Fundraising Manager
Salary
Duration

£40,000 - £45,000 Pro Rata
24 months

Hours of work:
Location:
Reports to:
Line reports:

28 hours
Hybrid
Executive Director
Fundraising Assistant and Communication Assistant

About Us
FORWARD (Foundation for Women's Health Research and Development) is a pioneering led by and for
African women, working to end multiple forms of violence against women and girls. From child marriage,
female genital mutilation, domestic abuse, faith-based abuse & related harms.  Our vision is for African
women and girls everywhere to have equality, live in dignity, be healthy and thrive free of violence. Our
mission is-to transform responses to violence against African women and girls through delivery of specialist
support services, partnership and leadership development and community interventions.

FORWARD marked our 40th Milestone in 2025 and is committed to scale up our campaigns and advocacy work.
As the Partnerships & Advocacy Officer, you will be working alongside the Executive Director to support our
unfinished policy agenda on tackling FGM, child motherhood and faith and culture. You will be self-motivated,
proactive and passionate about increasing our influencing capacity to promote dignity, equality and wellbeing
of to supporting FORWARD to live our approach to fundraising through trusts and foundations. You will identify
new opportunities, write compelling proposals and drive ongoing engagement to increase our income.

What’s it like working at FORWARD?
We have a culture of encouraging creativity. Bringing ideas and solutions to complex problems is welcomed
as part of the role. We believe in connectivity, and ensure that we connect as a team by being together in
our  London  office  as  much  as  we  can.  We  are  committed  to  building  a  truly  diverse  team  and  have  a
commitment to equality, diversity and inclusivity as part of who we are and everything we do. We are a
values-driven organisation and expect all our staff to exhibit a commitment to these through their working
practice. As an organisation that tackles multiple forms of abuse, staff are supported to embrace a culture
of well-being and continuous improvement, feedback and feeling able to challenge each other to succeed.

About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate, versatile and experienced Fundraising Manager who shares
FORWARD’s mission to end violence against women and girls. We are looking for a strategic thinker and
doer with a passion for justice and quity who can strengthen our income streams, raise our public profile,
and deepen our donor and partner relationships.

You will lead our competitive tendering and grant application work, develop our new area of corporate
partnerships, and play a pivotal role in ensuring FORWARD takes a strategic and sustainable approach to
income generation. You’ll provide first-class stewardship to existing supporters and funders, while
cultivating new prospects to maximise income for the charity.

This is a rewarding and influential role, suited to someone who is proactive, collaborative, and keen to
shape the future of fundraising and communications at FORWARD. You’ll be part of a small, dynamic team

delivering fast-paced programmes in response to community needs across London. Your role will help drive
forward our mission and values of trust, nurturing and empowerment especially as we celebrate our 40th
anniversary.

This is a part-time post, flexible on location, although some travel within the UK may be required. The role
will support fundraising events, requiring occasional evening and weekend commitments (for which time in
lieu will be granted).

Our Benefits
We offer a wide range of employee benefits including:

• Excellent annual leave entitlement
• Pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Death in Service benefit
• Flexible working
• Opportunities for training and professional development

How Will You Make a Difference?

  Leadership and Management (10%)

•  Work with the Senior Management Team (SMT) and Board (particularly the Fundraising and

Marketing Subgroup) to proactively identify new funding and income opportunities for growth.

•  Devise and develop appropriate and sustainable strategies and targets annually.
•  Provide knowledge of current fundraising practice and develop a consistent working strategy that

is sustainable.

•  Provide knowledge of current fundraising practice and develop a consistent working strategy that

is sustainable.

•  Assist in informing long-term financial/business planning and clarifying priorities.
•  Support the SMT and Board in developing a comprehensive framework for reporting on the

charity’s impact, including to funders.

•  Engage key funding partners, donors, corporates and influencers to identify impactful fundraising

opportunities and build sustainable relationships.

•  Strengthen existing relationships with funders and donors through clear, focused stewardship

plans to maximise future funding potential.

    Fundraising (50%)

•  Develop and implement effective strategies to target trusts, foundations, grants, corporate

partnerships, and digital fundraising using a variety of techniques.

•  Set and deliver achievable fundraising targets aligned with FORWARD’s strategic objectives and

programme priorities. Initiate, develop and manage fundraising campaigns, liaising with colleagues
to create impactful storytelling and supporter engagement.
Lead high-value fundraising bids and donor acquisition, ensuring relationships and communications
are well managed for best outcomes.

•

•  Collaborate across the organisation to develop compelling donor communications and strengthen

the donor journey.

•  Design and promote tailored sponsorship and partnership packages; cultivate relationships with

corporate supporters.

•  Cultivate relationships with individual supporters including high-net-worth individuals and embed

systems to steward donors.

•  Explore innovative income streams including legacy giving, ethical fundraising events, and diaspora

philanthropy.

•  Work with the Fundraising Assistant and Communications Assistant to plan and deliver compelling

digital campaigns and appeals.

•  Represent FORWARD at external meetings and events, occasionally including evenings or

weekends.

•  Be a lead ambassador for fundraising across the organisation and embed a culture of fundraising

within the team.

    Communications (10%)

•  Oversee effective use of FORWARD’s donor CRM system (Beacon) to improve data management

and donor communications.

•  Ensure relevant fundraising news, grant terms, and reporting obligations are shared across teams.
•  Support internal communication of all grants. Ensure communication strategies amplify fund

raising campaigns and deepen engagement with diverse donor audiences

•  Oversee development of cohesive communication and social media strategies that support

fundraising campaigns.

•  Support production of high-quality communication materials including digital content and

publications such as the Annual Review.

•  Ensure all content is engaging, accessible and meets high editorial standards.

   Line Management and Reporting (20%)

•  Provide line management and day-to-day support to the Fundraising Assistant and

Communications Assistant. Ensure all fundraising and communications activities are well planned,
delivered within budget, and meet donor requirements.

•  Develop and manage fundraising and marketing budgets; monitor performance with the Finance

Manager.

•  Build strong working relationships across departments to promote collaboration and shared

learning.

•  Produce regular updates and progress reports for the Executive Director and Board of Trustees

   General Responsibilities (10%)

•  Comply with FORWARD’s Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety policies.
•  Abide by organisational policies, code of conduct and practices. Participate in supervision sessions

and annual appraisals.

•  Attend relevant training to fulfil job requirements.
•  Maintain awareness of fundraising and charity law.
•  Participate in team meetings and operational meetings.
•  Attend internal and external meetings as requested.
•  Be proactive in professional development.
•  Uphold confidentiality in line with FORWARD’s policies and Common Law obligations.

This job description is not exhaustive and is intended as a guide to the main responsibilities. The
post holder may be required to undertake other duties, and the role may develop in line with the
evolving needs of the organisation.

We are looking for someone who brings passion for Fundraising, alongside the skills and
experience listed below.

Skills & Experience - Essential

Skills & Experience - Desirable

You  should  be  able  to  demonstrate  an  extensive  track
record and evidence of achievements in terms of:

It would be an advantage if you can also show
evidence of:

•  Proven track record of successful income generation

•  Experience securing and managing corporate

across multiple fundraising streams.

•  Experience  developing  and  delivering  strategic

•

fundraising and/or communications plans.
Strong  written  communication  skills,
producing compelling donor materials and reports.

including

•  Experience

line  managing  or  supporting  staff,

volunteers or junior colleagues.
to  manage

•  Ability

relationships  with  diverse
including  donors,  businesses,  and

stakeholders
community groups.

partnerships and sponsorships.

•  Experience delivering successful digital or

community fundraising campaigns.

•  Familiarity with bid writing or trust/foundation

applications.

•  Experience working in or with small to medium-

sized charities.

•  Confident  in  using  fundraising/CRM  systems  (e.g.

Beacon) and digital tools.

•  Strong planning and organisational skills.

Knowledge - Desirable

Knowledge - Essential
•  Understanding  of  fundraising  regulations,  ethical

•

practices, and donor stewardship.
Solid  grasp  of  branding,  media  engagement,  and
digital marketing.

•  Awareness of communications in advocacy and social

•  Understanding of intersectionality and issues
affecting African diaspora women and girls.
•  Knowledge of communicating on sensitive or

rights-based issues.

•  Understanding of GDPR and data protection in

donor management.

change.

Personal Attributes   - Essential

Personal Attributes   - Desirable

•  Commitment to FORWARD’s mission and values.
•  Collaborative and inclusive working style.
•  Results-oriented, self-motivated, and proactive.
•  Flexibility  to  attend  occasional  evening/weekend

events

•  Demonstrates cultural humility and a commitment

to inclusive, anti-racist practice.
•  Creative and solutions-focused.
•  Comfortable working in a small team.
•  Willingness to learn and grow with the role

•

Application deadline:

Interviews:

Please  email  your  CV  and  a  separate  short  cover
recruitment@forwarduk.org.uk by the application deadline.

letter  specific  to  this  position  to

In your cover letter, please don’t repeat the information covered in your CV, but do include how you
meet the job specifications and why you feel you’re the best person for this role. Your covering letter
should include:

•  Why you would like to work for FORWARD?

•  Why this particular role interests you?

Please use the job description and person specification information in this application pack to detail
your suitability. If you would like to submit your application in a different format, please get in touch
via  email  or  phone  (020  8960  4000)  and  we  can  discuss  how  best  to  facilitate  your  request.  CVs
submitted on their own, without a supporting covering letter, will not be considered.

If this opportunity sounds exciting to you but your experience, skills or qualifications don’t match
every requirement exactly, we would still encourage you to apply - you may just be the perfect fit.

FORWARD is committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment. Applicants will receive
equal treatment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual
orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity.

If  you  would  like  to  discuss  any  aspect  of  the  role  or  the  application  process  please  email
recruitment@forwarduk.org.uk and we would be delighted to answer any queries you may have.