Senior Events Fundraising Officer

The National Autistic Society; Kingston near Lewes; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading charity organization is seeking a proactive Senior Events Fundraising Officer to manage and grow a diverse portfolio of fundraising events. This full-time position offers an exciting opportunity to develop new fundraising initiatives, ensure excellent supporter care, and collaborate closely with various teams. Applicants should have experience in fundraising, strong organizational skills, and a passion for supporting autistic people. The role includes a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and flexible working options.

Benefits

Auto-enrolled Pension Scheme

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Excellent training and development programme

Online staff discount scheme

Healthcare Cash Plan

Life Assurance at 2× base salary

Flexible benefits including private health insurance

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Free access to Headspace App

Qualifications

• Experience of planning and delivering fundraising events, with proven ability to meet financial targets.
• Strong relationship‑building skills, with confidence in working with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• A creative, innovative mindset and a passion for developing new fundraising opportunities.
• A commitment to delivering outstanding supporter care and improving supporter journeys.

Responsibilities

• Leading on a portfolio of owned and third-party fundraising events.
• Taking a lead role in the development of new fundraising events.
• Providing first‑class supporter care.
• Working closely with marketing to implement event promotion plans.
• Line managing Events Officers and deputizing as needed.
• Building relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers.
• Overseeing volunteer recruitment and stewardship plans.

Skills

Planning fundraising events

Relationship-building

Organizational skills

Creativity

Outstanding supporter care

Job description

Since 1962 the National Autistic Society has been campaigning to transform lives, change attitudes and create a society that works for autistic people. In National Programmes we champion the rights and interests of autistic people and their families, making sure national policy and legislation reflect their needs. We provide autism training and best practice services and want all autistic people to have access to services and support that fully meet their needs. We provide diagnostic services, training, accreditation, consultancy and conferences, designed to support all professionals and organisations.

The Supporter Fundraising team is responsible for managing and growing all supporter-led fundraising activity, including third-party challenge events, community fundraising, and our own portfolio of fundraising events. Together, our work generates over £1 million in income each year—vital funds that help the National Autistic Society achieve its mission: a society that works for autistic people.

Visit our website to find out more about who we are and what we do: https://www.autism.org.uk/

Who we are looking for:

We are seeking a proactive and creative Senior Events Fundraising Officer to join our dynamic team on a permanent basis.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about events fundraising and eager to take ownership of a diverse portfolio. You’ll play a key role in developing new fundraising events, supporting and inspiring colleagues, and delivering excellent supporter experiences that maximise income and impact.

The role will involve:

• Leading on a portfolio of owned and third-party fundraising events, including feasibility research, planning, marketing, participant recruitment, logistics, budgeting, and evaluation.
• Taking a lead role in the development of new fundraising events in collaboration with the Innovation Team, from research and proposals through to approval, delivery and evaluation.
• Providing first‑class supporter care, ensuring participants feel valued and engaged, and that income and expenditure targets are met or exceeded.
• Working closely with marketing, press and PR colleagues to create and implement event promotion and communications plans, across both traditional and digital channels.
• Line managing and supporting Events Officers where appropriate, and deputising for the Events Fundraising Manager when required.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers, and event providers to ensure effective delivery and the best possible experience for supporters.
• Overseeing volunteer recruitment and stewardship plans to increase engagement and retention.

The successful candidate will bring:

• Experience of planning and delivering fundraising events, with proven ability to meet financial targets.
• Strong relationship‑building skills, with confidence in working with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• A creative, innovative mindset and a passion for developing new fundraising opportunities.
• A commitment to delivering outstanding supporter care and improving supporter journeys.

This is a full‑time, permanent role, for 35 hours per week. The salary for this position is £32,577 per year.

To view the full job description please click here.

What we can offer you:

• Auto‑enrolled Pension Scheme
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Excellent induction, training and development programme including training about autism and opportunities to attend our conferences
• Online staff discount scheme for a range of benefits such as cycle‑to‑work scheme, season ticket loan & shopping discounts for places such as Asda, Tesco, Sainsburys, Halfords, Nike, Apple and many others!
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Life Assurance at 2× base salary
• A portfolio of fantastic new salary sacrifice benefits and other flexible benefits private health, dental insurance, car salary sacrifice scheme, activity pass, holiday trading, enhanced pension & salary deduct loans (eligibility criteria may apply)
• Access to a 24‑hour Employee Assistance Programme & counselling programme
• Free access to the Headspace App – a global leader in mindfulness and you can enrol up to three friends or family for free!
• Eligibility for a Blue Light Card

Where you will be working:

City Road, London / Homeworking / Hybrid (Up to 20% national travel, including some evenings and weekends, as required.)

About our application process:

When providing a supporting statement, please refer to the job description and person specification and include any information that shows your suitability for the role.

For more information about this job, please contact Jonathan Littledale – Events Fundraising Manager ([e-mail])

We do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

For some roles, successful applicants will be required to complete the relevant safeguarding checks which will include additional references and criminal background checks.

Applications for this job are sought from anyone who is suitably qualified and experienced for the role but particularly welcome from those with a diagnosis of autism.

The National Autistic Society is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and adults who use our services and as such expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to complete the relevant safeguarding checks.

We are an equal opportunities employer.