Operations Manager

Human-Appeal; Cheadle; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Human Appeal is seeking a proactive Fundraising Operations Manager to oversee the operational delivery of fundraising activities from its base in Cheadle Manchester. You will manage fundraising systems, data, and compliance to maximise income and supporter engagement across regions.

The role combines strategic oversight with hands-on management, ensuring accurate reporting, adherence to UK fundraising regulations, and strong internal controls to drive efficiency and impact.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Lead operational planning, implementation, and monitoring of fundraising activities across regions to align with strategy and targets.
• Develop, implement, and improve fundraising processes, policies, and SOPs for consistency, efficiency, and compliance.
• Oversee fundraising CRM, donor management systems, and reporting platforms with accurate data management and compliance.
• Review fundraising reports, income performance, KPIs, and campaigns; provide insights to senior management.
• Collaborate with Fundraising and other departments to define operational requirements and ensure effective delivery.
• Ensure compliance with the Fundraising Code of Practice, Charity Commission guidance, GDPR, and internal policies.
• Lead management and reconciliation of fundraising income including donations, event income, and sponsorships.
• Develop and maintain fundraising budgets, forecasts, and performance monitoring frameworks.
• Support planning and execution of campaigns, appeals, events, and donor engagement with project management oversight.
• Manage relationships with fundraising suppliers, CRM providers, payment platforms, agencies, and third parties.
• Build capability of fundraising staff through training and guidance on systems and compliance.
• Lead operational improvements, digital solutions, and automation to enhance supporter experience.
• Establish QA and risk management processes and maintain strong internal controls.
• Support volunteer and fundraising ambassador programmes with operational support.
• Contribute to the annual fundraising operational plan and monitor expenditure and performance.
• Ensure effective communication between regional teams and leadership for consistency.

Skills

Fundraising operations

CRM/database management

English language

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Management/Marketing/Fundraising/Charity Management or related field

Tools

Donor Management systems

Microsoft Office

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.