Fundraising and Innovation Specialist Fixed Term

Job Description

Sovereign is introducing some exciting new roles as it launches a Customer Support Fund of 1.5m per year to provide additional services for customers . As part of our commitment to build thriving Communities the Customer Support Fund will allow us todeliver services including Grants for residents, Energy Support, Job Coaching, Money Coaching and Money and Debt advice. A number of roles have been created and youll have the opportunity to join a business that puts customers at the heart of all we do andshape one of the largest programmes being delivered to support people through the cost of living crisis.We have a great opportunity to join our Communities team in a brand new role as Fundraising and Innovation Specialist on a fixed term basis until March 2024. With offices in Bristol, Christchurch, Blandford, Newbury and Basingstoke, we can be flexible on your base location. Youll share your time between the office, home and being out in the community - there will therefore be an element of travel across ourregion so you should have access to transport and be happy to travel.The RoleAs Fundraising and Innovation Specialist, youll work with the Head of Business Development and Fundraising to develop and implement the external fundraising strategy that supports the aims of Sovereigns Thriving Communities and CustomerImpact strategies. Building on the £3.5m annual budget for Communities, youll aim to secure additional external funding for Sovereign and our community partners to increase our impact across communities.Key responsibilities include:

• Securing external funding to benefit Sovereign communities and customer facing teams around financial and digital inclusion, employment and training, as well as local communities initiatives
• Leading projects, bids and programmes that bring in external funding to Sovereign Communities and to our charities and partners, exploring innovative ways of raising funding
• Maintaining and implementing processes and systems to ensure effective record keeping, monitoring and oversight and sign off for all fundraising activity
• Working collaboratively across the multi-disciplinary Communities team and with other internal teams to ensure teams are brought into the fundraising culture
• Initiating and leading on piloting new projects and innovation by testing and piloting new programmes and partnerships that will increase the social impact Sovereign can make in communities

What were looking forYou should have demonstrable experience in a similar role with a track record of generating and securing external funding and showing evidence of thinking outside the box to generate further funding. Youll also have:

• A thorough understanding of processes and governance around generating and securing external funding
• Strong Project management skills with previous experience leading on fundraising bids, tenders and business cases
• A clear focus on customers, communities and social inclusion
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build effective working relationships
• Previous experience working within a charity or a background in Housing / Community action would be beneficial but isnt essential if you can demonstrate fundraising experience from another sector

What youll receive from us

• £450 flex-pot annually, discounted shopping & cycling scheme
• 25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays (with an extra day every year up to 30 days)
• Company pension scheme matched up to 12%, life cover at 4x your salary
• Flexible working - were committed to giving people flexibility as widely as possible
• Options for private medical insurance, dental insurance & critical illness cover

Its a really exciting time to be joining Sovereign and this is your chance to truly make an impact and inspire others. What we do makes a real difference to peoples lives and by joining us you can share the satisfaction of doing something that really matters.