Are you an experienced fundraiser with a desire to make a difference to young people’s mental health?
Are you self-motivated and a collaborative team player, eager to contribute your unique perspective in a supportive environment?
If so, we encourage you to apply for the exciting opportunity to become the Maternity Cover for our Development Manager at Winchester Youth Counselling, a leading local youth mental health charity.
About Winchester Youth Counselling ("WYC"):
At WYC our mission is to provide counselling, therapy and mental health support to young people aged 11-25 in Hampshire, as well as support and advice for parents and families, so that young people are supported to thrive and live happier lives.
Our services include one to one counselling, walk and talk, and nature therapy sessions to local children and young people who are facing difficulties with their mental health. We also run a youth drop‑in service in Winchester Town Centre. We offer support to parents and carers too with parent consultations and parent workshops.
It’s a pivotal and exiting moment for our charity. We have undergone significant growth in recent years due to multi‑year funding, and are looking to make an even greater impact on local young people’s mental health. We also find ourselves within an ever‑more competitive fundraising landscape, therefore our team needs to help us to stand out in order to ensure that we are able to continue our vital work for years to come.
About the Role:
The Development Manager role is a crucial role responsible for securing funding from a variety of sources in order to support the charity’s mission and financial stability. This position involves a blend of research, relationship building, and persuasive writing to secure grants from foundations, trusts and statutory funders; maintaining and developing strong relationships with local companies and HNW individuals, and helping to organise a varied portfolio of fundraising events. You will work closely with the senior management team and will play a strategic role in shaping the charity’s fundraising goals and fulfilling its mission.
The charity has made significant moves to diversify income in the last FY and as a result, there is a strong fundraising strategy in place going into the 26‑27 FY. Your role in the organisation will be to ensure that we continue to move forwards and implement its objectives, whilst continuously evaluating our successes and areas for development.
Key Responsibilities
Grants and Trusts
Hold ownership of the Grants and Trusts pipeline to ensure that all planned Grants are submitted in a timely manner. Track applications and success/failures, reporting these to management and Board. Hold responsibility for ensuring that reporting requirements are adhered to.
Conduct thorough research to identify potential grant opportunities aligned with the charity’s goals and priorities.
Analyse grant guidelines and eligibility requirements to ensure strong applications.
Lead the development of compelling grant proposals (which may utilise different media including audio/visual case studies) that effectively communicate the charity’s impact and need for funding, as well as utilising the bank of resources already built up.
Relationship management
Build and maintain strong relationships with current and potential funders and corporate partners, including attending meetings and events on behalf of the charity.
Plan and facilitate corporate engagement events and trainings to build engagement.
Approach and secure Charity of the Year funding for 2027.
Attending Networking events and make introductions and connections to further the charities aims. Including Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, Hampshire Business Networks and other local events.
Event and Campaign management
Hold responsibility for several events across the year including:
WYC 25-year Anniversary Crowdfunder Campaign (Q2) the inaugural Winchester Youth Awards (Q3), Community Christmas Fundraiser (Q3), Children’s Mental Health Week Campaign (Q4) and 3 x Networking events throughout the year.
Work with the wider team to bring these events to fruition, including working with our partner organisations.
After the event, ensure that wrap‑up is completed effectively and events/campaigns are evaluated.
With the team, complete preparations for our 25 year celebrations, due in 2027.
Community Engagement Management
Work with the Community and Youth Engagement Officer to facilitate community‑based campaigns and our challenge events programme.
Support the CYEO in managing the WYC Community Champions group of volunteers, advertising, interviewing, scheduling, supporting and keeping regular contact with the group.
Assist the CYEO in undertaking leafletting, collections, prize donations and other community initiatives, ensuring the correct permissions, licensing and reporting are in place.
Work with the Youth Board to keep youth voice at the centre of our planning.
Developing an established formal corporate wellbeing/mental health workshop offering.
Line Management
Co‑manage the CYEO (who will have additional line management support from the CEO during this period) and ensure that they feel supported and have clarity in their role.
Assigning and monitoring income to project and core costs, identifying where funding gaps exist and applying this analysis to grant prospecting.
Ensuring that the stated costs of services are accurate and consistently reflected across all fundraising streams, working with the CEO.
Regularly monitoring fundraising income against the current fundraising strategy, adjusting plans and reforecasting in collaboration with the CEO.
Contributing to the development and implementation of the charity’s long‑term financial sustainability plan.
Assisting the CEO to develop a detailed Fundraising Strategy for 2027/28 aligned to an agreed organisational budget.
Strategic Responsibilities (Senior Management & Leadership)
Participating in strategic planning to shape the charity’s fundraising goals and initiatives.
Identifying new areas of development that further the charity’s fundraising and partnership ambitions, including new income streams and fundraising practices.
Collaborating with other senior leaders to ensure fundraising activity aligns with the organisation’s mission and vision.
Providing regular reports on fundraising progress and performance to the Senior Management Team and Board of Trustees.
Writing the annual organisational impact report.
Operational / Systems
Leading or significantly contributing to the selection, implementation, and embedding of an effective CRM system to support fundraising and reporting.
Provide support with general office cover, team support and other ad hoc tasks as requested by the CEO.
The Ideal Candidate:
We are seeking an exceptional candidate with the following qualities:
Demonstrated passion and commitment to youth mental health and the wellbeing of the local community.
A collaborative and inclusive approach to working as part of a team, supporting a positive working environment.
Proven ability to incorporate fresh ideas and innovative approaches into organisational development.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to connect with a diverse range of stakeholders and build positive and sustainable relationships.
Entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to innovation, seeking new and effective ways to support young people’s mental health.
Exceptional organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands and set clear boundaries.
Good listening and empathy skills.
A commitment to continued personal and professional development.
Person specification:
Minimum of five years of experience in grants fundraising within the non‑profit sector.
Proven track record of success in achieving and exceeding fundraising goals.
Experience in grant writing and securing funding from trusts and foundations.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and sustainable with a diverse range of stakeholders.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write compelling grant proposals and funder reports.
Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks effectively.
Strong analytical, budgeting and problem‑solving skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and fundraising software.
Experience in supporting the organisation of fundraising events.
Good knowledge of Winchester’s locality, demographic, and the local community dynamics.
Marketing and communications skills, with the ability to craft compelling messages and communicate effectively across various platforms.
Experience with setting up CRM systems.
Knowledge of applying to the National Lottery Communities Fund grants.
This is a unique and rewarding opportunity to lead a dynamic and impactful organisation that is making a real difference in the lives of young people. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, along with the chance to work with a passionate and dedicated team in a supportive and stimulating environment.
Flexible working subject to business need.
Work in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Continuous learning and development opportunities.
Make a positive difference to the wellbeing of young people.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role to Richard Maiden, recruitment@winchyc.org. The closing date for applications is 17th May, and in‑person/online interviews will be 21st May or during w/c 1st June.
We are an equal opportunities employer and value diversity at our organisation. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, religion, colour, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status.
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