Head of Fundraising Innovation

Salary Circa £70,000 per annum

Contract type Permanent

Location Great Abington, Cambridge CB21 6AD (Agile; approximately 2 days a week from our office)

Published

16 hours ago

Closing

in 10 days

This is a Permanent, , Full Time vacancy that will close in 10 days at 23:59 BST.

The Vacancy

Famous Through Innovation (internally known as FAME) is the strategic pillar that aims to embed a bold, insight-led innovation culture across ARUK to unlock new fundraising opportunities, expand our supporter base, and future-proof income. ​By scanning for trends, testing new ideas and products and scaling what works, this strategy will help drive the transformational growth needed to reach our income target by 2030.

The Head of Fundraising Innovation is responsible for the development and delivery of the 5-year strategy across fundraising product innovation. They are responsible for the leading the Fundraising Innovation team in strategic development, testing and scaling of innovative fundraising products, as well as the testing and optimisation of online fundraising to improve conversion, retention and lifetime value. Ensuring the team stay ahead of sector and digital trends, translating insight into practical product development that grows income and enhances supporter experience.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Fundraising and Marketing Strategy

• In collaboration with the Director of Supporter Led Fundraising and fellow F&M Heads, plan, implement and deliver the 2033 Fundraising & Marketing Strategy.
• Shapes and oversees the fundraising innovation programme, creating the systems, culture, and strategic direction needed to enable a sustainable pipeline of breakthrough ideas that drive long‑term income growth.
• Maintain a central and neutral position across Fundraising and Marketing, ensuring cross organisational alignment and impartial prioritisation of innovation across portfolios.
• Responsible for the overarching Innovation and Online Fundraising in year plans and strategy
• Direct line management of 2 managers.
• Lead Fundraising Innovation team of 5.

Fundraising Product Strategy

• Lead fundraising innovation team of two.
• Support the Fundraising Innovation Manager on their leadership of the innovation programme board FAME, and fundraising product innovation roadmap aligned to driving income growth and supporter engagement objectives.
• Support the Fundraising Innovation Manager to identify opportunities to evolve existing fundraising products and create new digital-first income streams.

Online Fundraising Innovation

• Lead online fundraising team of three.
• Support Online Fundraising Manager in testing and optimising online fundraising to improve conversion, retention and lifetime value.
• Stay ahead of sector and digital trends, translating insight into practical product development.
• Supporter Experience & Insight
• Ensure Innovation and online fundraising teams design supporter-centred fundraising products informed by insight, data and user research.
• Ensure products are accessible, inclusive and aligned with brand and values.

Testing, Data & Performance

• Establish and monitor processes for the team that allow robust testing and evaluation frameworks for new and existing fundraising products.
• Establish processes and ways of working for the team that ensure they use data and analytics to inform product decisions and prioritisation.
• Define and track KPIs including income performance, engagement metrics and ROI.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate across ARUK to deliver fundraising innovation that drives organisational strategic priorities.
• Manage relationships with external platforms, agencies and suppliers.
• Ensure compliance with GDPR, ethical fundraising standards and safeguarding policies.

Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead and develop a high-performing fundraising innovation team and online fundraising team.
• Responsibility of innovation budgets and forecasts.
• Build product-led thinking and innovation capability across fundraising teams.

Budget management and reporting

• Ensure that all financial targets are met and that the team is managed in the most cost-effective way possible
• Compile 3-year forecasts and annual budgets in line with operational planning
• Ensure any necessary mitigation planning is carried out to achieve budget.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• Significant experience in fundraising product development or innovation, ideally in the charity or not-for-profit sector.
• Proven track record of developing and scaling fundraising products or online income streams.
• Experience working with testing frameworks, analytics and performance measurement.

• Experience of leading multi-function teams to achieve goals and maintain a wave-maker team culture.
• Experience of managing agencies and suppliers and ensuring all contractual requirements are delivered on time and budget.
• Experience of analysing and monitoring data in a consumer/supporter environment and utilising outputs to advise and drive forward activity.
• Skills in producing evaluations, proposals and reporting on objectives and sharing insights.
• Demonstrable ability to work with a variety of different internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong product mindset with the ability to balance innovation, income and supporter experience.
• Strategic thinker with excellent delivery and stakeholder management skills.
• Data-driven, curious and comfortable working in an iterative, test-and-learn environment.
• Strong understanding of online fundraising channels.

The closing date for applications is the 26th April 2026, with interviews being arrange once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

The Company has experienced unprecedented growth over the past few years. We have a vast number of employees, and provide support to clients from all over the country. Recently, the company has won multiple workplace environment awards and has an outstanding record of employee satisfaction.

The Benefits

Benefit 1

Benefit 2

Benefit 3

Benefit 4

The Values

• Innovation

We are creative and fearless in our work.

• Accountability

We take ownership of our work and lead from the front.

• Teamwork

We collaborate widely and build supportive environments.

The Charity

Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure. Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope.

There has never been a more important and exciting time in dementia research. With promising new drugs in clinical trials that slow the progression of the diseases that cause it, and revolutionary new ways to diagnose them on the horizon, we are now at a tipping point. Working with the smartest minds globally and across the UK, with industry and academia, Alzheimer’s Research UK is uniquely placed to invest in the very best research identifying barriers to a cure and knocking them down so that there are more and better treatments for everyone with dementia. For the first time in history, we can see a future where people with dementia can get a swift and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments that could slow or even stop their disease. We stand for everyone affected by dementia. We stand for a cure.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.  We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.  Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

The Benefits

It is important to offer a range of benefits which are designed to meet both the organisational and individual needs, are market competitive and designed to attract and retain employees.

For more details on working for Alzheimer's Research UK click here.

Holiday entitlement

Healthcare

Sick pay

Pension

Cycle to work scheme

Family friendly policies

Learning & development

Documents