Built Environment Trust - Director of Development 

Introduction

The Built Environment Trust (BET) is a charity which helps transform our human-made ecosystems to improve all aspects of daily life.

Working in tandem with BET is the Building Centre Group (BCG), a contemporary showcase of the best materials, manufacture, and design solutions within the built environment. BCG is a limited company that aims to make profits to donate to the Trust.

The built environment is a complex and vast subject/discipline/area, with great impact on daily life. Meaning and agency change with every user and producer, but the impact of living within high quality human-made ecosystems are fundamental to meeting our needs.

About the role                                               

As BET re-defines its mission and future, this is an exciting time to take a leading role on helping tackle some of our most difficult problems in society and establishing the strategy for fundraising.

The Director of Development is a new role responsible for growing philanthropic and supporter income for BETs activities and strategic mission. The main purpose of this position will be to lead and develop the organisation’s capacity to identify and steward major gift prospects, as well as corporate and foundation donors, in addition to planning and executing special events. The role will be responsible for achieving fundraising income of approximately £1,000,000 per year within 3 years. The successful candidate will have the benefit of strategic groundwork, research and development work provided by external consultants on which to build a successful fundraising function.

The role will also have a close working relationship with the Chief Executive and the Trustee Board acting as an adviser to building the fundraising capacity of the Trust and responsible for leadership across all income streams.

Key Accountabilities

The responsibilities listed below demonstrate the types of work that will be performed by the role. Duties and responsibilities may be subject to change as the needs of the organisation and requirements of the job shift over time.

Strategy

• Develop, implement, and review fundraising strategies that will fulfil the BET’s financial model, fundraising targets, current strategy, and programmes as well as future plans
• Take overarching responsibility and leadership of income generation across all fundraising revenue streams, building a diverse income portfolio
• Build compelling fundraising offer that secures both revenue and project/restricted and unrestricted income/core and specific projects
• Devise impact data gathering to build compelling case for support and to develop ask across all income streams

Leadership

• Provide guidance and recommendations to board of trustees internally on best strategic options, practices, and achievable targets
• Lead collaboration with colleagues to develop programmes, activities and reporting to support funder needs
• Lead pipeline generation and monitoring to secure targets
• Enhance working with BET and BCG to maximise shared corporate income generation targets across both entities
• Act as the ambassador for fundraising internally including the creation of a culture in which all BET staff support fundraising activities, recognise its value, and feel empowered to play an active role
• Play an active and positive role as part of the BET team
• Work closely with the CEO and Head of Finance to agree, monitor, and deliver annual income targets and expenditure budgets
• Maintain an excellent knowledge of the Fundraising Regulator, ICO, Gift Aid and relevant Charity Commission guidance
                                                                        

Individuals

• Lead and grow major donor fundraising, including driving and maintaining relationships with key donors
• Continue to develop a pipeline of major donor prospects with the support of the Board and BET staff
• Leverage existing BET opportunities for cultivation and fundraising
• Build compelling philanthropic narrative to engage major donors
• Cultivate and steward donors through a calendar of regular activity
  
  

Trusts and Foundations

• Work closely with the BET Head of Learning to plan and apply for multi-year funding opportunities
• Ensure that all current relationships and reporting are maintained
• Lead on the development of further Trust relationships
• Ensure correct and timely reporting in line with all funding agreements
                                                                                    

Corporates

• Lead on strategy for growing the number and value of corporate relationships at different levels, which may include in-kind partnerships as well as sponsorship and corporate philanthropy
• Initiate, cultivate and steward corporate partners, including negotiation of agreements and benefits/ recognition

General Responsibilities

• Regularly attend BET and BCG events
• Attend internal and external meetings as required
• Adhere to organisational policies and procedures
• Act in the best interests of BET at all times
• To undertake any other duties as agreed with the Chief Executive Officer as is appropriate to the post
• This job description is a guide to the nature of the work required of this role. It is not wholly comprehensive or restrictive and may be reviewed as required

Person Specification

• Significant and sustained proven fundraising experience
• Experience of securing five figures + donations
• Experience working with senior stakeholders and trustees to generate support
• Experience in managing people and contributing to a strong team culture, as well as working with initiative and autonomy
• Excellent stewardship skills, recruiting and renewing a wide range of donors, sponsors, and partners.
• A track record of success in acquiring major gifts and fundraising from trusts and foundations
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build strong relationships with a wide range of individual and institutional stakeholders
• Excellent communication and presentation skills – both written and oral – and the ability to communicate clearly, passionately, and persuasively
• A thorough understanding of Gift Aid, GDPR Compliance, and the Code of Fundraising Practice
• Works with colleagues respectfully and collaboratively
• Takes responsibility for delivering tasks, achieving high standards and learning from mistakes
• Experience of using fundraising CRM
                                                                                    

The Details

• Responsible to: Chief Executive
• Responsible for: Resource/team growth as strategy develops
• Contract: Full time; permanent.
• Hours/days: 35 hrs per week. Flexible/hybrid working available
• Salary: £60,000 – 70,000

Benefits

• Generous employer contribution pension plan
• Life Assurance Private Medical Insurance option
• Employee Assistance Programme HELP@HAND – access to key support services including remote GP and mental health support
• Season ticket loan
• Eye Tests
• Leave – 20 days (rising to 25), plus Bank Holidays, plus additional Christmas building closure leave

How to apply

To apply for this role please send your CV and a covering letter outlining why you would like to join us to recruitment@buildingcentre.co.uk