Director of FundraisingSalary: £70,000 to £75,000 per annumLocation: Hybrid – London EC1Y/HomeJoin MQ and help transform mental health research.At MQ, we champion and fund world-class research to transform the lives of everyone affected by a mental health condition. We strive to create a world where mental illness is better understood, diagnosed, treated and, hopefully someday, prevented. We believe research is the first step towards making that a reality.We connect scientists with supporters, people with lived experience of mental health illnesses, policymakers, and practitioners, so together we can strive to understand mental health, improve treatments and prevent mental illnesses.Supported by our world-class Science Council, MQ funds research globally and works in partnership with leading organisations in the field including Wellcome Trust, the Mental Health Mission, DATAMIND, University of Oxford, Glasgow University and Kings College. In the US, we work through our sister charity the MQ Foundation.What you'll be doing:The Director of Fundraising is a senior, strategic leadership role responsible for driving significant and sustainable growth in income for MQ, with a target of achieving £10 million annual turnover over the next five years.As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the postholder will set and deliver an ambitious, data-led fundraising strategy across philanthropy, trusts and foundations, partnerships and other income streams. They will personally steward high-value relationships while building a high-performing, commercially minded fundraising function capable of supporting MQ’s long-term mission.Key Responsibilities:Fundraising Strategy & Income GrowthDevelop and deliver MQ’s overall fundraising and income generation strategy, aligned to organisational prioritiesSet clear income targets and KPIs across all fundraising streamsPersonally lead and secure six- and seven-figure gifts, grants and contractsBuild and maintain strong, long-term relationships with major donors, funders and partnersEnsure excellent stewardship, reporting and donor experience across all income streamsPipeline, Performance & Data OversightProvide strategic oversight of the fundraising pipeline, ensuring a healthy balance of prospecting, cultivation, solicitation and stewardshipUse data, insight and CRM reporting to track performance, forecast income and manage riskIdentify income concentration risks and develop mitigation strategiesDrive continuous improvement in fundraising processes, systems and ways of workingFinancial Management & ReportingOwn the Fundraising budget, including income forecasting, expenditure control and cost-of-fundraising oversightWork closely with the Finance team to ensure accurate income phasing, reporting and financial planningProduce regular reports for the CEO, Executive Team and Board on income performance, pipeline health and risksEnsure all funding is managed in line with grant conditions, donor expectations and regulatory requirementsLeadership & Team DevelopmentProvide strategic leadership and line management to the teamBuild, develop and retain a high-performing, motivated fundraising teamFoster a collaborative, ambitious and accountable fundraising cultureSupport succession planning and talent development within the Fundraising functionExternal Profile, Partnerships & Thought LeadershipRepresent MQ at high-level events, conferences and networking opportunitiesStrengthen MQ’s profile with funders, corporates, policymakers and partnersWork closely with the Board and Science Council to maximise fundraising and partnership opportunitiesUndertake speaking engagements where appropriate to generate visibility & awarenessExecutive Leadership & GovernanceAct as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to organisational strategy and decision-makingSupport the CEO with Board engagement, particularly around fundraising strategy and performanceEnsure fundraising activity complies with all relevant legislation, regulation and best practiceUphold MQ’s values, reputation and commitment to ethical fundraisingPerson Specification:We'd love to hear from you, if you have:Significant senior leadership experience in fundraising or income generation, ideally within the charity, research or mission-driven sectorProven track record of delivering substantial income growth and securing high-value giftsExperience leading and developing high-performing fundraising teamsStrong commercial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting and performance managementDemonstrable experience of managing complex stakeholder relationshipsStrategic, analytical and data-driven approach to decision-makingExcellent communication and influencing skills, including at Board and senior stakeholder levelStrong understanding of the UK research funding or philanthropic landscapeClear alignment with MQ’s mission and valuesThe following is highly desirableKnowledge of mental health research and lived-experience-led approachesExperience of US philanthropy or international fundraisingExperience working with Boards, trustees or scientific advisory groupsFamiliarity with modern CRM systems and fundraising analyticsWhy Join MQ?We offer a great working experience within a friendly team. Hybrid working (in the London office Mondays and Tuesdays, with the remaining days from home). We are located near Barbican Tube.Plus, we offer lots of generous benefits and training opportunities.We're a Sunday Times Top Company to work for.BenefitsFlexible working: As a mental health charity, staff wellbeing is of paramount importance. We operate a core hours policy (10-4) to encourage flexible working and staff are mainly home based with the requirement to come into the office two days per week. A standard full-time working week is 35 hours, plus an hour for lunch breaks.Holidays: Annual holiday entitlement of 31 days (inc. office closure between Xmas and New Year) plus bank holidays.Wellbeing Allowance: MQ provides an allowance of up to £1200 per annum for each employee to spend on activities that increase their wellbeing. This is paid through payroll and is taxable.Virtual GP & Other wellbeing services - Get quick GP appointments and support with cancer and caring responsibilities through our Zurich benefits scheme.Cycle to work scheme: An interest-free loan is available to enable employees to purchase a bike and accessories, repaid via equal deductions from the employee’s salary over 12 months.Employee Assistance Programme: All employees and their families have access to a 24-hour confidential advice and support line.Counselling: Employees have access to a number of free face-to-face sessions, via the EAP scheme.Pension: MQ makes contributions of 5% and employees make contributions of 3%.Life Assurance - Up to 4 x your salary in the event of death in service.Season Ticket Loan: An interest free season ticket loan is available, repaid via equal deductions from the employee’s salary over 12 months.Personal Development: We value employee development and review individual training needs through our performance management system. HR also runs internal management development sessions for all staff.We look forward to hearing from you.Closing date: 22nd February 2026Please note, we typically start interviewing within two weeks of the job advert going live. We reserve the right to close the job before the deadline based on the volume of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.Interested?If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.We believe in equality and inclusion and we welcome job applications from everyone, provided you meet the criteria for the job.Safer recruitment is important to us and the successful applicant will be asked to provide two references. They will also be required to complete a safeguarding self-declaration and undertake a DBS check.No agencies please.