This is a significant leadership opportunity within one of Ireland’s leading national housing and homelessness charities, at a time when the issue of homelessness continues to have profound social impact across the country. Balmer Dawson Executive Search is proud to be supporting Focus Ireland in the search for a senior leader who will play a pivotal role in shaping the organisation’s fundraising and marketing strategy, driving income growth, and strengthening engagement with supporters, partners and communities nationwide.

About the Organisation

Focus Ireland is a housing and homelessness charity driven by the fundamental belief that homelessness is wrong. Founded in 1985 by Sr Stanislaus Kennedy, Focus Ireland works with people who are homeless or at risk of losing their home and employs approximately 600 employees across more than 120 projects nationwide.

Since its foundation, Focus Ireland has operated with the belief that homelessness in Ireland is not inevitable and can be ended. Every one of us has a right to a place we can call home, somewhere safe, secure and stable, where we can build our future.

Through its new strategy, Turning the Tide on Homelessness Focus Ireland & Focus Housing Joint Strategic Plan 2026-2030, the organisation recommits to this original Purpose Vision and Mission, based on their values of Dignity, Quality, Social Justice and Environment operating in the environment that exists today. 

In 2025, Focus Ireland supported approximately 18,000 people nationwide who were homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The Opportunity

The Director of Fundraising & Marketing will provide strategic leadership and operational control across public fundraising, partnerships and philanthropy, corporate campaigns and community fundraising.

This role is responsible for fostering and developing a high employee engagement culture within the Fundraising & Marketing department, embedding devolved strategic decision-making and accountability within the organisation, underpinned by a best practice and transparent performance management process.

This is a senior Executive Team role, reporting into the CEO, responsible for supporting the Board and Executive Team in the implementation of strategy and ensuring fundraising and marketing activity is aligned to organisational priorities.

Key Accountabilities

Overall

• The Executive Team is mandated by the Board to implement the strategy of Focus Ireland ensuring customers are in the forefront of everything they do
• As Director of Fundraising & Marketing and member of the Executive Team, responsibility is to manage and direct the organisation and support the Board in its activities
• Develop trust in the Executive Team throughout the organisation ensuring visible ownership and support for Executive decisions
• Uphold the values and ethos of Focus Ireland to achieve its vision and mission

Strategic Thinking

• Implement and further develop the strategic fundraising and marketing plan aligned across all functions and to the overall Focus Ireland strategy
• Deliver against strategic pillars including: Empower the Team & Culture, Power Up with Data & Insight, Inspire & Retain Donors, Create Campaigns that Move People, Go Boldly Digital, Grow Big Together
• Develop structures, systems, policies and partnerships required to deliver the fundraising and marketing strategy
• Ensure delivery of positive outcomes for customers through aligned organisational practice

Leadership Capability

• Lead and deliver change management initiatives to support organisational goals
• Lead the department management team to deliver against accountable objectives
• Foster a culture of leadership, engagement, accountability, innovation and communication
• Manage and develop a team of over 40 staff across Fundraising and Marketing
• Balance funding requirements of Focus Ireland service provision and Focus Housing Association capital funding
• Manage brand strategy to position Focus Ireland and Focus Housing Association as solution-led organisations
• Deliver digital strategy to maintain and enhance leadership with the digital generation
• Manage donor and stakeholder relationships to ensure pipeline of engaged donors and volunteers
• Deliver annual income targets within budget
• Report formal Fundraising & Branding metrics to Executive and Board on a monthly basis
• Lead cross-organisational strategic projects

Sub-Committee & Governance

• Manage Funding & Branding Sub-Committee and Philanthropy Council
• Ensure all minutes, agendas and papers are issued on time
• Advise Chair on membership and issues as they arise

Relationship Building

• Develop and manage relationships with donors, partners and stakeholders to maximise reach, funding and voice of Focus Ireland services

Operational Procedures

• Deliver annual fundraising and marketing work plans and budgets
• Manage day-to-day operational delivery in line with legislation, regulation and policy
• Use data-led analysis to improve fundraising and marketing delivery

General

• Comply with all Focus Ireland policies and procedures
• Be vigilant regarding Health, Safety and Welfare risks
• Undertake other duties as directed by the CEO

Candidate Profile

Skills and Competencies

• Proven track record in strategic fundraising and marketing in a charity/not-for-profit environment
• Credible leadership capability with strong people management and change delivery experience
• Strong relationship, networking and influencing skills
• Ability to motivate teams in a challenging environment
• Strong understanding of fundraising development and delivery in Ireland
• Strong communication, writing, negotiation and influencing skills
• Experience of public speaking and media engagement
• Knowledge of core functions including Advocacy, Housing, Finance, HR, Policy and Services

Essential Criteria

• Senior management experience with proven track record in strategic planning, team leadership and budget management
• Relevant graduate level qualification in business, marketing, fundraising or equivalent
• Strong IT, digital and presentation skills

Salary

• Salary will be €85,000+ DOE  

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus 3 concession days
• Defined Contribution Pension Scheme
• Life assurance
• Hybrid and flexible working available
• Sick Pay Scheme 
• Educational Assistance Scheme and comprehensive learning and development programme in place
• Employee Assistance Scheme 
• Annual Travel Pass or Cycle to Work Schemes available