Young people’s desire to tackle discrimination and injustice is demonstrated clearly in their strong involvement in movements like Black Lives Matter, the Youth Climate Strike and #MeToo. Young people are driving positive change. And yet their voice is still excluded from important conversations about how to build a just society.

We’re proud to be the only charity set up in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales and her belief that young people have the power to change the world. Our mission is to empower young people to lead that change through a range of initiatives which unlock their potential, inspire action and create opportunities, ensuring that no young person is left out or left behind.

Throughout all of our programmes ‘change’ for and by young people is central. Our Anti-Bullying work encourages change in attitudes and behaviours for young people by young people, our Mentoring schemes guide change for some of the UK’s most marginalised young people and our flagship Award and Development programme recognises the young people driving selfless change across the world, supporting them to go even further. Our newest initiative, ‘Changemakers’ in collaboration with UK Youth and Centre for Mental Health, aims to change the inequalities in mental health experienced by young people from racialised communities.  

We have an ambitious strategy which requires innovation, talented people and robust practice. We want to build our brand as one of the UK’s leading and trusted youth movements and enhance our expertise and profile as a platform and catalyst for youth-led social action. We will Increase our voice and influence on policies that affect the young people we work with and their ability to effect social change. 

Our goal is to be innovative and adaptive to the ever-changing cultural landscape, using digital technology to create the change we want to see across society. This will cut across all aspects of our work from our infrastructure to communications, fundraising and supporting our online communities. 

We are building a long-term, financially sustainable organisation that remains unique, relevant and compelling in a competitive landscape. We want to continue to be outcome-focused and youth-led in everything we do.

Most importantly we will continue to ensure our staff, volunteers and young people will feel valued, rewarded, included and inspired. Learn more about where we are headed by reading our strategy.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This role is a result of the merging of both the MarComms and Fundraising functions. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team you will lead on our ambitious fundraising, marketing and communications strategy: supporting the team in achieving our corporate objective of elevating The Diana Award as a trusted and leading youth charity that attracts substantial, innovative and long-term partners and funding.

You will lead a team of nine skilled individuals, with only two direct reports. The team has responsibilities for web, social media, design, campaigns, finance, fundraising, marketing and communications. You will ensure that the team collaborates effectively across the organisation to achieve our targets and work closely with the Senior Leadership Team, key stakeholders, and the Board of Trustees.

You will also be responsible for delivering on our fundraising strategy, with a goal of generating £500k annually in new income through direct income and business development activities, contributing to our current £3.1 million annual income.

To succeed in this role, you should have a proven track record in income generation, creating impactful partnerships, marketing, and campaigns. You should also be a skilled communicator and passionate about supporting young people. If you thrive in a dynamic, ambitious and creative organisation, we encourage you to apply.

JOB DESCRIPTION

LEADERSHIP, STRATEGY AND TEAM MANAGEMENT

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will help drive forward the organisation’s strategy and vision, taking key decisions in the best interest of the organisation, and role modelling our behaviours and values

• Promote and support best practice across the organisation, including equal opportunities, management of risk, data protection, safeguarding, health and safety, and continuous improvement and staff support and development

• Provide outstanding leadership and direction for the Fundraising and Marketing Communications Directorate, bringing energy and drive to their ambition  

• Communicate a clear strategic vision for the team that supports the delivery of the overall strategy

• Build and maintain effective relationships with external stakeholders across the public, private and third sector at a national level to ensure high quality delivery of all The Diana Award’s programmes

• Represent The Diana Award at external events

• Prepare reports for the Board of Trustees and participate in board meetings

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS 

• Ensure our Marketing and Communications strategy platforms and showcases young people and their voices.

• With the Head of Marketing and Communications develop strategies and execution plans for the various marketing channels to increase brand presence, interaction and engagement across all Diana Award activities as agreed with Programme Leads

• Ensure our brand message is strong and consistent across all channels and marketing channels (such as events, email campaigns, social media, web pages and promotional material)

• Develop a communications strategy in line with strategic objectives, working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, freelance PR and web support and other agencies

• Ensure the team have access to, and the skills to manage appropriate digital tools/channels to utilise both internally and externally (e.g. web/CMS, google analytics, SEO)

• Lead the team to deliver across programmes, projects and campaigns, through effective project management and prioritisation as well as ensuring alignment of stakeholder expectations against agreed objectives

• Ensure the highest standards of safeguarding in our storytelling, developing content with a safeguarding by design approach and ensuring the stories we tell reflect our values, mission and beneficiaries

• Oversee the Marketing and Communications budget

• Oversee the procurement of external agencies and contractors, ensuring they offer value for money and comply with Diana Award policies and procedures

FUNDRAISING

You will help us to build a long-term financially sustainable organisation by re- inventing our business model to stay unique, relevant and compelling in a competitive landscape.

• With the Head of Fundraising and Partnerships supported by Deputy CEO and CEO to develop strategies, execution plans and cases for support for various income generation, working closely with Programme team leads

• Work with current Fundraising team of two individuals to focus on Trusts and Foundations, Corporate giving, Statutory, and Donors before growing other types of fundraising, as/when team and capacity grows

• Support on new business interest through supporting on pitch decks, bid creations and directly contributing to prospects and pipeline in terms of income generation

• Work towards the achievement of long-term sustainability, developing the charity’s business model and maximising income, with an increasing focus and goal on unrestricted and core income

• Ensure all fundraising complies with UK law and regulations

• Work with Finance Manager on budget projection and reporting

 OTHER DUTIES

• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead for the Directorate and lead on the implementation of agreed areas of the Safeguarding Strategy

• Undertake relevant tasks as requested by the CEO and Senior Management Team 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

If you are interested in applying but aren’t sure that you have all of the skills and experience, please do still apply. We are open to learning on the job and supporting the development of the successful candidate so that they are able to do the job to the best of their ability.

PERSONAL QUALITIES          

• Passion for social justice and supporting young people to reach their full potential

• 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 and varied projects.

• Ability to quickly build trust and credibility both internally and externally.

EXPERIENCE  

• Proven recent experience of successful income generation(£500k+) and development activity, including writing proposals and funding applications, managing key partners, supporting with development of and delivering on income generation strategy, leading income generation initiatives on time and within budget to the satisfaction of all parties

• Proven experience and success with Trusts and Foundations, Corporate giving, Statutory, and Donors. We are particularly keen on these areas initially before growing other types of income as team grows in years to come

• Proven recent experience and examples of leading marketing, communication, PR, web, campaigns, designing, planning and execution

• Extensive management of a high performing team

• Influencing and inspiring a variety of stakeholders verbally, in presentations, face-to-face meetings and in writing

• Expertise in working with senior stakeholders/volunteers, ideally including trustee boards

SKILLS

• Leadership skills: motivating and developing a cohesive, high performing small team

• IT and database management skills including Word, Excel, Powerpoint and using databases

• Excellent organisational, planning skills and ability to set and meet deadlines

• Excellent written and verbal communication kills including confident presentation and influencing skills, and the ability to write persuasive and engaging content

• Excellent decision making and the ability to exercise sound judgement

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills across multiple internal and external stakeholders and funders, including at senior level

KNOWLEDGE

• Good knowledge of the third sector

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

OUR ORGANISATION

The Diana Award is committed to anti-racism, social justice and building and developing a workforce which reflects the diversity of the young people we support. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer that values and respects the people who work for us. We seek to ensure all job applications are treated fairly, with respect and without bias.

We positively encourage applications from suitably experienced candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

We know that change is a team effort, and work hard to make sure every member of staff is inspired, nurtured and supported.

Every staff member has their own personal training and development budget, ability to work flexibly around core hours, access to our employee assistance programme 24/7, wellbeing initiatives, equipment to support you both at home and in an office environment (if applicable), opportunities to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues both in person and online, and much more.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all. This is a responsibility that is shared by all members of staff the successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS or equivalent police check.

APPLICATION DETAILS

Application deadline: Monday 5th June at 09:00am

Please reach out to people@diana-award.org.uk if you require any support with the application process or have questions about the role.