Head of Development & Engagement

GET INVOLVED – WORK FOR US – BE DRIVEN BY THE GOOD WE DO

Starting Salary: £57,000

Hours: 37.5 per week

Location: Flexible / Hybrid (Gloucestershire)

“Shape a legacy. Grow impact. Lead with purpose.”

This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior leadership role where your expertise, ambition, and creativity will have a direct and lasting impact on people’s lives.

We are seeking an exceptional Head of Development & Engagement to lead our growth & influence, and to develop our income strategy at a defining moment in our history.

This role sits at the heart of our organisation’s future — shaping how we are seen, how we are supported, and how we sustainably deliver life‑changing services for children, adults, and families across Gloucestershire.

In 2026, we mark the extraordinary milestone of 170 years of continuous service to our communities. For nearly two centuries, we have stood alongside those most in need – providing housing, support and opportunity where it is needed most.

As a member of our Senior Leadership Team, you will help shape and lead the runway to our next 170 years.

You will set the strategic direction for brand, engagement, partnerships, and income generation. You will ensure our mission is powerfully articulated, widely championed, and sustainably funded. You will cultivate influential relationships, unlock new opportunities for growth, and inspire others to invest in our work, not just financially, but also strategically and emotionally.

This is a role for a leader who thinks boldly and acts collaboratively. Someone who can balance commercial acumen with deep social purpose. Someone who understands that strong brands change perceptions, strong partnerships accelerate impact, and strong income strategies create freedom to innovate.

Above all, this role offers the chance to do work that truly matters — to use your skills and leadership to strengthen communities, transform lives, and steward an organisation with an exceptional past into an even stronger future.

If you are driven by impact, energised by influence, and motivated by the opportunity to leave a meaningful legacy that changes lives for the better, we would love to hear from you.

About the Role

As Head of Development & Engagement, you will:

• Lead the development and delivery of a long‑term strategy that diversifies income and strengthens financial resilience.
• Drive the acquisition of new contracts and commissioned services.
• Build and maintain high‑value partnerships with funders, commissioners, and corporate partners.
• Grow and nurture a loyal donor base through innovative engagement and retention strategies.
• Oversee all marketing, PR, and brand activity to raise our profile locally and regionally.
• Act as a key ambassador, representing our Values and Purpose in external forums.
• Build a Development and Engagement Team and provide them strategic and operational leadership, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and innovation.

This role is central to ensuring the organisation remains resilient, competitive, and able to deliver the best quality life‑changing services across the County.

What You’ll Bring

Qualifications

• Degree‑level education or equivalent experience in fundraising, marketing, business development, or a related field
• Membership of a relevant professional body (desirable)
• Evidence of ongoing professional development

Experience

• Ability to build strategic partnerships with funders, commissioners, and corporate partners
• Experience managing brand development, media relations, and marketing campaigns
• Digital marketing and social media expertise
• Experience leading and motivating teams
• Budget management and financial forecasting skills
• Proven success delivering significant income growth across diverse fundraising streams
• Experience developing and implementing effective fundraising strategies
• Track record of securing contracts and commissioned services
• Strong bid writing and tendering experience

Knowledge

• Understanding of the UK charity sectors (essential) and social housing sector (desirable)
• Knowledge of fundraising regulations, GDPR, and ethical standards
• Strong familiarity with CRM and donor management systems
• Awareness of tender and commissioning frameworks

Skills

• Strategic thinker with the ability to turn vision into action
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Strong negotiation and influencing abilities
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and measure impact
• Highly organised with strong project management capability

Personal Attributes

• Results‑driven, proactive, and resilient
• Creative and innovative problem‑solver
• Collaborative and team‑oriented
• Adaptable in a fast‑changing environment
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Aligned with our Values & Purpose

ABOUT US

YMCA Cheltenham, founded in 1855, is a registered charity and has become a leading provider of supported housing for the most vulnerable in Cheltenham and Gloucester, alongside other works including early-years provision, sports facilities, community engagement and other charitable activities.

Organisational Values

YMCA Cheltenham is an organisation founded on Christian values and, as such, employees may encounter behaviours, artefacts, or other elements particular to or representative of the Christian faith in their workplace.

As an organisation founded upon the Christian Faith, YMCA Cheltenham draws its Values from the Bible, principally as described in Micah 6:8. Our Values are therefore expressed as follows:

OUR VALUES

YMCA Cheltenham will OPERATE with Equity, Integrity, Openness and Honesty.

YMCA Cheltenham will ENGAGE with Empathy, Kindness, Generosity and Grace.

YMCA Cheltenham will BE Thoughtful, Discrete, Ethical and Respectful to all.

Employees are not required to adhere to the Christian faith, nor any faith, and no such consideration is made by the organisation in employment choices nor in delivering its services – however, we do expect all employees to demonstrate the list of Values shown while in the workplace.

ABOUT WHAT WE OFFER

The organisation recognise that employees need a good balance between work and life.  We are committed to supporting a healthy balance between work and life, and creating a workplace where people can thrive. Our benefits include:

• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, rising by up to 5 extra days with service.
• Two wellbeing days per year.
• Retail discounts and rewards across major high‑street and online brands.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Generous contributory pension.
• Company sick pay.
• Life Assurance at two times salary.
• Health cash plan, covering optical and dental costs, GP/consultant access, and independent personal, workplace, and financial advice.
• Free use of on‑site sports facilities.
• Occupational Health support and reasonable adjustments where needed.
• Extensive training and development, including opportunities to gain relevant qualifications.
• Regular social events for colleagues and their families
• Critical Illness cover.
• Wellbeing / wellness services and apps.
• A supportive, passionate and high-performing team environment.

We are committed to creating a dynamic and diverse workforce and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their age, gender, disability, race or ethnicity, sexual orientation or faith. We have procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.

YMCA Cheltenham is committed to following safer recruitment guidelines.  In line with the requirements of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, all applicants must be able to demonstrate they have evidence to be eligible to live and work in the UK.  Successful candidates will need to provide two satisfactory references, undergo a DBS check and demonstrate full employment history. 

YMCA Cheltenham is wholly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. to share this commitment.