For more information and to apply, please download an application pack from our website at http://www.kab.org.uk/working-with-us/current-vacancies.html or call 01622 691357 for a postal pack. We will not accept CVs in application for this post without a completed application pack.

Kent Association for the Blind (KAB) supports sight impaired people to live independent lives. We work in Kent, Medway, Bromley and Bexley providing comprehensive support services to people of any age and at any stage of their sight loss journey.

We are seeking an inspirational and experienced Head of Fundraising who can build on the current achievements of the team and continue to expand and diversify the charity’s fundraising portfolio during an exciting period of development for the Charity.

This role will be pivotal to continued growth and will give the successful candidate an opportunity to make the role their own, developing and leading on fundraising strategies particularly in relation to major donors.

The successful candidate will have previous experience in a charity fundraising environment together with a proven track record of successful fundraising asks and demonstrable experience of team leadership and managing large fundraising projects.

Hours of work: 35 hours per week (element of flexibility with working hours, negotiable)
Based at: Maidstone Sight Centre, 72 College Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6SJ
Salary: £41,862 to £48,806 per annum.

Closing date for applications: 12 noon, Friday 22nd March 2019.
Interview date: Wednesday 3rd April 2019

Job Description

Job Purpose:

- To be responsible for KAB’s voluntary income generation and ensure it can meet its strategic aims now and in the future.
- To maximise KAB’s future potential for voluntary income growth.
- To be responsible for the strategic leadership, management and co-ordination of all income generating activities, in accordance with the Fundraising Strategy.
- To be responsible for the leadership and line management of the Fundraising Team.
- To contribute to the leadership of the Charity as a member of the Senior Management Team.

Duties and Key Responsibilities:

Fundraising responsibilities

- Manage, sustain and grow KAB income from a wide range of fundraising streams, including individual donors, community fundraising, trusts and foundations, corporates and legacy fundraising.
- Ensure income targets are met; this will include hands-on fundraising and donor management.
- Create an evidence based and data driven fundraising culture within the team.
- Play a role in driving greater understanding of KAB to enhance its image and position within the marketplace and with the general public.
- Support the production of more accessible, high quality fundraising and marketing and communications materials that can be used on KAB web, print and social channels.
- Keep up-to-date with best practices and developments in fundraising in the charity sector, ensuring that KAB complies with legislation and statutory requirements.
- Represent KAB within the wider voluntary sector.

Build Relationships

- Undertake public speaking and attend events to promote KAB and generate income.
- Lead KAB work with major donors.
- Develop an in-depth understanding of KAB donors and build relationships with key donors across all fundraising streams.
- Network, establish and maintain professional relationships with key external bodies, funders, stakeholders and peers.
- Establish and maintain professional relationships internally in order to develop a culture of fundraising within KAB and its volunteers.
- Work with colleagues in Senior Management Team to ensure cross-team working.

Strategic leadership

- Implement and review KAB Fundraising Strategy in order to maximise income and profile, through researching trends and identifying new opportunities.
- Report to the CEO about progress against fundraising strategic objectives.
- Attend regular meetings with the CEO and undertake training and development as required.
- Contribute to the senior leadership of KAB as a member of the Senior Management Team:
- Share responsibility for overall organisational performance and ensuring that KAB strategic objectives and decisions are well informed, clear, implemented on time and within budget.
- Provide leadership for the Charity and contribute to KAB policy, strategy and development.
- Promote KAB’s values and brand to internal and external audiences.
- Deputise for the CEO and meet with Trustees as required, keeping them informed of legal responsibilities and regulatory issues.

Manage the Team

- Provide effective leadership and management to the Fundraising Team.
- Manage the team budget, ensure expenditure and income are closely monitored against targets, and adjust fundraising plans as needed.
- Prepare and implement an annual Operational Plan and budget for the team that reflects agreed strategic priorities and targets, and contributes to the Charity’s overall annual Operational Plan.
- Establish effective systems for monitoring, evaluating and reporting progress against the Operational Plan and Strategy.
- Develop and implement policies, procedures and mechanisms across the team to ensure good practice and good governance is used throughout.
- Prepare progress reports for the CEO, Board of Trustees and funders.

General

- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of developments across the sector including regulations and legal responsibilities.
- The post-holder will be working in a developing environment and will therefore be required to undertake other appropriate duties as necessary for the efficient operation of KAB.
- The role will require travel to meeting and events. Weekend and evening work may also be required and time off in lieu will be given.

These are the normal duties which the employer will require from you at the date of your employment. However, it is necessary for all staff to be flexible in this respect and all employees may be required from time to time to perform other duties which are required for the efficient running of the organisation.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

- Positive leadership and management skills with proven ability to motivate and lead a team to generate and implement new ideas and achieve/exceed income targets.
- Proven track record of securing significant funding from a variety of sources including trusts and foundations, individuals, community activities and events, and corporates.
- Proven success of strategic planning, project development and implementation and the ability to define and set challenging but achievable targets.
- Experience of successful direct marketing.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate, inspire, persuade and influence effectively – both verbally and in writing – at all levels.
- Excellent time management and organisational skills, with the ability to work independently, to be proactive, motivated and adhere to deadlines.
- Sound financial management skills and the ability to develop, manage and analyse budgets with many income streams.
- Sound IT skills, including MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Explorer, fundraising databases and the ability to be administratively self-supporting.
- An understanding of the role of PR and communications.
- Ability to maintain a sensitive and professional approach towards colleagues and service users, mindful of confidentiality and anti-discriminatory practices.
- Ability to travel independently across the area of service.
- Flexibility to work some irregular hours as demanded by the requirements of the post.
- Empathy with KAB’s aims and values.

Desirable Criteria

- A professional fundraising or marketing qualification.

This job description is not exhaustive, but is provided to assist the post holder to know what her/his main duties are. It may be amended from time to time without change to the levels of responsibility appropriate to the grade of the post and in discussion with the post holder.

KAB is an equal opportunities employer and complies with the Disability Confident Standard.

For more information and to apply, please download an application pack from our website at http://www.kab.org.uk/working-with-us/current-vacancies.html or call 01622 691357 for a postal pack. We will not accept CVs in application for this post without a completed application pack.