THE GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND ASSOCIATION

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: / Development Fundraiser
DEPARTMENT/LOCATION: / Regional Fundraising
RESPONSIBLE TO:
Job title: / Regional Development Fundraiser
Location: / Various
MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB: / Responsibility for maximising Gross and Net sustainable income from key volunteers and new audiences as agreed with the Regional Fundraising Manager, leading to a 25% growth by 2012.
To work to build local relationships with Guide Dog supporters and other external parties, encouraging support through regional fundraising.
DIRECT/INDIRECT SUBORDINATES / Direct: / None
Indirect: / Staff / Volunteers

Please attach an organisation chart of department showing where this job fits in.

DIMENSIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Personal, capital or revenue budget: / Income circa £200k
Value of equipment: / Up to £10k
Services provided:

Signature of Functional Director: Date:

Signature/Name of Dept Head: Date:

Signature/Name of Post Holder: Date:

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Regional

·  Assist in research and identify new areas for fundraising activities and branch and supporter growth by 25%.

·  To assist in the production of a blue print formula for setting up branches and recruiting volunteers and then implementing the blue prints to grow the branch network.

·  To work with the Regional Development Fundraiser to take ownership of the information following the volunteer review and work on outcomes.

·  To research and analyse internal information to ensure resources are effectively utilised by staff and volunteers in order to improve ROI to 3:1 by 2012.

·  To ensure regular communication with all volunteers via workshops, newsletters, extranet, web sites.

Appeals / Projects

·  To proactive target companies, organisations and groups to fundraise to the NAP/BSAP/Payroll Giving or other appropriate fundraising products to ensure the regional financial targets are achieved.

·  To assist in researching, identifying appropriate appeals and delivering profitable and sustainable regional fundraising relationships with businesses, employees and community groups.

·  To project manage working parties in consultation with the RFM and RDF in order to roll out regional fundraising initiatives as outlined within the regional operational plan I.e. Get Together.

·  To ensure the delivery of Guide Dogs signature events throughout the region i.e. “Go Walkies”.

·  To maximize gift aid from supporters.

·  To maximise fundraising opportunities through Guide Dog Week

·  To represent Guide Dogs positively in the region and maximise PR opportunities with the media in of support fundraising as appropriate to regional operating plan.

·  Develop and organise new Activities/Events for the public and attend where needed.

Training

·  To assist and deliver step-by-step best practice briefing documents and guidelines, identifying how to maximise revenue, and to share best practice with all Regional colleagues.

·  To compile and implement a full training programme for staff and volunteers that delivers a comprehensive understanding of Regional Fundraising tools.

·  To work in conjunction with the volunteering department to identify new volunteering opportunities and create role descriptions.

·  To initiate and pilot new volunteer roles, review, evaluate and ensure a communication across the regions.

·  To provide coaching and support to trainees and develop pro-active volunteers.

Other regional responsibilities / tasks

·  Manage income and expenditure budgets in line with regional budgeting and planning processes and with guidance from the Regional Fundraising Manager.

·  Understand and work within Charity Law guidelines and Guide Dogs’ policies and administrative/financial procedures, health & safety, and insurance. Negotiating contracts as required.

·  Undertake any other reasonable duties requested by the Regional Fundraising Manager, including participating in working groups.

·  As part of the Regional Fundraising team to support and promote other Guide Dogs events, such as legacy days, social events, and national fundraising activities,

JOB FACTORS

1. JUDGEMENT

The Fundraiser will operate under the management of the Regional Fundraising Manager, and as part of the Regional Fundraising Team.

The postholder will deal with people from a wide range of backgrounds, clients, general public, volunteers, businesses and community groups. This will require judgement in terms of relationship building, account management, problem solving and prioritising.

The postholder will be a key contributor of fundraising income to the Region, and will need to understand and contribute to the budget and planning process in terms of the Regional fundraising team targets, expenditure and return on investment of each activity. They will be required to provide insights into market trends and make recommendations.

2. PLANNING & ORGANISATION OF WORK

The postholder will spend a considerable amount of time out of the office interacting with key internal and external stakeholders. The postholder is responsible, with guidance as necessary from the Regional Fundraising Manager, for the effective management, prioritising and planning of his/her time and activities in line with the objectives of the Regional fundraising Operational plan.

A flexible approach to work is required to ensure the effective support of volunteers and key accounts with community groups in the Region.

3. COMMUNICATIONS & CONTACTS

The postholder should have a good understanding of the geographical region within which they operate, and will act as an ambassador for Guide Dogs

The number of volunteers that the postholder coordinates could vary between 30 and 500 depending on the designated geographical area. The postholder will need to regularly communicate with and motivate volunteers to support Guide Dogs and its fundraising projects.

The number of external fundraisers that the postholder manages and develops will vary. The post holder will need to present, negotiate and motivate potential and existing supporters on a regular basis.

The postholder needs to develop good working relationships with Guide Dogs departments, and other Fundraisers, both regionally and nationally, in order to ensure a consistent approach to the management of volunteers and branches is achieved.

Excellent written and verbal/telephone communications are essential to the success of this role, as are tact, diplomacy and a positive attitude.

4. INTRODUCING CHANGE (CREATIVITY)

The postholder should be flexible and creative when dealing with key external stakeholders.

He/she may need to communicate and manage any changes that affect fundraising volunteers throughout the Association, and deal with any concerns or difficulties in a positive and appropriate manner.

The postholder will be required to implement:

·  New ideas and initiatives for business and regional fundraising activities and to participate in the development of national initiatives where appropriate.

·  A proactive rather than reactive attitude will be required to continually move the Association’s fundraising activities forward. This will require the need to recognise and develop unexpected opportunities.

·  Adapt to change driven by internal and external forces

5. JOB IMPACT

The postholder will have frequent direct external contact with members of the public, volunteers, speakers, clients, branch members and officials and supporters, and therefore has a direct impact on the external view of Guide Dogs.

The role is vital in the promotion of Guide Dogs’ image as a major national charity, provider of services to visually impaired people and as an assistance dogs’ organisation. It is essential therefore that any information given out to the public, branches and key volunteers is up to date and relevant and that any advice given is professional, consistent and appropriate.

6. THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE

GCSE, or equivalent standard of education, including literacy and numeracy competence.

Knowledge of fundraising and/or marketing or sales is essential.

He/she should be familiar with the management and motivation of volunteers.

7. SKILLS ACQUISITION & PRACTICE

·  Sound literacy and numeracy and record keeping skills

·  Verbal communication including telephone skills.

·  A sound understanding of the regional fundraising sector

·  Project/account management experience

·  Effective written and verbal communication skills are essential.

·  Experience in fundraising

·  Experience in sales and/or marketing desirable

·  Experience in delivering training is desirable

·  Good presentation skills

·  Good organisational skills

·  Flexible attitude to some out of hours working

·  Experience in volunteer support and development

·  Desirable personal volunteering experience and an understanding of visual impairment issues

·  Excellent written skills to enable sound and professional communication to businesses, branches, volunteers, the general public and other supporters (e.g. regarding charity of the year applications).

8. OTHER COMMENTS

The job requires remote home working with some unsociable hours (including evenings and weekends). Travel within the designated geographical area is necessary in line with budgets. The post holder is expected to manage his/her own administration.