Job Purpose: The Head of Fundraising is responsible for driving and expanding DSI’s fundraising activities to meet the financial needs of the organisation. The Head of fundraising also has direct responsibility for the delivery of a number of key fundraising campaigns as well as motivating and managing the fundraising team to build strength and long term stability into DSI’s fundraising activities.
Main Tasks:
To drive, on a strategic level, DSI fundraising activities to ensure adequate revenue for the roll out of DSI’s new strategic plan and any future expansion by developing and implementing a strategy for fundraising to meet agreed targets: optimising the financial inflows while minimising the cost of fundraising.
Build strength and stability into DSI fundraising activities by diversifying fundraising activities; opening new revenue streams and maximising DSI’s relationship with current supporters.
Develop, motivate and drive excellence within the fundraising team.
Daily management of the fundraising team and external money collecting agencies.
Oversee the activities of the fundraising staff, ensuring revenue targets and expenditure budgets are met for each campaign or event. Setting clear objectives and performance metric for individual fundraising staff and campaigns.
Have direct responsibility for the planning and roll out of key fundraising projects including Rev-up4DSI; the Tour de Leinster cycle; Tour de Munster cycle; CP2CP cycle; One Day Cycle Events and other challenge events.
Drafting of overall fundraising budgets and individual campaign budgets
Work with DSI branches to co-ordinate and support local fundraising activities.
Responsible for provision of post campaign reports on all major campaigns and events.
Continually evaluate and assess all fundraising products and campaigns.
Report regularly to the General Manager on all fundraising activities.
Ensure compliance with any legislation and the adoption always of industry recognised best practice in all DSI’s fundraising ventures. Ensuring all activities are properly managed and controlled.
Uphold and strengthen at all time the strong reputation of DSI and ensure creditability and transparency in all activities.
Ensuring maximum benefit from DSI CRM system (Champ) by ensuring all interactions with donors are recorded and all relevant information entered, in order that DSI can build an accurate picture of our supporters.
Retain and maximise the relationship with current donors through a planned calendar of strong communications and interactions.
Oversee the production of creative collateral and procurement of fundraising materials and campaign goods and suppliers.
Monitor market changes and trends within the fundraising sector. Engage in supporter research.
Work closely with the communications function in the production of relevant and timely communications with supporters and the press. And the roll out of campaign marketing plans. At all times working to uphold and strengthen the branding/ image/external messaging of DSI to ensure consistency in the public domain.
Ensure appropriate risk management in relation to all fundraising activities.
Maintain confidentiality in relation to DSI’s supporters and ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act
Experience and Knowledge:
Suitable third level qualification
Minimum 5 years’ experience in fundraising and marketing
Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a team
Person Specification / Skills and Special Aptitudes:
An understanding and empathy for the issues that DSI seek to address
Strong strategic thinker
Excellent organisational , financial and analytical skills
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
Results driven and focused
Strong networking capabilities, ability to build and maintain relationships internally and externally to the organisation
A Team player with an open and flexible attitude and excellent interpersonal skills
Motivated, with an ability to think creatively and seek opportunities
Ability to manage multiple demands and projects
Flexibility in work arrangements – the role involves out of hours and weekend work
Assertive and confident
Location: Down Syndrome Ireland, Citylink Business Park, Old Naas Road, Dublin 12.
Reporting to: General Manager
Terms: This is a permanent role with a six month probationary period. The salary for this position will be consummate with experience.
To apply: Please forward a CV and Cover letter to Christina Riordan, General Manager at christina@downsyndrome.ie For informal enquiries please telephone: 01 4266512
Closing date for applications is Friday 18th December 2015
Interviews for this post will be held in January
About Down Syndrome Ireland
Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI) is an organisation of people with Down syndrome and their parents and guardians. It has over 3000 member families with 25 branches nationwide, and is funded by voluntary contributions and events organised by its members.
DSI has grown from modest beginnings in 1971 into a truly national organisation. It is the biggest single group concerned with the welfare of people with a learning disability in Ireland.