Head of Projects & Fundraising at East Brighton Trust

Head of Projects & Fundraising
Salary: £37,000–£40,000 + performance bonus
Location: Moulsecoomb Place (hybrid/flexible)
Start: Late 2025
Contract: Full-time, permanent

East Brighton Trust is building something new — a charity designed to power creativity, enterprise and social innovation across East Brighton. We’re looking for a Head of Projects & Fundraising who wants to be there from the start: shaping the mission, securing the investment, building the partnerships and turning ideas into impact.

This is not a “maintain the status quo” role. It’s a builder’s job. A role for someone who loves creating projects from scratch, unlocking funding, bringing people together and proving what’s possible in a place full of potential.

What you’ll do

You’ll lead the development, fundraising and delivery of a new portfolio of creative, enterprise and social impact projects — the kind that generate both income and change. You’ll design projects, write bids, build partnerships, manage delivery and help establish a brand-new organisation with a clear, confident voice.

You will:

Spot opportunities and turn them into funded, viable projects

Secure income through trusts, foundations, public funding and partnerships

Grow relationships with funders, collaborators and local stakeholders

Lead delivery, monitoring and reporting to keep quality, accountability and momentum high

Help shape the culture, systems and direction of a startup-stage charity

Work closely with the CEO to build something ambitious, rooted in community need and built for long-term impact

What success looks like

2–3 significant bids secured in year one

£140k–£195k income generated across the team, with your direct contribution at the core

A pipeline of funders, partners and projects in active development

High-quality delivery, measurable impact and strong feedback from stakeholders

A new charity with a clear identity, credible partnerships and visible results

Who this role is for

You might come from the charity world, the creative sector, social enterprise, placemaking, education, or a mix of all of them. What matters is that you:

Know how to design and fund projects that work in the real world

Have a strong track record in fundraising (trusts, foundations, public or strategic funding)

Can build partnerships that unlock value, not just signatures

Can move confidently between strategy, writing, delivery and relationship-building

Care about communities, inclusion and the power of local creativity and enterprise

You’ll thrive here if you:
✔ Are energised by possibility, not put off by blank space
✔ Enjoy working in a small, smart, agile team where ideas become action fast
✔ Want purpose, ownership and the chance to shape something new
✔ Can write a brilliant bid and lead a brilliant project

Why now?

We are in the set-up phase of the new organisation. That means:

You have a genuine chance to influence direction, priorities and culture

Your work will be highly visible — and genuinely transformative

You’ll help build the foundations of an organisation that will outlast you

If you’ve ever said “I wish I could get in at the start and build it properly,” this is exactly that moment.

How to apply

Send your CV and a short cover statement (max 2 pages) explaining your relevant experience and why this role matters to you to: ceo@eastbrightontrust.co.uk
by Thursday 28 November.

Questions? Contact CEO Gary Pleece for an informal conversation.