Banner Default Image

Summary and market trends


Next year...’ we wrote this time last year, ‘...we’ll be publishing this from somewhere outside the EU. Or not.’ Which was either exceptional foresight, or shamelessly covering all bases to be right either way, but why not pretend it’s the first one?

These days of course it’s hard to predict what even next week might throw up (perhaps the appropriate term), but we can tell you what’s happening with third sector salaries and what we’re seeing in the market right now.


We’ll look at different job functions in detail elsewhere, but for the sector-wide salary news, it’s safe to say you won’t need a seat.

Reassuringly short on shocks and surprises, this year’s stats suggest it’s largely been business as usual, demand for most skills has been strong (and dare we say stable?) with recruitment being remarkably robust, in spite of the considerable turbulence elsewhere.


This year’s most wanted

Fundraisers are still in greatest demand, raising remuneration for some, while roles with a digital remit have dominated proceedings in marketing.

That’s because charities, once seen as a little late to the digital party, have been gaining lost ground with gusto, investing in new skills, new channels and new websites, aiming to maximise the potential of their digital streams.

Meanwhile the trend of bringing functions like finance and HR closer to core activities continues, creating more opportunities for the word ‘synergies’ than anyone’s entirely comfortable with, but opportunities too for business partners who can integrate with other teams to achieve their common goals.

Temps are also in high demand, as are many short-term and project-based workers who’ve seen some rises, albeit highly dependent on the project.


Flexibility is your friend

Connecting all of these areas, highlighted by each of our specialists and coming through loud and clear from the thousands of candidates we’ve interviewed this year, is the strength of demand for flexible working.

As little as a year ago, flexible hours, working from home and similar arrangements were often discussed as an optional extra, a way for savvy charities to give themselves an edge in the tussle for talent.

That’s simply no longer the case: flexibility has quickly developed from ‘often requested’ to ‘fully expected’ and we’ve seen otherwise-excellent offers turned down if that expectation isn’t met. With such tough competition for candidates, it can easily be the difference between recruiting new talent or not, something few can afford to ignore.

Fortunately it’s something charities tend to be rather good at, with many pioneering examples to be found throughout the sector. And while more commercial firms are getting the memo all the time, it’s still a huge part of the appeal for external applicants, frequently happy to trade their higher salary for a more flexible lifestyle and more fulfilling career.


If flexibility now comes as standard, how can charities stand out?

This is where the hiring process can make a real difference, with a clear understanding of your employer brand: what makes your organisation a great place to work, and why would candidates choose to?

Understanding this and articulating it clearly and consistently in job ads, interviews and at every step of the way is simple, adds no extra cost, and yet it’s surprisingly often overlooked.

As a result, those who do it well, keeping candidates engaged and making them feel valued (not least because you’ve considered the experience from their perspective), have a clear advantage when it comes to attracting the best.





Download the full 24-page 2019 Salary Report

Welcome and introduction 

Summary and market trends 

Fundraising ►

Marketing, PR & Digital ►

Business Services ►

Policy, Advocacy & Campaigns ►

Finance ►

Human Resources ►

Projects & Programmes ►

Temporary & Interim ►

Executive salaries ►

Candidate insights ►

Career shifters ►

Regional updates ►

Methodology & FAQ ►











Blogthumb Final

Thinking of temping? Here’s what to consider…

Temping offers flexibility, variety and a chance to boost your CV - but is it right for you?​ Hear from current Harris Hill temps as freelance writer and guest blogger Nicola Greenbrook explores...Do you ever catch yourself gazing out of the window, dreaming about a work life that breaks away from the conventional nine-to-five? Are you someone with multiple interests and many interconnecting ca...

Read more
Blog Thumb 2

Celebrating UK charity jobs for UK Charity Week 2023!

It's UK Charity Week 2023, so join us for a whirlwind festive tour of some of the best opportunities with charities around the country!​Yes, even though it feels about 30 seconds since you bundled last year’s decorations into an overstuffed box in the loft*, it’s December already, which means it’s time to get them down but more importantly, time for UK Charity Week 2023, celebrating the brillia...

Read more
B Corp Blogthumb Final

Harris Hill is now a Certified B Corporation

We're delighted to share the news that Harris Hill is now B Corp Certified! It makes us part of a global community of businesses meeting high standards of social and environmental impact, accountability and transparency, and leading the transformation of the global economic system. That's a big ambition, but at the simplest level, being certified is recognition that we're here for the right rea...

Read more
Blogthumb 2

Access all areas: how to use the Recite Me toolbar

As part of our diversity and inclusion strategy, the Harris Hill website now features the award-winning Recite Me assistive toolbar, providing a wide range of accessibility and language support tools for a more inclusive online experience. Here’s an overview of the benefits and how to use it.​There’s a lot to look out for when you’re searching for a new job online. In most cases, you'll actual...

Read more
Blogthumb

Meet the 2023 Charity Softball finalists!

​Landing just ahead of the big day and 20th anniversary celebrations, meet the teams playing for glory in the 2023 Charity Softball League!Like any other year, 2003 gave the world some things we’d rather it hadn’t - war in Iraq, the SARS outbreak, the Black Eyed Peas – but over the course of that long hot summer, it also gave us (courtesy of founding father Leo Visconti) something we’re very gl...

Read more
Finance Blog Thumb

2023 Salary Survey: finance market trends

They’re certainly earning their keep in these financially-challenging times, but are charity finance professionals securing higher salaries and what’s happening in the market? Here’s what our finance experts have to say on the subject, updated from our 2023 Salary Survey, which you can view or download below for all the figures.​​​​​​Finance market trendsTo the world of charity finance now, whe...

Read more
Blogthumb Final2

How to secure new talent (without spending a fortune)

Candidate scarcity and high inflation have made securing new staff more challenging (and expensive) than ever, but there ARE ways to improve your hiring prospects that needn't cost a thing...(updated and extended from the 2023 Harris Hill Salary Survey)Beyond the world of marketing, where they grow on carefully-branded trees, our 2023 Salary Survey finds candidates in short supply and high dema...

Read more
Temps Blog Thumb

Considering hiring a temp? Here’s what you need to know…

​Hiring temps is a flexible and cost-effective way to fill gaps and bring in extra resource or skills, but if you haven't before, where should you start and what are the benefits? Freelance writer and HR specialist Nicola Greenbrook talks us through everything you need to know.What is a temp?A temporary agency worker or ‘temp’ differs from a permanent member of staff as, rather than being direc...

Read more