Head of major gifts and events

Location: London (minimum 3 days per week) and regular travel to meet donors and attend events throughout the UK
Salary: £60-70K plus benefits package (Starting salary is dependent on qualifications and experience)
Contract: 37.5 hours a week. Permanent contract.
Applications in by: Monday, 17 February 2025.

Our fundraising team

The Fundraising Department currently raises around £7m a year to support the work of The Outward Bound Trust, predominantly to cover the cost of bursary supported places for disadvantaged young people to attend our powerful courses in the outdoors, and towards capital (building project) requirements across the Trust’s six centres.

Funds are raised from high-net-worth individuals, corporate organisations, charitable trusts and foundations, legacies and through high quality events. The majority of the Fundraising Department is based in Waterloo, London, with some of the team based at our Penrith and Glasgow offices.

The job...

This crucial role is responsible for delivering Outward Bound’s Award- Winning Major Gift (High Net Worth Individuals) and Events fundraising plan in support of our General appeal and other projects.

This role requires someone with a strong aptitude and love of events and working with a portfolio of incredible supporters.

A taste of some of our recent events:-

Big Rappel at the Empire State Building
Dinners at Royal Residences
Reception at 10 and 11 Downing Street
High Profile Performances by Tom Jones, Eric Clapton, Gary Barlow, Ball and Boe, Gladys Knight.

Please see the job description for the list of responsibilities.

Download the full job description here

You'll need...

A proven team player, willing to accept responsibility, work enthusiastically, show initiative, and proactively work to exceed targets
Confident communication and presentation skills - able to present with gravitas about the work of the Trust and the need for support
Diplomatic and persuasive, able to present ideas articulately and engage both internal and external stakeholders, to bring them “on the journey”
Experience of working with High Net Worth Individuals and of securing and uplifting 5 or 6 figure gifts
Proven track record in building relationships and engaging with key stakeholders at all levels
Excellent attention to detail and strong decision making.
Experience of effectively leading a team – directing individuals with clear targets
Experience of driving and executing high level events and campaigns with the “wow” factor flawlessly
Understanding and experience of CRM systems.

The job description

You'll get

Annual Leave of 24 days, plus bank holidays. Annual leave increases by 1 day per year to a maximum of 30 days, plus bank holidays.
Life Assurance: 3 x salary, covered from start date; includes Employee Assistance Helpline.
Long-term Disability Insurance: 2/3 salary less state incapacity benefit after 6 months’ absence for up to 5 years, covered from start date.
Employee assistance programme: with easy access to medical and mental health support. Ranging from instant GPs appointments to physio or counselling services.
Personal Accident Insurance while at work or commuting.
Health Cash Plan with Medicash: on application after completion of probation; taxable benefit.
Pension Scheme (currently Standard Life): Auto-enrolment of all staff after 3 months of service.
8 weeks’ sick pay at full salary in any 12 months.
Berghaus uniform items provided and the opportunity to purchase Berghaus products at a discount.
Staff bursaries: discounted course fees for family members.
Childcare voucher scheme.

How to Apply

To apply for this role please send a covering letter of no more than one side of A4, explaining your fit to the job description and the person specification, together with an up-to-date CV to karen.black@outwardbound.org.uk by Monday, 17 February 2025.

If we offer you the job, you'll be asked to do a DBS check.

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Young people on adventure

Head of Major gifts and events