1. CURRICULUM VITAE
JIM DATSON
OStJ, BSc, DipBA, , FFINZ, FFIA
Mobile 027 490 5252
Email Jim.Datson@xtra.co.nz
Summary
I am particularly suited to and experienced in working in or with the community and voluntary
sector with its mix of voluntary and paid roles, democratic operating environment and resource
limitations.
My skill set has enabled me to become a skilled senior manager with over thirty years’
experience as a leadership professional, team manager, governance advisor and problem-
solver. More than 15 years’ experience at senior management level.
Relevant skills
• People leadership – recruitment, selection, induction, supervision, team building,
performance management and a focus on results - up to 31 direct reports including both
paid staff and volunteers.
• Strategy leadership –evidence based decision-making, problem solving, balancing short and
long-term imperatives and sustainability.
• Financial leadership –budgeting, forecasting, financial interpretation and accountability,
data analysis, financial modelling and asset and capital management.
• Project leadership – initiating, overseeing and completing projects including the
management of project, technical and ICT specialists.
• Communications – written and verbal communication, public speaking, meeting chairing
and stakeholder engagement.
• Negotiating –contract, funding, industrial and policy, particularly in conflict resolution.
Career Summary
Project Director
St John
Project Periscope Ltd
National Fundraising Manager
Regional Executive Officer
2016 - current
2011 – 2015
2003 – 2010
Contract Manager IHC
NZ Woman’s Refuge Collective
Royal NZ Foundation for the Blind
Presbyterian Support Services Northern
1999 – 2002
1997 – 1999
1994 – 1999
1995 – 1999
Self Employed Consultant Peak Performance Group 2001 – 2003

2. James Datson Management Services 1987 – 2000
Employment History
PROJECT PERISCOPE LTD
Project Director
Established a start-up company working through and with the Fundraising Institute of New
Zealand to provide New Zealand based registered Charities and other Community
organisations with tools to help improve their effectiveness and efficiency. The genesis of the
Company grew from extensive analysis of data published by Charities Services. From that,
tools have been to help reflect back to Charities how they are performing against similar
Charities. Additionally, workshops have been designed to address some of the more
significant shortcomings of community organisational leadership.
ST JOHN
National Fundraising Manager
The role assumed responsibility for forging and implementing the organisation’s fundraising
strategy. In the face of growing competition and falling fundraising revenue, there was
specific need to establish a modern working infrastructure utilising both traditional and on-
line capability. Focus for the role was to strengthen areas of weakness based on a plan that
emphasised four E’s – environment, emotion, ease and engagement.
Key Achievements
• Arrested declining fundraising performance and grew annual fundraising revenue from
$25m to over $35m over a four year period
• Recognition from the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand (Category award 2012; Category
award 2008; Supreme award 2008) and International Resource Alliance (runner up 2012)
• Led the adaptation of the St John CRM system (Salesforce) to meet fundraising needs, the
amalgamation of fundraising data from across 53 databases and facilitation of training and
ongoing support for staff and volunteers across 86 sites
• Established internet based transactions including donations, recurring donations,
subscription sign-up and renewals for both credit/debit card and internet banking
• Created an evidence based fundraising plan from a mix of internal data analysis and
establishment of a bench-marking platform comparing fundraising performance against 10
other key New Zealand Charities.
ST JOHN
Regional Executive Officer
I was appointed to this role to specifically assist with the recovery of a region that at the time
was technically bankrupt. The role required specific focus on re-engaging 23 disaffected
volunteer Area Committees across the lower North Island; and rebuilding the organisation’s
operating infrastructure and charitable community services.
Jim Datson Page 2

3. Key Achievements
• Re-engaged volunteer committees and refocussed attention on meeting local needs; and
forgiveness of over $1 million in outstanding debt owed by the Region to Area Committees
• Introduced training for key Area Committee volunteers and reassigned the reporting line of
seven Area Administrators to achieve a consistent Area Administration framework
• Grew the donor database from 5000 to 25,000 over a three year period resulting in growth
in fundraising revenue from $1.2m in 2004 to $3.8m by 2010 which enabled the Region to
reinstitute operational staff training and upgrade and standardise ambulance equipment;
and commence building upgrading
• Facilitated growth of Health Shuttle services from one to five and instituted a Health Shuttle
volunteer training programme and a consistent Health Shuttle vehicle design
• Grew relationships with Local Bodies and community organisations to enhance delivery of
services to communities through collaborative effort
• Initiated building upgrade projects in Feilding, Palmerston North, Whanganui, Wellington,
Dannevirke, Waipukurau and Ohakune.
Education and Professional Development
Mt Eliza Leadership Development Programme
NZ College of Management Strategic Leadership programme
Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE)
Post-graduate diploma in Business Administration (Canterbury)
Bachelor of Science (Otago)
Professional Memberships
The Fundraising Institute of New Zealand
The New Zealand Institute of Management
NZ Strategic Management Society
The Fundraising Institute of Australia
The Australasian Institute of Fundraising
Professional Honours
Fellow, Fundraising Institute of New Zealand
Fellow, The Fundraising Institute – Australia
Relevant Volunteer Contributions
Ongoing Foundation Trustee of “Include a Charity” Trust
Ongoing Dolphin Theatre (including Musician, Musical Director, Back-stage crew,
Front of House Manager, Ticket Office Manager, Management Committee
member, Secretary and Vice President)
Ongoing St John (including Grand Prior Cadet, Events Team Leader, Ambulance
Officer, Project Committees chairman/member)
Jim Datson Page 3

4. 1990 – 1992 Founding Trustee of Volunteering Auckland
Interests
• Gardening
• Reading and music
• Live Theatre
• Travel
Verbal Referees
• Supplied on request.
Jim Datson Page 4