Fundraising & Partnerships Officer – Job Description
Job Title: Fundraising & Partnerships Officer
Reports to: CEO
Location: Hastings (with local travel)
Hours: 22.5
Salary: 31,537 Pro Rata
Contract Type: 12-month fixed-term contract.
This is a 12-month fixed-term role, created to develop and grow HFS’s fundraising function, with potential to extend subject to funding and organisational need. The post is subject to a 6-month probationary period.
About Hastings Furniture Service (HFS)
HFS is the only dedicated furniture reuse charity serving Hastings and Rother. We exist to ensure people have the essential furniture they need for a safe, comfortable home. Since 1998, we have combined affordable reused furniture with community support and environmental sustainability, keeping resources in use and helping local households build stability and dignity.
Purpose of the Role
To generate new income for HFS through community fundraising, individual giving, and local partnerships.
This is a new role that will work closely with the CEO to establish HFS’s fundraising function. The postholder will develop a fundraising plan, with support from the Senior Management Team, and will take responsibility for delivering fundraising activity.
Key Responsibilities
1. Income Generation
o Focus time and effort on the audiences and opportunities with the strongest potential to generate income for HFS.
o Develop and deliver fundraising activities that generate new income for HFS.
o Create and test fundraising campaigns across community, individual, and corporate audiences.
o Introduce accessible giving mechanisms (e.g., regular giving, digital giving, retail add on fundraising).
o Encourage supporters to maintain regular donations and inspire new supporters through relationship development.
2. Fundraising Planning & Strategy
o Develop HFS’s first fundraising plan, setting out priorities, targets, and timelines.
o Prioritise activity based on potential return, ensuring time is focused on the most effective income generating opportunities.
o Monitor progress against the plan and adjust approaches as needed.
o Provide regular updates to the CEO on activity, pipeline development, and outcomes.
3. Community Engagement
o Build relationships with individuals, groups and networks that can support HFS’s fundraising aims.
o Support people who wish to fundraise for HFS.
o Recruit volunteers who want to contribute to fundraising activity.
o Represent HFS at selected events and activities.
4. Corporate & Local Business Engagement
o Identify and approach local businesses with potential to provide financial or in‑kind support.
o Develop clear ways for local businesses to support HFS.
o Build and steward relationships that encourage repeat support.
Person Specification – Fundraising & Partnerships Officer
Essential
* Experience & Skills
o Proven experience generating income through community fundraising, donor management, partnerships, sales, or similar roles.
o A track record of working to and achieving financial targets.
o Strong communication and relationship building skills, with confidence engaging a wide range of people.
o Good organisational skills, able to manage multiple strands of work in a part‑time role.
o Creative and practical, able to test ideas and adapt quickly based on what works.
o Comfortable working independently while collaborating closely with the rest of the organisation.
* Approach & Attributes
o A proactive, self‑starting attitude, able to spot opportunities and act on them.
o Sound judgement, able to focus on activity that offers the best return for the time available.
o Reliable and consistent, with attention to detail in planning and follow‑through.
o Warm, approachable and confident, representing HFS positively in the community.
o A commitment to HFS’s mission and values, and an understanding of the difference our work makes locally.
Desirable
* Knowledge of the local area and existing networks.
* Ability to create social media content.
* Access to a vehicle for local travel.
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