About the role
This role leads our income generation and communications function, playing a central part in securing the charity’s long-term sustainability and growth.
You will be responsible for developing and delivering our fundraising and communications strategies, ensuring we generate the income needed to sustain and expand our work. A key focus will be on building a diverse and resilient funding model that balances multiple income streams while strengthening engagement with our supporters and stakeholders.
This is both a strategic and hands-on role. It is also a broad brief, and you won’t be expected to be an expert in everything. Instead, we are looking for someone with the knowledge, confidence and strategic approach to play to their strengths and those of their team, while drawing on additional expertise and capacity where needed.
The role includes leadership of our communications and media activities, ensuring our messaging is clear, compelling, and aligned with our brand across all audiences, including supporters, partners, and the wider public.
You will lead and support a team of staff and volunteers, fostering a collaborative, high-performing environment that can grow and evolve in line with our ambitions.
As a senior leader, you will contribute to the organisation's wider strategic direction, helping to identify new opportunities for innovation and impact.
This role would suit an experienced income-generation or fundraising leader looking to broaden their impact across communications, or someone seeking an opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future direction of a values-driven organisation.
Key Benefits
- 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays and 3-day closure at Christmas.
- Life and Progress Employee Assistance Platform with GP Access.
- Generous Employer Pension.
- Lifestyle Card - Employee Discounts
Role Details
Job title: Head of Income Generation and Communications
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer
Line management: Fundraising and Communications Officer
Contract type: Permanent
Location: Bishopstoke, Eastleigh at our Head Office, and other base locations across Hampshire with some home working
Salary: Up to 47k depending on skills and experience
Working Hours: 37 hours per week (min 30 hours – part-time considered)
Job Purpose
Responsible for developing and leading OpenSight’s fundraising and communications strategies to deliver significant growth in OpenSight’s supporter base, income generation and brand position.
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the post holder will contribute to the delivery and development of the overall organisational strategy, shape and influence transformational change and create an inclusive and enabling culture.
Income Generation
- Provide strategic leadership, ensuring that the charity is focused on sustainable income including driving innovation to secure new income streams.
- Embed and promote a culture of fundraising across the organisation.
- Build and manage relationships, partnerships and connections to support our ambitions.
- Lead on the development and implementation of the Income Generation strategy and related policies.
- To develop and test new concepts for income generation and assess commercial and retail opportunities as part of the strategy. Fully implement those opportunities that are viable for OpenSight.
- Plan, direct, monitor and evaluate all fundraising targets for the fundraising team, ensuring that each stream of income defined in the fundraising strategy has a detailed work plan and the associated staff are clear about their required work plans, targets and KPIs.
- Ensure all staff and volunteers, where applicable, are up to date and comply with fundraising, data protection, and other relevant legislation, standards and best practice.
Communications
- Develop and lead on OpenSight’s marketing, communications, and digital strategies.
- Ensure all communications across the charity are accessible and in line with the OpenSight brand.
- Creation and implementation of communication plans and campaigns for brand-building, media relations, special events, fundraising and volunteering opportunities.
- Work collaboratively with all areas of OpenSight to enhance and improve the public’s understanding and perception of OpenSight and our services/work.
- Manage external stakeholders, attend events, and give presentations to drive awareness and support for OpenSight.
Leadership duties
- Serve as a fully active member of the Leadership Team, supporting the CEO in developing and delivering the organisational strategic objectives.
- Working as part of the Leadership Team, develop, maintain, monitor, and report on financial performance, budgets, forecasts and KPIs.
Other
- Act as a role model by leading through OpenSight’s values, contributing to our vision and mission.
- Play an active and supportive role across the organisation.
- Take ownership of the administrative responsibilities associated with the role.
- Maintain strict confidentiality in all aspects of your work, ensuring information is handled in line with OpenSight’s Data Protection Policy.
- Treat staff, volunteers and clients with fairness and respect, in line with our Equality and Diversity policy, and adhere to all organisational policies and procedures.
- Be willing to work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends, in line with the needs of the team.
- Participate in training, development and appraisal processes as required.
- Take a reflective approach to your work, seeking opportunities to learn and continuously improve.
- Support the charity’s ethos and demonstrate behaviours that reflect our core values.
Personal Specification
Personal Qualities
- Highly organised, with the ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively; operationally focused with a “completer–finisher” approach
- Energetic, humble, disciplined, proactive and self-motivated, with determination and sound judgement
- Strong networking and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective relationships at all levels, both internally and externally
- Committed to OpenSight’s values and motivated to contribute to our vision, mission and strategic goals
- Flexible and able to respond positively to change at short notice
- Able to lead with patience, calmness and resilience in challenging situations
- Creative and critical thinker, able to develop innovative solutions
Knowledge and Understanding
- Awareness of the issues, challenges and strengths of people living with a disability
- Degree-level education or equivalent relevant experience
- Fundraising qualification
- Management qualification
- Knowledge of safeguarding practices
- Understanding of what motivates teams and how to support them to achieve shared goals
Experience
- Working knowledge of all streams of fundraising, with direct experience in at least two of the following: trusts, foundations and statutory; individuals; community fundraising; corporates/business.
- Experience of leading teams strategically, including training and coaching to achieve stretching targets.
- Experience of developing and delivering fundraising and donor engagement strategies.
- Experience in a communications-focused role.
- Understanding/ experience of retail or commercial income generation for a charity or other organisation.
Skills and Abilities
- Ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain high-performing teams
- Strong networking and relationship-building skills
- Sound financial skills, including budgeting and forecasting
- Ability to translate strategic vision into practical operational plans
- Able to understand the wider organisational context and communicate this clearly to stakeholders
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong teamwork and collaboration skills
- High attention to detail and a systematic approach to work
- Ability to use initiative and solve problems effectively
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and experience of Charity CRM (e.g. Beacon)
Other Requirements
- Ability to travel to all locations where OpenSight delivers services
- Willingness to undergo a basic DBS check
- Commitment to adhering to all organisational policies and procedures
How to apply
Please apply by submitting a copy of your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a covering letter, not exceeding two pages, highlighting your suitability for the position and why you are interested, by email to: [email protected]
All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. Should you require an informal conversation prior to applying to this role, please email [email protected] or [email protected]
Closing date: midnight Sunday 14th June 2026.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a first interview with OpenSight the week beginning 22nd June and, if successful, a potential second interview the week beginning 29th June.
Pay: Up to £47,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Flexitime
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Eastleigh SO50 6BL
