The Role:

Building on recent successful fundraising performance, delivered by a high impact fundraising team, BeLonG To is creating a new role – Director of Development. The successful candidate will be an emotionally intelligent fundraising professional who will manage and administer our future fundraising activities. The successful candidate will be highly motivated, target driven and have 5+ years' experience in a Fundraising or New Business Function. You will have experience in negotiating large grants or gifts.

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and passionate person looking to join a national charity with a strong working culture. Current philanthropic income is derived from corporate fundraising, some significant trust and foundation grants, as well as from individuals and events. BeLonG To seeks to maintain and grow existing fundraising activities, to be complemented by a significant increase in individual giving and cultivating high net worth donors.

This role requires excellent communication skills, leadership, attention to detail, experience in building mutually beneficial relationships with current donors and prospects across various aspects of fundraising. You will report directly to the CEO. The fundraising function will continue to be supported by others working in the organisation. Your role will demonstrate the benefits of more planned and structured fundraising and you will be ambitious to build the team in the coming years.

Key Responsibilities:

·        Design and implement the new National Fundraising strategy, in collaboration with relevant colleagues and the Board.

·        Grow and diversify the team with additional new functions as part of the new strategy.

·        Personally manage the accounts of a number of key national and international partnerships.

·        Work collaboratively with the CEO in delivering a number of major gifts every year.

·        Manage and develop our high performing fundraising team to achieve ambitious but achievable goals.

·        Develop new partnerships and a clear pipeline of potential partners, through a planned programme of identification, cultivation, and solicitation supported by a sophisticated research strategy.

·        Craft proposals that engage large funders and philanthropists to support our work.

·        Drive and manage the cultivation and stewardship of the donor portfolio and to put appropriate support systems in place.

·        Ensure the delivery of pertinent and timely information to donors and funding partners informing them how their gift is being spent.

·        Play a key role in improving and developing major gifts and philanthropic learning, experience, culture and techniques within the organisation.

·        Play a key role in improving individual giving to increase overall income from individuals.

·        Deliver a legacy giving strategy and implement same.

·        Ensure best practice is observed re the CRM (Salesforce).

·        Creatively use Pride and other events in your cultivation and relationship management processes.

·        Ensure the continued success of the Rainbow Ball.

·        Co-ordinate and manage the department's budget.

·        Develop knowledge of BeLonG To programmes and projects to understand and articulate impact to prospective supporters.

·        Compile, report and share regular fundraising activity success, challenges and updates with the CEO, other staff members, the management team, our Board and our volunteers.

·        Promote best practice fundraising and be ambitious to win further governance awards.

·        Work closely with Communications regarding the website and increased delivery of digital fundraising income.

Functional Competencies: Essential Qualifications/ Experience

·        Demonstrable passion for, and dedication to, the mission of BeLonG To.

·        Minimum five years' experience in a similar environment with an ability to work to tight deadlines. You will be expected to give evidence of results delivered.

·        Experience of presenting to small and larger groups of people. Delivery of training would be an advantage.

·        Experience of working with some or all of the following - Major Donors / Mid-Level donors / Trust and Foundations / Legacy supporters, successfully bidding for their support and providing ongoing stewardship

·        High level of emotional intelligence.

• Flexibility, innovation, initiative and a growth mind-set.
• Strong computer skills to include MS Office, and experience in the use of one or more CRM/Database system.
• Strong storytelling and creative writing capability.

·        Excellent customer orientation in all verbal, written and presentation communication skills. 

·         A team player.

·        Experience in management of staff.

·        Experience of developing and maintaining relationships with a wide range of donors. 

         A high degree of empathy and excellent listening skills.

·        Ability to work effectively with other team members.  

·        Demonstrated problem solving skills and good leadership. 

·        A positive and flexible approach to working in a busy, open plan office. 

·        Ability to work varied hours, including occasional evening and weekend commitments.

·        Commitment to BeLonG To's values and a working style which reflects these. 

Desirable Qualification and Experience

·        Qualification in Marketing/PR/Sales/Events/Business or similar, e.g. Certificate and Diploma in Fundraising from CII.

·        Background in working or volunteering in the LGBTQ+ and or vulnerable youth arena.