Fractional Fundraising Director, CIRCUS Running

Location: Remote / Hybrid (UK Preferred) Commitment: Fractional (1–3 days per week) Compensation: Monthly Retainer + Success Fee + Optional Equity About Us We are a premium performance running apparel brand building a category-defining business at the intersection of performance, fashion, and culture. We've built a strong brand foundation and are now entering the next stage of growth. To accelerate that journey, we're looking for an experienced fundraising professional with an exceptional investor network and a proven track record of raising capital for ambitious, high-growth businesses. This role has one clear objective: Secure investment to fuel the next stage of the company's growth.

The Opportunity We're looking for a highly connected Fractional Fundraising Director to become an extension of our leadership team and take ownership of our fundraising activities. This is not a consultancy role focused on creating pitch decks or offering strategic advice from the sidelines. We're looking for someone who actively opens doors, creates investor opportunities, leads fundraising conversations, and helps us successfully close investment rounds. You'll bring the experience, credibility, network, and commercial expertise that materially increases our ability to secure investment.

Key Responsibilities ● Own and execute the company's fundraising strategy. ● Build and manage a high-quality pipeline of prospective investors. ● Leverage your existing network to secure warm introductions. ● Identify and engage angel investors, venture capital firms, family offices, and strategic investors. ● Lead investor outreach, relationship management, and fundraising discussions. ● Prepare founders for investor meetings and negotiations. ● Advise on fundraising strategy, valuation positioning, and investment structures. ● Coordinate due diligence and support the successful completion of investment rounds. ● Maintain momentum throughout the fundraising process and drive accountability against agreed milestones. ● Provide strategic input where it directly improves fundraising outcomes.

Essential Experience We're looking for someone who can demonstrate: ● A proven track record of successfully raising equity investment for startups or high-growth businesses. ● An established and active network of angel investors, venture capital firms, family offices, and high-net-worth investors. ● Significant experience leading fundraising rounds from initial introduction through to completion. ● Exceptional sales, negotiation, and relationship management skills. ● Strong commercial judgement and the ability to communicate compelling investment opportunities. ● Experience working alongside founders in fast-paced, early-stage businesses.

Mandatory Requirement This is a results-driven appointment. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a recent, verifiable track record of successfully raising capital for early-stage businesses. During the interview process, candidates will be expected to discuss: ● The funding rounds they have personally led. ● The total capital they have helped raise. ● The types of investors they have worked with. ● Their role in sourcing and managing investor relationships. ● Examples of successful fundraising outcomes. ● References or evidence that substantiate these achievements. Applicants whose experience is limited to creating pitch decks, providing fundraising advice, or making introductions without a proven record of completed investment rounds are unlikely to be suitable for this role.

Success Measures Success in this role will be measured against clear outcomes, including: ● Number of qualified investor introductions generated. ● Number of investor meetings secured. ● Growth and quality of the investor pipeline. ● Capital successfully raised. ● Speed and efficiency of fundraising execution. ● Quality of investor engagement throughout the fundraising process.

Personal Attributes We're looking for someone who is: ● Exceptionally well connected. ● Highly credible with investors. ● Commercially astute. ● A confident and persuasive communicator. ● A skilled negotiator. ● Proactive and execution-focused. ● Resilient and accountable. ● Comfortable operating autonomously in a founder-led business.

Compensation We're open to structuring a package that attracts an exceptional individual, including: ● Monthly fractional retainer. ● Performance-based success fee linked to capital raised. ● Equity participation for candidates who create exceptional long-term value. Why Join Us? This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of an ambitious premium consumer brand. You'll work directly with the founders, influence the company's growth trajectory, and be rewarded for delivering tangible fundraising outcomes. If you have the network, credibility, and track record to help ambitious businesses secure investment, we'd love to hear from you.

How to apply Applications will only be considered via email to info@circusrunning.co, with the subject line "Fundraising Director - [Your Name]". Please include your CV and a cover letter that specifically addresses: the funding rounds you have personally led, the total capital raised, and the types of investors involved.