Director of Fundraising & Communications
The Role:
Bristol Charities
The Client:
The charity sought our assistance as they were undergoing a period of organisational change, including the implementation of a new 5-year strategy. This strategy integrates their social housing and grant-making projects into a Community Transformation programme. They were also in the process of launching three community hubs to accelerate and amplify their charitable impact.
For over 600 years, Bristol Charities has transformed and enhanced the lives of people in need. They provide opportunities and services for communities, from grants and housing to community development and charity infrastructure. The organisation aims to tackle deprivation and disadvantages through resources, partnerships, innovation and determination.
Bristol Charities were building a passionate and driven team to deliver this change, including a Director of Fundraising & Communications who could secure the resources to launch, grow and sustain this ambitious plan. They approached us for help with this key appointment for two reasons. Firstly, the success of the strategy depended on securing the necessary funding, so they needed the best possible candidate. Secondly, the charity trusted us based on the success of our previous searches, which included placements for their Trustees and CEO. They wanted candidates who could deliver a similar impact as our previous placements.
Sandy Hinks, Head of our Charity Practice, oversaw the campaign, having already formed a strong relationship with Bristol Charities leadership team from past campaigns. Sandy met with them to dig deeper into the brief and formulate a comprehensive understanding of the Director of Fundraising & Communications role.
They required candidates with a specialised skill set, consisting of strategic thinking, relationship building, communication, data analysis and financial management. Furthermore, the organisation had never needed to fundraise on this scale before. The successful candidate would set up and launch a brand new fundraising team. Therefore, it was desirable to seek individuals with experience leading similar ventures from the ground up.
Through targeted advertising and headhunting, we produced a pool of candidates with the required skills. We conducted interviews to determine the individuals who were the best cultural fit and could drive the success of their 5-year strategy. Following this thorough process, we produced a report on each of the top candidates, explaining why they were suited to the organisation and how their skills and experience positioned them to lead the charity’s fundraising team. We were very pleased that Bristol Charities appointed one of our recommended candidates, Sophie Jerrold, as the Director of Fundraising & Communications.
Sophie has extensive executive-level experience, holding positions as Managing Director, interim CEO, and Development Director for a range of local and national organisations. She has a strong track record of helping non-profit organisations diversify income streams and expand their impact. For example, as Managing Director of Square Food Foundation, she increased the charity’s income by over 50%. Skilled in business planning and financial management, Sophie is adept at working strategically and operationally towards a long-term vision. She is passionate about the charity's values and mission, and importantly, brings the expertise required to deliver their ambitious five-year strategy.
Julian Mines, CEO, Bristol Charities, commented:
“We’re delighted with the outcome of the recruitment process. Sophie is a perfect fit for our organisation and has already made a huge impact. With her help, we can empower more communities and build a fairer Bristol.”
Sandy Hinks commented:
“It was fantastic to partner with Bristol Charities again. The Director of Fundraising & Communications role was highly specialised, requiring candidates with a distinct skill set. Given the strict requirements of the brief, we were pleased with the calibre of candidates in the shortlist. Sophie is an excellent choice who is poised to help them provide greater support to communities and enhance the lives of more people.”
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