Whether you are applying for your first leadership role or you are a seasoned leader in the sector, a tailored, professional and inspiring cover letter is a crucial part of any recruitment process to showcase your motivation, skills and experience in the best possible light.
Below is a guide to writing a cover letter, including tips and a suggested structure to help you formulate a powerful statement.
Top Tips for writing a cover letter for a charity sector leadership role:
1. Show your passion for the charity
The board will want to know what really interests you about the charity’s work, mission and values so you should have this front and centre of your statement. If you are comfortable to share, perhaps you have a personal connection or affinity to their work which drives your application.
2. Do your research
In order to convey your passion for the charity, it’s important to have done your research. Their website is a good starting point as well as the Charity Commission website where their Annual Accounts should be available for perusal. This will equip you with an understanding of the opportunities and challenges faced and how your skills and experience can support this.
3. Think strategically
Particularly pertinent if this is your first leadership role, it will be important to discuss your experience from a leadership perspective i.e. leading teams, setting strategy and delivering on it and reporting into Boards.
4. Include your Board experience
Be sure to mention any Board experience you have. Not only is this excellent experience of operating at a strategic level taking an oversight of an organisation, but it also broadens your experience and networks within the sector.
5. Be concise
Unless otherwise stated, a Statement should be no longer than 1000 words so roughly 2 pages. Aim to communicate your most relevant skills, experience, and achievements succinctly and with clarity. Avoid long, anecdotal examples or repeating information from your CV—save those for the interview!
6. Professional Tone
Your cover letter is an opportunity to showcase your leadership skills and demonstrate how you align with the organisation’s values, so maintain a professional and respectful tone throughout the cover letter. Strike a balance between professional respect and genuine passion for the organisation’s mission.
7. Proofread
Ensure your letter is free from grammatical and spelling errors. Always proofread and remove any unintended phrasing that could detract from the accomplished impression you’re aiming to make. A well-polished cover letter reflects your attention to detail and professionalism!
Suggested structure for your cover letter:
Header
- Your name
- Address
- Contact detail
- Date
- Dear (Chair of the Board/Hiring Manager), addressed by name,
Introduction (2-3 lines):
- Briefly introduce yourself
- Mention the role you are applying for
- Explain how you found out about the position
Why are you interested in this organisation? (1 paragraph)
- Explain your passion for the charity’s mission and values.
- If you feel comfortable, share any personal connection or experience with the cause.
- Highlight your knowledge of the charity’s work and impact.
What skills/experience will you bring? (1-2 paragraphs)
- Discuss what you can contribute to the organisation, thinking about the particular skills/experience they are looking for. You don’t need to address every point on the person specification but do address 2-3 areas that appear to be most important to them.
- Outline how your skills and experience align with the charity’s cause.
Why this role and why now? (1 paragraph)
- How does this role fit into your broader career trajectory?
- Why are you now looking for a new role?
Conclusion
- Reiterate your interest in the charity.
- Mention your availability for the advertised interview dates.
Closing
- Use a professional closing ie. Best regards or Kind regards.
- Your name.
