Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Fundraising Manager

at Harris Hill Charity Recruitment Specialists

🏢 About Harris Hill Charity Recruitment Specialists

Harris Hill Charity Recruitment Specialists is a niche recruitment firm focused exclusively on the charity sector, offering deep industry expertise and connections. Working here means joining a team that understands nonprofit challenges intimately and values mission-driven professionals who can deliver tangible fundraising results in a remote, flexible environment.

About This Role

As Senior Fundraising Manager, you'll lead a comprehensive overhaul of fundraising strategy across multiple income streams while managing a small team and optimizing CRM systems. This role is impactful because you'll directly shape the financial sustainability of ambitious, founder-led organizations by implementing data-driven approaches to donor cultivation and retention.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve morning strategy sessions on HNW cultivation plans, midday CRM data analysis to identify donor trends, and afternoon team management of volunteer fundraising activities. You'll balance long-term strategic work with immediate operational needs while preparing performance reports for senior leadership.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Harris Hill Charity Recruitment Specialists Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years of senior fundraising experience with documented income growth across HNW individuals and trusts/foundations
  • Possesses hands-on experience with CRM implementation or optimization, particularly in selecting/improving systems for donor management
  • Demonstrates ability to balance strategic planning with operational execution in a fast-paced, founder-driven environment
  • Has managed multi-stream fundraising campaigns that integrate digital advocacy with traditional donor cultivation

📝 Tips for Applying to Harris Hill Charity Recruitment Specialists

1

Quantify your fundraising achievements with specific percentages or amounts of income growth you've driven, especially for HNW and trust fundraising

2

Highlight any experience with CRM selection or optimization projects, mentioning specific systems you've worked with (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser's Edge)

3

Demonstrate understanding of how to embed fundraising within digital campaigns by sharing examples where you've integrated advocacy with income generation

4

Tailor your application to show you thrive in founder-led environments by mentioning experiences working closely with organizational founders or entrepreneurial leaders

5

Include specific examples of how you've improved donor retention through stewardship programs you've designed or implemented

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your track record of income growth across multiple streams, particularly HNW and trusts/foundations', "Experience with CRM optimization and how you've improved data processes for fundraising efficiency", 'Ability to operate strategically while delivering operational results in ambitious, founder-led settings', "Examples of how you've integrated fundraising with digital campaigns and advocacy activities"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Harris Hill's specific charity sector specializations and their typical client organizations
  • → Current trends in UK charity fundraising, particularly regarding HNW giving and trust/foundation funding
  • → Common CRM systems used in UK charity sector and their fundraising-specific features
  • → How remote, part-time senior roles function effectively in fundraising leadership positions

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through how you would review and refine an existing fundraising strategy within your first 90 days
2 Describe a specific HNW cultivation plan you developed and executed, including how you tailored your approach
3 How have you optimized a CRM system to improve fundraising outcomes, and what metrics did you track?
4 Share an example of how you've embedded fundraising within digital advocacy campaigns
5 How do you balance strategic planning with weekly operational reporting in a part-time role?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on individual giving experience without demonstrating HNW or trust/foundation expertise
  • Presenting generic fundraising strategies without showing data-driven, multi-stream approach
  • Failing to address how you would manage a team and deliver weekly reporting in a part-time capacity

📅 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 Harris Hill Charity Recruitment Specialists!

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