Following the successful placement of several senior appointments, both interim and permanent at Head of and Director level, including an Interim Director of Finance and an Interim Financial Accountant.

Charisma was once again retained by Spurgeons Children’s Charity to secure a new, permanent Director of Fundraising. Spurgeons, who have been supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged children and their families for 150 years, believe that every child deserves the opportunity to live a hope-filled life; and that no child should face abuse, neglect, or uncertainty.

The new Director of Fundraising was required to provide strategic oversight, leadership and ensure the delivery of their ambitious income generation plans for the coming years. Directly reporting to the CEO and as a member of the SLT, a commitment to ensuring sustainable income growth, supporting the charity to remain financially strong and able to continue delivering the highest quality services was vital. The successful candidate needed to demonstrate significant experience in fundraising in a not-for-profit setting, at least five-years’ experience at a senior managerial level in a comparable/complex organisation, and experience of managing people, delivering change, instilling best practice, building mutually beneficial partnerships with external stakeholders and of advising, reporting to, and working with a Board.

Charisma took a multi-pronged approach to securing a candidate of the calibre required. To ensure a fair process, the net was initially cast widely. Adverts were launched across major platforms, complemented by targeted engagement via cold approaches and established networks, and a rigorous search of the database was completed. The marketing campaign attracted 18 direct applications. The initial database search provided 89 viable candidates, who were then screened against essential criteria down to 32 candidates. Extensive screening was conducted for cold approaches, with additional candidates sourced. 14 candidates were then invited to vetting interview stage with the Charisma Consultant.

Charisma was in a position to present a longlist of 11 candidates to the charity, with the Charisma Consultant brought in to support shortlisting discussions. A shortlist of 6 high calibre candidates was finalised for interview with the Spurgeon’s hiring panel. Following a virtual interview round and subsequent in-person interviews, with candidates preparing a presentation in advance, a successful appointment was made. However, the shortlist was so strong, the organisation actually identified another candidate who they also wished to appoint, for whom they created the new role of Director of Partner and Family Hubs.

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