Job Title: Fundraising Programme Development Lead
Reporting to: Director of Fundraising and Marketing
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract – 24 months
Hours of work: Full Time (35 Hrs/week) – 9am to 5pm – Monday - Friday
Location: The Society operates a hybrid working model with a combination of remote and in-person (Dublin 4 office) working.
Office Days: Office attendance days are Wednesday Thursday weekly
Who We Are
Every three minutes, someone in Ireland hears the words ‘You’ve got cancer’. At the Irish Cancer Society, we understand the physical, emotional and financial impact a cancer diagnosis brings. And we are determined to do everything we can to help.
As Ireland’s leading cancer charity, we work across every area of cancer – from prevention and early detection, through to end-of-life care. We make a positive impact for people affected by cancer every day: investing in life-saving and life-changing research; providing practical, financial and emotional supports; and driving improvements in public cancer services.
The Role
We are seeking a seasoned strategic leader to own and drive a portfolio of high‑impact, cross‑organisational programmes that will shape the future of fundraising for the Irish Cancer Society. This role sits at the heart of organisational transformation, providing senior leadership, strategic direction, and disciplined execution across multiple complex initiatives.
Operating as a senior change leader within the Fundraising Marketing Directorate, the postholder will work in close partnership with the Director of Fundraising Marketing and senior colleagues across the organisation. They will be accountable for ensuring that strategic programmes are defined, governed, and delivered to a high standard, with clear outcomes, measurable impact, and strong alignment to organisational priorities.
This is a role for a proactive, influential, and highly capable leader who can take initiative, shape thinking, challenge constructively, and drive momentum across teams.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Programme Leadership
Provide senior leadership and oversight for a portfolio of strategic fundraising programmes, ensuring clarity of purpose, scope, and outcomes.
Set programme direction, define success measures, and ensure robust governance structures are in place.
Lead and coordinate cross‑functional project teams, ensuring accountability, alignment, and timely delivery of strategic milestones.
Anticipate risks, remove barriers, and make informed decisions to maintain programme momentum.
Provide high‑quality reporting, insight, and recommendations to senior leadership and governance bodies.
Lead Development of the Irish Cancer Society Legacy Strategy
Lead the end‑to‑end development of a comprehensive Legacy Strategy to underpin the 2027–2030 Legacy Action Plan.
Commission and interpret research, market analysis, and benchmarking to identify opportunities for growth.
Engage senior stakeholders to shape strategic direction and secure organisational alignment.
Translate strategic ambition into a clear, evidence‑based roadmap with defined priorities, KPIs, and implementation pathways.
Lead Delivery of the Act as 2026 Fundraising Audit
Act as the senior lead for the 2026 Fundraising Audit, working closely with ELT colleagues across Finance, Advocacy, CX, and IT.
Establish and chair a cross‑functional working group to design, prioritise, and implement audit recommendations.
Ensure recommendations are translated into actionable workstreams with clear ownership, timelines, and governance.
Monitor progress, escalate risks, and ensure delivery of agreed outcomes.
Strengthen Governance of Community Fundraising Networks
Lead the development and implementation of a strengthened governance framework for Community Fundraising Committees.
Define standards, reporting requirements, and oversight mechanisms to ensure consistency, compliance, and transparency.
Drive adoption of organisational Brand Guidelines across all committees, embedding change through structured engagement and monitoring.
Provide strategic guidance to internal teams to support effective committee management and long‑term sustainability.
Lead the Individual Giving Supporter Relationship Management Review (2027)
Lead a comprehensive review of the Individual Giving supporter journey, from acquisition through to long‑term retention and legacy.
Identify strategic opportunities to enhance supporter experience, stewardship, and lifetime value.
Oversee the development of cross‑sell, upgrade, and mid‑level donor strategies.
Identify operational, data, and systems improvements required to enable more personalised and effective supporter engagement.
Senior Stakeholder Leadership
Build and maintain strong, influential relationships with senior leaders, internal teams, and external partners.
Facilitate strategic workshops, decision‑making forums, and programme reviews.
Communicate complex information clearly and persuasively to stakeholders at all levels.
Reporting, Governance Organisational Alignment
Establish and maintain governance structures that ensure transparency, accountability, and informed decision‑making.
Track and report on KPIs, programme performance, and strategic outcomes.
Provide high‑quality briefings, papers, and presentations for senior leadership, Board committees, and governance groups.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Competencies Attributes
Strategic leadership with the ability to shape direction, influence decision‑making, and drive organisational change.
Exceptional programme leadership with a track record of delivering complex, multi‑stakeholder initiatives.
Highly structured, organised, and analytical, with strong problem‑solving capability.
Ability to translate strategic vision into actionable, measurable plans.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.
Proactive, decisive, and solutions‑focused, with resilience in a fast‑paced environment.
High levels of accountability, ownership, and personal drive.
Experience
Significant experience delivering innovation and change within fundraising or marketing is essential, ideally in a not for profit environment
Experience in governance, audit processes, or organisational transformation is essential.
General
The Irish Cancer Society operates a no-smoking policy and the post holder must not smoke in the office or when on Society business outside the office;
Be willing to occasionally work outside of normal working hours;
All employees are required to be aware of their responsibilities towards health and safety and to adhere to fire regulations;
Maintain confidentiality at all times, and compliance with the Data Protection Act is an essential requirement;
This job description is not exhaustive; it merely acts as a guide and may be amended to meet the changing requirements of the Society at any time after discussion with the post holder.
The closing date for applications is Sunday 14th June 2026
Please note all CVs are logged through a 3rd party system for processing.
The Irish Cancer Society is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment for all employees. We know that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.
WE DO NOT REQUIRE THE ASSISTANCE OF AGENCIES
Some of our benefits:
23 days Annual Leave a year or Pro Rata equivalent, plus public holidays, Good Friday and Christmas Eve (if it falls on a working day)
Service Days - Additional days awarded to reflect long service with the Society.
Sick Pay Scheme (following Probationary period)
Flexitime
Defined Contribution Pension Scheme - new starters will join the pension from the date of commencement of employment with the Society. The current contribution rate ranges from a contribution of 3%, 5% or a maximum of 8% of basic salary.
Group membership for VHI and HSF (health plans)
Bus/Rail Ticket Scheme and Cycle to Work Scheme
Death In Service Benefit (from commencement of employment)
Paid Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity, Adoptive, Force Majeure and compassionate Leave)
Learning and Development Programmes
Educational Assistance (Study and Examination Leave)
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Optional Flu vaccine provided
