Head of Communications & Fundraising

BENEFITS – Why Work With Us?

Generous Holiday Allowance – Enjoy 32 days off a year (including Bank Holidays), with extra days for long service. Plus, your birthday off after one year—because celebrations matter!

Real Work–Life Balance – We care deeply about wellbeing and support our teams as wholeheartedly as we support the families who rely on us.

Training That Grows With You – Every team member gets a personal training budget and access to a holistic learning platform to help you thrive.

Perks That Make Life Easier – We’ll cover your DBS check and offer a NEST pension and Simply Health cash plan for everyday healthcare needs.

Room to Recharge – After 3 years, you may be eligible for a career break to refresh, reset, or rediscover.

ABOUT US

Challengers is a charity dedicated to transforming the lives of disabled children, young people, and their families through the power of play. We create inclusive, fun, and safe spaces across the South East where children aged 2–18 can play freely, make friends, and build essential life skills. Our non-exclusion policy means every child is welcomed—no matter the complexity of their needs.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

This is a senior, strategic role at the heart of Challengers. You’ll lead our communications and fundraising functions, shaping the stories we tell, driving voluntary income, and strengthening our brand and impact across all channels.

Working closely with the CEO, SLT, Trustees, and a talented multi-disciplinary team, you will:

• Develop and deliver an integrated communications and fundraising strategy that amplifies our mission and grows sustainable income
• Lead compelling, people-centred storytelling across digital, media, campaigns, events, and donor communications
• Grow and diversify income from major donors, trusts, regular giving, corporate partnerships, and community fundraising
• Oversee campaigns, appeals, and flagship events that energise supporters and deepen their connection to Challengers
• Build a high-performing team culture, with clear objectives, KPIs, and a shared vision for excellence

You’ll Be Great If…

• You are a natural storyteller with the strategic expertise to turn complex challenges into powerful, people-led narratives
• You’ve built communications strategies that deliver impact, brand growth, and meaningful engagement
• You have experience leading fundraising across multiple income streams—from major donors to community supporters
• You thrive in fast-moving environments, make confident decisions, and stay solutions-focused under pressure
• You’re a collaborative, inspiring leader who enjoys working with senior stakeholders, media, and creative partners
• You love using insight, data, and innovation to shape and refine campaigns and income generation

Head of Communication & Fundraising – JD (1)

Closing date:  7^th December 2025

Confidence can sometimes hold brilliant people back—there’s no such thing as the “perfect” candidate.
Challengers is a place where everyone can grow. Whoever you are, and whatever background you bring, we’d love to hear from you if this role makes you excited to come to work every day.

Challengers is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS Check and satisfactory references. 

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Disclosure declaration

The position which you are applying for potentially involves significant unsupervised contact with children and is therefore subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. This means that you must disclose details of any convictions, bindover orders or police cautions, warnings or reprimands, including those which are considered “spent” under the terms of the Act. Please use the Disclosure Form below only if this applies to you. This information will not be used to discriminate against you unfairly.

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Important information

On the next few pages we will be asking for your education history, dating back to GCSEs (or equivalent) and your employment history. In order to process your application we need to have a full history from your secondary education to present day, including any gaps in your study or work. If you fail to provide a full history, your application may be rejected, this is due to the nature of our work with vulnerable young people, and the strict Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment Policies we must adhere to.

If you have any convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings that are not "protected" as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013) by SI 2013 1198, please complete the information below and return it with your application. This information will not be used to discriminate against you unfairly. For more information on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act please click here.

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This section must be completed. Please tell us why you are applying for this role, plus any relevant experience to support your application with particular reference to the job description.This statement is crucial to further consideration of your application.

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Please supply full contact details of TWO people who will provide a reference for you. They cannot both be from the same place of work or education. We cannot accept applications that do not provide two references. ONE MUST BE FROM YOUR CURRENT OR MOST RECENT EMPLOYER, OR IF YOU ARE A FULL-TIME STUDENT, FROM YOUR PLACE OF EDUCATION. REFEREES MAY NOT BE MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY.

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Equal Opportunities monitoring

Challengers is committed to achieving a Play and Leisure service which provides equality of opportunity and freedom from unlawful or unfair discrimination. Our policy covers all aspects of our operations, including recruitment. Please complete this part of the form. This information will be used only in order to monitor our recruitment processes and prevent unfair discrimination on any grounds.

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We really want to keep you up to date with what is happening at Challengers, all the great news stories and information about events you could come along to which help raise vital funds so that we can support more disabled children and their families

Please tick the boxes below so we know what you would like to hear about

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