of Fundraising. This is a pivotal leadership role within the fundraising and communications function, responsible for building a resilient funding base as the organisation navigates a rapidly shifting global funding landscape.

The organisation works with partners across the globe to tackle the climate, nature and inequality crises, developing evidence-based ideas to drive systemic change and building connections at local, national and international levels.

The Head of Fundraising will lead the Fundraising Team and drive its resource mobilisation strategy: increasing non-ODA income, developing ambitious funding propositions, expanding flexible and programmatic funding, and maximising both restricted and unrestricted income. Working closely with the Director of Fundraising and Communications, Finance and Research teams, the role leads a coordinated approach to closing annual and multi-year funding gaps.

You will also have the opportunity to

• Lead relationships with key funder targets, directly and by supporting colleagues across the organisation, to build its profile and secure future income
• Take direct responsibility for negotiating and closing funding agreements
• Develop a compelling narrative on the organisation's focus areas and mission, and gather funding landscape intelligence to keep staff and trustees ahead of key trends
• Generate new fundraising ideas, from expanding existing funder relationships to accessing new income sources
• Support programme and project teams with fundraising plans and donor scoping, and support the Director of Fundraising and Communications in engaging the Board of Trustees
• Develop and lead implementation of the fundraising and business development strategy, managing the team budget and driving efficiencies, including through AI
• Line manage the Fundraising and Business Development Team, promoting wellbeing, development and inclusive leadership

The ideal candidate will bring

• Significant experience leading fundraising functions within an international NGO or charity, with a proven ability to design and deliver income-generation strategies across institutional funding, philanthropic foundations, major donors and corporate partnerships
• A strong, evidencedtrack record securing income from public sector agencies and private foundations or individuals, backed by an outstanding personal network
• Strong understanding of the evolving finance and resource mobilisation landscape for sustainable development, including values-aligned private capital, regulatory considerations and digital tools including AI
• Demonstrated experience building strategic relationships and partnerships, with strong influencing, negotiating and stakeholder engagement skills across geographies and sectors
• Strong understanding of sustainable development policy internationally, with particular relevance to Africa, Asia and/or Latin America, and proven experience in partnership and consortium development
• Strong team leadership experience and an entrepreneurial, self-starting approach, with excellent written and verbal communication skills; fluency in English required, French, Spanish or Portuguese an advantage

If you are a fundraising leader driven by building resilient, diversified income for an organisation committed to systemic change, we'd like to hear from you.