Job Title: Development Director

Terms: Permanent, Full Time or Part Time (at least 0.6 FTE)

Salary: £60,000 plus package of benefits

Reports to: Ben Rawlence, Chief Executive

Location: Remote with some travel to Talgarth, or office based in Talgarth, Powys with flexibility to work from home by arrangement

Key Relationships: Donors, Prospects, Trustees, CEO and senior leadership team, Marketing and Communications Manager

 

Background:

Black Mountains College (BMC) is a new innovative educational institution devoted to climate action and adaptation. BMC re-imagines what education is for and how it is delivered. Our unique programmes connect the environment, society and the individual to produce rounded, resilient change-makers. In academic year 2023 BMC has 65 students enrolled on three vocational further education programmes and one BA programme. We teach across multiple locations in Hay-on-Wye and Talgarth in Powys and Treherbert in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

BMC has ambitious plans to grow our student cohort and its range of course offerings requiring £5-10m in capital and related revenue costs over the next 2-4 years.

To date, £2m has been raised from philanthropic sources to get the college off the ground and £1.1m has been secured towards capital targets to scale provision.

There is a pipeline of prospects currently being cultivated and other initiatives under development to help achieve these targets.

 

Purpose of the role:

To lead fundraising for the organisation and to shape the growth of this unique college that is playing a role in redefining climate education and education more broadly.

 

Strategic objectives:

• Working closely with the CEO to review the fundraising strategy and deliver it.
• Review capital and infrastructure plans from a fundraising perspective, in line with the college’s strategic plan
• Support the sustainability of the college and its mission in the round.

 

Operational objectives:

• Ensure there is a constant pipeline of researched prospects to be targeted.
• Identify discrete components of capital and revenue targets suited to individual prospects, and identify, nurture and cultivate strategies for securing gifts from a range of sources including high net worth individuals, trusts and foundations, companies and statutory funders.
• Take personal responsibility, when appropriate, for soliciting major (£100k+) and mid-range (£50k+) gifts from prospects. Guide and support others in the solicitation of gifts.
• Prepare timely and appropriate business cases for capital works.
• Draft and develop fundraising resources, including bespoke proposals and funding proposals, campaign print, appropriate web copy and social media messaging.
• Oversee the processes for data capture, data retention and data distribution via BMC’s CRM system, Donorfy. Ensure that all processes are compliant with GDPR regulations.
• Take responsibility for tracking income, expenditure and managing the fundraising budget.
• Produce timely and accurate management reports for the CEO and Board of Trustees as and when required.

 

Cultural objectives:

• Help mainstream a culture of giving and ‘giving back’ across the organisation and beyond including to support the fostering of practices and policies that promote the sustainability and fundraising of the college.
• Develop and implement a robust stewardship strategy for current and future donors and alumni and where appropriate be their key point of contact bringing in members of the wider Executive team when required.
• Chair the Development Board made up of volunteers to promote the identification and engagement of prospects.
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of BMC so as to become a credible and visible advocate for the college to different stakeholder groups including donors, prospects, influencers and community groups.
• Ensure that all fundraising complies with the Code of Fundraising Practice as issued by the Fundraising Regulator.
• Where appropriate, support the CEO in other aspects of BMC’s development.

 

Person Specification:

We are looking for an experienced, self-motivated and target driven fundraiser who has the temperament to work in a start-up environment in a rural location.

 

Skills, Experience and Aptitudes

Essential

• High level of experience and proven track record in securing substantial levels of funding for major campaigns or in exceptional circumstances, a compelling plan to mobilise the resources necessary to sustain the impact of the college.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, combined with the gravitas required to build and steward effective relationships.
• A supportive management style so others may maximise their potential.
• Ability to produce compelling fundraising materials.
• A confident self-starter with the ability to work within a small dynamic team.
• A creative can-do approach with excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent IT skills including the use of CRM systems.

Desirable

• Existing knowledge and established networks of funders for projects concerned with climate change, the environment and education.
• Knowledge of social investing.
• Experience of using digital fundraising systems.
• Personal interest in the environment/climate change and/or education.
• Welsh speaker.

 

Closing date: November 17, 2023

BMC is an inclusive and affirmative action employer. We would love to hear from candidates from all cultural and educational backgrounds.

 

Contact:

Ben Rawlence CEO

jobs@blackmountainscollege.uk

www.blackmountainscollege.uk

 

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