This is an exciting time to join The Diana Award in a brand-new leadership role within our small fundraising team as we look to build on the success of our current partnerships with well-known funders and corporate partners tp enable us achieve our mission 

As the Head of Fundraising and Business Development, you will work closely with the Deputy CEO, the Senior Leadership Team and Management Teams to submit high quality, innovative funding proposals. 

Leading a range of income generating activities, you will be responsible for the end to end process of bid development from identifying opportunities and cultivating leads; developing high quality proposals; and building relationships with prospective partners to ensure the attainment of funding.  

You will be responsible for generating a significant percentage of our total annual income through direct income and business development activity. 

You will have a track record of writing successful funding bids and creating powerful partnerships, be passionate about supporting young people and thrive working in a dynamic and ambitious creative organisation. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

Business Development 

• Use your skills, creativity and experience take responsibility for the implementation of our fundraising strategy in response to the evolving funding landscape 

• Responsibility for developing and growing the pipeline, identifying opportunities for funding from a range of sources including (but not limited to) trusts & foundations, statutory sources, and corporate partners. 

• Develop ideas for creative sponsorship and funding opportunities and lead the development and submission of high quality, compelling funding proposals and tender documents to unlock funding. This will also involve identifying suitable partners; presenting proposals and closing deals; drawing up and negotiating contracts and ensuring delivery 

• Work with the stakeholders, our internal researchers and policy team to scope and develop exciting new project proposals.  

• Develop fundraising and donor relationships in order to increase unrestricted income. 

• Devise and implement arrangements for our work with corporate partners, including recruiting and managing relationships with corporate partners  

• Maintain a thorough understanding of financial targets and progress, liaising with the Finance Manager. 

Strategic Leadership 

• Work alongside the Deputy CEO on the development of the fundraising strategy in line with changing landscape.  

• Produce regular update reports for the Leadership Team, Trustees and others as required on the activities and status of business development across the organisation.  

• Research and analyse data and trends to inform strategy, contributing lessons learnt into the business planning processes and continuous learning approach. 

• Working closely with the Leadership Team and Management Team in the development of Organisational Strategy and Business Plans. 

• Working with the Director of Programmes, embed all successful projects within delivery teams in a clear and efficient manner to allow them to start delivery in line with expectations. 

 Management 

• Build a cohesive and engaged business development team ensuring the team has clear shared and individual work plans in place with measurable KPIs and regular supervision, appraisals and team meetings to monitor progress. 

• Develop clear lines of accountability, set priorities, and establish robust and timely reporting mechanisms within the team,

• Encourage and support the team to engage in continuous professional development, signposting and seeking opportunities as relevant 

• Contribute to overall leadership and management of Fundraising and Business Development team, while directly line managing the Business Development Manager. 

• Contribute to the wider management of the organisation, ensuring effective business partnering relationships are in place with key functions eg. comms, operations, I&I, fundraising etc. 

• Represent the organisation externally as required. 

• Undertake any other reasonable duties as may be required. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS  

• Either a relevant degree or equivalent experience 

• Substantial experience of successful income generation and development activity, including handling key clients, preparing, costing, pitching and closing proposals, completing tender documents for submission, ensuring delivery of initiatives on time and within budget to the satisfaction of all parties etc. 

• Significant experience of working with corporate partners and statutory organisations. 

• Experience in fundraising and donor relationships  

• Demonstrable experience of building and sustaining relationships and partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders 

• Significant experience and demonstratable interest in the youth sector and youth leadership  

• Experience of leading, motivating and developing a cohesive, high performing team 

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS  

• Demonstrable understanding of evidence-based programming, including using theories of change to guide programme practice. 

• Skilled in working with multiple stakeholders and funders, including at senior level 

• Good knowledge of the third sector 

• Excellent organisational, planning and interpersonal skills 

• Ability to set and meet deadlines. 

• Excellent communications and influencing skills, including ability to write persuasive and engaging content  

• Ability to work as part of and across teams 

• Knowledge of budget and financial management, including setting, monitoring and reporting 

• Knowledge of child safeguarding 

• Excellent decision making and the ability to exercise sound judgement 

• Able to represent the organisation, reflecting its values and priorities 

PERSONAL QUALITIES  

• Entrepreneurial, innovative, personable, collaborative and good at working both in a team and under your own initiative  

• Flexible and dynamic, with an ability to adapt and respond quickly to a fast-changing environment  

• Confident communicator 

• Ability to quickly build credibility internally and externally 

• Ability to undertake occasional travel around England necessitating overnight stay