Director of fundraising, marketing and communications


Company:	Sense
Salary:	£81090 (inclusive of inner London weighting)
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	N1 9LG
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	20 Oct 2026
Closing date:	3 Nov 2026

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Summary

About the role

We're looking for an ambitious, strategic and inspiring Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications to join Sense International at a pivotal point in our journey.

With a new organisational strategy launching in April 2027, this is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of our fundraising, strengthen our global profile and help us achieve our ambition of becoming a more locally led organisation.

As a key member of our senior leadership team, you will lead the development and delivery of a bold global fundraising strategy, driving sustainable income growth across multiple streams, including trusts and foundations, institutional funding, philanthropy, corporate partnerships and events.

A particular focus will be on growing and diversifying unrestricted income and flexible funding, building long-term financial resilience and enabling us to deliver lasting impact for people with deafblindness and complex disabilities around the world.

You will also provide strategic leadership for our marketing and communications, raising Sense International's profile, strengthening supporter engagement and ensuring the voices and experiences of the people we support are at the heart of our storytelling.

Working closely with our Chief Executive, trustees, Fundraising Advisory Committee and international colleagues, you'll have the opportunity to influence organisational strategy, build transformational partnerships and help shape a more sustainable, locally led future.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and deliver an ambitious global fundraising strategy that drives sustainable, multi-year income growth and diversification.

Lead the growth of unrestricted income and flexible funding, identifying new opportunities across high-value fundraising, corporate partnerships, events and other income streams.

Build and manage strong pipelines of major donors, institutional funders, trusts, foundations and strategic partners.

Work closely with our Chief Executive, trustees and Fundraising Advisory Committee to unlock networks, cultivate relationships and secure transformational funding.

Support our international teams to develop locally led fundraising strategies, strengthening fundraising capability and opportunities across our country programmes.

Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing UK fundraising and communications team, creating a collaborative and ambitious culture.

Develop and deliver a marketing and communications strategy that raises our profile, strengthens engagement and amplifies our global impact.

Champion compelling, ethical storytelling that reflects the voices and experiences of people with deafblindness and complex disabilities.

Build influential relationships with supporters, funders, corporate partners and other stakeholders, representing Sense International at key events and opportunities.

Oversee fundraising performance, income forecasting, budgets and reporting, using data and insight to inform strategic decisions.

Work collaboratively with colleagues across Sense International and Sense to maximise opportunities, share expertise and strengthen organisational impact.

Ensure fundraising, marketing and communications activities meet relevant regulatory, ethical and data protection requirements.

About you

You will be an experienced and commercially minded fundraising leader with the ambition, creativity and relationship-building skills to drive significant income growth.

We're looking for someone who brings:

Significant senior leadership experience in fundraising, with a proven track record of developing and delivering successful fundraising strategies.

Experience leading fundraising teams responsible for generating annual income exceeding £2 million across multiple income streams.

Demonstrable success in growing and diversifying unrestricted income and flexible funding, particularly through high-value fundraising, corporate partnerships and events.

Experience developing compelling fundraising propositions and securing significant, long-term financial support.

A strong track record of working with boards, trustees and executive leaders to develop fundraising opportunities and maximise their networks.

Experience building, leading and developing high-performing teams, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Strong financial and commercial awareness, including income forecasting, budget management, pipeline development and performance reporting.

Experience providing strategic direction for marketing and communications, using compelling campaigns and storytelling to build engagement and organisational profile.

Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to engage senior stakeholders, funders and partners.

The ability to think strategically while ensuring effective delivery and measurable results.

A genuine passion for international development, inclusion and disability rights.

Experience working within the international development sector would be advantageous, alongside an understanding of the opportunities and challenges of fundraising across international markets.

You'll also be comfortable with occasional international travel to visit programmes, engage with donors and support our country teams.

Why join Sense International?

This is more than an opportunity to lead a fundraising function. It's a chance to help shape the future of an international organisation at a particularly exciting point in its development.

You'll have the opportunity to influence our new strategy, build and diversify our funding base, strengthen our global voice and support the transition towards a more locally led approach.

Working alongside passionate colleagues in the UK and internationally, you'll play a central role in ensuring people with deafblindness and complex disabilities are included, heard and empowered to shape their own lives.

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