At Samaritans, our vision is that fewer people die by suicide. Every day, our volunteers and staff provide life‑saving emotional support to people in distress, and behind that work is a culture built on compassion, inclusion, learning and human connection.
We are looking for a Senior Community Fundraiser – Scotland to help grow income, strengthen supporter relationships and unlock the power of community fundraising across Scotland.
This is an exciting senior role within our Community and Events team, working closely with colleagues and volunteers across our Scottish network. You will develop fundraising opportunities that reflect Scotland’s distinctive communities and supporter landscape; while helping volunteers, branches and supporters play their part in our life‑saving work.
Contract
* Fixed Term (18 months)
* Hybrid working – Meeting in person and working collaboratively are things we value. This role is linked to our Edinburgh office with a blend of home and office working and occasional travel to our central office based in Surrey.
* In‑person working: Minimum of 1 office day each week in the Edinburgh office, normally Wednesdays.
* We are passionate about flexible working, talk to us about your preferences.
About the role
The role will be line managed within the Community and Events team, while working closely with the Scotland office to shape and deliver fundraising growth across the nation.
This role will also require occasional travel to our central office in Surrey Ewell or our London Hub office on Leadenhall Street.
What you’ll do
Grow community fundraising income in Scotland
* Lead the day‑to‑day delivery of community fundraising activity across Scotland.
* Identify, develop and manage a strong pipeline of supporters and fundraising opportunities.
* Manage income budgets of around £200k or more and contribute to forecasting, reporting and performance analysis.
Build strong supporter and volunteer relationships
* Build and steward relationships with volunteers, branches, individuals, community groups and corporate partners.
* Champion excellent supporter journeys that attract new supporters and deepen existing relationships.
* Support volunteers and branches to reach their fundraising potential.
Work across Samaritans
* Support the development and delivery of the Community and Events fundraising strategy and operational plans.
* Develop networks across Scotland to raise Samaritans’ profile and unlock new opportunities.
* Work across the organisation to embed a “One Samaritans” approach to fundraising and engagement.
* Ensure activity complies with charity law, fundraising regulation and data protection requirements.
About you
You’re an experienced community fundraiser who thrives on building relationships and making things happen. You enjoy working collaboratively, influencing stakeholders and supporting volunteers to succeed.
You’ll be confident working at both strategic and operational levels, balancing planning and delivery while keeping supporters and volunteers at the heart of everything you do.
What you will bring
* Significant experience in community fundraising with a strong understanding of fundraising operations.
* Proven ability to manage an income portfolio of £200k+ and work to financial targets.
* Excellent relationship‑building, stakeholder management and influencing skills.
* Experience of working with and supporting volunteers.
* Strong understanding of charity legislation and fundraising best practice.
* Experience of working cross‑departmentally and collaboratively.
* A genuine commitment to Samaritans’ mission, values and equity, diversity and inclusion principles.
* Experience of project management, coaching or mentoring, and managing change would be an advantage, as would knowledge of the Scottish fundraising environment.
Safeguarding
We take safeguarding seriously at Samaritans and follow safe recruitment practices. As this role has direct contact with children and adults at risk, a PVG (Adults and Children) check will be required.
At offer stage, as part of the conditional job offer, we will require the candidate to disclose in full, spent and unspent convictions by completing a declaration form.
Diversity & Inclusion
We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from disabled, racialised minority and LGBTQ+ candidates, as these people are under‑represented at Samaritans.
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