Fundraiser

The Cotswold Canals Trust (CCT) is looking to appoint a fundraiser – ambassador. Personable with high standing, they will have existing excellent personal contacts which will enable them to reach major business leaders and benefactors quickly on our behalf.  They will have the track record and motivation to confidently raise significant additional funding for a unique, exciting multi-faceted project centred on the restoration of 4 miles of canal.

CCT is the largest canal society in the UK with over 7,500 members. It is dedicated to the restoration of the Stroudwater Navigation and Thames & Severn Canal – which together linked the Rivers Severn & Thames.

This is a special and nationally important canal restoration project. No other canal regeneration project in England has a higher profile, based on two nationally important cultural heritage assets – the canal with its historical archive - and a regionally significant wildlife corridor. A key part of the lost canal link between the Rivers Severn and Thames, the project will reconnect currently land locked canal communities to their local heritage and England’s wider navigable waterway network, bringing with it inward investment and sustainable regeneration.

The project involves preserving and making available historic archives and a very major ecological and environmental upgrade of the canal/river corridor. Significant involvement and benefits for local communities, local businesses, wildlife and the environment are built into the project, which includes over 144,000 hours of Volunteer effort. The environment will benefit from over 30 hectares of priority habitats created in one of UKs largest biodiversity offsetting projects.

The fundraiser-ambassador will be a well - respected part of the existing highly motivated skilled volunteer team, bringing their own unique experience, track record, skills and knowledge to enrich and develop it.  They will work with and contribute to the further development of our Fundraising Strategy, working with the CCT fundraising team and the CCT Fundraising Director.  The post will be based at the CCT office in Stroud Gloucestershire, but with element of home office work, together with visiting potential supporters.

The initial appointment will be for a period of 12 months, and the successful achievement of our funding target may bring the option of an extended appointment.

Working hours are flexible and there will be a need for some evening/weekend work.

Job/Person Specification

Accountable to CCT Fundraising Director

Key relationships

CCT Fundraising team & Fundraising Director, CCC Project Director and Project Engineering Director. Links with CCC & CCT Teams including Community engagement team, Communications & presentations teams. Personal contacts.

Responsible for Raising the additional funding required for the project

Overall purpose of the post

To raise, through The Cotswold Canals Trust (CCT), the additional funding required for the successful completion of the Cotswold Canals Connected (CCC) project.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Working in collaboration with, and as a well-respected member of the established CCT fundraising team.
• As an ambassador, using their existing personal contacts within the major business and benefactor community, to gain substantial funding through sponsorship & donations and to build long term relationships between funders and the CCT Fundraising Team.
• Working within, contributing to and enriching the further development of the existing CCT fundraising team and its strategy, through collaborative mutually respectful working.
• As an ambassador, raising awareness of the charity and its work at local and national levels, through individual contacts and public speaking.

Qualifications and Experience

Required skills and experience:

• Proven track record of significant fundraising
• the ability to build and maintain relationships
• the ability to influence others with excellent oral and written communication skills.
• the ability to listen, with awareness and delicacy, negotiation skills including understanding & openness to the needs of other individuals, groups and businesses.
• the capability to work under pressure and meet deadlines;
• the ability to meet financial targets;
• a commitment to honesty in dealings with all parties
• the ability to motivate others and work as part of a team;
• resilience, particularly when faced with setbacks;
• sensitivity to the needs of volunteers and donors;
• public speaking and presentations.
• to perform other duties commensurate with this post by discussion & agreement.