Head of Fundraising and Events

KEY INFORMATION

Location: Manchester, Bristol, Newcastle, Nottingham, or London

Hours: 37.5 hours

Start date: September 2025 (we are happy to work with you and your notice period)

Duration: Permanent

Salary: £46,420 - £51,725 per annum if based in London. £43,765 - £49,070 per annum if based in Manchester, Nottingham, Newcastle or Bristol, plus a £312 yearly tax-free work from home allowance.

Application deadline:11:59pm, Sunday 31 August

ABOUT UPREACH

Do you think that your socio-economic background should determine your career prospects?

upReach s vision is of a society in which everybody has an equal opportunity to realise their full career potential. Our work is important because right now a student from disadvantaged background who gains a first-class degree from a top university is less likely to secure an elite job than a more privileged student with a 2.2.

Founded in 2012, we are an award-winning charity working in close partnership with employers and universities, we deliver a programme of 1-to-1 coaching to eligible undergraduates. We provide personalised employability support to over 3,000 students from across the UK, helping them to discover different career options, and develop the vital skills, networks and experiences needed to succeed in their chosen career and beyond.

To find out more about how we support our students, visit our website, read our Annual Report, and 2024-27 Strategy.

ROLE SUMMARY

It is an exciting time to join the team, with income growing year on year and an increasing awareness of our brand through activities such as the recent Radio 4 Charity Appeal. We have ambitious plans and the Head of Fundraising will make a significant contribution to future growth; you will manage the Fundraising and Events team with oversight of income generation from various sources including major donors, individuals, trusts & foundations and a portfolio of events.

The role will suit innovative individuals with experience of fundraising from major donors and at least one of the other specified income streams, and event planning or project management.

You will represent upReach externally, acting as an ambassador for our work and building strategic relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders. You will be accountable for income targets, developing the fundraising strategy and identifying new opportunities.

OUR VALUES

upReach upholds the following values:

• Perseverance
• Integrity
• Advocacy
• Aspiration
• Proactivity

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

The Head of Fundraising will contribute to upReach's mission by meeting financial targets, recognising when to make the fundraising ask and leading the annual budget process. You will use clear, creative written communication to produce convincing cases for support, represent the charity at relevant networking events, work closely with the upReach Development Board and act as an ambassador for the organisation.

Reporting to the Director of Income Generation and External Engagement you will manage three direct reports and support individuals participating in the Future Charity Leaders Programme (upReach s graduate scheme). You will work closely with the Head of Partnerships, CEO, Programmes and Finance teams and other colleagues across the income generating and external engagement team.

The core responsibilities include:

Leadership and strategy

• Lead fundraising and philanthropy to realise financial targets (2025/26: £2.45m).
• Securing 5 and 6 figure gifts.
• Inspire staff and volunteers to excel and achieve, champion the upReach values.
• Commit to the annual appraisal process and develop stretching, SMART OKRs (objectives and key results) to meet our strategic goals.
• Deputise for the Director in their absence and play an key role in the Income Generation & External Engagement Leadership Team.
• Lead the strategic and operational planning process for the functional areas of responsibility and ensure the involvement of relevant stakeholders.
• Keep abreast of developments, changes in trends, new techniques and legislation.
• Ensure planned activity is delivered in compliance with relevant charity law, other legislation, best practice and corporate policy.
• Act as a senior sounding board to ensure strategic decisions regarding donors and funders resonate with our objectives and mission.
• Contribute to strategic thinking including risk management and mitigation.
• Collate and present timely monthly management reports for each income stream.
• Lead the annual budget and financial forecasting processes to facilitate reporting and strategic-decision making.

Working with stakeholders (internal and external)

• Collaborate with colleagues to identify and secure all various income generating and profile raising opportunities, ensuring maximum impact and contribution from funders.
• Lead, champion and model a culture of outstanding donor stewardship and supporter care; including best practice and behaviour.
• Develop and foster effective relationships with key external contacts at all levels, e.g. donors, supporters, suppliers.
• Make the fundraising ask as and when appropriate, or support others to do so.
• Respond promptly to requests for information and action from supporters.
• Report and disseminate the key issues to emerge from supporter feedback.
• Manage the complaints procedures for the department and conduct full investigation of all complaints received by the department.

Developing, maintaining systems and procedures

• Determine and manage the operating systems needed to deliver activity and enable effective donor, supporter and volunteer relationship management.
• Effectively develop the donor journey.
• Ensure records in the CRM are up to date.
• Conduct analysis of data from across functions responsible for, drawing conclusions, making recommendations to the Director.
• Ensure the management of systems and processes comply with the organisation s data protection obligations, charity law and other legal requirements.

People Management and Team Working

• Recruit and lead the Fundraising team, rotatees and volunteers as required.
• Ensure upReach promotes a high performance culture and professional integrity.
• Continue to develop the skills and knowledge of you and your team to ensure you are up-to-date with changing regulation and fundraising best practices.
• Lead and model the implementation of business improvement and people development initiatives including training and rotations.

• Collaborate with colleagues across the department and organisation.

Major Donors and Individuals

• Develop and implement fundraising strategies to grow income, including an annual appeal.
• Work with the CEO, nurture relationships with donors including high net worth individuals maintaining the highest level of donor care.
• Research, identify and engage prospective donors to secure 5 and 6 figure gifts.
• Lead the team to grow and develop the burgeoning major donor portfolio.
• Work with the Alumni Team to identify opportunities to sustainably grow the individual giving pipeline, including beneficiaries.
• Develop a legacies strategy and oversee delivery of awareness campaigns.

Events

• Lead the team on the delivery of a sector-leading events portfolio, to include income-generating events, and the Student Social Mobility Awards (SSMA s).
• Engage, steward and motivate key stakeholders including the Development Board, Patrons, potential event committee members and other high value volunteers to grow our network and deliver successful fundraising events.

Trusts, Foundations & Corporates

• Oversight of Trusts, Foundation & Corporate fundraising strategy.
• Work with the Senior Fundraising Manager to identify and build relationships with Companies, Trusts and Foundations which are mission and/or programme aligned.
• Collaborate with the Head of Partnerships to build strategic relationships with companies that grow philanthropic and commercial income.
• Support the acquisition of new, multi-year philanthropic funders and existing donors.

Other

• Regular out of office work may be required in order that the organisation is able to deliver on its commitments to its stakeholders
• Some UK travel will be required from time to time

Please note that it is not possible for the job description to cover the exhaustive list of responsibilities of your role due to the varied nature of the role. The job description aims to provide an overview of your remit and core responsibilities.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidateshould display these skills:

• Influencing, facilitation and communication skills (both oral and written)
• Problem solving and decision making, the ability to stay calm under pressure
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise and deliver to tight deadlines
• Passion and motivation
• Leadership and collaboration skills

To be successful, it is anticipated that you will have experience working in a fast paced environment . click apply for full job details