Director of Fundraising

Autistica is the UK’s national autism research charity, aiming to provide longer, happier, healthier lives for all autistic people and their families through the power of science. We are unique because our research strategy is driven by the autism community’s priorities. Our work highlighting early death in autism and the community’s top 10 priorities for research have both already had substantial impact. The charity has grown income 500% in three years, hugely increasing our reach, influence and impact and winning many national awards along the way. Our core values of Collaboration, Community and Confidence underpin a bold, innovative and inclusive approach to everything we do.

This exciting role will lead, manage and develop the fundraising team to deliver significant further growth in voluntary income to fund Autistica’s ambitious scientific strategy. The Director of Fundraising will be pivotal in developing our priority channels for growth: Major Giving and Corporate Fundraising, underpinned by our backbone income streams of Trusts & Foundations, Events and Individual and Community Fundraising. We are a highly innovative organisation combining the agility of a small charity with the ambition of a much larger cause

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate a strategic approach to growth and strong relationship fundraising capabilities, potentially with a background in Major Donor or Corporate fundraising. Joining a multi-award-winning, happy and successful team, you will play a major role in the Senior Management Team helping shape the future growth and development of the charity, working across the organisation to ensure the fundraising strategy is completely integrated with the research and communications strategies.

Main Responsibilities

Strategy

• Devise and implement a successful and sustainable fundraising strategy to grow Autistica’s income to support our programmes of research and contribute to the overall business plan for the charity, including clear goals and targets;

• Identify gaps in the fundraising portfolio, and develop effective plans that will support the expansion of fundraising into new areas as appropriate;

• Contribute to the ongoing development of the overall strategy for the charity.

Fundraising

• Build on the recent successful development of the Major Donor programme to ensure the growth and consolidation of this key income stream;

• Develop and implement plans to identify, involve and cultivate prospective Major Donors in the UK and overseas, taking personal ownership of this important income stream;

• Create and deliver a new multi-million pound appeal for a new research programme;

• Devise and deliver sector-specific corporate fundraising campaigns and propositions, building our profile in professional areas with an affinity to autism and delivering innovative and transformative partnerships;

• Provide support at a senior level to nurture key relationships with Trusts, Foundations and livery companies;

• Further develop our individual giving, events and community fundraising income streams, widening support for the charity within our key audiences;

• Develop a legacy fundraising programme integrated into the Major Donor and Individual Giving portfolios;

• Work with the Director of Science and Chief Executive to identify and develop targeted fundraising projects within the overall strategy;

• Identify new and creative opportunities for increasing and generating income;

• Develop a systematic approach to the existing donor base, segmenting as appropriate and employing a range of fundraising methods and techniques to address different audiences;

• Oversee the production of attractive and engaging materials to support the fundraising plan and present a compelling narrative to donors.

Team Leadership

• Provide overall long term direction and set performance objectives including specific income targets for the team;

• Line manage and develop the team, ensuring the staff have the necessary support, tools and training to achieve their objectives;

• Report on income and expenditure budgets for the fundraising team, monitoring and analysing progress and forecasting as appropriate as part of the overall financial reporting cycle of the charity;

• Ensure high quality donor experience and data protection are embedded in team practice and take overall responsibility for data accuracy and efficacy;

• Continue the promotion of a culture of high performance and professionalism to support the team to be responsive, accountable, effective and efficient and ensure the team both collectively and individually gain the confidence of donors;

• Regularly review fundraising policies and practice to ensure the charity is operating within charity law and data protection legislation and adheres to the Institute of Fundraising Codes of Practice.

Governance and External Relations

• Report to the Board of Trustees and attend Board meetings, ensuring the Board as a whole is engaged and involved in the fundraising agenda as appropriate;

• Work with the CEO and sub-committee Chairs to develop papers and reports for the Board and the Finance and Fundraising Committee;

• Work with the CEO to develop a high-value networking group;

• Represent Autistica at external meetings and conferences, engaging with partner organisations where appropriate to extend our reach and impact.

Data Protection

• The Director of Fundraising has overall responsibility for compliance with the Data Protection Act (DPA) and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The Director should ensure implementation and annual review of the Data Protection policies, processes and procedures. Day to day monitoring of compliance may be delegated to senior managers, but responsibility for information risk remains with the Director.

Personal Specification

Essential

Education level & qualifications

• Degree level or equivalent.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.

• IoF or equivalent fundraising qualification

Experience, knowledge and expertise

• Proven track record of success in either Major Donor or Corporate Fundraising.
• Demonstrable experience of personally securing donations or partnerships worth £100,000+ through face to face relationship building.
• Ability to communicate to potential donors the importance of investing in scientific research.
• Experience of managing a blend of fundraising income streams.
• Experience of setting and successfully implementing innovative fundraising strategies to deliver significant income growth.
• Experience of managing a high performing team.
• Experience of developing supporter communication across a variety of channels to present a compelling case to different donor audiences.
• Knowledge of data protection and other legislative and best practice requirements for fundraising in the UK.
• Experience of financial management and planning, producing budgets and management reports which enable effective evaluation and monitoring of fundraising income.
• Awareness of key current issues impacting fundraising.

• Experience of using Raiser’s Edge.
• Experience of international fundraising.
• Experience of regional community fundraising.
• Experience in using digital and social media to drive engagement and income.

Personal Qualities

• An ability to inspire people and develop trusting
• long-term and mutually beneficial relationships with the gravitas and ability to gain the trust and respect of Major Donors and the Board.
• Ability to present articulately, confidently and persuasively to small and large audiences.
• Highly developed written communication skills and ability to digest complex information to present to lay audiences.
• Ability to thrive in a medium-sized team environment.
• Highly organised, professional, tenacious and resilient with a focus on producing measurable results.
• A desire to grow the team and the role in line with the charity’s ambitions to create greater impact.
• Ability to work calmly under pressure and manage a variable workload.
• A genuine interest in Autistica and our charitable purpose.
• Some knowledge of autism and/or medical research charities.

Desirable

• IoF or equivalent fundraising qualification
• Experience of using Raiser’s Edge.
• Experience of international fundraising.

• Experience of regional community fundraising.
• Experience in using digital and social media to drive engagement and income.
• Some knowledge of autism and/or medical research charities.