Head of Fundraising and Communications

Balmer Dawson Executive Search is proud to support Age Action in the search for its next Head of Fundraising and Communications. This senior leadership opportunity puts you at the heart of growing support for older people’s rights, independence and dignity. You will lead fundraising growth, build lasting partnerships and bring the impact of Age Action’s work to a wider audience.

This role will suit an experienced fundraising professional who combines strategic thinking with a strong record of growing income and building lasting supporter relationships. Collaborative and approachable, you will enjoy leading a team, identifying opportunities and translating an organisation’s mission and impact into compelling reasons to give.

The primary focus of this role is to lead fundraising growth and diversify income, building on an established team and strong foundations. Alongside this, you will provide strategic leadership across communications, strengthening Age Action’s profile, reputation and public engagement.

About Age Action.

Age Action is Ireland’s leading advocacy organisation for older people and ageing. For over three decades, it has worked to build an inclusive and age-positive society where every older person can participate fully and live independently with dignity.

Through its advocacy, programmes and services, Age Action influences public policy, challenges ageism and promotes equality and human rights for all older people. Its work recognises the diversity of older people’s experiences and the importance of access to services, lifelong learning and participation in community life.

Guided by the values of dignity, participation, diversity, social justice and professionalism, Age Action works to achieve fundamental change in the lives of older people across Ireland.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and joining the Senior Leadership Team, you will lead Age Action’s fundraising and communications function, with a primary focus on growing and diversifying income.

You will further develop Age Action's fundraising strategy, refining its priorities and leading its implementation. There is particular scope to strengthen corporate partnerships, individual giving, community and events, trusts and grants while developing major donor relationships and philanthropic support.

You will also lead the communications strategy, strengthening awareness of Age Action’s work and impact, supported by the Communications and Digital Fundraising Officer and external specialist support as required.

You will manage five direct reports, providing clear direction, supporting their development and ensuring the team delivers against agreed objectives.

Working closely with colleagues across programmes and advocacy, you will ensure fundraising and communications reflect Age Action’s impact and support its wider organisational priorities. As a member of a supportive Senior Leadership Team, you will contribute to organisational planning and future strategy. This role offers autonomy, scope to introduce ideas and the opportunity to see directly the difference Age Action makes to older people’s lives.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy and Income Generation

• Take ownership of Age Action’s fundraising strategy, refining and implementing plans that support sustainable income growth.
• Grow and diversify income across corporate partnerships, individual giving, community fundraising and events, trusts and foundations, major gifts and legacies.
• Develop major donor and philanthropic opportunities, building relationships and a sustainable pipeline of support.
• Maintain strong donor and partner relationships through effective engagement, stewardship and retention.
• Develop compelling cases for support that communicate Age Action’s impact and the difference supporters can make.
• Collaborate with relevant colleagues on statutory and programme-related funding opportunities.
• Encourage engagement with fundraising across the organisation.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, support and develop the established fundraising and communications team of five.
• Set clear priorities, responsibilities and measurable objectives, reviewing progress and performance.
• Understand individual strengths and development needs, providing appropriate guidance and support.
• Promote a positive, collaborative team culture that encourages shared learning, ideas and continuous improvement.

Communications and Public Engagement

• Lead the development and delivery of a communications strategy that strengthens Age Action’s profile and reputation.
• Support the Chief Executive and Head of Advocacy & Public Affairs in communicating Age Action’s expertise and influence.
• Oversee media engagement, public awareness campaigns, digital channels, content and organisational messaging.
• Build on existing brand and website development to improve public information, engagement and fundraising.
• Ensure communications are accurate, accessible and respectful of older people’s voices and experiences.
• Use performance insights to improve reach, engagement and visibility.

Collaboration and Organisational Leadership

• Build strong working relationships across programmes, advocacy and the wider organisation.
• Translate evidence of need, programme outcomes and impact into compelling fundraising propositions and communications.
• Listen to colleagues, understand the organisation and build support for fundraising priorities.
• Contribute to Senior Leadership Team decisions and the development of Age Action’s future organisational strategy.
• Support meaningful Board engagement in fundraising, drawing on members’ experience, relationships and networks.

Planning Performance and Governance

• Develop and manage fundraising and communications budgets, income targets and performance measures.
• Monitor income, expenditure, donor retention, pipeline development and return on investment.
• Provide clear reporting and advice to the Chief Executive, Senior Leadership Team and relevant Board structures.
• Use data and insight to guide decisions and resource allocation.
• Ensure compliance with fundraising standards, relevant legislation, data protection requirements and organisational policies.
• Promote ethical fundraising, transparent donor stewardship and effective management of reputational risk.

The Person

We are seeking an experienced fundraising professional with the breadth of experience, judgement and leadership capability to lead this combined function.

You may already be operating at Head of Fundraising level or be an experienced Deputy Head ready to take the next step. You will bring a strong understanding of fundraising across different income streams, alongside experience of communications and its contribution to organisational profile and engagement.

Collaborative and thoughtful in your approach, you will take time to understand Age Action, its people and its supporters. You will combine ambition and fresh ideas with the ability to listen, build trust and bring colleagues with you.

A clear commitment to older people’s rights and an interest in Age Action’s mission will be central to your motivation for the role.

Essential requirements:

• A minimum of 7 years’ experience in fundraising, including at least 3 years at a senior level, with responsibility for income growth, fundraising strategy and team management within the charity, not-for-profit or wider social impact sector.
• A relevant third-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience developing and delivering fundraising strategies across a range of income streams, including corporate partnerships and individual giving.
• Experience in philanthropy, major gifts, legacy giving or other strategic income development, with the ability and ambition to grow philanthropic support.
• Proven experience leading, managing and developing a team.
• Strong relationship-management skills, with experience engaging donors, corporate partners, funders and other stakeholders.
• Experience in strategic communications, campaigns, media engagement, brand management or public profile development.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, target setting, performance monitoring and assessing return on investment.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop compelling propositions and influence different audiences.
• Experience working collaboratively with senior leaders and the ability to engage effectively with Board members in relation to a sub-committee.
• Knowledge of fundraising governance, ethical practice and relevant regulatory requirements.
• The ability to use data and insight to inform decisions and improve performance.
• Strong planning and organisational skills, balancing strategic leadership with practical delivery.
• A commitment to Age Action’s mission, values and the rights of older people.

Desirable requirements:

• Experience working collaboratively with advocacy, policy, service delivery or public affairs teams.
• Knowledge of issues affecting older people and the policy and social context in which Age Action operates.

Location

• Inchicore, Dublin 8.
• Hybrid working, 2 days per week in the office, subject to organisational requirements.
• Travel to other offices and within Ireland as required.

Salary

• €75,000–€80,000 per annum, negotiable depending on experience.

Benefits

• Permanent, full-time position.
• 35-hour working week, Monday to Friday.
• 29 days’ annual leave.
• Employer pension contribution of 10%, alongside an employee contribution of 5%, commencing from the first day of employment.
• Death in Service Benefit Scheme.
• Support for relevant professional development and professional membership fees, subject to organisational requirements and available funding.
• Time off in lieu arrangements for occasional evening and weekend work.

The appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period, which may be extended at the organisation’s discretion.

Application Process & Queries

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter (maximum one page), in MS Word format, outlining how your motivation, experience and skills align with this role profile.

Please make your application for the attention of both Gilly Balmer and Zena Dawson to: info@balmerdawson.ie

Candidates with any queries or who are interested in exploring this opportunity are invited to contact Gilly Balmer and Zena Dawson at: info@balmerdawson.ie

Closing Date

The closing date for applications is Monday 7th December 2026 by 5.00 pm (GMT).