Fight for sight jobs in south east london, greater london

Imagine being told that you, or someone you love, is losing their sight. In that moment, two profound questions demand urgent answers:

• Can this be stopped?

• How will I live my life?

Currently, research into preventing and treating sight loss is chronically underfunded, receiving a mere 1.2% of publicly funded health research grants: people who are blind or vision impaired are three times more likely to experience loneliness and isolation than the general population.

We find and fund the brilliant minds and bright ideas that put change in sight. Our researchers are at the forefront, making breakthroughs and discoveries that will prevent, treat and cure eye disease. The partnerships we build and initiatives we support are changing life for blind and vision impaired people. 

We are Fight for Sight: we won’t stop until we: Save Sight. Change Lives.

We have a clear ambition, led by our CEO, Keith Valentine, who has valuable lived experience of sight loss. We’ve secured well-respected and highly engaged ambassadors, such as Sir John Major and Frances Segelman.

We are now looking for experienced, committed, and creative individuals to join our dynamic team to help realise a new five-year growth strategy. You’ll be part of something impactful, we’d love to hear from you.

We have a busy challenge events programme and an active Family Fund community programme, with ambitions to grow this area over the coming years as part of our five-year strategy. Key areas we are looking to focus on are investing in digital marketing, taking steps towards devising our own mass-participation event and grand challenges, and further integration with our London based charity shops.

The Events and Community Fundraising Manager will play an integral role in ensuing this continued success and that we secure exciting new partnerships and opportunities.

Responsible to 

Head of Community and Engagement

Direct reports 

Events and Community Officer 

Working hours and contract 

This is a permanent full-time role. We will consider part-time and flexible arrangements.

Salary 

£40,000 

Location

Aldgate E1 and hybrid working. Minimum two days in the office and external meetings and events as required. 

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter / supporting statement of no more than two pages which evidences the specification. You must also answer the vetting questions via the application portal.

Closing date for applications: 9am Monday, 28th April 2025

Early applications are encouraged. We will be interviewing on a rolling basis; therefore, we may close early subject to the number of applications received.

Role Responsibilities 

Strategy and planning

• Deliver the existing Community and Events strategy and maximise opportunities for income growth 

• Identify and develop new income generating opportunities across Community and Events Fundraising, devising new events and engagement opportunities

• Develop, implement and monitor against KPIs, annual plans, and income and expenditure budgets, ensuring targets are met with robust analysis and reporting 

Income growth, event and supporter management

• Proactively manage all aspects of Community & Events Fundraising to increase our supporter base and maximise income, supported by the Events and Community Officer

• operational management of all income and expenditure ensuring sound ROI.

• Develop and deliver supporter journeys that raise average fundraising per head, decreases drop-outs and increases repeat entry 

• Implement new digital and value exchange fundraising streams

• Optimise the Family Fund programme to strengthen commitment and fundraising potential of existing Family Funds, and enable recruitment of new Funds 

• Deliver excellent support to fundraising groups and recruit new volunteers to fundraise and advocate on behalf of the charity

• Work collaboratively across the charity to facilitate cross-selling opportunities and engaging supporters in other fundraising opportunities, in particular working with the corporate team to recruit participants and support propositions at corporate fairs. 

Fundraising events management

• Manage delivery of the event portfolio to achieve financial and sign-up targets, delivering effective on the-day support for event participants. This includes ensuring our events are accessible for visually impaired participants

• Deliver excellent supporter care to ensure supporters are motivated to achieve (and exceed) their fundraising targets, feel valued and build engagement with us 

• Key point of contact for high level event participants and community fundraisers via face-to-face meetings, phone calls and emails – providing timely and personalised support

• Support the Events and Community Officer with enquiries, applications and registrations for challenge events, ensuring high levels of conversion, and capturing relevant supporter data 

• Support the Head of Community and Engagement, or other teams within Fight for Sight with the successful delivery of key special events, including fundraising gala dinners or receptions, virtual events and mini conferences, and third party or established supporter events.

• When required, support the Events and Community Officer in managing guest lists, enquiries, and ticket sales for special/major donor events and receptions, delivering a seamless guest experience and timely follow-ups supporter care and relationship management

Marketing 

• Oversee all paid Facebook advertising activity for events, updating web listings, and utilising our networks

• Work with the Marketing & Communications team to raise awareness/increase recruitment across all activities, highlighting case studies and media stories 

• Develop and deliver effective and engaging content, and materials for supporters to increase recruitment, retention, and average fundraising amounts

• Oversee the creation and delivery of quarterly events e-newsletter, plus additional e-blasts

Managing information and reporting 

• Work with the Database Manger to ensure accurate records within our CRM system (ThankQ) and management of income from online and offline giving

• Carry out post-event evaluations, analysing supporter data help facilitate greater levels of income 

• Support other areas by attending events, exhibitions etc. as required by a small team with varied responsibilities

• Other duties as may be reasonably required by line manager role

Leadership & management  

• Provide excellent leadership and line management of direct reports, ensuring that team members meet their individual objectives, develop and grow in their roles, and are motivated and high performing

• Work as part of the fundraising senior management team, alongside the Director and Head of Community and Engagement to devise, deliver and implement the team’s strategy and the organisation’s strategic plan

Other

• Become fully conversant with the aims and objectives of the organisation 

• Keep up to date with developments in the sector and key new initiatives in our field

• To work at all times in compliance with the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Practice and data protection legislation

• Events as necessary

Person specification

Desirable skills, knowledge & experience

• Minimum five years of experience of events and community fundraising, in particular with developing overseas or large-scale mass participant events.

• Experience with recruiting new volunteers and fundraisers from a range of community groups including but not limited to faith-based fundraising, schools and street collections. 

• Meeting income targets of over £350,000.

• Experience with managing senior volunteers within fundraising groups and building excellent rapport with them.

• Liaising at all levels with the ability to motivate and inspire others to support financially. 

• An effective networker, with an ability to build high level relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.

• Experience of designing and delivering high impact stewardship programmes and delivering successful and engaging events.

• Proven experience of devising budgets and project plans and reporting against them. 

• Excellent track record of personally securing community partnerships and supporter-led events

• Experience of implementing new digital and hybrid fundraising strategies.

• Effective time-management with the ability to manage conflicting prioritises to meet planned and unplanned demand, ensuring that deadlines are met.

• Understanding and experience of working within the requirements of the Code of Fundraising Practice and data protection legislation.

Personal qualities

• An understanding of and commitment to the sight loss community.

• An accomplished written communicator, adept at using the latest statistics and data to evidence need and impact whilst maintaining an engaging and human tone of voice.

• Excellent financial fluency.

• Flexibility and a practical, can-do attitude.

• Highly motivated and able to juggle a varied workload.

• Personable, with excellent listening skills and high emotional intelligence, with the ability to think creatively.

• Ability to identify new fundraising initiatives, assess likelihood of success and impact on resources, develop appealing ‘asks’ and match donor interests to funding needs/projects. 

• Excellent accuracy and attention to detail. 

Flexibility

The role description is a general outline of duties and responsibilities and may be amended as we grow. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties as may be reasonably required from time to time.

Employee benefits

We value our staff and volunteers and want to make sure that they are supported in their work. Other benefits we also offer are:

• A great team and a supportive culture

• Employer pension contributions matching up to 10%, and death in service cover

• Generous parental leave

• Flexible/hybrid working options

• Apprenticeships scheme, study leave and financial support for training & development

• Cycle to work scheme, eye test vouchers, and a staff loan scheme, access to an Employee Assistance Program

• An active Social Committee and staff events

Application & Interview process

See above for How to Apply. Please note that we value the authenticity and individuality of our applicants and believe that your CV and cover letter should reflect your unique skills, experiences, and personality. Therefore, please refrain from using AI tools, including ChatGPT, to produce your application materials. Applications drafted with the assistance of AI will be automatically rejected.

Successfully shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview in person at our Mansell Street offices.

The interview process will include two stages and will be conducted on a rolling basis. There is likely to be an exercise or task at second stage. 

Accessibility

We believe in fostering an inclusive environment where all individuals, regardless of their abilities or circumstances, feel supported and valued. If you have any accessibility requirements or specific needs that you would like us to accommodate during the application process, please let us know. If you are unfamiliar with MS Teams and would like to familiarise yourself with the platform before the interview, we are more than happy to arrange a tech run-through to ensure your comfort and confidence. 

Equal opportunities, diversity & inclusion

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Fight for Sight and Vision Foundation we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workforce, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every item in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles that we have. 

We have an inclusive and accessible recruitment process, including any adjustments required to support people from diverse community groups.

Imagine being told that you, or someone you love, is losing their sight. In that moment, two profound questions demand urgent answers:

• Can this be stopped?

• How will I live my life?

Currently, research into preventing and treating sight loss is chronically underfunded, receiving a mere 1.2% of publicly funded health research grants: people who are blind or vision impaired are three times more likely to experience loneliness and isolation than the general population.

Fight for Sight is uniquely placed to answer both questions with a resounding ‘yes’. We fund the brilliant minds and bright ideas putting change in sight for everyone impacted by vision loss. Our researchers are making breakthroughs and discoveries that will help us better understand, diagnose prevent and treat vision loss. 

We won’t stop until we: Save Sight. Change Lives.

We are now looking for experienced, committed, and creative individuals to join our dynamic team to help realise a new five-year growth strategy. 

You’ll be part of something impactful, we’d love to hear from you.

Marketing Manager 

A unique opportunity has arisen to join our busy communications team for a 12-month maternity cover. You’ll play a critical role in uncovering stories of social change, bringing them to life and amplifying these stories with a view to raising brand awareness, demonstrating impact and supporting fundraising activities.

Responsible to 

Head of Communications and External Affairs

Direct reports 

None

Working hours and contract 

28h per week

Salary 

£38k-42k depending on experience

Location

We operate a flexible working policy with a recommended two-days per week in our East London Head Office. 

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and an up to two page supporting statement which evidences the specification below.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 30, April 2025 at 9am

Early applications are encouraged. We will be interviewing on a rolling basis; therefore, we reserve the right to close the vacancy as soon as we have found the right candidate.

Role Responsibilities 

• Work with colleagues to develop tailored communications and marketing plans for key projects, agreeing and monitoring against KPIs,

• Advise and support colleagues on communications planning, audiences, channels, and key messages,

• Manage and maintain the communications activity planner ensuring that cross-departmental needs are identified and prioritised,

• Produce engaging communications – writing, editing and proof-reading – ensuring consistency and compliance with brand, values, key messages and style guides,

• Act as a 'brand guardian' ensuring consistency across all internal and external communications,

• Contribute to the successful marketing and delivery of engagement events for funders and partners.

Inter-departmental working

• Working with social change (impact) colleagues, identify leading impact stories and case studies, which we can tell across print,online and in multimedia formats. 

• Work with fundraising colleagues to identify which stories of impact best support income generation from IG up to major donors and High Net Worth Individuals. 

• Create and nurture positive relationships with the people and organisations whose stories we tell, ensuring they understand the central role they play in building coalitions of support for our work.

• Build an engagement plan for organisations receiving social change funding and set clear expectations around reporting and sharing evidence of impact. This could include regular briefings/meet-ups and a regular e-newsletter. 

• Conduct regular on-site visits with funded projects capturing content. 

• Develop, with support from an external consultant, a press strategy, which encompasses a strategy for reactive and proactive press, including promoting internal speakers.

• Support the programme manager with sharing information around social change funding rounds internally (internal comms) 

• Build a reliable press list, including developing relationships with key journalists from relevant publications. 

• With an external consultant, develop strategies to increase engagement with vision loss champions and other high profile supporters, directly relationship managing when appropriate.

Digital 

• Run quarterly webinars framed around our work in social change, which can act as a showcase for impact and that feed the funnel of people interested in social change funding or funding social change. 

• Ensure all funding rounds are accurately reflected on our website in good time for funding rounds going live.

• Build web pages crafted to appeal to individuals with an interest in funding social change research. 

• Develop and deliver a corporate website portal that highlights the impact of our work and opportunities for how people can become involved. 

• Search optimise content so that it appeals to those who are:

•  Seeking social change funding
•  Seeking to fund impactful social change programmes
•  Seeking to replicate what works (blueprints for change)
•  Develop digital and social media strategy, alongside Digital Content Manager. 

Policy, campaigns and research (social impact) 

• With Head of Communications launch a policy and public affairs arm for the new organisation. 

• Contribute to the successful delivery of major integrated campaigns including awareness, fundraising or policy centred projects, ensuring alignment and amplification with all other activities. 

• Contribute to the legacy strategy of campaigns, such as The Unseen and See My Skills. 

• Represent Fight for Sight in cross-organisational working groups in this area.

Ad hoc role / support within the team 

• Ensure that all systems and processes are fully GDPR compliant including regular reviews.

• Ensure increased levels of engagement with Fight for Sight’s social media channels, reporting on performance. 

• Ensure that all content on the Fight for Sight website is up to date, fit-for-purpose and engaging, working with colleagues to monitor performance, proposing and testing improvements.

• Ensure that all communications reflect the experience of blind and vision impaired people and, wherever possible, co-produce activities and plans.

• Keep up to date on sector developments, sharing findings with colleagues.

• Support the selection of appropriate consultants and freelancers to support on areas of focus, including copywriting, design, digital platforms. 

Person specification

Desirable skills, knowledge & experience

• Degree or equivalent (Communications, Marketing or related subject is desirable),

• A strong communicator, you’ll be able to forge relationships across departments and collect stories from colleagues, including fundraising, retail, volunteers and people with lived experience,

• We’re looking for someone who has empathetic and sensitive, you're skilled at treating people’s stories with care and attention, developing authentic narratives and communicating them for maximum impact, 

• An expert interviewer who can draw out the details of people’s stories, you’ll spot what makes a strong story for our charity,

• With strong interpersonal skills, you’ll positively manage relationships with people who volunteer to share their stories, as well as internal colleagues and freelance writers, photographers, etc. 

• Working with internal stakeholders to place diverse projects across fundraising, marketing, communications, retail and social change and medical research, you’ll place the stories so that they have the biggest impact for the charity while ensuring individuals aren’t overloaded with requests, 

• Strong commissioning skills to manage a pool of external writers, photographers and videographers,

• Strong writing and editing skills to turn stories into engaging copy across a multi-channel environment,

• Demonstrable experience of PR and Press activity,

• Experience of working with key marketing platforms including Hootsuite and Canva, and e-newsletter platforms,

• Working knowledge of website editing platforms or content management systems. 

Desirable

• Experience of working in the charity sector or within a medical research charity,

• An understanding of and commitment to the mission of ending avoidable sight loss and delivering positive social change for blind and vision impaired people,

• Experience at creating engaging, accessible content that really helps to support and inspire audiences and potential partners, 

• A self-starter, proactive with a constructive and collaborative approach,

• The ability to make the complicated seem simple; you will enjoy sharing your skills, and developing others,

• Personable, with excellent listening skills and high emotional intelligence, with the ability to think creatively,

• An intelligent and proactive approach to problem-solving,

• Excellent accuracy and attention to detail,

• Experience of creating accessible content. 

Personal qualities

• Strong communication skills and presentation style.

• Flexibility and a practical, can-do attitude.

• Highly motivated and able to juggle a varied workload.

• Personable, with excellent listening skills.

• Excellent accuracy and attention to detail. 

• Growth mindset. 

Flexibility

The role description is a general outline of duties and responsibilities and may be amended as we grow. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties as may be reasonably required from time to time.

Employee benefits

We value our staff and volunteers and want to make sure that they are supported in their work. Other benefits we also offer are:

• A great team and a supportive culture

• Employer pension contributions matching up to 10%, and death in service cover

• Generous parental leave

• Flexible/hybrid working options

• Apprenticeships scheme, study leave and financial support for training & development

• Cycle to work scheme, eye test vouchers, and a staff loan scheme, access to an Employee Assistance Program

• An active Social Committee and staff events

Application & Interview process

See above for How to Apply. Please note that we value the authenticity and individuality of our applicants and believe that your CV and cover letter should reflect your unique skills, experiences, and personality. Therefore, please refrain from using AI tools, including ChatGPT, to produce your application materials. Successfully shortlisted applicants  will be invited to interview online via MS Teams

Accessibility

We believe in fostering an inclusive environment where all individuals, regardless of their abilities or circumstances, feel supported and valued. If you have any accessibility requirements or specific needs that you would like us to accommodate during the application process, please let us know. If you are unfamiliar with MS Teams and would like to familiarise yourself with the platform before the interview, we are more than happy to arrange a tech run-through to ensure your comfort and confidence. 

Equal opportunities, diversity & inclusion

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Fight for Sight we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workforce, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every item in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles that we have. 

We have an inclusive and accessible recruitment process, including any adjustments required to support people from diverse community groups.

Fundraising ASSISTANT

JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

Every 6 minutes someone learns that they are losing their sight. Every five hours, a baby is born with sight problems. In these moments, two profound questions emerge:

• Can this be stopped?

• How do I (or my child) live this life?

The merger of Fight for Sight and Vision Foundation on 1st April 2023 has enabled us to address both questions. By combining our strengths and expertise we are now the only significant national funder with the efficiency, capability, and capacity to increase investment in medical research and social improvement. Together we can mitigate both the prevalence and impact of sight loss.

We have a clear ambition, led by our CEO, Keith Valentine, who has valuable lived experience of sight loss. We’ve secured well-respected and highly engaged ambassadors and patrons, from Sir John Major and Marsha De Cordova MP.

We are looking for a driven, committed, and creative individual to join our dynamic team as we devise and launch a new five-year strategy. You’ll be part of something impactful and a key support within the fundraising team.

The Fundraising Assistant will play a crucial role in the future growth of our charity and the impact that we can achieve through partnerships for people with sight loss.  You will be a key part of a growing fundraising team providing support across the team. 

Responsible to  

Individual Giving Manager 

Direct reports  

None 

Working hours and contract  

This is a permanent full-time role (35 hours per week).  We will consider part-time and flexible working arrangements. 

Salary  

£25,000 per annum 

Location  

Central London with some remote working. A minimum of two days required in the office, 50 Leman Street, London E1 8HQ.

Start date 

As soon as possible. 

Role Responsibilities:

Individual Giving 

• Support the Individual Giving Manager with day-to-day communications with our donor base, including timely database administration to capture communication preferences and personal details. 

• Support the Database Manager with data and financial processes, including recording and batching donations, generating reports, contributing to supporter journeys and reconciling income. 

• Undertake research into new projects and areas of fundraising and highlight areas of potential opportunities to raise income and ensure continuous supporter engagement. 

• Liaise with design and print suppliers to deliver appeals and other campaigns. 

• Support the Individual Giving team in-person in the office, with the processing of direct marketing appeal responses, including banking of donations and sending thank you letters.

• Work with the Individual Giving Managers to implement supporter journeys to encourage further support to the organisation. 

Events and Community 

• Use a CRM database to effectively administer and manage event and community activities. 

• To be an ambassador at all events, supporting the delivery of our vision and ensuring that the charity’s profile and reputation are enhanced. 

• Work with the Events and Community team to send out literature and parcels to community groups and event participants in an efficient and timely manner. 

• Researching and sourcing event materials and fulfilling event packs when required.

• Support with logistics for virtual and in-person events as required. 

Wider fundraising  

• Answering inbound calls as part of the head office call team, at least two days per week, and responding to or triaging enquiries to be resolved in a timely manner.

• Working with suppliers to help design, proof and order new and replacement fundraising materials (fundraising packs, t-shirts, collecting boxes etc) as necessary.  

• Act as the first point of contact for external enquiries and manage internal post, including sorting incoming post and organising outgoing fundraising post from head office. 

• Work with the Communications team to ensure social media posts and other promotion opportunities are carefully planned and well executed.
• Work alongside the high value team Partnerships Assistant on key events and appeal tasks when required.

• Provide general administration support across the fundraising team as required. 

• Contribute to the overall fundraising strategy as a member of the Fundraising team. Share learnings and points of interest in team meetings, as well as work-based updates.

• To work in compliance with the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Practice and data protection legislation.

Person specification:

Desirable skills, knowledge & experience 

• Excellent communicator in formal and informal communications, both verbally and in writing, to all stakeholders. 

• Proven ability to engage, inspire and enthuse a range of supporters. 

• A commitment to undertake training where required and an enthusiasm for new challenges and experiences. 

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport. 

• Creative thinking, imaginative and entrepreneurial attitude towards fundraising. 

• Strong project management and prioritisation skills. 

• IT literate with experience of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Outlook, and databases. 

• A commitment to our values: Together we are bold, tenacious, informed and optimistic.
• Experience of using a CRM database to support relationship management. 
• Understanding of the charity sector and associated fundraising technique. 

Personal qualities 

• An understanding of and commitment to blind and partially sighted people. 

• A passion for fundraising and wanting to make a difference. Someone who is keen to succeed and keen to demonstrate their abilities.

• Highly organised with the ability to juggle several deadlines at the same time. 

• Positive, confident and enthusiastic. 

• The ability to use initiative, common sense and solve problems.

• Self-motivated, team worker with ability to work autonomously as required. 

• Willingness to work flexibly where required. 

• Approachable, creative, ‘can-do’ attitude. 

• Excellent attention to detail. 

• Comfortable with managing day-to-day routine tasks, in addition to prioritising ad hoc tasks when required. 

• A growth mindset.

Flexibility 

The role description is a general outline of duties and responsibilities and may be amended as the charity develops, the needs of the team evolve, and the role grows. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties as may be reasonably required from time to time. 

Application process:  

Please submit a CV and supporting statement, outlining your skills and experience relevant to the role and motivations for applying for the role (two pages maximum), with the subject ‘Application for Fundraising Assistant’

The interview process is as follows: 

• 1st Interview: Online with recruiting manager and fundraising colleague. 

• 2nd Interview and an informal meeting with colleagues: Face to face in London E1 with line manager and other members of the fundraising team.