Director of Fundraising

The Royal Air Force Club is pleased to invite applications for the role of Director of Fundraising to join our team and continue to contribute to the future success of the Club.   

Located in London’s Mayfair and overlooking Green Park, the Royal Air Force Club offers first class facilities and a ‘home from home' to its 24,000 members, predominantly serving and former officers of the RAF and Allied Air Forces and their families.

Reporting to:  Chief Executive

Key Relationships: The Board of Trustees; Fundraising & Legacy Committee; Director of Operations; Finance & Marketing Teams

Background:

Due to significant losses during the Covid pandemic, a Club appeal for donations was launched in 2020. The Friends of the RAF Club was established in 2021 to recognize these generous Members, many of whom have maintained their donations which have subsequently funded key refurbishment projects in the Club. Support of The Friends contributes significantly to the Club’s financial recovery.

Key Responsibilities:

The Director of Fundraising will be expected to deliver in 3 key areas:

DEVELOPMENT OF THE MEMBERSHIP GIVING JOURNEY

• Enhance the Friends Scheme through life giving and particularly ending with the Legacy commitment:
• Review and manage the fundraising strategy
• Retain, recruit and steward the Friends of the RAF Club
• Devise and implement a legacy strategy
• Devise and implement a series of engagement and stewardship events for the Friends of the RAF Club

CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS

• Deliver the funding to help pay for capital projects within the Club:
• In liaison with the House Committee, devise and manage the 2025 appeal campaign to fund the refurbishment of The Running Horse Tavern (the Club’s onsite ‘pub’)

DELIVERY OF ASSOCIATED ADMINISTRATION

• In compliance with the Fundraising Code, GDPR and all other associated regulations:
• Run Friends and Legacy schemes
• Timely and appropriate communication and follow-up with all relevant parties (accepting this is a part-time role)
• Event delivery for Friends events
• Manage the systems and processes to track, administer and report on donations received
• Prepare and produce fundraising marketing collateral.
• Prepare and submit Gift Aid claims
• Prepare all papers and minutes for the Fundraising and Legacy Committee (FR&LC), actioning all fundraising initiatives
• Prepare FR&LC reports for the Board of Trustees
• Promote and acknowledge the ‘Hive Heroes’ supporting the Club bees
• Administer and acknowledge donations to the Staff Christmas appeal
• Manage requests for Club support from external charities and partnerships[1] 

Additional Responsibilities:

• Be an ambassador for the Club embodying and communicating our values and impact at all times Ensure all activities undertaken comply with the Fundraising Code and GDPR pertaining to fundraising activity
• Attend a variety of Club network events and dinners, where identified or required
• Attend internal Club meetings, training sessions, events where required
• Perform other duties, as and when required, to meet business needs

Priorities (KPI) for Delivery in 2024/25:

• Priority 1 - Friends Scheme - ensure lines of communication are kept open for all Friends (Gold, Silver and Bronze) - focusing effort to personally engage and get to know Gold and Silver Friends. Increase membership at all 3 levels. Devise and deliver (how many?) Events for Friends.
• Priority 2 - Capital Project - 'Running Horse Tavern refurbishment'. Supported lead to devise and deliver fundraising from potential donors. Minimum target: £100,000 (check this amount is right)
• Priority 3 - Membership Giving Journey - Development and implementation of a membership giving journey, with particular emphasis on delivery of a Legacy Programme.
• Achieve the existing fundraising target of £120,000 in calendar year 2024 (currently ahead of target).

Person Specification:

• Operate effectively at the highest/senior levels.
• Proven track record of working with legacies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; outstanding social skills; able to easily engage and communicate with a wide spectrum of Club members and guests.
• Excellent knowledge of the corporate world and how best to match appropriate potential sponsors with the Club.
• Expertise in strategic planning and working to and achieving set KPIs.
• Ability to manage information and record the profile and fundraising activity of donors.
• Ability to multi-task to overlapping deadlines and demonstrate great attention to detail
• Ability to make risk analyses and time-cost ratios to focus effort on the fundraising activities that are most appropriate and will have the highest chance of success
• Excellent arithmetical skills
• Up to date knowledge of GDPR and fundraising legislation
• Smart and well-presented appearance at all times
• Excellent timekeeping
• Practice safe working according to Club guidelines at all times