Navigating your career when you need flexibility

For many fundraisers, needing flexibility isn’t a luxury, it’s survival. Whether you’re a parent, a carer, managing your health, or simply exhausted from doing too much for too long, this session is for you.

We’ll explore what real flexibility looks like in fundraising, beyond the buzzwords and job ads, and how to pursue it without fear of falling behind. You’ll learn how to communicate your needs strategically, assess whether an organisation truly supports flexible working, and protect your professional credibility while designing a career that genuinely works for your life.

If you’ve ever felt that needing flexibility might disadvantage you, this session will help you reframe it as your greatest professional advantage. You’ll walk away with practical tools, including red-flag indicators, confidence frameworks, and word-for-word scripts, that help you navigate job searches, workplace culture, and career transitions with confidence and clarity.

Key Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Identify the difference between performative and genuine flexibility in fundraising roles and organisations.
• Confidently communicate and negotiate their needs without undermining professional credibility.
• Reframe flexibility as a strength and strategic career choice, not a compromise.