Senior Fundraising Manager

Job Title: Fundraising Manager

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £40,000

Hours per week: 28 hours 4 days per week

Annual Leave: 25 days plus bank holidays (Pro Rota)

Role Description

The Senior Fundraising Manager will play a key strategic role in supporting the mission and ministry of St Edmundsbury Cathedral by developing and delivering a diverse range of fundraising activities, with a particular focus on Trusts and Foundations, major funding opportunities, donor stewardship and the growth of sustainable income.

Working closely with the senior leadership team, the role will identify and develop new funding opportunities, build strong relationships with Trusts and Foundations, and lead the preparation and submission of high-quality funding applications and reports. The postholder will also oversee the Cathedral’s Patron and donor relationships, legacy and regular giving activity, and provide strategic oversight of major fundraising events and initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Legacy and Appeals

• Support and develop the Cathedral’s legacy giving strategy, helping to encourage and secure gifts in wills.
• Work with colleagues and volunteers to develop appropriate legacy communications and stewardship activity.
• Provide strategic support for the delivery of fundraising appeals, including the biennial ‘Gift Day’.
• Review and evaluate fundraising appeals, identifying opportunities to improve engagement and income.

Trusts and Foundations

• Develop and implement a Trusts and Foundations fundraising strategy to increase income and diversify the Cathedral’s funding base.
• Research and identify new Trusts, Foundations and other institutional funding opportunities aligned with the Cathedral’s mission, ministry and strategic priorities.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective Trusts and Foundations, ensuring effective stewardship and ongoing engagement.
• Lead the development and submission of high-quality funding applications, working with colleagues across the Cathedral to gather relevant information, budgets, impact measures and supporting evidence.
• Maintain a comprehensive pipeline of funding opportunities, applications, deadlines and outcomes.
• Ensure funders receive timely, accurate and engaging updates on the impact of their support.
• Develop compelling cases for support and funding proposals for a range of projects and priorities.
• Support colleagues with grant applications where appropriate, providing guidance on funder requirements, application development and reporting.
• Monitor changes in the funding landscape and identify emerging opportunities for the Cathedral.

Donor Acknowledgement and CRM Management

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records in the fundraising CRM database, Donorfy, including donation history, communications and engagement activity.
• Ensure appropriate systems and processes are in place for effective donor stewardship and relationship management.
• Produce reports and analysis from Donorfy to support fundraising planning, decision-making and income monitoring.
• Ensure donors and Patrons are thanked and acknowledged appropriately and in a timely manner, including personal correspondence and letters from the Dean where appropriate.
• Use donor data and insight to identify opportunities for increased engagement, retention and income.

Planned and Regular Giving

• Work with the Planned Giving Committee to develop and implement a strategy for increasing regular giving.
• Develop communications that encourage supporters to become regular givers.

Patrons and Donors

• Manage and develop relationships with existing Patrons and key donors, ensuring high standards of engagement through regular communications, including e-newsletters, invitations and other appropriate engagement activities.
• Oversee the delivery of the Cathedral’s Patron events, including the Patrons’ Carol Service, Spring Trip and Summer Garden Party, working with colleagues to ensure events are delivered to a high standard.
• Monitor Patron membership, renewal dates and income, ensuring effective processes are in place for timely renewal communications.
• Work closely with the Finance Department to ensure Patron income and donations are accurately recorded and reconciled.
• Develop and implement strategies to grow the Cathedral’s Patron network and strengthen relationships with existing supporters.
• Identify opportunities to deepen donor engagement and develop supporters towards increased giving and longterm involvement with the Cathedral.

Major Fundraising Initiatives and Events

• Provide fundraising leadership and strategic oversight for major Cathedral fundraising initiatives and projects as required.
• Support the delivery team of the Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn Project, providing fundraising expertise and advice as required.
• Oversee the fundraising strategy and income generation associated with major fundraising events, including the Grand Nave Autumn Ball, ensuring that events have clear fundraising objectives and deliver against agreed targets.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues responsible for event planning and delivery, providing strategic fundraising direction, supporter engagement and stewardship.
• Ensure that income and expenditure associated with fundraising events and initiatives are accurately recorded and monitored.
• Evaluate fundraising activity and provide recommendations to maximise future income and supporter engagement.

Strategy, Planning and Reporting

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the Cathedral’s overall fundraising strategy and annual fundraising plans.
• Set and monitor fundraising targets across relevant income streams, providing regular updates to senior colleagues and relevant committees.
• Use fundraising data, research and analysis to identify opportunities for growth and inform strategic decisionmaking.
• Prepare reports for senior leadership, Trustees and relevant committees as required. Work collaboratively across the Cathedral to ensure fundraising opportunities are identified and developed effectively.
• Ensure all fundraising activity reflects the mission, values and ethos of St Edmundsbury Cathedral and is undertaken with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
• Ensure compliance with relevant fundraising regulations, GDPR and data protection requirements, and best practice in donor stewardship.
• Support and develop a culture of fundraising across the Cathedral, encouraging colleagues to recognise and maximise opportunities for philanthropic support.

Person Specification

Essential Qualities

Qualifications

• Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in fundraising or a related field.

Experience

• Significant experience in fundraising or income generation roles, with a proven track record of securing income and meeting or exceeding fundraising targets.
• Proven experience of developing and managing relationships with Trusts and Foundations and other institutional funders.
• Demonstrable experience of researching funding opportunities and developing successful grant and funding applications.
• Experience of managing donor relationships and delivering effective stewardship and engagement programmes.
• Experience of developing and delivering fundraising strategies across a range of income streams.
• Experience of managing or overseeing fundraising campaigns, appeals or events.
• Experience of using fundraising data and CRM systems to support donor management, reporting and strategic decisionmaking.
• Experience of monitoring and reporting on restricted and unrestricted funding.
• Experience of preparing funding reports and ensuring compliance with funder requirements.

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of Trusts and Foundations fundraising and the wider fundraising landscape.
• Good understanding of a range of fundraising income streams, including individual giving, Trusts and Foundations, major donors, corporate and community fundraising.
• Knowledge of fundraising regulations, GDPR, data protection and ethical fundraising practices.
• Understanding of budgeting, financial planning and monitoring in relation to fundraising.
• Understanding of effective donor stewardship, cultivation and relationship management.
• Knowledge of the principles and importance of legacy and regular giving.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce compelling funding proposals, cases for support, reports and donor communications.
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build credibility and maintain positive relationships with funders, donors, Patrons and colleagues.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to identify and assess new funding opportunities.
• Excellent project management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines and funding applications effectively.
• Ability to use data and insight to inform fundraising decisions, monitor performance and measure impact.
• Ability to manage and maintain accurate records using a CRM system such as Donorfy.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and influence colleagues to support fundraising objectives.
• Ability to oversee and provide strategic direction to fundraising activities and initiatives.

Personal Qualities

• Highly motivated, proactive and results-driven.
• Strategic and creative thinker, with the ability to identify and develop new fundraising opportunities.
• Excellent attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to work independently, use initiative and take responsibility for delivering agreed objectives.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and build effective relationships across the organisation.
• Resilient, flexible and able to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure.
• Professional, trustworthy and committed to the highest standards of integrity and ethical fundraising.
• Commitment to the values and mission of St Edmundsbury Cathedral.
• Sensitive to the Cathedral’s core mission as a place of worship, outreach, welcome and care.
• Willingness to work varying hours for fundraising activities and functions, including occasional evenings and weekends, as required.

Desirable

Qualities Qualifications

• Relevant professional fundraising qualification, such as a qualification from the Chartered Institute of Fundraising.

Experience

• Experience of working with high-net-worth individuals, major donors or philanthropic supporters.
• Experience of securing significant gifts or grants from Trusts and Foundations.
• Experience of fundraising within the Church of England or another faith-based organisation.
• Experience of working in a heritage, cultural, charitable or not-for-profit organisation.
• Experience of overseeing fundraising events or major fundraising initiatives.

Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of the funding landscape relevant to heritage, faith, community or charitable organisations.
• Experience of public speaking and presenting to donors, funders, committees or other stakeholders.
• Knowledge of legacy fundraising and planned giving.
• Experience of using Donorfy or a similar fundraising CRM system.