Director & Fundraising Manager

Individual, Major Donor & Community Fundraising

• Actively engage and expand the organisation’s existing donor base of high-net-worth individuals, retail donors, and community supporters.
• Research, identify, and cultivate major givers, whether giving as individuals or through trusts or companies, ensuring that all major donors receive the highest level of stewardship.
• With the Communications and Operations Manager, develop and implement strategies to grow and retain support from individual and community donors.
• With the Communications Manager and key partners, plan and deliver campaigns and events, develop online fundraising strategies, and coordinate messaging for appeals and projects.

Donor Management & Reporting

• Develop and manage a portfolio of donors, ensuring their objectives and needs are understood and met.
• Ensure the upkeep of a comprehensive donor database and filing system covering all existing and prospective donors.
• With the Programmes Manager, maintain and manage a donor reporting calendar to ensure the timely production of appropriate reports.

Grants

• Proactively identify, monitor, and apply for grants that enable the charity to advance its objectives.
• Ensure grant applications are compelling and clearly aligned with both funder priorities and the charity’s mission.

Public Interface and Outreach Activities

• Promote the charity’s public profile through participation in relevant forums, networks, and events, including with partners, stakeholders, charities, and NGOs.
• Attend networking events when needed and speak on behalf of the charity.
• Plan and deliver at least two public outreach and/or fundraising events per year, including with partners.

Leadership, Governance and Operational Management
The postholder will:

• Lead and manage a small team, currently comprising a Communications and Operations Manager and a Programmes Manager.
• Oversee the charity's daily operations, ensuring compliance with relevant laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Develop, review, and strengthen organisational policies and procedures to ensure effectiveness, compliance, and adherence to best practices.
• Ensure the charity’s financial stability and work closely with the Communications and Operations Manager and Programmes Manager to oversee financial management processes, including bookkeeping, budgeting, and preparation for the annual audit.
• Provide regular briefings to trustees and prepare documents and agendas for Board meetings.
• Ensure the quality and timely production of reports issued by and for the Board, including the annual report.

Personal Specification

Qualifications
The appointee would ideally have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a senior fundraising role.

Essential Experience

• A strong track record of developing and delivering successful fundraising activities across a broad fundraising portfolio.
• A proven track record of securing grants from UK- and overseas-based institutional donors, including preparing high-quality grant applications.
• Experience in donor stewardship, fundraising campaigns, and events.
• Experience in preparing and presenting cases for support, donor communications, proposals, and reports.
• Experience in managing staff or small teams.

Desirable Experience

• Experience and good understanding of engaging with high-value supporters.
• Experience in research and analysis to support fundraising and strategic decision-making.
• Experience using databases or CRM systems for donor prospecting, segmentation, and relationship management.
• Public speaking experience.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

• Basic knowledge of donor compliance requirements.
• Strong leadership, team management, and collaboration skills.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Excellent narrative and financial reporting skills.
• Ability to engage confidently and confidentially with staff, donors, trustees, partners, and key stakeholders, with tact and integrity.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office, especially Excel and Word.
• Arabic language skills.

Personal Qualities and Competencies

• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Proactive, driven, and able to identify and create opportunities.
• Strong organisational, planning, and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritise, multitask, and deliver against targets.
• Strong attention to detail, sound judgement, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and under pressure.
• Ability to respond with sensitivity, resolve conflict, and negotiate effectively.

Personal Attributes and Other Requirements

• Ability to work flexibly in emergencies and, on occasion, during evenings and weekends to support events and other activities in the UK, with time off in lieu provided, and to travel overseas where necessary.
• Commitment to safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance approach to harassment, exploitation, and abuse.
• Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice, equal opportunities, and applying awareness of diversity issues across all areas of work.
• Commitment to WA-UK’s vision, mission, and values, and a passion for empowering Palestinians.
• Commitment to comply with organisational policies, codes of conduct, and practices.

How to Apply

For questions about the role and/or to apply, please use the following address: chair@welfareassociation.org.uk

To apply, please send the following:

• A cover letter (no longer than one page)
• A CV (1–2 pages max) with 2 references we can contact (ideally 1 professional, 1 academic)

As a small team, we regret that we can only respond to applicants shortlisted for an interview.