Overview
The Head of Fundraising is a strategic leadership role within the Income and Engagement Directorate, with overall responsibility for the strategy, delivery and performance of Breaking Barriers high-value income portfolio. This includes corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, statutory funding, and major gifts. Breaking Barriers has grown into a national charity supporting over 1,300 refugees each year and raising c.£3m annually. Income from corporate partners and philanthropic funders has been central to this growth, with corporate partnerships integral to both income and the creation of meaningful employment outcomes for our refugee clients. As the organisation enters its next strategic phase, the priority is to develop national partnerships in line with a redesigned service model and build long-term resilience across high-value income streams. Reporting to the Deputy CEO, the Head of Fundraising will translate organisational priorities into a clear income strategy that delivers resilience and long-term relationship-led partnerships. They will lead and support a team of senior fundraisers, each with lead responsibility for a defined income stream, while maintaining personal involvement in a small number of priority, high-value relationships. As a member of Breaking Barriers Joint Leadership Team, the post-holder will contribute to organisational leadership, culture and decision-making, and will help shape how we work with responsible businesses, funders and partners to advance refugee employment in the UK.
Key Responsibilities
1. Income generation and external partnerships: Hold overall accountability for income delivery across corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, statutory funding, and major gifts/high-net-worth individuals. Provide strategic oversight and direction to senior managers leading each income stream, ensuring coherence, prioritisation and strong performance across the portfolio. Maintain personal oversight of a small number of priority, high-value relationships, acting as senior sponsor and external representative where appropriate. Ensure a strong, diversified pipeline of prospective partners and donors aligned with organisational priorities. Champion excellent stewardship and supporter experience across all high-value relationships. Work closely with colleagues across the Directorate and the Joint Leadership Team to maximise cross-fundraising, partnership and engagement opportunities. Ensure that the voice, experience and dignity of refugees are meaningfully and ethically reflected in fundraising activity. Ensure accurate and consistent use of Salesforce for pipeline management, forecasting, reporting and analysis.
2. Work closely with the Deputy CEO and Finance team on income forecasting, budgeting and financial planning. Ensure compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements, including GDPR and the Fundraising Code of Practice.
3. Strategy and growth: Working closely with the Deputy CEO, lead the development and delivery of an integrated Fundraising Strategy that supports organisational priorities, financial sustainability and long-term national partnerships. Translate strategy into clear priorities, plans and performance expectations across the fundraising portfolio. Drive income growth while strengthening long-term resilience across high-value income streams. Develop and deliver national and multi-year partnerships, particularly with corporate partners and major statutory funders, ensuring these relationships are strategically aligned, high-impact and mutually beneficial. Ensure fundraising propositions are compelling, evidence-led and clearly connected to Breaking Barriers impact, working closely with the Services Directorate to reflect operational reality and client need. Strengthen pipeline management, forecasting and scenario planning to support financial resilience and informed decision-making. Identify opportunities to deepen funder engagement beyond income, including learning partnerships, influence and profile-raising where appropriate. Monitor external trends and risks affecting high-value fundraising, adapting plans proactively in partnership with organisational leadership.
4. Leadership and team management: Provide inclusive, ambitious and supportive leadership to the Fundraising team, fostering a culture of high performance, collaboration and learning. Line manage 3 Senior Managers across Corporate Partnerships and Philanthropy, each with lead responsibility for a defined income stream. Set clear expectations, objectives and KPIs for senior managers, supporting them to balance strategic leadership with hands-on fundraising delivery. Ensure effective prioritisation, realistic workloads and joined-up ways of working across a complex fundraising portfolio. Lead on workforce planning, skills development and succession planning within the Fundraising function, in partnership with the Deputy CEO. Champion strong collaboration between fundraising and other directorates, particularly Services, Communications and Finance. Model Breaking Barriers values at all times, contributing to a welcoming, mission-led and entrepreneurial organisational culture. Actively contribute as a member of the Joint Leadership Team, supporting organisational leadership and decision-making beyond fundraising. Provide clear, accurate and timely reporting to the Deputy CEO, CEO and Board of Trustees, attending meetings as required.
Essential
* Significant experience leading high-value fundraising across multiple income streams, with a strong track record of income growth.
* Demonstrable success securing and stewarding 6- and 7-figure partnerships or donations from corporate partners, trusts/foundations, statutory funders and/or major donors.
* Proven ability to operate at both strategic and delivery levels, balancing leadership with selective frontline fundraising.
* Experience managing senior fundraisers or managers with responsibility for discrete income streams.
* Strong strategic, financial and analytical skills, including budgeting, forecasting, performance management and risk assessment.
* Excellent relationship-building, influencing and negotiation skills, with credibility at senior levels internally and externally.
* Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and compellingly to a range of audiences, including trustees.
* Experience working effectively across an organisation and with senior leadership teams.
* Strong project management skills and ability to prioritise in a fast-paced environment.
* Sound knowledge of GDPR and the Charity Fundraising Code of Practice.
* Demonstrable interest in, and commitment to, refugee inclusion, employment or related social justice issues.
* A leadership style aligned with Breaking Barriers values: mission-led, welcoming, collaborative and entrepreneurial.
Desirable
* Experience integrating or restructuring fundraising teams or portfolios.
* Knowledge of trends in refugee sector funding, responsible business or social impact partnerships.
* Experience of statutory funding delivery and compliance.
* Event-based fundraising or donor cultivation experience.
* Breaking Barriers particularly welcomes applicants with experience of seeking asylum and/or a refugee background.
* As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, we are committed to offering an accessible recruitment process and guarantee an interview to all applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the role.
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