We are Hiring: Director of Fundraising, UK

Posted 23 February 2024 in EMpower News, Careers   |   Share

About EMpower:

EMpower, a global philanthropic organisation, is dedicated to improving the lives and horizons of marginalised young people ages 10-24 in 15 emerging market countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Turkey. Through grants and other support (learning exchanges, technical assistance, thought partnering etc.), EMpower partners with 150+ local organisations working to strengthen education and livelihoods of young people, and to build their resilience, self-confidence, and well-being. EMpower has offices in Hong Kong, Delhi, Singapore, London, and New York, as well as programme staff in Ghana, Istanbul, Mexico, Argentina, and South Africa. EMpower is at an exciting time in our evolution and organisational strengthening. In the past few years, we have grown in staff size and global footprint, with a deliberate focus on fostering a workplace that ensures diverse perspectives, opportunities for contribution, and belonging.

Our Vision: We are building a world where all young people at the margins, especially girls, have the skills, opportunities, and power to live their full potential. 

Our Mission: We partner with local organisations in emerging market countries, and other change-makers, to enable marginalised young people to transform their lives and communities.

Our Values: 

• We experience and build a trusting connection with each other.
• Our commitment is sustained by our integrity.
• Together we drive flexible innovation.

Position Summary

The Director of Fundraising, UK is a new role and is the lead position in the UK within EMpower’s global Development function, overseeing all aspects of our fundraising activity that currently delivers over £3m per annum with ambitions to grow further. 

In this role, you will inherit a small but strong existing UK team, a burgeoning pipeline and a passionate and well-connected Board of Directors and volunteer network. Our planned growth is projected to come primarily from companies and private foundations—this area has seen rapid growth in the last 3 years and is now responsible for 50% of our annual global income (previously <30%). However, there is also room to solidify and grow major donor and event income from an already strong baseline through excellent stewardship and work with HNWI. Our annual gala at the V&A last year raised £1.8m. 

The Director of Fundraising, UK is a strategic leader within the global Development function, reporting directly to the VP of Global Development & Marketing (also based in the UK but with a global remit). You will drive the highest level of strategy discussions within the team, whilst still providing hands-on leadership, vision and ownership to push forward existing and new business opportunities. The role is a key member of the fundraising senior management team, sharing collective responsibility for delivering income to achieve the organisation’s strategy and vision—ensuring a future where young people living at the margins have the opportunities, skills, experience to transform their lives and communities.

The Director of Fundraising, UK will manage two existing posts in the region – a Development Manager focused on corporate partnerships and a Fundraising Assistant who assists on all aspects of our work, especially our programme of events. Globally there are ~11 in the Development Team, out of a total of ~40 EMpower staff overall. In time and with income growth, we would like to expand the UK fundraising team.

When thinking about the profile of individuals who would be well suited to this role and who will bring our fundraising in the UK to the next level, it is likely you will have substantial fundraising and management experience, a talent for building relationships and a proven track record in securing funds – noting that your specialism could come from any of the major donor income streams including statutory foundations, private trusts, corporates or HNWI. 

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for all income in the UK. In 2024 this exceeds £3m across events, individual, corporate and institutional fundraising. We have ambitions to grow this figure significantly over the next 3-5 years 
• Own and oversee fundraising relationships with Board Directors, partners and stakeholders, working closely with the Global President & CEO as well as the VP of Global Development & Marketing
• Working closely with the Regional Programme Directors as well as key staff in the Influence and Impact team, ensure an effective organisation-wide approach to achieving our organisational ambition

Leadership and team Management: 

• Provide effective management and leadership within the UK fundraising team, creating a positive and supportive atmosphere where people want to come to work
• Direct line management and oversight of the UK team, trust building and team building; managing workplans; creating opportunities for professional development and coaching for the team to grow, learn and thrive
• Working cross-functionally, take a proactive role in the management of the organisation as a whole
• In line with EMpower values, recruit new team members, as necessary, with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion

Representation:

• Compelling and persuasive with the ability to inspire audiences to donate
• Able to represent EMpower at the highest level of stakeholders and donors

Person Specification

The postholder will be highly proactive but will also enjoy working as a key part of our small global team to maintain an environment of excellence and camaraderie whilst being keen to contribute to strategy and effective cross-team collaboration.

• Successful and significant experience of growing income in a comparable I/NGO organisation
• Proven track record of meeting challenging income targets
• Proven ability to build, manage and develop key stakeholder, client, and donor relationships
• Experience of developing and implementing strategic and business plans
• Demonstrable track record of Strategic Fundraising

Specific attributes needed are: 

• Strong leadership skills and in-depth knowledge of the fundraising environment in the UK
• Exceptionally convincing and persuasive written and oral skills with the ability to present and convey complex ideas and issues clearly and coherently
• Deep interest and awareness of policy, programmes, politics or current affairs in an international development setting
• Ability to lead and manage team
• Ability to work with the highest level of stakeholders
• Highly self-motivated and able to work
• Right to live and work in the UK

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

This individual operates in a professional office environment. The physical demands described in this section are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• This role routinely uses standard office equipment (laptops, phones, etc.)
• This role routinely uses the English language to engage with internal and external stakeholders by phone, email, and in person. The employee is expected to be able to accurately exchange information with these stakeholders

Terms

EMpower offers highly competitive benefits, including private medical insurance, dental plan and generous contributory pension. We also offer the opportunity to work a compressed work week ending on Fridays at 1pm (dependent on workloads and deadlines.)

Location: Central London (Bond Street) 1 day per week

Hybrid working: The team currently works 1 day a week in the office on Wednesdays to allow for team collaboration—rest is work from home. We also allow up to 4 weeks of remote working from any destination annually. 

Salary: €70,000 GBP, based on experience 

Reports to: Vice President, Global Development & Communications 

Hours: Full time (37.5 hours a week). Part time hours can be considered

Employment Status: Permanent 

Annual Leave: 25 days plus bank holidays, increasing to 28 after 5 years of service

Pension: Up to 8% contribution from employer 

Health Insurance: Bupa

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

EMpower is a public foundation that makes grants globally to benefit marginalised youth, including adolescent girls. We are committed to attracting, developing, motivating and retaining exceptional talent and to work environment that recognises contribution, fosters respect and teamwork, and facilitates strong performance. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, recognising that diversity enriches all staff and our work globally. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or faith, or physical ability.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organisation, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. EMpower makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

How to Apply:

To arrange an informal and confidential discussion to explore the role in more detail, please contact Ami Jenick at People BeyondProfit via email ami@peoplebeyondprofit.co.uk or phone +44 (0)7957316541.

To formally apply, please send your CV along with a 2-page supporting statement, outlining why you are interested and how you meet the points in the person specification to: www.peoplebeyondprofit.co.uk/jobs/empowerdirectoruk

Closing Date: 19 March 2024

People Beyond Profit Conversations: 20-27 March 2024

EMpower Interviews: 

First Interview: w/c 8 & 15 April 2024

Second Interview: w/c 15 & 22 April 2024