About this role
Director of Development
Hybrid working with regular attendance in London £90,000 per annum | Permanent | Full Time (35 hours per week)
Closing Date: Tuesday 1 September 2026
Charity People is delighted to be partnering with a national literacy trust to recruit an exceptional Director of Development. This is an incredible opportunity to join the organisation at such a pivotal moment in its growth. Reporting directly to the CEO and sitting on the Senior Management Team, the Director of Development will lead an established and high-performing fundraising function responsible for generating approximately £17m in annual income, while driving the next phase of growth and strengthening unrestricted income.
We're looking for an ambitious, entrepreneurial fundraising leader who combines strategic vision and practical delivery. The successful candidate will be proactive and highly engaged, leading from the front to secure transformational partnerships, inspire teams and help shape the organisation's future.
About the charity The charity empowers children, young people and adults from disadvantaged communities with the literacy skills they need to thrive. Working across schools, communities, prisons and workplaces, the organisation is the UK's leading authority on literacy. Its work is underpinned by robust research, powerful partnerships and an unwavering commitment to tackling the link between poverty and low literacy. Following a period of significant growth, the charity is now seeking a new Director of Development to build on strong foundations, identify new opportunities, and lead an ambitious fundraising strategy that will expand impact and sustainability for years to come.
About the Role As Director of Development, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for the charity's fundraising and development activity. You will inherit an impressive portfolio of corporate, trust and statutory supporters, whilst also being tasked with identifying new opportunities for growth, diversification and innovation.
Key responsibilities will include:
Leading and delivering the charity's fundraising strategy and income growth plansDriving the acquisition and stewardship of major corporate partnerships, trusts, foundations and major donorsWorking closely with the CEO and senior colleagues to position the organisation for new funding opportunitiesStrengthening unrestricted income and expanding the charity's supporter baseLeading, motivating and developing a talented fundraising teamBuilding relationships with influential supporters, partners, senior business leaders and trusteesEnsuring robust pipeline management, forecasting and income planningActing as an inspiring ambassador for the organisation externally and internally This is a high-profile leadership role offering significant scope to shape strategy, culture and long-term organisational success.
About You We're keen to hear from ambitious fundraising leaders who bring a strong track record of delivering sustainable income growth and building high-value relationships. You will likely bring:
Significant senior fundraising leadership experienceA demonstrable track record of securing and growing high-value incomeExperience leading corporate partnerships and strategic fundraising programmesStrong commercial awareness and an entrepreneurial approach to identifying opportunitiesThe ability to inspire, motivate and develop high-performing teamsExcellent stakeholder management and influencing skillsExperience working with senior leaders, trustees and external partnersA hands-on leadership style, balancing strategic thinking with practical delivery Most importantly, you'll be someone who relishes building momentum, thrives in ambitious environments and is excited by the opportunity to help transform lives through literacy.
How to Apply To express your interest, please send your CV to . Should your experience align with the requirements of the role, a member of the Charity People team will be in touch to arrange an initial conversation, discuss the opportunity in more detail and explain the full application process.
Key Dates
Closing Date: Tuesday 1 September 2026First Round Interviews (online): Week commencing 7 September 2026Second Round Interviews (in person): Week commencing 14 September 2026 Charity People is a forward-thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We are committed to presenting opportunities to candidates irrespective of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation because we believe diverse teams create stronger organisations and greater impact.