Director of Fundraising and Communications

at  Depaul

QUALIFICATIONS

• A relevant third level qualification and/or extensive experience in the fundraising and communications or relevant field. A Fundraising Certificate or Diploma in Fundraising is desirable

EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrate a minimum of 3 years’ strategic management experience in a similar position and be able to demonstrate the ability to lead a fundraising and communications department.
• Demonstrate a proven track record of growing income and a knowledge of the fundraising environment, and of a range techniques and disciplines which will support the cost effective generation of fundraising income across all income streams
• Experience of developing and managing an organisational communications and PR strategy.
• Experience of setting business plans in meeting ambitious fundraising targets and communications performance indicators for an organisation
• Experience of using IT packages, including MS Office, Google Professional, website management, social media management, fundraising software packages and communications software packages to include media work.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrate a proven ability to build, manage and develop key stakeholder, client and donor relationships. Demonstrating excellent inter-personal skills and networking ability
• Demonstrate an ability to lead a fundraising and communications team and be part of the team, bringing innovative creative thinking and fresh ideas to achieve ambitious targets while promoting a culture of continuous improvement and learning within the department.
• Demonstrate an ability to obtain Senior Management and Board approval for strategy and the understanding of why this is important; and in turn communicate the impact and outcomes of the fundraising department to all internal and external stakeholders.
• Be a proven self-starter, with the ability to manage a complex workload, to use initiative and apply sound decision making skills, with the ability to work under pressure.

MAIN TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To direct, manage the day to day to operations of the fundraising and communications department to include the following:

FUNDRAISING RESPONSIBILITIES

• To direct, develop and implement the fundraising strategy to support our income generation goals – our ambition at this time is to grow our fundraising income to over €4 million per annum in the incoming 3 years in line with the current strategic plan -Leading the way Home, that is, growing the annual income by 10 % per year.
• To ensure that Depaul’s fundraising strategy, targets and policies are defined clearly, agreed with trustees and understood at all levels in the fundraising department and are reviewed regularly.
• To ensure that the fundraising and communications team is managed and effective at setting and achieving targets, ratio’s and other KPI’s, with plans being set utilising evidence and robust business planning methodology.
• To ensure that the necessary staff and volunteers are selected, supervised, trained, developed, rewarded and appraised in a manner consistent with Depaul’s policies and values and in a way which enables the department to achieve its goals most effectively.
• To ensure that effective systems and processes are in place to manage fundraising performance and actively monitor income performance
• To report on fundraising performance to the CEO and the Fundraising and Communications committee of the Board of Trustees and the Board of Trustees. This will involve the continued development of appropriate metrics and impact measurement tools.
• To lead on significant corporate, philanthropic ,trust and high net worth relationships in partnership with the CEO along with the development of a responsive corporate and strategic relationships plan. To ensure that the stewardship of these relationships are of the highest quality.
• To maximise the opportunities for Depaul with community partnerships, church partnerships and membership of the Vincentian family through community fundraising and partnership development.
• To champion the supporter journey ensuring that every supporter relationship is developed as an integral part of the mission of the organisation and relationships are dealt with importance, including the use of effective data management systems.
• To support the fundraising strategy of Depaul International and ensure positive collaboration and exploring international opportunities for the group and Depaul Ireland.
• To ensure that the Fundraising Department contributes effectively to the achievement of Depaul’s and Depaul Housing’s strategic plan.
• In partnership with the Director of Finance, Risk and IT ensure the highest financial control of the department’s activities.
• Keep abreast of fundraising developments across the charity sector by liaising with senior fundraising staff in other charities and representative organisations.
• To ensure that Depaul meets its legal obligations with regard to fundraising and ensure adherence with the Code of Fundraising Practice and the Charities Governance Code for Ireland and Northern Ireland and maintains its reputation through its fundraising activities.
• To adapt and implement the fundraising strategy taking into account the expansion of services that has resulted due to the merging of 7 Society of Saint Vincent De Paul homeless services and other organisational developments such as the Development Housing Association of Depaul or any areas of growth.
• To ensure that principles of environmental, social and governance principles are ingrained within the departments approach but also within any corporate and philanthropic relationships.

COMMUNICATIONS MARKETING AND PR RESPONSIBILITIES

• To represent the organisation publicly in external for or in the media where appropriate.
• To build relationships with the different constituencies of Depaul, including churches, St Vincent de Paul Society, charitable trusts, corporates, community groups, educational organisations and the media and general public in order to promote Depaul.
• To develop and implement and direct a marketing and communications strategy for Depaul that incorporates advocacy.
• To ensure that market research is up to date for both Depaul’s fundraising and communications.
• To lead on the development of statistical and data gathering systems for Depaul.
• To support the Director of Services and Development in engaging service users and people with lived experience of homelessness representing their voices in all that we do.
• To lead on brand management and development.
• To lead on digital engagement and to ensure effective digital fundraising and communications and to keep abreast of the latest developments in this area.
• To develop the role of AI with the fundraising and communications department.
• To support a proactive approach to public relations supporting the development of Depaul as an authoritative voice on homelessness. This will involve overseeing the development of research and utilising it for the purposes of Depaul and leading on Depaul’s advocacy strategy.
• To participate and play a leadership role in the organisations internal communication’s strategy alongside the Director of People and Organisation. and the cultural adoption strategy in relation to any areas of organisational growth.
• To oversee and manage any media or communications adverse events or crises and to ensure that bisness continuity plans are in place.
• To ensure that People with Lived Experience of Homelessness are involved in our strategic and communications plan and an ethical approach is taken in their involvement in any communications or advocacy efforts.
• To support the People and Organisation Department in the external communication and marketing strategy to recruit and retain staff.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• As part of the Executive Leadership Team and Senior Leadership Group to contribute to the strategic planning of the organisation as a whole.
• To attend board meetings, subcommittee meetings, executive leadership team meetings and Depaul international group meetings as required and other internal meetings as appropriate.
• Champion the core values of Depaul across the organisation by developing understanding and encouraging adoption amongst staff and volunteers.
• To attend external meetings on behalf of the Chief Executive on request or in his/her absence.
• To attend networking events that support the work of the fundraising and communications department
• To attend external networking events to represent Depaul externally
• In conjunction with the Chief Executive to continuously develop the role to ensure that all tasks associated with fundraising and communications are being undertaken in an effective and appropriate manner which meets the strategic aims and objectives of Depaul.
• To participate in internal/external meetings as required, and attend training events, conferences and other functions as necessary.
• To participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal, and help in identifying your own job-related development and training needs.
• To ensure that all Depaul policies and procedures are being adhered to.
• To at all times undertake your role in a professional manner maintaining a high quality standard of work, and to always work in accordance with the aims, values and ethos of Depaul.
• Undertake any other duties that may be required which are commensurate with the role.
• To deal with any emergency situation which may arise at any time, as agreed with the Chief Executive.
  The above list is not exhaustive; additional areas of responsibility may be added over time and flexibility to cover for other staff roles is required from time to time.