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Charity director
Charity manager, managing director
Charity directors plan ways to develop a charity's services, generate income and raise awareness of its work.
Average salary (a year)
£30000
Starter
£55000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
37.0 to 39.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
9am to 5pm
attending events or appointments
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a university course; a college course; an apprenticeship; working towards this role; volunteering; applying directly
University
You could do a business management foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree to learn the general management skills needed for this job.
Another option is to do a degree in the subject area you want to do charity work in, and work your way up into management and director roles.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 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
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
College
You could do a college course like a Level 4 or 5 Diploma in Business Management.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
search for courses|/find-a-course
Apprenticeship
You could work your way up to this role through a fundraiser advanced apprenticeship
This typically takes 18 months to complete.
Entry requirements
Employers will set their own entry requirements.
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Work
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.
Volunteering
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.
Direct Application
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.
More 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.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
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
Digital Skills Level
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
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
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
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.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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