Relationship Manager - Special Events

THE BRITISH RED CROSS SOCIETY; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

36 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Recognition platform

Discounts

Wellbeing support

Learning & development

Will writing service

Death in service

Cycle2Work

Job summary

The British Red Cross is seeking a Relationship Manager (Special Events) to grow and manage a portfolio of high-profile fundraising events across the UK. You will engage with committees, volunteers and senior supporters to maximise income and impact.

You’ll lead development and delivery of events such as galas, markets and balls, while partnering with volunteer committees to drive participation, fundraising targets and outstanding experiences.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in fundraising and relationship management with strong income targets.
• Experience planning and delivering high-profile fundraising events (galas, dinners, markets, balls).
• Experience building relationships with influential stakeholders (senior volunteers, corporates, membership bodies).
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, confident both in person and online.
• Strong financial literacy and ability to manage event budgets and income pipelines.
• Ability to stay calm under pressure while juggling multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Build, steward and grow relationships with fundraising committees, livery companies, volunteer groups and individual supporters.
• Lead development and delivery of high-profile fundraising events including galas, markets, balls and other initiatives.
• Work with volunteer committees to maximise fundraising income, engagement and event experiences.
• Identify and secure new fundraising opportunities through networks and referrals.
• Develop stewardship plans to encourage repeat participation and increased giving.
• Manage multiple stakeholder relationships, collaborating across teams to ensure successful planning and execution.
• Monitor budgets, income performance and forecasts to achieve targets.
• Manage a small team focused on relationship building and events delivery.

Skills

Fundraising

Relationship management

Stakeholder engagement

Team management

Job description

Are you passionate about building influential relationships and delivering exceptional fundraising events?At British Red Cross we’re looking for an ambitious and highly motivated Relationship Manager (Special Events) to develop and grow our portfolio of fundraising events. You’ll engage with high-value volunteers, committees, and community leaders to maximize income and long-term impact.

This role offers the opportunity to work on some of the British Red Cross's most prestigious supporter-led fundraising initiatives, including the Guildhall Christmas Market. You’ll help to grow meaningful partnerships and deliver exceptional events that raise vital funds for people in crisis across the UK and internationally.

If you have experience in event fundraising, managing committees, and cultivating senior stakeholder relationships, we would love to hear from you.

As a key member of the Supporter-Led Fundraising team, you will:

• Build, steward, and grow relationships with fundraising committees, livery companies, volunteer groups, and individual supporters.
• Lead the development and delivery of high-profile fundraising events including gala dinners, markets, balls, and other supporter-led initiatives.
• Work closely with volunteer committees to maximise fundraising income, strengthen supporter engagement, and deliver outstanding event experiences.
• Identify and secure new fundraising opportunities through networks, introductions, business development activities, and supporter referrals.
• Develop tailored stewardship plans that encourage repeat participation, increased giving, and long-term supporter loyalty.
• Manage multiple stakeholder relationships simultaneously, including senior volunteers, corporate contacts, committee members, suppliers, and internal teams. Collaborating across teams to ensure the successful planning and execution of activities.
• Monitor budgets, income performance, and financial forecasts to ensure fundraising targets are achieved.
• Manage a team of two, focused on relationship building and special fundraising events delivery.

What will aRelationship Manager (Special Events) need to be successful?

• Proven experience in fundraising, relationship management, account management with a track record of achieving ambitious income targets.
• Experience in planning and delivering special fundraising events, such as galas, dinners, balls, markets, or community events.
• Experience building relationships with influential stakeholders, including senior volunteers, philanthropists, corporate partners, or membership organisations.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with confidence engaging audiences both in person and online.
• Strong financial literacy and the ability to manage event budgets, income pipelines, and performance reporting.
• The ability to remain calm under pressure while managing multiple senior stakeholders and competing priorities.

Closing datefor applications is 23.59 on Tuesday 6 th October 2026. Interviews are expected to take place during the week commencing Monday 12

In return for your commitment and expertise, you’ll get:

• Flexible working:Hybrid working, flexitime, compressed hours, and job sharing.
• Holidays:36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) plus the option to buy extra leave per annum.
• Pension Scheme:Up to 6% contributory pension.
• Recognition Platform:Managers can reward great work with retail vouchers.
• Discounts:Discounts through our Reward Gateway, Blue Light Card, Tickets for Good, and more.
• Wellbeing Support:Peer Supporters, CiC (EAP) & Headspace App.
• Learning & Development:A range of career and learning opportunities.
• Will Writing Service:Access to a free will writing service.
• Death in Service:A tax-free lump sum paid to your beneficiary in the event of your death.
• Cycle2Work:Lease a bicycle through the scheme.

We are proud to champion inclusion as a Disability Confident employer across our UK-based roles and as a Carers Confident employer. We are dedicated to building an inclusive, equitable and wellbeing-focused culture where everyone feels safe, valued and can thrive. Guided by our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Strategy, we foster belonging, psychological and physical wellbeing, and work to remove barriers to fair opportunities. Grounded in compassion and anti-racist practice, we listen to diverse voices, value lived experience and create environments where staff and volunteers can succeed. Join us and be part of an organisation that leads with care, celebrates difference and helps everyone succeed.

Together, we are the world's emergency responders