Head of Donor Relations

Aims of the role

The Supporter Engagement team is responsible for communications and fundraising for Wycliffe Bible Translators. The Head of Donor Relations will lead a small team in raising income from a variety of sources for the many projects and unrestricted income needs that Wycliffe Bible Translators has in order to cover our extensive international ministry.

To do this role well you will need to deliver fundraising targets by developing and implementing the fundraising strategy to secure income from trusts and foundations, churches, individual donors and the corporate sector.

This is a great opportunity to gain a range of communications and fundraising experience in this growing charity. The role will be in keeping with Wycliffe’s mission to be an expression of the Christian life and faith. 

Key Tasks

The Head of Donor Relations will:

•  develop, manage and review the current fundraising strategy
•  oversee cultivation, stewardship, campaign planning and budget management
• actively cultivate and secure sponsorship, grant and individual giving in line with agreed targets
• lead and manage a small Fundraising Team, ensuring their ongoing professional development and engagement with Board objectives
•  explore opportunities to develop Wycliffe’s fundraising approach; incorporating digital development where appropriate
• develop and oversee the submission of applications to charitable trusts and foundations in support of Wycliffe’s activities
• ensure that the team engage in regular reviews of the donor base to cultivate and steward prospects and donors to deliver continued growth in individual giving
• develop the CRM system (Salesforce) to track potential fundraising opportunities and build relationships
• oversee the events programme to offer quality, insightful opportunities for donors and partners to engage with our work
• maintain knowledge of current fundraising trends, issues and opportunities
• develop and expand all potential fundraising opportunities
• prepare reports for senior management and stakeholders, including funders, as required
• establish effective systems to record, monitor and evaluate all of the department’s activities
• act as an ambassador and advocate for the work of the organisation
• engage and leverage support from staff across the organisation in donor relations activities
• carry out other duties commensurate with the activities of the Department for Support Engagement.

Person Specification

Skills and Experience

Essential

•  A minimum of five years’ experience in a fundraising role, with a track record across a variety of disciplines, but particularly strong in direct marketing to individuals.
• An understanding of the importance and use of effective fundraising tools to achieve the ambitious fundraising targets set for the team.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Excellent administrative skills, with attention to detail.
• Entrepreneurial self-starter and leader with initiative, confidence and drive.
• Exceptional skills at building and managing relationships, including the ability to influence and persuade a wide range of individuals and groups.
• Sound understanding of fundraising techniques, including prospect research, network mapping, cultivation, stewardship and income forecasting.
• Clear, friendly telephone manner.
• IT literate, proficient proficient in the use of word processing packages.
• High degree of personal organisation and self-management, with the ability to prioritise, multitask and work to deadlines.
•  Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Willingness to visit projects overseas when needed.

Desirable

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Experience with CRM databases, ideally Salesforce.

Personal qualities

• Passionate about Wycliffe’s aims, and personally committed to cross-cultural mission.
• Ability to work well with others as part of a small team.
• Ability to take appropriate initiative.
• Trustworthy and honest.
• Self-starter, ability to use own initiative and work independently, but also as part of a diverse team.
• Copywriting skills in particular for developing donor relations assets.
• Able to develop good working relationships internally and externally.

Other Requirements

It is an occupational requirement that the post holder be a committed Christian who assents to Wycliffe’s Statement of Faith.

Applicants must be able to prove that they have the legal right to work in the UK.