Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland
Head of Fundraising
Salary: €72,000 Location: Remote, with travel to AADI HQ, Little Island, Cork and some travel throughout Ireland as required
Contract: Full-time, Permanent Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
About AADI
For an autistic child, the world can be an overwhelming and isolating place. An AADI assistance dog changes that. Trained specifically to support autistic children, our dogs provide safety, comfort and connection, helping children and families to live more freely and fully. We also place school support dogs in educational settings, bringing calm and confidence into classrooms across Ireland.
AADI’s vision is to be a centre of excellence providing an extensive range of support services to autistic persons and the wider community, enabling them to participate fully in an inclusive society. The demand for our services continues to grow, and so does our ambition. This is a pivotal moment for AADI, and fundraising is at the heart of what makes it possible.
The Role
This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate fundraising leader to join AADI. Working closely with the CEO, you will lead a small fundraising team and deliver a bold fundraising strategy.
The Head of Fundraising will lead an ambitious phase of growth over the next three to four years, helping to significantly increase income to expand the charity’s reach and impact.
In addition to overall responsibility for the fundraising team’s income targets, the Head of Fundraising will hold a personal fundraising target, taking direct ownership of key donor relationships and income streams.
You’ll bring a strong track record in fundraising, with experience delivering ambitious income strategies and building lasting relationships with donors, corporate partners, statutory funders and government stakeholders. Just as importantly, you’ll be motivated by the work itself and by the profound difference an assistance dog makes to the life of an autistic child and their family.
Key Responsibilities (include, but not limited to)
- Development and delivery of AADI’s fundraising strategy, bringing fresh thinking to income growth while inspiring and leading a small, dedicated fundraising team.
- Hold personal responsibility for a defined individual fundraising target, in addition to overall accountability for team income performance.
- Drive AADI’s digital and events fundraising to the next level, developing innovative campaigns that grow income, build profile and deepen supporter engagement.
- Design and implement a best-practice donor journey, maximising retention, lifetime value and supporter experience.
- Prepare the foundations for a future capital fundraising campaign, including pipeline development and case for support.
- Report regularly to the CEO and Board on income performance, forecasting and strategic progress.
- Lead AADI’s government and statutory funding strategy, building on existing relationships with key government departments and the HSE to maintain momentum and grow public funding.
- Develop an annual budget including cost and expenditure budgets on an ongoing basis, ensuring all activity is implemented within budget.
- Deliver on annual income targets within budget, meeting all KPIs to ensure sustainability and long-term growth.
Person Specification
- Several years’ experience in a similar senior fundraising role, including team management and a proven track record of income growth.
- Experience leading and developing a fundraising team, with the ability to set clear objectives, manage performance and build a collaborative, high-achieving culture.
- Proven experience managing budgets and income forecasting, with strong financial acumen and commercial awareness.
- Experience working with CRM and donor management systems, with an understanding of good data practice and donor stewardship.
- You will be responsible for setting high standards of ethical fundraising and will maintain a culture that is supporter-focused and encourages growth and innovation.
- Knowledge of and commitment to Charities Regulator compliance, GDPR, donor governance and ethical fundraising standards.
- Excellent networking, relationship management and reporting skills, with the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- Must hold a full, clean driving licence.
- Must be comfortable around dogs.
How to Apply
To apply, please send a CV and cover letter to Nuala Geraghty at [email protected] on or before 19th June 2026.
For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Nuala directly.
AADI is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve.
Pay: From €72,000.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Little Island, County Cork
