Application Guide

How to Apply for Director of Communications and Fundraising

at The Bikeability Trust

🏢 About The Bikeability Trust

The Bikeability Trust is a mission-driven organization focused on empowering children to cycle confidently through their national cycling proficiency program. What makes them unique is their strategic vision to 2035 and their evidence-based approach, using annual reviews to demonstrate impact. Someone would want to work here to lead communications and fundraising for a tangible, positive social cause with a clear long-term strategy.

About This Role

This role involves leading all communications, income generation, and impact reporting for the Trust as a key member of the Executive Team. It's impactful because you'll directly shape how the organization communicates its mission, secures funding through corporate partnerships and events like the 2026 Ball, and maintains strong government relationships to advance children's cycling nationwide.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve virtual meetings with the Executive Team to align on strategic priorities, crafting communications materials to showcase program impact, and outreach to potential corporate partners. You could also spend time analyzing fundraising data for the 2026 Ball planning or preparing reports for government stakeholders to strengthen relationships.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who The Bikeability Trust Is Looking For

  • A senior communications leader with proven experience in strategic corporate communications and government relations, as this is essential for the role.
  • Someone with fundraising experience, particularly in cultivating small but impactful corporate partnerships and planning events like fundraising balls.
  • A creative and driven individual who can take the existing 2035 strategy 'to the next level' and unify a remote, diverse team around shared goals.
  • A mission-aligned professional passionate about children's cycling, able to translate program impact into compelling narratives for donors and stakeholders.

📝 Tips for Applying to The Bikeability Trust

1

Mention specific elements from the Bikeability Trust's annual reviews (available on their website) to show you've done your homework and understand their impact.

2

Highlight any experience with remote team leadership or collaboration, as the staff is home-based and diverse.

3

If you have fundraising event experience, especially with galas or balls, detail it—they're planning a 2026 Ball.

4

Emphasize your ability to build 'strong relationships with Government,' as this is explicitly called out in the job description.

5

Consider contacting CEO Emily Cherry for a pre-application discussion, as suggested in the posting, to demonstrate initiative and interest.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your senior-level communications expertise and how it aligns with leading the Trust's mission-driven communications.", 'Specific examples of successful fundraising, particularly with corporate partnerships or event planning, relevant to their 2026 Ball and small partnership focus.', "Your understanding of their 2035 strategy and how you'd advance it, referencing their annual reviews to show engagement.", 'Your ability to foster government relationships and report impact effectively, tying communications to fundraising outcomes.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read the Bikeability Trust's annual reviews on their website to understand their impact, current work, and strategic direction.
  • → Research their existing corporate partnerships and public communications to gauge their current brand voice and fundraising approach.
  • → Look into UK government policies or initiatives related to children's cycling, active travel, or education to contextualize potential government relations.
  • → Explore the broader landscape of cycling charities or trusts in the UK to understand competitive positioning and opportunities.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you evolve the Bikeability Trust's communications strategy to support their 2035 goals, based on your review of their annual reports?
2 Describe your experience with corporate partnership fundraising for small, impactful organizations and how you'd apply it here.
3 What steps would you take to plan and execute a successful fundraising Ball in 2026, considering their remote team structure?
4 How have you built and maintained strong relationships with government stakeholders in past roles?
5 As a member of the Executive Team, how would you collaborate with a home-based, diverse staff to unify communications and fundraising efforts?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying without reviewing their annual reviews—the job description explicitly recommends this, so skipping it shows lack of attention.
  • Overemphasizing large-scale fundraising experience without highlighting relevance to small, impactful partnerships or event-based income.
  • Failing to address the remote and diverse team aspect, as collaboration across a home-based staff is a key part of the role.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to The Bikeability Trust!

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