Operations Manager

Human Appeal; Cheadle; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Human Appeal is seeking a Fundraising Operations Manager to lead operational planning and the delivery of fundraising initiatives from our Cheadle office. You will oversee CRM systems, donor records, and reporting to ensure accuracy and compliance across the charity’s fundraising activities.

The role requires experience in fundraising operations, data protection, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to maximise income and supporter engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in Business Administration, Management, Marketing, Fundraising, Charity Management, or a related field
• Minimum of 2 years in similar post
• Proven experience in fundraising operations, CRM/database management, or fundraising administration within the charity sector
• Computer literate and competent with Microsoft Office, social media, Donor Management systems
• English Language

Responsibilities

• Lead operational planning, implementation, and monitoring of fundraising activities across regions.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve fundraising operational processes, policies, and SOPs.
• Oversee fundraising CRM, donor management systems, and reporting platforms, ensuring accurate data management and compliance.
• Review and analyse fundraising operational reports, income performance, KPIs, and campaign results, providing actionable insights to senior management.
• Work with Fundraising and other departments to define operational requirements and improve collaboration.
• Ensure compliance with the Fundraising Code of Practice, Charity Commission guidance, GDPR requirements, and internal policies.
• Lead the management and reconciliation of fundraising income and sponsorships.
• Develop and maintain fundraising budgets, forecasts, and performance monitoring frameworks.
• Support planning and operational delivery of campaigns, events, and donor engagement initiatives.
• Manage relationships with fundraising suppliers, CRM providers, payment platforms, agencies, and third-party partners.
• Build the capability of fundraising staff through training on systems and compliance.
• Lead on operational improvements, digital solutions, and automation to enhance supporter experience.
• Establish and maintain QA and risk management processes within fundraising operations.
• Support volunteer and fundraising ambassador programmes with admin and data management.
• Contribute to the annual fundraising operational plan and monitor expenditure.

Skills

Fundraising operations

CRM management

Data protection

Reporting

Cross-department collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Business Administration/Management/Fundraising/Charity Management

Tools

Microsoft Office

Donor Management systems

Social media

Job description

Who We Are

Human Appeal is a global non-profit humanitarian and development organisation. We deliver life-saving emergency assistance such as food, medical aid, and disaster relief. At the same time, we run sustainable, community-led programmes in healthcare, education, and livelihoods to build resilience and self-reliance. Our experienced local teams work in vulnerable, hard-to-reach areas. Guided by a vision of a just, caring, and sustainable world, our mission is to save lives, alleviate poverty, and empower communities in line with the core humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence.

Position Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a Fundraising Operations Manager position within the Fundraising department based at Cheadle Manchester. The Fundraising Operations Manager plays a key role in in supporting the charity's fundraising strategy by ensuring the effective management of fundraising systems, processes, compliance, and supporter data. The post holder will oversee the operational delivery of fundraising activities, enabling the fundraising team to maximise income generation and supporter engagement. Working collaboratively across departments, the role ensures accurate reporting, and adherence to UK fundraising regulations and best practices. This position combines strategic oversight with hands‑on operational management to drive fundraising efficiency and impact.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the operational planning, implementation, and monitoring of fundraising activities across all regions, ensuring alignment with the organisation's fundraising strategy, objectives, and income targets.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve fundraising operational processes, policies, and standard operating procedures to ensure consistency, efficiency, and compliance across all fundraising activities.
• Oversee the charity's fundraising CRM, donor management systems, and reporting platforms, ensuring accurate data management, supporter records, and compliance with data protection legislation.
• Review and analyse fundraising operational reports, income performance, KPIs, and campaign results, providing recommendations and actionable insights to senior management and fundraising teams.
• Work closely with Fundraising and other departments to define operational requirements, improve collaboration, and ensure effective delivery of fundraising initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with the Fundraising Code of Practice, Charity Commission guidance, GDPR requirements, and all internal policies and procedures relating to fundraising activities.
• Lead the management and reconciliation of fundraising income, ensuring donations, event income, and sponsorships claims are processed accurately, securely, and within agreed timescales.
• Develop and maintain fundraising budgets, forecasts, and performance monitoring frameworks, identifying risks, opportunities, and corrective actions to maximise return on investment and operational effectiveness.
• Support the planning and operational delivery of fundraising campaigns, appeals, events, emergency responses, and donor engagement initiatives by providing project management and logistical oversight.
• Manage relationships with fundraising suppliers, CRM providers, payment platforms, agencies, and third-party fundraising partners to ensure high-quality service delivery and value for money.
• Build the capability of fundraising staff by providing training, guidance, and support on fundraising systems, operational procedures, compliance requirements, and best practice.
• Lead on the development and implementation of operational improvements, digital solutions, and automation initiatives that enhance supporter experience, streamline processes, and improve fundraising performance.
• Establish and maintain robust quality assurance and risk management processes within fundraising operations, ensuring audit readiness and strong internal controls at all times.
• Support volunteer and fundraising ambassador programmes by ensuring effective administration, data management, communication processes, and operational support structures.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of the annual fundraising operational plan, monitoring expenditure, resource allocation, and performance against agreed objectives.
• Ensure effective communication between regional fundraising teams, internal departments, and senior leadership to promote information sharing, operational consistency, and organisational effectiveness.

• Demonstrate ongoing professional development by maintaining knowledge of charity sector developments, fundraising regulations, digital fundraising trends, and operational best practice.

NB: Employee duties are not limited only to the above-mentioned responsibilities; they may perform other duties as assigned

Candidate essential criteria

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in Business Administration, Management, Marketing, Fundraising, Charity Management, or a related field
• Minimum of 2 years in similar post.
• Proven experience in fundraising operations, CRM/database management, or fundraising administration within the charity sector.
• Computer literate and competent with Microsoft Office, social media, Donor Management systems
• English Language

Candidate desirable criteria

• Knowledge of additional languages such as Arabic/Urdu/Gujarati/Hindi/Punjabi an advantage.

If you have any questions about the position, please do contact Human Appeal on [e-mail]

Please note that we will only be contacting the shortlisted candidates. Applying candidates must have the legal authorisation or right to work in the designated work location/duty station.

Disclaimer: Human Appeal is committed to diversity, social inclusion, and gender equality/balance, and strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups. The organisation maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH), with all staff required to comply with Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (PSEA/SH) standards and safe recruitment procedures.