Charity Director

Typical Salary

£30,000 To £55,000

Typical Hours

37 to 39 a week

9am to 5pm attending events or appointments

How To Become a Charity Director

You can get into this job through:

a university course
a college course
an apprenticeship
working towards this role
volunteering
applying directly

College / University

You could do a business management foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree to learn the general management skills needed for this job.

1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

You could do a college course like a Level 4 or 5 Diploma in Business Management.

1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

Apprenticeship

You could work your way up to this role through a fundraiser advanced apprenticeship

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

You could start out in the voluntary sector as a charity fundraiser or administrator and work your way up into management after getting experience and training.

If you want to apply for this type of job directly, you'll need a lot of experience at senior management level, and of building partnerships and fundraising.

You'll also need a lot of knowledge of the challenges faced by your charity's service users, what can be done to help them and a very strong commitment to the charity's aims.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

business management skills
the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
leadership skills
the ability to motivate and manage staff
the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
financial management skills
the ability to use your initiative
ambition and a desire to succeed
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

planning policies and raising income
representing the charity at meetings, events and in the media
managing relationships with partners, funding bodies and service users
presenting information about the services your charity offers
writing funding bids and negotiating contracts
making sure policies meet changes in law and regulations
meeting regularly with the senior management team and trustees

Working Environment

You could work in an office, in the community or at events.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding and you may spend nights away from home.

Career Path & Progression

You could move to a bigger charity, work for an international non-governmental organisation (NGO), or become a consultant, advising charities and government on policy.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering is often a good way to start. You could volunteer with organisations that promote the causes you're interested in and then apply for paid roles as you get more experience.

With further training on the job, you may be able to move up to senior positions within your charity.

Tips & Information

Career tips

Excellent presentation and confident public speaking skills are essential.

Further information

You can find out more about working in the charity sector from The National Council for Voluntary Organisations.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.