Deputy Head of Fundraising

Reports to:
Head of Fundraising

Director reports:
Senior Fundraising Manager

Location:
Currently operating hybrid working in our West London Office

Contract:
Permanent

Pattern:
Full Time (standard hours 9am – 5.30pm)

Interviews:
Interviews will be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, so early application is strongly advised

Salary:
£54,000 to £60,000 (dependent on experience)

About the role:

The Deputy Head of Fundraising will support the Head of Fundraising in leading the team responsible for securing donations from HNWIs, Charitable Trusts and corporate partners, including building a base of corporate volunteers and other supporters to help to deliver activity across Ark schools and our range of ventures.

The Deputy Head of Fundraising will develop and implement fundraising initiatives, working creatively to build new relationships and establish new sources of income, particularly with new corporate partners. They will also manage a number of longstanding relationships with HNWI’s who have made significant donations to Ark.

The Deputy Head of Fundraising will be hands on in new business prospect research of HNWIs and companies and designing and delivering an engagement programme of cultivation and stewardship activity – including events and other supporter communications. Working in collaboration with the Head of Fundraising and other parts of the organisation and the wider external relations team, you will identify fundable opportunities and programmes and share the impact of Ark’s work with supporters.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the effective management of all fundraised income across the department and maintaining accurate records and producing regular reports
• Build links across the organisation and our school network to ensure the early identification of fundable projects
• Build effective relationships with current and potential donors to maximise our income
• Meet fundraising targets in line with our organisational operating plans and strategies and respond quickly when changing priorities emerge
• Manage our prospects pipeline to ensure reporting and income targets are met
• Represent Ark externally at meetings with funders, prospects and events, telling the Ark story and making effective fundraising asks
• Develop new business pipelines, particularly for Trusts, corporates and HNWIs
• Build relationships with teams across the organisation to gather information on Ark activities to be able to develop compelling bids and cases for support

Key Requirements:

• Experience of leading high value fundraising bids (ideally trusts and foundations/corporates as well as HNWI)
• Evidence of developing new business prospects, into substantial donations
• Strong existing networks and good knowledge of potential funders in the education sector
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the credibility and authority to inspire others
• At least five years of fundraising and grant management experience
• Experience of managing a team
• Proficiency in prospect research and familiarity with grant-making processes and CSR processes of companies
• Strong persuasive and negotiating skills which result in positive outcomes, with the resilience and motivation to overcome challenges
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail. A successful track record of meeting deadlines and managing their own workloads
• Organised self-starter and able to manage their time effectively and handle competing priorities and deadlines
• Demonstrate resilience, motivation and commitment to driving up standard of work

Benefits

• Our hybrid working model aims to offer the best of both worlds, striking the right balance between in-person collaboration and remote working. You will work a minimum of two days per week in our state-of-the-art office in West London allowing you to connect with colleagues, with the flexibility to work remotely, or in the office over the remaining days
• In addition to our current hybrid working arrangements, employees can request to work fully remotely for up to 10 working days a year, whether this be in the UK or abroad
• Our flexitime policy allows you to work your hours around our core hours of 10.00 – 16.00, helping you prioritise your work-life balance and personal commitments
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with each year of service up to 30 days after 3-years’ service. This entitlement is pro rata for part time employees. This entitlement excludes bank holidays
• Full office closure between Christmas and New Year
• Regular social events, monthly free breakfast, and daily fruit
• As an Ark employee, you will have the opportunity to be part of the TPT (The Pension Trust) scheme, our workplace pension scheme where we make an 11% contribution; you are not required to contribute towards this scheme unless you choose to
• Access to high-quality professional learning throughout your career, offering both face-to-face sessions and a bespoke online learning platform
• Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest-free loans available for season tickets or a bike, gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym and free eye tests

About Us

We’re an international charity, transforming lives through education. We exist to give every young person, regardless of their background, a great education and real choices in life. In the UK, we’re a network of 39 schools, educating around 30,000 pupils in areas where we can make the biggest difference and we’re recognised as one of the highest achieving academy groups in the country. We want to change the lives of children everywhere, not just in our own schools. So, we create and incubate Ventures designed not only to help pupils in Ark schools, but also to improve education systems.

You’ll be joining a group of like-minded, ambitious individuals who work collaboratively and are all committed to our core mission, that every child has the potential to succeed. Having just celebrated our 20th anniversary, we are shaping our goals for the next 20 and there has never been a more exciting time to join us.

Diversity and inclusion:

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective. To know more about Ark’s diversity and inclusion commitments, please click on this link .

Safeguarding statement:

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment – this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process, please click this link .

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience.