The Head of Development will be a dynamic leader within the RUH and a charismatic ambassador externally. Responsible for leading the Development Team across all funding streams and personally managing a select portfolio of major gift prospects, the role will transform our approach to fundraising and philanthropy, delivering against demanding targets and key projects (research, patient & staff support, capital campaigns, medical equipment and ‘where the need is greatest’). This is an exciting opportunity to help lead, grow and re-shape the Development Team and is a pivotal role within the SLT, reporting directly to the Head of RUHX.

The successful candidate will be the entrepreneurial force behind leading a team to grow income to £4m+ to support projects and campaigns across the RUH. You will be an experienced fundraising professional with a proven track record of delivering significant income across all funding streams and meeting challenging targets to deliver growth. As an innovative and strategic leader, you will focus on driving donor-centric partnerships, providing exceptional supporter experiences while bolstering exceptional stakeholder relationships.

The Head of Development will be an inspiring and compassionate leader, used to recruiting and motivating a high-performing team and operating a learning and development approach. A skilled communicator and influencer with exceptional diplomatic skills, you will have an ability to develop strong working relationships with staff, trustees, donors and other stakeholders. You will have extensive budget management and planning experience, and will be working closely with the SLT, the Director of Finance and the Charities Committee.

Above all, you will be dedicated to RUHX, the RUH and the NHS - committed to transforming patient care through a business-minded and innovative approach towards driving development.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Development

• Responsible for leading and managing the Development Team by embedding a donor-centric culture to secure £1.5m per year from the corporate sector, major donors, trusts and foundations, research grants and other funding bodies.
• Responsible for managing a select portfolio of prospects, develop solicitation strategies, deliver bespoke funding proposals and ask for gifts at £250,000 to the multi-million pound level.
• Responsible for ensuring Development income rises in a steady and sustainable manner year on year through the successful acquisition of new gifts.
• To work with the Head of RUHX, the Charities Committee and senior clinicians in securing leadership level gifts for RUHX.
• To understand donors’ aspirations and to identify the most appropriate RUH projects to secure significant income.
• Working with the Director - responsible for delivering internal funding processes to decide on charitable projects, judging internal grant applications and monitoring/presenting impact. Support with quarterly the Grants Advisory Panel.
• Responsible for ensuring all donations are accepted in compliance with Charity Commission regulations and spent in accordance with the associated Gift Agreements and best practice.
• Responsible for networking and making connections with HNWI’s, influencers, senior stakeholders, and senior volunteers, in collaboration with the Development team to lift RUHX’s profile.
• Responsible for implementing a Development Advisory Board of influential and important philanthropists and senior volunteers to guide RUHX’s fundraising efforts.
• Proactively build collaborative relationships with other charities supporting the RUH and other NHS charities within the BSW Together (ICS).
• Work closely with RUHX’s Marketing & Communications team to promote fundraising activities– making RUHX the chosen NHS charity of choice in the South West.
• Responsible for maintaining the consistency of the RUHX brand, ensuring it is well presented, particularly in public areas within NHS Body sites, and maximise opportunities to increase public donations.
• Responsible for managing highly confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to work outside of core hours and at weekends, when necessary, including to attend in-person events in the UK.

Leadership & Management

• In the absence of the Head of RUHX, alongside the Head of Operations deputise as required on all aspects of running RUHX. To achieve this, the post holder will be expected to function at all levels and have authority for decision-making in the absence of the Head of RUHX as appropriate and in relation to their role and team.
• To effectively line manage and motivate the Development Team to achieve agreed goals and priorities.
• Establish and maintain a framework for professional fundraising development, including succession planning, training needs, and personal wellbeing initiatives.
• Responsible for recruiting and developing a new Development Team, in line with RUHX’s current structures.
• Collaborate with the RUH's HR Department to execute recruitment and selection processes, sourcing candidates who are highly skilled, experienced, and/or committed to growth and development within the third sector.
• To evaluate and provide guidance to the Head of RUHX on the Development Team’ structure, roles, recruitment practices, and resignations, ensuring alignment with national standards where applicable.
• Responsible for overseeing the individual performance of direct reports and evaluating the team's performance through annual appraisals and identifying development and training needs.
• Responsible for spearheading a positive team culture of ambition and development by implementing forward-thinking practices - including access to the best national and international third sector and corporate training programmes.
• Responsible for clear communication and the alignment of RUHX's vision, values, and behaviours among staff, volunteers, and stakeholders, fostering a culture of support, diversity, access and inclusion.
• Working with the SLT, integrate innovative approaches and technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence and CRM management into the team's fundraising practices to enhance both personal and organisational fundraising performance.
• Responsible for ensuring important and relevant RUH and RUHX information is regularly communicated to the Development Team on a regular basis.
• Develop relationships and communicate with RUHX stakeholders to demonstrate the impact of fundraising on patient and staff care.

Strategy

• Responsible for delivering an ambitious Development plan that meets the RUH and RUHX’s objectives – to benefit the patients of the RUH.
• Ensure the Development plan cascades from the overarching charity strategy.
• To understand and assess fundraising potential for key strategic priorities within RUHX and advise the Director and the Charities Committee on deliverable levels of philanthropic support for these priorities.
• To be a member of the SLT, providing input to strategic planning and team leadership for the wider office.
• Provide fundraising reports against agreed KPIs for the Director and Charities Committee as required.

Governance and compliance

• Work closely with the SLT to ensure that all IT resources, recording systems, and property meet GDPR compliance standards, prioritising data protection and privacy across the Charity.
• Collaborate with the SLT to conduct regular audits of RUHX's activities, ensuring quality assurance and sound governance to comply with constitutional, regulatory, and legal obligations, including those set by the Charity Commission, Fundraising Regulator, the Code of Fundraising Practice, and the Department of Health.
• Responsible for being strategically aware and responsive to the Third Sector and NHS environment in which RUHX operates.
• To ensure that all the necessary charity policies and procedures are adhered to by all team members and volunteers.
• To ensure the Development Team and volunteers adhere to all policies relating to working with patients and their families.
• Responsible for supporting with charity audits ensuring that the resulting actions support sound charity practice, good governance and compliance.

Financial

• Responsible for efficient and robust financial management, risk reporting and meeting challenging financial targets.
• Responsible for working with the Finance Team to ensure timely updates to the Head of RUHX and Charities Committee.
• Responsible for working with the Finance Team to ensure all fundraising and financial transactions of the charity are properly authorised and recorded appropriately.
• Responsible for agreeing budgets and authorising charitable expenditure of the Development Team in accordance with the Standing Financial Instructions and Scheme of Delegations of the charity.