Major Fundraising Initiatives and Events

• Provide fundraising leadership and strategic oversight for major Cathedral initiatives and projects.
• Support the delivery team of the Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn Project, providing fundraising expertise and advice.
• Oversee fundraising strategy and income generation for major events, including the Grand Nave Autumn Ball, ensuring clear objectives and agreed targets.
• Work with event colleagues to provide strategic fundraising direction, supporter engagement, and stewardship.
• Ensure income and expenditure are accurately recorded and monitored.
• Evaluate activity and recommend ways to maximize future income and engagement.

Strategy, Planning and Reporting

• Contribute to the Cathedral’s fundraising strategy and annual plans.
• Set and monitor fundraising targets, providing regular updates to senior colleagues and committees.
• Use data, research, and analysis to identify growth opportunities and inform decision-making.
• Prepare reports for senior leadership, Trustees, and relevant committees.
• Work collaboratively across the Cathedral to identify and develop fundraising opportunities.
• Ensure fundraising reflects the Cathedral’s mission, values, and ethos and is delivered with professionalism and integrity.
• Ensure compliance with fundraising regulations, GDPR, data protection, and best practice in donor stewardship.
• Support a culture of fundraising across the Cathedral, encouraging colleagues to recognize philanthropic opportunities.

Person Specification

Essential Qualities

Qualifications

• Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in fundraising or a related field.

Experience

• Significant fundraising or income generation experience, with a proven record of securing income and meeting or exceeding targets.
• Experience developing relationships with Trusts and Foundations and other institutional funders.
• Experience researching funding opportunities and developing successful grant applications.
• Experience managing donor relationships and delivering effective stewardship and engagement.
• Experience developing and delivering fundraising strategies across multiple income streams.
• Experience managing or overseeing campaigns, appeals, or events.
• Experience using fundraising data and CRM systems for donor management, reporting, and decision-making.
• Experience monitoring and reporting on restricted and unrestricted funding.
• Experience preparing funding reports and ensuring compliance with funder requirements.

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of Trusts and Foundations fundraising and the wider fundraising landscape.
• Good understanding of fundraising income streams, including individual giving, Trusts and Foundations, major donors, corporate, and community fundraising.
• Knowledge of fundraising regulations, GDPR, data protection, and ethical fundraising.
• Understanding of budgeting, financial planning, and monitoring in fundraising.
• Understanding of effective donor stewardship, cultivation, and relationship management.
• Knowledge of legacy and regular giving.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce compelling funding proposals, cases for support, reports, and donor communications.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to maintain positive relationships with funders, donors, Patrons, and colleagues.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to identify and assess funding opportunities.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and applications.
• Ability to use data and insight to inform decisions, monitor performance, and measure impact.
• Ability to maintain accurate records using a CRM such as Donorfy.
• Ability to work collaboratively and influence colleagues to support fundraising objectives.
• Ability to provide strategic direction to fundraising activities and initiatives.

Personal Qualities

• Highly motivated, proactive, and results-driven.
• Strategic and creative thinker with the ability to develop new fundraising opportunities.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Able to work independently, use initiative, and take responsibility for agreed objectives.
• Collaborative, resilient, and flexible, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work under pressure.
• Professional, trustworthy, and committed to integrity and ethical fundraising.
• Commitment to the values and mission of St Edmundsbury Cathedral.
• Sensitive to the Cathedral’s mission as a place of worship, outreach, welcome, and care.
• Willingness to work varying hours, including occasional evenings and weekends, as required.

Desirable

Qualifications

• Relevant professional fundraising qualification, such as a qualification from the Chartered Institute of Fundraising.

Experience

• Experience working with high-net-worth individuals, major donors, or philanthropic supporters.
• Experience securing significant gifts or grants from Trusts and Foundations.
• Experience fundraising within the Church of England or another faith-based organization.
• Experience in a heritage, cultural, charitable, or not-for-profit organization.
• Experience overseeing fundraising events or major initiatives.

Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of funding relevant to heritage, faith, community, or charitable organizations.
• Experience of public speaking and presenting to donors, funders, committees, or stakeholders.
• Knowledge of legacy fundraising and planned giving.
• Experience using Donorfy or a similar fundraising CRM system.