While it is true that the various crises of the last couple of years have had a detrimental impact on the sector, those in top non-profit and charity jobs are proving that they can adapt. Many have moved their services online, and up to 40% have dipped into their reserve funds to ensure that they can continue helping those in need.
Given the bleak economic outlook due to inflationary pressures, many are predicting that charitable corporate donations will be cut. To combat these grim forecasts, it is crucial for charities to hire stand-out professionals with the skill, passion, and drive to steer the charity and non-profit sector toward new heights.
We are well aware of the vital work that charities and non-profit organisations are doing, and that’s why it’s so important for us to support them in attracting and identifying the best talent.
In this guide, we aim to give you an idea of the kind of career paths you can pursue in the charity sector. We’ll look at 10 of the top most searched for non-profit and charity jobs shaping the sector, examining each role’s core skills and day-to-day responsibilities.
Philanthropy Managers play a vital role in a charity’s operations. They are tasked with managing donor outreach, fundraising, and other philanthropic activities that ensure the charity raises as much as possible. The ideal candidate should be decisive, versatile, and possess exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Philanthropy Manager job responsibilities include:
As well as displaying leadership qualities and excellent interpersonal skills, the perfect candidate will ideally have some managerial and voluntary experience. Dedication to the cause is also a must for charity jobs like this.
Responsible for managing and overseeing fundraising activities, Fundraising Coordinators play a key role in positively affecting a charity’s bottom line. They champion initiatives intended to raise money through donations and sponsorships while communicating with potential new donors in order to generate revenue.
Fundraising Coordinator job responsibilities include:
Suitable candidates will display a passion for charitable causes and outstanding organisation and communication qualities. They should have a wealth of voluntary and fundraising experience too.
It is paramount for charities and non-profit organisations to deliver a clear and concise message. The Director of Communications is in charge of managing a charity’s messaging and communication strategy by overseeing press releases, social media posts, campaign newsletters, and other types of content.
Director of Communications job responsibilities include:
To be an effective Director of Communications, not only will you need to possess outstanding oral and written communication skills, but you’ll need to be a quick thinker and effective problem-solver too. You’ll be expected to lead a team of communication, marketing, and design professionals, so leadership skills are also key. An essential aspect of this charity job is ensuring that all communications are on-brand and represent the organisation’s ethos.
Networking at fundraising events is vital when it comes to forging relationships with potential donors, and that’s what makes the job of an Event Manager so essential. They are responsible for arranging fundraisers that promote a charity’s brand, all while adhering to the budget.
Event Manager job responsibilities include:
Stand-out Event Managers must be dynamic and pay close attention to all aspects of fundraising organisation, from managing the budget to overseeing communication with clients. In addition to possessing superlative organisation and interpersonal skills, suitable candidates should demonstrate their commitment to the charity’s cause. This charity job would be perfect for candidates who are confident, analytical, and passionate about furthering their organisation’s cause.
For non-profit organisations and charities, having a dedicated Compliance Officer to ensure they operate within government guidelines is necessary. They are instrumental in helping staff to understand and abide by regulations, to ensure that organisations do not receive unwelcome penalties.
Compliance Officer job responsibilities include:
Those who wish to work as a Compliance Officer for a charity or non-profit organisation should demonstrate a passion for charitable causes as well as possess the requisite skills. Swift problem-solving abilities, leadership prowess, and project management skills are essential attributes for the role.
Leading a charity or non-profit organisation is no easy feat, especially given the current economic climate. The role of a Chief Executive Officer requires excellent managerial abilities, communication skills, financial savvy, and in-depth knowledge of the charity’s brand. For your organisation to go from strength to strength, it is essential you appoint someone with the right skills and experience to lead the organisation and drive its future prosperity.
Chief Executive Officer job responsibilities include:
The ideal candidate needs to have an exceptional skill set to succeed in this role. Effective communication, strong leadership, and dynamic thinking are all essentials, and experience in leading and motivating staff should also be a prerequisite for applicants.
Visibility is crucial for charities who want to make their brand all the more recognisable, and it is up to the Director of Marketing to spearhead that goal. They work with the rest of the marketing team to come up with a brand identity that best suits their organisation and promote it via social media, PR campaigns, and other means.
Director of Marketing job responsibilities include:
Prospective Marketing Directors should be able to demonstrate an impressive track record in leading marketing campaigns. As well as displaying exquisite leadership and decisiveness, they should also be effective communicators with a passion for the cause their charity represents.
Brand visibility is an important part of any organisation’s marketing strategy, and to achieve this, it is essential to effectively utilise social media. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram have become part of our everyday digital lives, so using them as a marketing tool is a necessity. The Social Media Manager’s job is to promote the organisation’s values and identity while driving engagement and gaining more followers.
Social Media Manager job responsibilities:
Social Media Managers don’t necessarily need any formal qualifications, but a degree in advertising, marketing, public relations, or another related subject would be desirable. The ideal candidate should also have experience in digital and social media marketing and personal attributes like exceptional communication and organisation.
Forging relationships with community members and donors is fundamental for generating revenue. Outreach coordinators specialise in orchestrating outreach events and overseeing volunteer activities. They make it their mission to promote their brand and make meaningful connections with potential partners.
Outreach Coordinator job responsibilities include:
Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills are also very important, and experience in coordinating volunteering activities and community outreach would be desirable.
Human resource departments are necessary for maintaining a safe, well-informed, and happy workforce, and HR Assistants are tasked with supporting these departments to the best of their ability. From managing employee databases to conducting training programs, HR Assistants do their bit to ensure that their charity or non-profit organisations run smoothly.
Human Resources Assistant job responsibilities include:
An effective HR Assistant candidate should be able to demonstrate excellent data entry and record-keeping abilities and superlative communication and organisation skills. In addition to the requisite professional experience and personal qualities, it would also be advantageous for the applicant to hold a degree in human resources or business administration.
The charitable and non-profit sector plays a crucial role in supporting the most vulnerable members of society, especially during times of economic uncertainty and crisis. Despite the challenges faced in recent years, these organisations have demonstrated resilience and adaptability by embracing technological advancements, dipping into reserve funds, and shifting services online to continue helping those in need.
We recognise the vital work done by charities and non-profit organisations and are committed to supporting them in attracting and identifying top talent. With the right combination of professional skills and passion for charitable work, you have every chance of landing your perfect non-profit or charity job.
Our consultants have been helping clients to hire the best candidates for decades. If you want to learn more about our services or want to hear about how we can help you develop your talent acquisition strategy, we encourage you to get in touch and speak to one of our recruitment specialists today. We regularly recruit for a wide range of charity and non-profit jobs, and you can explore them here.
