Director of Fundraising

QuarterFive are delighted to partner with The Outward Bound Trust to find an experienced and strategic Director of Fundraising to lead a capable, established team and play a key role in driving the next phase of growth and impact.

The Outward Bound Trust's mission is to inspire young people to believe in themselves and achieve more than they ever thought possible. For over 80 years, its outdoor learning and adventure programmes have helped hundreds of thousands of young people develop confidence, resilience, and the skills they need to thrive in life and work.

Each year, around 25,000 young people take part in Outward Bound programmes across the UK, delivered through partnerships with schools, youth groups, and employers. Around 80% of school participants receive charitable bursary funding, ensuring that financial barriers never prevent young people from accessing these life-changing experiences. Bursaries are central to OBT s purpose, underpinning its commitment to equity of access, diversity, and the belief that every young person, regardless of background, should have the chance to experience adventure, challenge, and growth.

The Outward Bound Trust is now delivering its 2030 Strategy, which sets out an ambitious plan to grow reach, strengthen partnerships, and invest in its six heritage outdoor centres.

Reporting to the CEO, you ll directly manage four experienced team heads and oversee a high-performing team of 18 who generate bursary, unrestricted, and capital income. The role sits on the Senior Management Team, working closely with colleagues across the charity to connect fundraising with programme delivery, marketing, and business development, ensuring shared priorities and greater collective impact. You ll also play a key role in the Fundraising and Marcomms Steering Group, ensuring effective working between fundraising and external engagement.

This is a broad, strategic role combining leadership, direction, and hands-on relationship management at one of the UK s most respected youth charities. You ll work alongside a supportive CEO and senior leadership team, lead an experienced and capable department, and shape a fundraising strategy that will help thousands of young people access the power of outdoor learning and adventure.

As Director of Fundraising, you will:

• Lead and support a multi-disciplinary fundraising function spanning major donors, corporate partnerships, legacies, trusts and foundations, and events
• Deliver growth across bursary, unrestricted, and capital income, ensuring fundraising priorities align with organisational strategy and long-term sustainability
• Develop and implement capital fundraising plans, supporting the upgrade of existing outdoor centres and laying the groundwork for a potential new site acquisition
• Review and refine OBT s approach to new business and innovation, identifying where to invest, consolidate, or reshape activity to maximise return
• Build and steward high-value relationships, personally managing key donors, corporate partners, and foundations capable of transformational giving
• Ensure fundraising, business development, and marketing operate in partnership to maximise opportunities for income growth and profile building
• Contribute to organisational leadership as a member of the Senior Management Team, supporting financial planning, strategic decision-making, and cross-directorate collaboration
• Represent OBT externally with senior supporters, funders, and government stakeholders, acting as a visible ambassador for outdoor learning and youth development

Ideal skills and experience:

• Substantial senior-level fundraising experience with demonstrable success in leading multistream teams
• Proven ability to secure and steward six- and seven-figure partnerships and relationships with high-net-worth individuals, corporates, and foundations
• Strategic and analytical mindset, confident in planning, budgeting, forecasting, and evaluating performance
• Experience of capital fundraising or large-scale campaigns advantageous
• Credible, empowering leadership style able to guide senior managers, foster collaboration, and provide clarity of direction
• Strong influencing and relationship-building skills, able to engage confidently with trustees, senior stakeholders, and external partners
• Motivated by The Outward Bound Trust s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and enable all young people to thrive through outdoor learning

Employee benefits include:

• 10% employer pension contribution
• 24 days plus bank holidays (increasing by one day per year to 30 days).
• Life Assurance (3 x salary)
• Long-term Disability Insurance (2/3 salary less state incapacity benefit after 6 months ), absence for up to 5 years, covered from start date
• Employee Assistance Programme: with easy access to medical and mental health support, including instant GP appointments, physio and counselling services
• Personal Accident Insurance while at work or commuting
• Health Cash Plan with Medicash (after completion of probation; taxable benefit)
• 8 weeks sick pay at full salary in any 12 months
• Personal Adventures! Outward Bound has a positive attitude to extended/unpaid leave (forward planning is required)