Face to face fundraiser and engagement officer jobs in chester, cheshire west and chester

IPSEA is the leading charity in the field of special educational needs and disability (SEND) law in England, and we provide free and independent legal advice and support to families of children and young people with SEND. We also provide training on the SEND legal framework, and we influence policy at both a local and national level.

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Trusts and Philanthropy Officer to join our small, ambitious fundraising team. IPSEA has a proven track record of successfully securing grants, and this is a new role designed to help strengthen and grow IPSEA’s income from charitable Trusts and Foundations. You will be responsible for researching new funding opportunities, preparing and submitting tailored applications and reports, and managing relationships with existing funders through thoughtful and timely stewardship. You will also support the early development of strategies in major gifts and wider philanthropy. 

This role is an opportunity to play a key role in our future fundraising strategy and help secure long-term financial sustainability for our services. 

You will work remotely, with occasional travel required for essential meetings approximately 4-5 times per year. 

If you share our commitment to protecting, promoting and upholding the rights of children and young people with SEND and would like to use your fundraising skills at IPSEA, we would love to hear from you. 

To apply

• Download our ‘Trusts and Philanthropy Officer Recruitment Pack’
• Visit our website to download an application form
• Submit your completed application form via our website

Please note that we do not accept CVs as applications.

Closing date for applications: 9am on Monday 12 May 2025 
First-round interviews: 21 or 22 May in central Birmingham

As Individual Giving and Appeals Manager, you’ll deliver integrated fundraising campaigns across direct mail, email, and digital channels — helping us grow our individual giving base and strengthen donor loyalty. 

Alongside driving individual and regular giving, you’ll help shape a new in-memory giving offer, build our legacy giving programme from the ground up, and grow our Named Funds programme.

Working closely with teams across the charity, you’ll design inspiring donor journeys and stewardship plans. You’ll also use data and insight to refine our approach and ensure every supporter feels truly valued. 

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a small charity making a big impact – for a fundraiser who’s not only motivated by results, but by the chance to help change the story for children with cancer.

Who are we looking for?

We’re looking for a creative and strategic fundraiser who is passionate about delivering impactful campaigns and building meaningful supporter relationships. 

The ideal candidate will have: 

• Demonstrable experience in managing individual giving campaigns, legacy fundraising, and / or in-memory fundraising. 

• Proven experience developing compelling propositions that drive results and generate income/supporter acquisition.

• Strong planning and organisation skills, with the ability to handle multiple activities simultaneously. 

• Proven record of being results-driven and achieving agreed fundraising targets ad outcomes. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication as well as relationship-building skills with an ability to inspire and engage supporters.

See our Recruitment Pack for the full role description and specification and for more information about the charity.

Location: Home-based within England with regular travel to London and elsewhere in the UK as required 

Interviews: 19 May 2025 (London Office)

Safeguarding: As a safeguarding charity whose work and practice are underpinned by safeguarding principles to protect children and young people and enhance their welfare, we always work in accordance with legislation, statutory guidance, and best safeguarding practices. All our roles require a basic criminal record check.

Promoting equality and diversity: We actively encourage applications from those with lived experience of neuroblastoma and/or other childhood cancers. As an equal opportunity employer, we also welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation

Contract:  12-month fixed term contract, full-time, 35 hours over 5 days (part time and flexible working can be considered)  

Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 per annum 

Location:  UK, Remote  

Closing date:  Tuesday 29 April 2025 

Interview date:  w/c 5 May 2025  

Are you a passionate and driven fundraiser with a talent for building meaningful relationships? We’re looking for an experienced Philanthropy Manager who thrives on engaging donors and inspiring support on a 12-month fixed term contract. 

More about the role 

Our Philanthropy team is responsible for engaging mid-value and major donors, as well as trusts and foundations. 

As Philanthropy Manager, you will be a vital part of the relationship management team, stewarding a mixed portfolio of donors, including individuals and trusts/foundations. You will cultivate and manage relationships with supporters typically giving five-figure gifts, with opportunities to secure six-figure donations. Through engaging conversations, impactful written proposals, and in-person meetings, you will inspire donors to invest in our mission and make a lasting difference for pets in need. 

This role is available on a full-time, 12-month fixed term basis. We are also happy to consider candidates who may be looking for part time/4 days instead of 5 and flexible working.

If you have a passion for philanthropy, excellent relationship-building skills, and a track record of securing major gifts, we’d love to hear from you! 

Key responsibilities: 

• Manage a mixed portfolio of donors and prospects

• Design and deliver innovative and engaging stewardship plans for prospects 

• Manage donor-led cultivation opportunities/events (e.g. private tours and dinners) 

• Work with existing advocates to identify opportunities within their networks to introduce new prospects to the work of Blue Cross 

• Build and manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders who can add value to the cultivation process 

• Create engaging and impressive donor communications including funding proposals and impact reports 

• Adhere to a suite of clear work processes demonstrating compliance with our privacy policy, GDPR, data protection legislation and fundraising best practice 

• Deliver a comprehensive set of KPIs including meeting an individual income target 

• Maintain accurate and up to date donor records and updates using our CRM 

Want to know more? We've attached a detailed job description that outlines the role, responsibilities, and how you can make a difference. 

About you 

You will have exceptional interpersonal skills and quickly understand donor motivations, delivering tailored and impactful stewardship. A natural communicator, you can adapt your approach to connect with any audience, whether through compelling written proposals or face-to-face meetings. 

Creative and strategic, you know how to craft inspiring fundraising materials for different audiences and settings. You’re proactive in moving prospects through the pipeline, building strong relationships, and confidently making the ask. 

With a results-driven mindset, you foster productive stakeholder relationships that drive philanthropy forward. You work with professionalism, confidentiality, and discretion, and you take pride in being part of a dedicated and supportive team. 

Knowledge, skills, and experience   

• Proven experience of mid to high-value fundraising with a track record of initiating new relationships, making the ask and developing long-term donor relationships 

• Experience of crafting compelling funding proposals and applications

• Experience of designing stewardship journeys for mid to high value supporters resulting in increased affinity to the organisation and donation uplift

• Experience of sharing philanthropic opportunities with high-net-individuals in a professional and engaging manner, with a flair for adapting to their individual aspirations

• Experience of successful developing senior stakeholder relationships (both internally and externally) 

• Experience of successfully delivering an income target 

• An ability to think laterally and proactively to problem solve 

• Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure, excellent attention to detail, prioritise work and meet deadlines 

• Experience of successfully conveying a fundraising need to donors in an engaging way both in person and in high quality written stewardship 

• Excellent interpersonal skills with a high level of professionalism and discretion 

• Full driving licence in order to travel to donor meetings 

A bonus if you have:  

• Experience of working within an animal welfare charity

• A fundraising qualification or evidence of CPD 

How to apply  

Click the apply button and complete the online application process before 23:59 on the closing date on Tuesday 29 April 2025. 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response.   

Blue Cross benefits    

Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it weren’t for their amazing efforts and commitment, we wouldn’t be able to make the difference that we do today.  In return, we want to provide you with the best working environment we can.

With a wide range of perks aimed at enhancing your life both inside and outside of work, you'll 
thrive in a supportive and rewarding environment. 

Our generous benefits package includes:   

• Enhanced annual leave entitlement: 30 days plus bank holidays  

• Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution  

• Life assurance  

• Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme 

• Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support 

• Free access to GP via MetLife 

• Recognition scheme 

• Annual volunteer days  

• Claim for professional fees 

• Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers.  

To read more about the benefits Blue Cross has to offer, please visit the 'why work for us' page on our website.  

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with a can-do attitude to join our Fundraising & Engagement Team and help raise vital funds for children with cancer. You don’t need previous fundraising experience—just strong organisational skills, creativity, a talent for building relationships, and a genuine passion for making a difference and raising money for charitable causes. 

In this varied role, you’ll support the planning and delivery of fundraising events, care for our amazing supporters, and assist with individual, community, and corporate fundraising activities. You’ll gain hands-on experience across multiple fundraising areas, playing a key role in ensuring the smooth delivery of the team’s work through excellent administrative and project support. 

This is a hugely rewarding opportunity for someone looking to take their first step into the charity or fundraising sector, or to build on existing experience. If you’re ready to learn, grow, and be part of something meaningful—we’d love to hear from you! 

Who are we looking for? 

To succeed in this role, you will need to be passionate about fundraising and demonstrate key qualities that will help you thrive in a dynamic and supportive environment.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A keen interest in fundraising with a willingness to learn and develop as a professional fundraiser (and if the opportunity arose, a willingness to study for a Level 3 Fundraising Apprenticeship over 13 months)

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to provide excellent supporter care and build relationships. 

• A positive, enthusiastic and results-driven attitude with the ability to work on your own initiative or as part of a team. 

• IT literacy with knowledge of Microsoft packages.

See our Recruitment Pack for the full role description and specification and for more information about the charity.

Location: Home-based, ideally located in London or within a short commutable distance. Regular travel to the London office is a key requirement of the role, with occasional national travel also expected. 

Interviews: 20 May 2025 (London Office)

Safeguarding: As a safeguarding charity whose work and practice are underpinned by safeguarding principles to protect children and young people and enhance their welfare, we always work in accordance with legislation, statutory guidance, and best safeguarding practices. All our roles require a basic criminal record check.  

Promoting equality and diversity: We actively encourage applications from those with lived experience of neuroblastoma and/or other childhood cancers. As an equal opportunity employer, we also welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.