About this role
Job summary
Charity Director - North West Anglia Hospitals Charity
Lead the next chapter of a hospital charity with the potential to transform care, experience and wellbeing across our communities.
North West Anglia Hospitals Charity is entering an important period of change. We have identified a clear opportunity to strengthen the Charity's leadership, sharpen its strategy, grow sustainable income and ensure charitable funds deliver the greatest possible benefit for patients, families, staff and volunteers.
We are now seeking an exceptional Charity Director to lead that transformation. This newly created senior role will provide the strategic leadership, professional expertise and momentum needed to develop North West Anglia Hospitals Charity into a confident, high-performing NHS charity with strong local credibility and lasting impact.
The Charity supports North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, which serves around 850,000 people across Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and neighbouring counties through Peterborough City, Hinchingbrooke, Stamford and Rutland hospitals, alongside community-facing services.
Please note the interviews will consist of two stages compiling of a Stakeholder Session on 9 September 2026 with the formal interviews taking place on 10 September.
Main duties of the job
This is not simply a fundraising leadership role. It is an opportunity to build the next stage of a hospital charity: setting direction, strengthening governance, improving fund deployment, developing the team & creating a more planned, visible & sustainable approach to charitable impact. Reporting to the Executive Director of Corporate Affairs, Risk & Governance & working closely with the Chief Executive, Charity Committee & Corporate Trustee, the Charity Director will:
Develop and deliver a clear 3 to 5-year strategy, aligned to Trust priorities and focused on patients, staff wellbeing, sustainability, innovation and future needs. Grow a more sustainable and diverse income base, with a focus on regular giving, appeals, corporate partnerships, community fundraising, legacies and selective major donor opportunities. Develop a planned programme of high-impact charitable investment. Strengthen governance, decision-making, financial stewardship, risk management and regulatory compliance on behalf of the Corporate Trustee and Charity Committee. Improve the use and deployment of charitable funds, including supporting work to simplify fund arrangements and reduce administrative burden. Build, lead and develop our capable and ambitious Charity team, equipping them with the systems, processes and confidence to deliver. Act as the Charity's senior ambassador, building trusted relationships with donors, supporters, local businesses, community partners, staff and senior Trust leaders.
About us
We are committed to supporting colleagues through organisational change. Priority will be given to staff at risk within North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust and Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Integrated Care Board.
Job description Job responsibilities
Why Join Us?
This is a rare opportunity to shape a hospital charity at a decisive point in its development. The foundations are in place: a recognised local brand, visible hospital presence, committed supporters, strong reserves and a clear mandate for change. The next stage is to bring focus, pace and professional leadership to help the Charity realise its full potential.
You will join a Trust with major ambitions for the future, including the Hinchingbrooke Hospital redevelopment, an ambitious digital transformation programme, clinical innovation, stronger community partnerships and a renewed focus on staff culture and experience. The Charity has an important role to play in supporting this wider ambition while staying firmly focused on the added value charitable funding can bring.
At North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, our values are compassion, excellence, respect and collaboration. We are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive and empowering culture where people can do their best work and make a meaningful difference.
Our Values
We are looking for someone who embodies our Trust values:
Compassion Excellence Respect Collaboration
Ready to Lead the Next Chapter?
If you are an ambitious charity leader who wants to build something lasting, this is a chance to lead a charity with real purpose, strong local roots and significant potential. You will have the opportunity to shape strategy, grow income, strengthen governance and make a visible difference to patients, families and staff across North West Anglia.
Join us and help shape the future of North West Anglia Hospitals Charity.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Educated to master's level or equivalent senior leadership experience, with specialist knowledge across charity leadership, fundraising strategy, governance, financial stewardship and organisational development gained through substantial experience in a complex organisation. Evidence of significant continuing professional development relevant to senior charity leadership, strategic fundraising, governance, regulatory compliance, financial management and leadership of organisational change. Postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline such as fundraising, charity management, business administration, leadership or a related field. Expert knowledge of charity governance, fundraising regulation, financial stewardship, assurance requirements, risk management and the legal and regulatory framework relevant to an NHS charity operating within a large public sector organisation.
Desirable
Membership of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising or another relevant professional body.
Skills and Abilities Desirable
Experience of using CRM, fundraising or other relevant digital systems to manage donor relationships, performance information and reporting.
Experience Essential
Extensive senior leadership experience in a charity, not-for-profit or comparable values-led organisation, with responsibility for setting strategic direction, leading service development, managing organisational performance and delivering measurable improvement across a significant function or portfolio. Proven track record of developing, implementing and evaluating multi-year fundraising, commercial or income growth strategies, including planning and overseeing sustainable income generation, investment decisions and delivery of agreed financial targets. Experience of leading and developing multidisciplinary teams at senior level, including workforce planning, performance management, appraisal, staff development and creating the conditions for high performance across different professional groups. Substantial experience of working directly with Trustees, Charitable Funds Committees, Boards or equivalent senior governance forums, including preparing reports, advising on strategic options, securing decisions and providing assurance on performance, risk and compliance
Communication Essential
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build credibility, provide expert advice and influence senior stakeholders, Trustees, donors, partners, clinical leaders and colleagues on complex, sensitive or strategic matters.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
Address Peterborough City Hospital
Peterborough City Hospital, Department 404, Edith Cavell Campus, Bretton Gate
Peterborough
PE3 9GZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.nwangliaft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)