Head of Public Fundraising

Location: Harrogate, North Yorkshire

Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week

Role description:

We are currently looking for a Head of Public Fundraising to join our Fundraising & Supporter Experience Team.

Reporting to the Director of Fundraising & Supporter Experience, the postholder will lead the development and delivery of the charity’s public fundraising strategy, translating organisational ambition into sustainable, insight‑led and supporter‑focused income growth. 

Leading an established and high‑performing team, the Head of Public Fundraising will build on strong existing foundations to diversify and grow public fundraising income at scale, while strengthening long‑term relationships with supporters and communities across Yorkshire. 

The role will play a pivotal part in delivering the charity’s ambitious growth plans and supporting Yorkshire Cancer Research’s vision of a Yorkshire free from cancer.

Specifically you will:

• Lead and work in partnership with relevant Fundraising Managers to develop and deliver Yorkshire Cancer Research’s public fundraising strategy, aligned to the charity’s mission, values and organisational strategy.
• Provide clear strategic leadership across all public fundraising income streams, including:
  • Individual giving
  • Community fundraising
  • Challenge and mass participation events
  • In‑memory giving
  • Gifts in Wills and legacy giving
• Ensure the public fundraising strategy aligns with, and complements, the philanthropy and partnerships and supporter experience strategies, delivering a coherent overall income approach and exceptional supporter journeys and interactions at every touchpoint. 

To be considered for this role ideally you will be a member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising and have significant experience developing, managing and evaluating a broad public fundraising portfolio (e.g. individual giving, community fundraising, mass participation/challenge events, and legacy giving).

For further details please refer to the role profile.

Application 

Before applying, please visit our Careers Page to view the full role profile and find out more about working for Yorkshire Cancer Research.  

To apply please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to Claire Wooldridge, Head of People, via the 'Apply' button above (recruitment@ycr.org.uk) before 26^th June 2026. Please read our privacy notice before applying. 

The charity is a responsible and flexible employer.  We welcome any discussion for flexible working at the interview/offer stage where we will consider an individual’s circumstances against the needs of the charity.

We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. If we can make any reasonable adjustments to support your application, please contact us at recruitment@ycr.org.uk or call the People Team on 01423 642803.

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