CRM Data Project Lead (Temporary)

Shape the future of fundraising at Acorns

Are you passionate about CRM systems, data and finding better ways of working? Do you enjoy turning complex data challenges into practical improvements that make a real difference?

Acorns Children's Hospice is looking for a proactive and technically skilled CRM Data Project Lead to help shape the next stage of our fundraising CRM development. This is an opportunity to take ownership of key areas of our CRM roadmap, influence how we use data and work closely with colleagues across Fundraising to improve the way we understand, engage and build relationships with our supporters.

Working across Fundraising, Data & Insight and Digital, you’ll play a key role in understanding business needs, comparing against current processes and identifying opportunities to improve how we use and manage our CRM. You’ll work closely with Fundraising and Data & Insight teams, the wider organisation where needed, and external consultants to turn these requirements into practical improvements to CRM processes, data quality, integrations, and supporter journeys.

This is a hands-on, collaborative role that requires an understanding of data, good problem-solving skills, and the ability to work with different teams and stakeholders. You’ll help coordinate and deliver improvements, work with others to resolve integration issues, and develop and deliver training to support any changes made. You'll help ensure that the improvements made during the project are not only delivered but embedded in sustainable ways of working that continue to benefit Acorns beyond the 12-month contract

About the role

As CRM Data Project Lead, you'll have ownership of agreed data and CRM deliverables, working closely with the CRM Project Manager and stakeholders across Fundraising to ensure our CRM supports their needs and ambitions.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Shape and improve our CRM and data foundations – identify opportunities to improve data quality, CRM configuration and processes, putting robust, sustainable solutions in place.
• Turn data into better supporter experiences – work with fundraising teams to develop effective segmentation and data selections that support more targeted communications, supporter journeys and retention activity.
• Take ownership and make things happen – lead agreed milestones within the CRM roadmap, manage competing priorities and dependencies, and proactively identify and resolve barriers to progress.
• Work in partnership across Fundraising – build relationships with colleagues to understand their requirements, challenge existing ways of working where appropriate, and translate business needs into practical CRM and data improvements.
• Connect systems and improve reporting – work with Data & Insight, Digital and external suppliers to improve data flows, integrations, reports and dashboards, ensuring information is accurate, accessible and useful.
• Make change stick – support testing, documentation, training and knowledge sharing so that new processes are adopted confidently and improvements continue beyond the life of the project.

You'll have the support of the wider CRM project team, but the opportunity to take real ownership of your deliverables, use your expertise to influence decisions and see the results of your work.

About you

You'll bring strong hands-on experience of CRM systems and data, alongside the confidence and initiative to take work forward in a changing project environment. You'll be comfortable getting into the detail of data and systems while also stepping back to understand what stakeholders need and how your work can deliver meaningful improvements.

We're looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Experience working with CRM systems and data in a delivery or project environment, including data configuration, cleansing, recoding and bulk imports and exports.
• Confidence in managing data quality, investigating anomalies and implementing practical improvements to processes and controls.
• Experience of planning and delivering work against agreed milestones, managing dependencies and competing priorities, and taking responsibility for outcomes.
• Strong technical skills, particularly in Microsoft Office and advanced Excel, including VLOOKUPs, PivotTables and conditional formatting.
• Proficiency in CRM systems such as Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, Donorfy or Donorflex.
• A good understanding of CRM data structures and how data can support reporting, segmentation, fundraising activity and supporter journeys.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across teams, engage stakeholders and coordinate external suppliers.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to turn technical requirements into practical, sustainable improvements.

Experience of fundraising, marketing, digital or another supporter- or customer-focused environment would be beneficial. Knowledge of fundraising CRM platforms, integrations or relevant compliance requirements would also be an advantage.

We're particularly interested in people who can bring strong technical expertise, a collaborative approach and a genuine enthusiasm for improving systems, data and ways of working.

About Acorns Children's Hospice

At Acorns, we provide specialist palliative care and support for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and their families across the West Midlands. We support families in our hospices, in their homes and within the community, providing care wherever and whenever it's needed.

As one of the UK's largest children's hospice charities, we need to raise more than £14 million every year to fund our vital services. Every donation, fundraising activity and campaign helps make that care possible.

Behind every supporter is someone helping us provide care for children and families when they need it most. By improving the way we manage our data, understand our supporters, and deliver fundraising activity, you'll help strengthen the foundations that make this vital work possible.

Joining Acorns means becoming part of an organisation where the work you do, even behind the scenes, contributes to something that really matters.

What We Offer 

• £38,000 to £40,000 per annum
• 37.5 hours per week
• 12-month fixed term contract
• Hybrid role - based in Birmingham 1-2 days per week (B29 6HZ, B47 6JX) and home working
• Employee discounts from leading retailers – including the Blue Light Card
• Discounts on refurbished tech
• Health cash plan
• Gym membership and equipment discount scheme
• Bike2Work scheme - save up to 42% on bikes and equipment 
• Wellbeing, legal and financial support
• Career development through our Acorns Academy offering leadership, coaching, fundraising, clinical training and more.   
• Generous contribution to group personal pension plan (7.5%) or continuation of current NHS pension scheme
• NHS pension scheme life assurance or Acorns group life assurance scheme
• Annual leave entitlement increases with length of service 

Interviews are scheduled to be held on 11 & 16 November

You need to be eligible to work in the UK to be considered for this role. We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and therefore any successful candidate will be asked to provide two satisfactory references. 

As a UNICEF Gold Rights Respecting organisation, we are committed to ensuring that the United Nations Convention for the Rights of the Child is embedded into both culture and practice within the organisation. As an employee you will be a Duty Bearer for Children’s Rights and support all children to be Rights Holders.

If you have any questions, please contact us at recruitment@acorns.org.uk

Find out about our culture, career development, benefits and more here: Why Work for Acorns?