Job Description: Major Donor Fundraising Manager Cheshire
JOB DESCRIPTION: MAJOR DONOR FUNDRAISING MANAGER – CHESHIRE
FULLTIME, BASED IN BIRCHWOOD, WARRINGTON
£30,000-£35,000 (based on applicable experience)
OVERVIEW
The UK Charity, Brainwave, has been providing home based therapy Programmes since 1982, while helping children diagnosed with disabilities to achieve greater independence. Brainwave operates three permanent Centres located in Cheshire, Essex and Somerset, known as the North West Centre, South East Centre and South West Centre respectively. In addition, the Charity operates seasonal clinics in Scotland and Ireland. The role advertised will be based in the Brainwave Centre in Birchwood, Warrington. A full description of the Charity’s work can be found on its website:
The North West Centre, located in Cheshire, has been operational for three years during which time there has been an active programme of community fundraising and large fundraising events. Brainwave has achieved a steady increase in income reaching £2.8m at the end of its most recent financial year.
A video summarising the work of Brainwave can be found on Youtube (featuring our Patron, the pop singer OllyMurs and filmed at the South East Centre located in Essex):
See also:
Brief description of role
To raise income from individuals in Cheshire and surrounds. In particular, to help to recruit and renew supporters at the Champion Level (£500), Guardian Level (£3500) and Major Donor Level (£10,000+). To organise supporter appreciation events and nurturing events with the purpose of recruitingand renewing supporters. Provide open days and tours of the North West Centre for prospective supporters.
This is a new role that builds upon Brainwave’s overall successes in fundraising. The post holder will report to the Head of Regional Fundraising and will work alongside the NW Fundraising Manager (focused on business development), the Community Fundraising Manager and the Receptionist/Fundraising Assistant. The role will be expected to generate a minimum of £50,000 in the first six months. Prospective individual supporters to the Charity will include, for example:
- Local people known to be philanthropically active, including those who have family charitable trusts/foundations in the area
- The County set including High Sheriffs, the Lord Lieutenant and others
- People from Cheshire and surrounds who have in the past attended Brainwave’s nurturing events in London at the House of Commons, House of Lords, etc
- Senior Partners at companies that support the Charity
- Families that have owned Cheshire businesses for generations
- Friends/relatives of families whose children are on the Brainwave programme
- Attendees of Brainwave events in the North West such as the Clay Pigeon Shoot at Eaton Hall
- Members of local social organisations, societies and sporting clubs
As the role is new, you will not be handed a portfolio of existing Major Donor supporters. So your ability to identify, nurture and recruit new supporters will be essential to your success. Affluent communities of particular interest:
- Tier One
- E Cheshire; Knutsford, Alderly Edge, Congleton, Prestbury & Wilmslow
- W Cheshire; Chester
- Wirral; Caldy, Burton and Heswall
- Liverpool (on a selective basis); Blundell Sands, Birkdale and Aigburth
- Tier Two
- E Cheshire; Altrincham, Hazel Grove, Cheadle, Appleton, Lymm, Northwich, Stockton Heath, Daresbury, Mere and Tatton
- W Cheshire; Widnes and Tarporley
- Wirral; West Kirby and Hoylake
- Liverpool (on a selective basis); Freshfield, Woolton and Rainhill
- And others with your recommendation
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :
- Work with the Head of Regional Fundraising and other colleagues to recruit new Guardians, Champions and Major Donors to the charity; involve the Chief Executive and Trustees in meetings where appropriate to achieve the same
- Recruit a nucleus of influential people in the County who can introduce you to their contacts to achieve the above
- Establish County contacts including the gentry and society
- Well placed business leaders living in the Cheshire commuter belts
- Arrange individual supporter recruitment events where guests hear from parents of children on the Brainwave programme, for example
- Champagne Lunch, Chester Races
- Wine & Chocolate Tasting event, Mere Hotel, Knutsford, Cheshire
- Wine & Canapés event, Craxton Wood, Wirral
- Attract some sponsorship for these events to mitigate the costs
- Manage the NW Guardian Circle communications:
- Updates on the progress of their sponsored child
- Invitations to Guardian nurturing events and tours of the Centre
- Renewal requests
- Help colleagues to attract support for their fundraising events when needed:
- Clay Pigeon Shoot, Chester
- Santa Dash, Birchwood Warrington
- Manchester Duck Race
- Other activities when needed
While this role is office based, there will be considerable travel within Cheshire and surrounds to meet with people and to network. Some evening or weekend work may be required occasionally. Travel to Bridgwater (Somerset) for Fundraising meetings will be required several times a year.
See contract and handbook for full terms and conditions.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
MAJOR DONOR FUNDRAISING MANAGER – CHESHIRE
FULLTIME, BASED IN BIRCHWOOD, WARRINGTON
JOB RELATED SKILL AND KNOWLEDGE
Essential
Experience in major donor fundraising or other aspect of relationship coordination such as banking business customer recruitment
Knowledge of Cheshire and surrounds
At ease mingling with affluent and successful people
A full/clean UK driver’s licence and own taxed/MOT-ed/insuredcar, at all times
Excellent communication skills, verbal and written
Self starter
High level of self-motivation and ability to organise own workload to deadlines
Creative and lateral thinker
Good organisation skills
Ability to motivate others
Understanding of running events
Excellent networking skills
IT skills to include: confident use of websites, databases and ability to produce succinct and informative reports
Experience of business development
Ability to meet deadlines and good time management
Desirable
Involvement in Cheshire organisations comprised of prospective supporters: sporting clubs, social organisations and other
Experience coordinating a nucleus of influential introducers
Experience of dealing with the media
Empathy with children with disabilities and awareness of the implications on the family dynamic
EDUCATION/QUALIFICATION
Aptitude, personality, and relevant experience are of greater significance than academic qualifications.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Personal Qualities
Able to work on own initiative and be part of the fundraising team sharing best practice and ideas
Confident and comfortable with working with people at all levels.
Good listening skills
Commitment to Brainwave’s mission of helping children and families improve their lives
A good fit with Brainwave’s values: professional, positive and friendly
Positive and flexible attitude
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Grade and salary: £30,000-£35,000 commensurate upon experience
Hours of work:35 hours per week
Annual leave:25 days + 8 public holidays per annum pro rata
Superannuation:The post-holder is entitled to a 3% employer contribution to a stakeholder pension
Performance Review:Overall performance will be formally assessed and reviewed regularly, with additional informal assessment taking place as necessary.
Equal Opportunities:Brainwave is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity
Disclosure checks:Any offer of employment is conditional upon us obtaining an Enhanced criminal record check, and on this being renewed periodically during employment. This applies to all staff.
Health & SafetyYou must look after the health and safety of yourself and anyone else who may be affected by what you do at work. You must also co-operate with us to make sure that we comply with legal and organisational safety regulations.