Head of Capital Appeal

The Orpheus Centre supports young disabled adults to live and work as independently as they are able. They do this through developing their confidence and independent living skills, using arts-based, bespoke learning, work experience and supported living programmes delivered from their base in Surrey. All of their learners are learning disabled and some are also physically disabled.

The Orpheus Centre is located at a beautiful converted farm that provides teaching and performance spaces and self-contained accommodation. However, their success in enabling these young people to thrive means that they are over-subscribed every year and have outgrown the current facilities.

The capital appeal will convert a building next to the Centre to allow for more learners to enrol, particularly more learners with more complex needs. Currently, the quiet phase is projected for 2024-2027, with the build phase being projected for 2027-2029.

The Head of Capital Appeal will sit on the SMT, reporting to the CEO, and be responsible for leading a small team of fundraisers also dedicated to raising funds for the build. While there will be a team to support, the Head of Capital Appeal will spend most of their time personally fundraising as well. There are existing opportunities, including a well-connected President (also the Founder), a Capital Appeal Committee which will be set up, and an existing pool of donors. A focus on new business, however, will also be crucial for the success of the project.

Introduction from the CEO and Chair

Our 2023-28 strategy has 3 core pillars:

1. Ambition – to provide outstanding service in everything that we do

2. Renewal – to raise the funds for and build new facilities on our beautiful site in an area of outstanding natural beauty

3. Transformation – to change the hearts and minds of society so that these young people are given every chance for success in their living and working beyond Orpheus.

The Head of Capital Appeal has an instrumental role to play in the ‘renewal’ element of our strategy, by developing and implementing a capital appeal strategy to enable the charity’s growth. Furthermore, through impactful communications to a wider audience as part of the appeal, the post holder will also underpin the transformation of society, so that young disabled adults are valued for the skills and experience they bring and given opportunities to thrive and influence their wider worlds.

The Orpheus Centre is a truly diverse and fundamentally inclusive organisation and the young people we work with improve us every day. The Head of Capital Appeal is an absolutely crucial senior leadership role, reporting to the CEO, driving the capital appeal, and enabling the vital growth of the charity. The world needs these young people, and, by amplifying their voices, you will contribute to them shaping society for the better.

We are absolutely delighted that you are interested in finding out more about The Orpheus Centre and this role, and really look forward to receiving your application.

Rachel Black, CEO

Jessica Dallyn, Chair of the Fundraising and Marketing Trustee Committee

About the role

As Head of Capital Appeal, you will:

• Develop, implement and monitor the private and public phases of the capital appeal strategy to enable the Orpheus Centre to meet the appeal target
• Establish a high performing capital appeal committee of volunteers to cultivate and steward potential significant donors
• Deliver target income from a range of sources, primarily major donors, trusts and foundations and statutory sources, but not discounting other viable income streams
• Personally secure significant major gifts for the capital project
• Design, recruit and lead a team of fundraisers to support fundraising for the capital project
• Research and identify potential funders for the capital project
• Work closely with the build project team, to ensure clear communication between the funding and the building of the project
• Provide timely reports for Senior Management Team and Trustees to facilitate effective cash flow management and decision making

About you

Ideal skills and experience:

• Significant experience in a senior high value fundraising role
• Demonstrable experience of securing 5- and 6-figure major gifts
• Extensive track record in working with trusts, major donors and statutory funders
• Experience of line managing teams of fundraisers
• Ability to adapt to different audiences, including donors, senior volunteers, team members, learners and all colleagues in the wider organisation
• Experience in managing senior level volunteers and fundraising committees
• Understanding of disability language and issues
• Ability to demonstrate an appreciation of the arts

Employee benefits

Benefits include:

• 30 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays
• 6% employer pension contribution (5% employee contributions)
• Enhanced maternity leave
• 5 days paid sick leave in a rolling 12-month period
• 3 days paid time off for dependents per year
• Free staff lunches
• Employee Assistance Programme

The Orpheus Centre’s Equality and Diversity statement and further information:

‘At Orpheus, we are committed to advancing equality of opportunity, respecting and celebrating difference, eliminating discrimination, harassment and victimisation and fostering good relations between all who work, learn or use our services. We want to ensure we recruit the full diversity of people at Orpheus and all are able to reach their full potential.

We are very lucky to have passionate and committed people who take their own time to support our diversity and inclusion at Orpheus. We have five Diversity and Inclusion Champions : BAME, LGBTQIA+, Ability/Disability, Wellbeing, Family, and Menopause. Throughout the year, they work with our staff to promote a positive environment and culture, where we all can bring 100% of ourselves to work. Our diversity champions act as a friendly face for current staff and people considering working at the Orpheus Centre to ask questions or raise concerns.

The Orpheus Centre is proud to be a disability confident employer . We have made a positive commitment to employing disabled people. Reasonable adjustments will be made to the recruitment procedure as required in consultation with the applicant to ensure no one is disadvantaged because of their disability. If a disabled person is selected for a position, reasonable adjustments will be made to the workplace, including premises and equipment, work duties and practices or policies, as appropriate. All disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role as set out in the role profile and person specification will be considered for an interview.’

Interviews are scheduled for Thursday 7th November (on-site). If you require any reasonable adjustments, or have any questions/require flexibility regarding date/time, please contact Emily ASAP.