BNA Fundraising Manager

Closing Date

25 Sep 2017

Salary

£27,000 - £34,000 pro rata, 50% FTE

Address

Based in Bristol or Cardiff, or from home

Duration

18 months in the first instance

This is an exciting opportunity for a creative and resourceful individual looking for the chance to make a real difference to neuroscience research in the UK. 

Background

The British Neuroscience Association (BNA) is the UK’s largest organisation of scientists and clinicians devoted to understanding the nervous system, particularly the brain. It is a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 1968 and now has 2,000 members. 

The BNA’s mission is to Connect, Inform and Influence:

1. Connect: Advancing the understanding of the nervous system by bringing together scientists of diverse backgrounds, and by encouraging translational research to help diagnose, manage and treat nervous system disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, autism, depression and motor neuron disease.
2. Inform: Through (i) providing professional development activities, information, and educational resources for neuroscientists at all stages of their careers, from A-Level students to professors; and (ii) engaging with the public to make the nature and benefits of neuroscience research readily accessible to all.
3. Influence: Through Informing government and other policy-makers about new scientific knowledge and recent developments in neuroscience research and their implications for public policy, societal benefit, and continued scientific progress.

Overview of the role (see full details below)

The role of Fundraising Manager is to raise funds for the BNA, partly to support the core costs of running the organisation and partly for activities that facilitate the BNA’s mission to connect, inform and influence, such as public engagement events, student bursaries, prizes for research, or producing educational material. 

As the first person to be appointed in this role, the post-holder will have a wide scope to shape the position however best fulfils the charity’s fundraising ambitions – indeed one of the post-holder’s initial tasks would be to work with the BNA’s Trustees and Chief Executive in refining the BNA’s fundraising strategy. 

However, the Trustees have already identified Trusts and Foundations as likely to be the main focus for fundraising, and a key part of the role will therefore be writing and submitting applications.  It will also include engaging with potential major donors, developing a BNA Fundraising Board, identifying corporate givers, and assisting the BNA Trustees and staff with other fundraising activities. 

The role holder would need to raise a minimum of £100k per year additional income for the BNA, with a view to increase over time.

This is an ideal role for a successful fundraiser with a proven track-record who is looking to take on a new challenge and make it their own.

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Full details

• PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT: 18 months in the first instance
• HOURS OF WORK: 50% FTE. Your standard working week will be 20 hours between Monday and Friday (the equivalent of 2.5 days per week).
• PLACE OF WORK: Bristol or Cardiff, UK.  We are also open to flexible working arrangements, i.e. working from home 
• SALARY: £27,000 - £34,000 pro rata, dependent on experience
• REPORTING TO: The Chief Executive (CE) of the British Neuroscience Association (BNA).
• INTERNAL LIAISON: The BNA Trustees, Fundraising Board, Council and Committee; BNA members; website developer; BNA accountant; placement students
• EXTERNAL LIAISON: Trusts and Foundations, major donors, corporate and individual givers

Full Job Description

You will need to:

• Be responsible for the full development and delivery of the fundraising strategy, which is likely to focus on Trusts and Foundations but will also consider other sources of funding, including but not limited to: major donors, corporate partnerships, individual giving, legacies, and online fundraising.
• Meet and exceed fundraising targets of the strategy, ensuring an excellent return on investment of fundraising activities.
• Lead on generating income via Trusts and Foundations.
• Lead on developing new individual and corporate funders, partly via the setting up of a BNA Fundraising Board which you will then support in generating new opportunities and growing income.
• Work with the BNA Trustees and staff in maximising income via other fundraising activity, including legacies, low-level individual giving and online fundraising.
• Work with the CE to set and manage annual budgets for fundraising activities.
• Prepare reports on fundraising for the Board of Trustees and the BNA Annual General Meeting.

Person specification

Candidates will need substantial experience of fundraising, especially via Trusts and Foundations, and have a proven track record for the ability to achieve and exceed fundraising targets.  They must be knowledgeable about the charity sector and fundraising regulations. 

The role will require the ability to develop and nurture relationships with funders of all kinds; candidates must be confident in approaching a variety of different levels of potential donors both face to face and by phone and email. To be successful in the role candidates will need experience in prospect cultivation, engagement, solicitation and stewardship.

They must be able to work on their own initiative, be self-motivated, and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.  Strong organisational, planning, and prioritising skills are essential.

Experience of working with professional bodies such as the BNA would be advantageous.

Familiarity with the field of science and/or medicine is useful but not essential.

Essential Education and Qualifications

• Education to degree level
• An interest / background in science and/or medicine is beneficial but not essential

Essential Experience

• Experience of working to and achieving fundraising targets
• Successfully applying for funds from Trusts and Foundations
• Developing relationships with and obtaining funds from major donors
• Working to a budget and delivering reports

Essential Knowledge and Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to network effectively
• Confident in approaching and meeting with variety of different levels of potential donors
• Excellent interpersonal skills negotiating and influencing skills
• Ability to develop and maintain excellent relationships with donors and businesses
• Up to date knowledge to ensure that the BNA complies with fundraising laws and regulations, and adopts best practice in charity fundraising e.g. the Code of Fundraising Practice
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Ability to prioritise effectively
• Excellent verbal, written communication and presentation skills
• Ability to work positively with volunteers
• Basic IT skills including use of Microsoft office and databases

Essential Attributes

• Be self-motivated and ability to work on own initiative
• Ability and willingness to work flexibly with some unsocial hours
• Strong team working and collaboration skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and diversity

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Application process

Please submit the following to anne.cooke@bna.org.uk:

1. Cover letter explaining why you would be an excellent candidate for this role, referring to the information above and including figures to demonstrate previous performance in fundraising
2. Up to date CV
3. Names and contact details of two referees

Interviews will be held during the first two weeks of October. 

Contact Details

Please contact the BNA Chief Executive at anne.cooke@bna.org.uk / 0117 3313161 / 0777 178 1582 with any questions or to discuss further.