Donor Communications Lead

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is seeking a talented and tenacious communications lead with experience of leading and coordinating the production of compelling fundraising propositions and bespoke communications for high-value supporters.

About the role

As Donor Communications Lead, you'll manage a team to develop and deliver a range of written and designed materials for major donors, trusts, foundations, and corporate partners. 

You'll work collaboratively across the BHF with a range of senior stakeholders to build narratives, advise on funding opportunities, evolve compelling cases for support as well as provide writing, editorial and design support for proposals, applications, updates and donor impact reports. 

Philanthropic activity is growing rapidly at the BHF. Our teams are securing more and more six-figure donations from individuals, trusts, and foundations, winning high-profile corporate partnerships, opening new markets, and offering first-rate engagement opportunities for our supporters. 

You'll join the team at the beginning of an exciting and ambitious Philanthropic Campaign, which seeks to accelerate major giving and generate transformational gifts for a range of ambitious research projects and flagship initiatives. 

Working arrangements

This is a dual location role, with your working time split between your Home and approximately once per fortnight in our London Office. This will allow us to unlock our best work for our cause, blending the best of home and office working.

Here at the BHF we understand that you might need a little help balancing your work and home life. Many of our people work flexibly in many different ways. Please feel free to talk to us about the flexibility you may need; we’re happy to explore what’s possible for you and the role.

About you

To succeed in the role, you should have: 

• Proven experience of developing and delivering successful cases for support and propositions, ideally gained in a similar role that sits between high-value fundraising and mission delivery teams.
• Demonstrable experience of overseeing document publishing processes, from conception to delivery via content provision, editing and sign off stages.
• Proven experience of building and maintaining excellent relationships to gain buy-in and influence teams and colleagues, including senior stakeholders, across large and complex organisations.
• Proven experience of leading a team to deliver successful funding proposals and to report the impact of up to seven-figure gifts, ideally within the medical research space.
• Experience of prioritising multiple projects at once, managing competing deadlines and working autonomously
• Ability to identify and package up project funding opportunities for high-value audiences, accurately interpreting and creatively communicating complex information, including financial.

About us

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. By funding research across six decades, we’ve helped keep millions of hearts beating and millions of families together. We’re investing in ground-breaking research that will get us closer than ever to a world free from the fear of heart and circulatory diseases.

We celebrate diversity and make inclusion part of what we do every day. Diversity and Inclusion forms a main pillar in our People Experience Strategy. Our aim is for all of our colleagues and volunteers to bring their true self to work, so we can continue to fund life saving research.

Our benefits

We offer excellent benefits including 30 days annual leave, private medical insurance, dental health cover, pension, and flexible working. We commit to actively developing you and offer learning and development opportunities to support, inspire and help you unlock your full potential. To find out more about benefits available at the BHF please download our benefits document on our website.

Interview process

Interviews may be held during the advertising period or shortly after the closing date. Please note interviews will be held over Microsoft Teams.

How to apply

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

As part of our commitment to be an inclusive employer and ensure fairness and consistency in selecting the best candidate for this role, the BHF will use anonymous CV software as part of the application journey.

To apply for this role please use the apply button below. Our process involves submitting your CV and a supporting statement, which should outline your interest and explain how you meet the role criteria. 

Should you need any adjustments to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us.