Fundraising and Development Manager

About us:

For thirty years, the Rory Peck Trust has been empowering freelance journalists with the knowledge, resources and resilience they need to remain safe while providing us with the facts. 

The Trust’s vision is to ensure free and reliable information is accessible to everyone, with journalists reporting safely and without fear, empowering freelance journalists through grants and the resources, resilience, and knowledge needed to stay safe while gathering the facts essential for shaping our future. 

By protecting freelance journalists, the Rory Peck Trust protects freedom of expression and democracy.  We have supported more than 3,000 individuals over the last three decades, 300 in the last year alone, and more freelance journalists need our help than ever before so they can continue reporting from places as diverse as Myanmar, Haiti, Sudan and Gaza. The Trust is entering an exciting time in its development, with a new Fundraising Strategy and a focus on securing high-value funding over the next three years. This pivotal role is an  inspiring opportunity for the right person, both in terms of the objectives of the role itself, and the opportunity to interact with a progressive donor community in the UK, US and beyond. The role will play a key part in the implementation of the fundraising strategy.

Working hours:    Full-time, 35 hours per week.

Flexible working from 0.7 FTE to full-time considered

Reporting to:        Executive Director

Job description:

The Fundraising and Development Manager will be a member of the leadership team, implementing the fundraising strategy by working closely with the Executive Director,  alongside colleagues across the organisation and external consultants.

You’ll bring a passion for what we do, and the importance of independent journalism – and the contribution it makes to protecting everyone’s human rights. 

We are looking for someone with experience in leading donor relations, with confidence and a strategic approach to high-value fundraising. This role will deepen RPT’s understanding of our supporter base, build on existing and new donor networks and produce impactful reports to donors including foundations and trusts, so they understand RPT’s impact and commit their support over the longer term. 

You will work closely with other roles in the organisation, rolling out funding campaigns to attract new donors, whilst providing high-quality stewardship to existing ones. You will bring excellent planning and organisational skills with the ability to prioritise competing demands.

Key tasks:

• Generate income, bringing new revenue into the organisation.

• Lead the writing and submission of proposals to trusts, foundations and philanthropists.

• Implement  the fundraising strategy including donor outreach, cultivation, and partnership development.

• Develop & manage donor relationships and partnerships bringing hands-on knowledge of how to successfully secure support from trusts, foundations and philanthropists.

• Oversee profile-raising opportunities in high-value donor networks and giving vehicles.

• Research, identify and qualify prospect donors including individuals HNWIs, trusts and foundations with a strong affinity to RPT’s impact.

• Oversee grant, trust income, and donation programs, ensuring the production of high-quality proposals and reports.

• Support organisational programming alignment to communicate impact in diverse donor ecosystems. 

• Contribute to RPT’s overall impact reporting outputs.

Key relationships:

• Executive Director

• Business Manager

• Assistance Manager

• Training Manager

• Communications Manager

Our values:

The Rory Peck Trust is committed to inclusiveness, diversity and equality and we strive to ensure we reflect these principles in our policies and workplace culture. We believe that diversity is an essential enabler in engaging those we assist, and in finding innovative solutions in times of crisis. We treat everyone with respect, put people first and we work as a team, building alliances and seeking partnerships to advance our common cause.

Person specification

Skills, knowledge and experience:

Essential:

• You should have a minimum of 5 years of experience and a track record  in relevant paid roles within registered UK charities and international not-for-profit organisations.

• Working knowledge and experience of trusts, foundations and major donor fundraising and previous collaboration with other income streams (events, communications and companies). 

• Understanding of what makes a strong case for support, developing strategies for donors and experience in partnership and relationship building.

• Understanding of the power of human stories, and how to gather and communicate stories that promote dignity and respect.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Impact reporting (internal and external).

Desirable:

• Experience of working in/dealing with media.

• Public speaking and representing the organisation independently.

• Brand management.

• Team leadership and project management.

• Experience across charities of various sizes.

• An understanding of the issues around media freedom.

Qualities:

• You will have bags of initiative, and the ability to manage a varied workload.

• Willingness to get stuck in and ‘do’ as well as lead.

• Kind and sensitive to the needs of those we support.

• Able to work well with others.

• Organised and efficient.

• Motivated by the cause & a passion to advocate on behalf of the organisation.