The Wren Project – Head of Fundraising
Salary: £50,000 - £55,000
Location: Home-based, UK
Contract: Full-time
The Wren Project
Founded in 2020, The Wren Project provides free, ongoing listening support for people living with autoimmune disease across the UK. Through one-to-one and group listening sessions, trained volunteers offer a safe, non-judgemental space for people to talk openly about the emotional impact of living with chronic illness. Since its inception, Wren has supported more than 2,700 individuals and delivered over 20,000 listening sessions, building a nationally recognised support model and a highly engaged community of volunteers, supporters,healthcare professionals and researchers.
What makes Wren distinctive is not simply what it does, but how it does it. Listening sits at the heart of the organisation's approach. Combining high-quality support with a culture rooted in empathy, trust and human connection, Wren is increasingly recognised for the insight it brings to understanding the lived experience of autoimmune disease and the role it can play in influencing research, healthcare and public understanding.
Having established strong foundations during its first five years, Wren is entering an exciting new phase of growth. Demand for its services continues to increase, its profile is growing nationally, and the organisation has ambitious plans to expand its reach and impact. Delivering on those ambitions will require sustainable, diversified income and a fundraising function capable of supporting long-term organisational growth.
The Role
This is a pivotal appointment and the most senior fundraising position within the organisation. Reporting to the Deputy Chief Executive, the Head of Fundraising will lead and deliver Wren's fundraising strategy, driving income growth, diversification and long-term sustainability.
Working closely with the Deputy CEO, CEO and Board, the successful candidate will lead fundraising across trusts and foundations, major donors, corporate partnerships and emerging income streams, while helping shape the organisation's longer-term growth strategy. They will build on strong foundations, developing the pipelines, relationships and infrastructure required to support the next phase of Wren's development.
Key responsibilities include:
• Leading the development and delivery of Wren's fundraising strategy.
• Growing and diversifying income across trusts and foundations, major donors,
philanthropy and corporate partnerships.
• Building and managing a robust fundraising pipeline, forecasting process and
performance framework.
• Developing and stewarding high-value relationships with funders, supporters and
strategic partners.
• Establishing sustainable major donor and philanthropic giving programmes.
• Providing leadership and development to Wren's fundraising team and helping shape its
future structure and capability.
• Acting as a compelling ambassador for Wren with prospective supporters, partners and
stakeholders.
• Ensuring fundraising opportunities and partnerships align with Wren's mission, values
and community.
This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of fundraising within one of the UK's most innovative and fast-growing health charities whilst helping ensure that nobody faces autoimmune disease alone.
The Candidate
We are seeking an accomplished and entrepreneurial fundraising leader who combines strategic thinking with hands-on delivery. You will bring the credibility, judgement and drive required to build sustainable income whilst operating within a values-led and rapidly growing organisation.
You will bring:
Significant fundraising leadership experience within a charity, foundation, social enterprise or other mission-led organisation.
A strong track record of personally securing income from a range of fundraising streams.
Experience developing and delivering successful trusts and foundations, major donor and corporate fundraising strategies.
A proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with funders, philanthropists and strategic partners.
Experience leading fundraising growth and income diversification.
Strong commercial awareness and an ability to translate organisational ambitions into sustainable income generation.
Experience managing fundraising pipelines, forecasting and performance reporting.
The ability to lead, develop and inspire teams.
Strong communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.
Excellent judgement and the ability to assess opportunities through the lens of organisational mission, values and long-term sustainability.
Beyond your experience, you will be collaborative, emotionally intelligent and comfortable working within an ambitious and evolving organisation. You will be pragmatic, hands-on and motivated by the opportunity to build something for the long term.
Most importantly, you will share Wren's commitment to supporting people living with autoimmune disease and helping the organisation realise its ambitious vision for the future.
You can find further information and details on how to apply by clicking here.
Closing date for applications (CV and covering letter): 9am Friday 20th November