Shape a new fundraising strategy at the Stroke Association

Stroke Association logo

Are you a fundraising professional dedicated to making a real difference to the lives of stroke survivors? 

The Stroke Association is seeking an executive director of income generation to make a step-change in the charity’s income generation. This is an opportunity to shape a new five-year income generation strategy that will help more stroke survivors than ever before. 

We spoke to Juliet Bouverie, chief executive of the Stroke Association, for her insider tips on applying for the role and what it’s like to work for the charity.

Juliet Bouverie

Juliet Bouverie, chief executive, the Stroke Association

Tell us about the Stroke Association and what it does

The Stroke Association is the only national charity focused on the prevention of strokes, which also provides services in support of people whose lives have been affected by strokes. Through our funding of research into the development of new treatments there have been major breakthroughs, more than halving the number of people dying from strokes in the UK. With 62,000 direct service users, 15,000 helpline calls, the impact on outcomes has been substantial in the UK, but there is still more to do to reach more of the population. However, the story globally is very different, where stroke is still the second biggest killer in the world.

What role are you recruiting for and what does it involve?

We are recruiting for an executive director of income generation. This person will lead a vitally important directorate for us at an important and exciting time for the Stroke Association.

We need to maximise every opportunity to fund our vital work, which is why we looked at this role carefully and reconfigured it to go beyond what might be viewed as a typical fundraising role. The role as it is designed now clearly signals our ambition to tackle the causes of stroke and transform the support and services for those affected by the disability and devastation that stroke causes to people’s lives.

The executive director of income generation will have the scope and mandate within a programme of organisational change to bring a refreshing, creative and successful approach to achieving a step-change in our income generation. They will do this with a dedicated team of fundraising specialists who are eager to build the foundations for future growth, broaden our income generating horizons, and apply their expertise and knowledge in new ways.  

Describe a typical day in the life of an executive director of income generation

I’m not sure there is a typical day! That’s why the role is so stimulating and also challenging because we are so focused on achieving exponentially more for stroke survivors. Generating income is crucial to reaching more people with more impact.  

However, not a day goes by without the executive director of income generation being actively involved in fundraising, working with the fundraising team on the development of new ideas, working with teams in services, research and policy to generate compelling cases for support, engaging with donors, and pitching to new funders. Then there is collaborating with executive team colleagues on wide-ranging organisational developments. It’s a fast-paced environment which is why we need an executive director of income generation willing to roll up their sleeves and go the extra mile. 

What kind of person are you looking for?

We are looking for a true fundraising professional who is proud of their past success but has the drive and ambition to achieve so much more. Inspiring and collaborative leadership is essential. Experience in fundraising is very important to us as we are developing new ways of generating income. But at the heart of what we really want is a professional who will embrace what we are trying to achieve and will instinctively innovate and shape our income generation strategy and activities to achieve our ambition.

Stroke Association

Members of the Foyle Stroke Support Group, Make May Purple - Derry/Londonderry


Why would someone want to work for the Stroke Association?

There is a palpable energy and momentum developing around the charity. What makes us confident about our work, and where we are heading, is that we never lose sight of our values and why we are here. Our ambition calls for dynamic individuals who are dedicated to making a real difference to the lives of stroke survivors. 

What are the highlights of the role?

This is a time of real transformation for the Stroke Association, and this role will be at the forefront, instilling a new fundraising culture across the charity and shaping a new innovative five-year income generation strategy that will ensure we can help more stroke survivors than ever before. 

And the most challenging?

We have an enormous amount going on both from a strategic and operational perspective, so balancing these demands is a real challenge. However, we are laying the foundations of an even more supportive, accountable culture. We are aiming for collaborative change, but we’ll also need courage and resilience to make some difficult decisions

What opportunities for personal development are there?

As chief executive, I am a great supporter of personal development. In addition to our professional and personal development programme, every opportunity and milestone this role brings will provide a chance for learning and growth. 

Do you have any insider tips for applicants?

Make sure you are committed to our values and behaviours. Understand what being an effective corporate leader means. Demonstrate your proven ability as a fundraising director plus your creativity to take us to the next stage of organisational impact and success.  

How would you sum up what it’s like to work for the Stroke Association?

There’s no doubt that the Stroke Association is a truly special place to work, full of incredibly talented and committed people. Each day will bring something new to inspire, encourage, or drive you to achieve great things for the benefit of stroke survivors and their families.  

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