Throw a lifeline for mums and babies as a corporate fundraiser
Baby Lifeline is a unique national charity that supports the care of pregnant women and unborn and newborn babies throughout the UK and worldwide. The charity is looking for a corporate fundraiser - a brand new role that will strengthen corporate partnerships to improve outcomes for thousands of babies and their families.
We spoke to Judy Ledger, founder and CEO of Baby Lifeline, to find out more about the charity, its new major appeal, Monitoring for Mums, and what is involved in the corporate fundraiser role it is currently recruiting for.
Judy Ledger
Tell us more about Baby Lifeline and the work you do
I founded the charity in 1981, just after qualifying as a State Registered Nurse. I experienced the loss of three babies consecutively – all born prematurely. I now have three healthy children thanks to the care of some amazing professionals. My clinical background, personal experiences and work with leading professionals over the years has reinforced my belief that the need for better equipment, more training and specific research in our maternity services is vital.
Baby Lifeline’s mission is to ensure the healthiest possible outcome from pregnancy and birth. It supports NHS maternity and neonatal units with the provision of high quality monitoring equipment and the development and delivery of continuing professional development training, needed by healthcare professionals, to improve outcomes.
Why would someone want to work for Baby Lifeline?
As a charity of 35 years standing, with an excellent track record of support for the maternity sector, Baby Lifeline is held in high regard nationally. From humble beginnings, this charity has grown, and is further increasing its support for the maternity sector, at a time when it is really needed to give our future generations the best start in life.
Its training course faculties, advisers and supporters comprise leading NHS experts, their Royal Colleges and other professional bodies.
Having trained over 15,000 health professionals to date, with over 4,000 since a new training initiative was launched at the beginning of 2014 across the UK, Baby Lifeline is widely recognised for delivering high quality multi-disciplinary training, which has made a huge impact on care being given around childbirth.
There is a great deal of interest for Baby Lifeline from all sectors, which can be developed to make a huge difference.
What does the corporate fundraiser role involve?
It’s a massive opportunity for someone with a corporate fundraising track record and excellent communication skills to develop new and existing corporate relationships. We look for experience in managing medium to large corporate partnerships, achieving challenging fundraising targets, delivering business proposals and delivering high value projects against set targets. An individual with marketing and communications experience from the commercial sector would be considered. Strong persuasion, negotiation and time management skills are also paramount to helping you meet our ambitious communications targets.
Why would someone want to take on this role?
This newly created position in the charity has been funded by a major corporate with empathy for this charity, and is for someone with drive and who thrives on a challenge!
There is lots of flexibility and autonomy to shape the role and make it your own, and will be a very rewarding job for the right person. We will also consider flexible / work-from-home opportunities for the right applicant.
What would make a great corporate fundraiser at Baby Lifeline?
A dynamic and ambitious individual with drive, who can ‘hit the ground running’.
Baby Lifeline’s head office is based in Balsall Common (near Birmingham, Coventry and Solihull) but an applicant with the right experience would be considered and could work from home. A driving licence and your own transport is vital for this role as you will be expected to travel around the UK to meet partners and stakeholders.
What exciting projects are you working on?
We have just launched a multi million pound appeal Monitoring for Mums to raise much needed funds, region by region, and nationally, for training and technology in maternity and neonatal units. There is a huge demand for our help as 80 maternity units across the UK have already applied. We have numerous corporate contacts and the corporate fundraiser will be instrumental in working alongside me to develop these relationships further as well as generate new ones. We will be working towards some ambitious targets together to make this important campaign a success. You will also have the opportunity to develop long term strategic partners to bring in long term sponsorship funds for the charity.
What tips would you offer applicants for the corporate fundraiser position?
In your application, demonstrate the skills and experience you have and how you have succeeded in your previous roles. Although not essential, highlight any NHS experience you may have, and demonstrate an appreciation of the challenges in this difficult climate.
Are you passionate about turning things around in the NHS and have what it takes to be a successful corporate fundraiser? Click on the link below to find out more and apply.