Donor engagement officer jobs

Senior Fundraising Manager (Major Giving)

Salary£49,321.55 per annum

LocationLondon/Hybrid

Weekly Hours35

The Vacancy

Job Title: Senior Fundraising Manager (Major Giving)

Location: London/Hybrid

Salary: £49,321.55 per annum

Weekly Hours: 35

Reference: YMC1095733

We seek a strategic and relationship-driven Philanthropy fundraising professional with a passion for making a difference to young people’s lives. If you thrive on securing transformational gifts and building meaningful connections with high-value donors,  then YMCA England & Wales has an incredible opportunity for you to shape and lead our Major Giving programme as our new Senior Fundraising Manager (Major Giving).

About YMCA England & Wales

YMCA England & Wales supports 83 local YMCAs, advocating for vulnerable young people by providing essential building blocks for a better life—like a safe home, guidance, friendship, and employment skills. We are committed to ensuring fairness and opportunity for all, and through our collective voice, we influence national policy and media to improve the lives of young people across the country.

Fundraising at YMCA England & Wales has three pillars:

• Fundraising for distribution through initiatives such as our RoomSponsor programme and national partnerships
• Fundraise to support YMCAs and fund our policy, campaign and research work, which changes the lives of young people
• Help YMCAs fundraise themselves by providing assets, propositions, and advice for local fundraisers.

The Role

As Senior Fundraising Manager (Major Giving), you will lead the development and implementation of an ambitious new Major Giving strategy to secure and maximise funds from high-net-worth individuals. Your focus will be on nurturing relationships with existing donors while identifying and engaging new prospects, driving initiatives including Giving Circles and Development Boards.

You will work closely with senior leadership, Trustees, and key stakeholders to craft compelling cases for support, aligning with YMCA’s ambitious new housing strategy and broader organisational goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and grow a portfolio of major donors, developing tailored engagement strategies to inspire long-term support.
• Plan and execute donor stewardship activities, including bespoke events, face-to-face meetings, and personalised communications.
• Work with senior leadership and Trustees to build strong relationships with philanthropists and high-value supporters.
• Develop and deliver compelling proposals, impact reports, and updates to donors.
• Identify and research prospective major donors, developing strategies to engage them effectively.
• Implement YMCA’s ambitious Major Giving Strategy which projects an ever more important focus for this area.
• Oversee the Major Giving income and expenditure budget, providing accurate forecasts and performance reports.
• Collaborate with colleagues across fundraising teams to align strategies and maximise income opportunities.
• Ensure robust data management within the CRM database, adhering to GDPR and best practices.
• Work cross-functionally to develop new fundraising products and giving opportunities, ensuring high-value philanthropy is embedded across the organisation.

About You

We are looking for a highly motivated, strategic, and personable fundraising professional with a proven track record of securing major gifts. You will be confident in building relationships with high-net-worth individuals and passionate about delivering exceptional donor experiences.

You will have:

• Significant experience in major donor fundraising, with a track record of securing five- and six-figure gifts.
• Excellent relationship management skills, with the ability to engage and influence high-value supporters.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning skills, with experience in developing and implementing fundraising strategies.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to create compelling cases for support.
• Budget management and forecasting experience, with a focus on data-driven decision-making.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders, including Trustees and senior leadership teams.
• Knowledge of philanthropy trends, donor motivations, and fundraising best practices.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of an ambitious and growing fundraising team, with the opportunity to shape and lead YMCA’s major donor programme.
• Work for a charity that makes a real difference in the lives of young people and communities across England & Wales.
• Enjoy a collaborative and supportive work environment, where your contributions are valued and celebrated.
• Competitive salary and benefits package, with opportunities for professional development.

If you are passionate about philanthropy and have the skills and experience to drive major donor fundraising at YMCA England & Wales, we would love to hear from you!

To apply: please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role

Our recruitment process is anonymised and candidates' names are hidden. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. Safer recruitment is important to us and the successful applicant will be asked to provide two references. They will also be required to complete a safeguarding self-declaration, safeguarding training and undertake a DBS check.

Funders In Good is looking for a Programme Officer to join our programmes team and help deliver initiatives that support and grow social ventures.

Funders In Good provides capacity-building support, including training, diagnostics, tailored grants, and strategic support, to help social ventures enhance their growth and impact. By 2035, our goal is to help build 10 best-in-class community organisations serving Islam and Muslims in the UK. We back ventures and leaders who are contributing to our vision of a society in which commitment to God is flourishing.

As a Programme Officer, you will work closely with the existing team to develop and deliver high-quality interventions. You will support key areas of work within our programme framework, contribute to the delivery of ongoing projects, and assist in other important areas of the organisation, such as our Funder Community and core operations.

We are looking for an organised, experienced, and confident Programme Officer who is committed to our vision.

To apply for the role, please submit your CV and prepare a supporting statement (maximum 200 words per question), answering the following questions:

1. What resonates with you about Funders In Good’s God-centred mission and long-term approach?

2. How you would plan, deliver, and evaluate a cohort-based capacity-building programme.

3. How you would handle a disengaged venture leader while managing competing programme priorities.

Please read the Job Description for full details or to arrange an informal chat with the team. Please note the applicant should be UK based, as the role will require travel to London.

WMUK is looking for a proactive and self-driven fundraiser to lead on the creation and implementation of the charity’s fundraising strategy, ensuring that the charity has a sustainable base to improve the lives of people affected by Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia (WM) and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL), rare forms of blood cancer.

Leading on the delivery of fundraising activities, you’ll be a self-starter who can hit the ground running. You’ll be able to implement a strategy, whilst also quickly identifying and capitalising on opportunities as they come up, demonstrating flexibility and an ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

The role will also give you the opportunity to work alongside the CEO in the creation of a major donor programme, helping to support the growth of this important stream for the charity by managing relationships and shaping the nature of support these individuals receive.

As an adept relationship manager, you’ll be able to speak and write persuasively to engage stakeholders long-term. You’ll be experienced in working directly with beneficiaries and have an empathetic demeanour.

This is a fantastic opportunity for the right candidate to create something from the ground up, seeing tangible impact quickly.

Chief Executive Officer (Part-time, 3 days/week)

Veterans With Dogs (VWD) is seeking a dynamic and compassionate Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead our charity into its next chapter. This rare and exciting opportunity offers the chance to guide a small, high-impact team at a pivotal stage in the charity’s growth.

Location: Exeter (hybrid with regular office presence required)
Salary: £45,000–£55,000 pro-rata (equivalent to £27,000 - £33,000 for 3 days/week) + 3% pension contribution
Contract: Initial 1 year role with opportunity to extend

Hours: 21 hours / 3 days per week

Holiday: 28 days per annum (FTE), plus bank holidays
Reports to: Chair of Trustees
Direct reports: 4

About Veterans With Dogs

Veterans With Dogs is a UK charity that transforms the lives of Armed Forces veterans living with mental health challenges. Through the provision of highly trained assistance dogs and trauma-informed support, we help restore purpose, independence, and dignity to those who have served.

Founded in 2012, our work addresses a vital gap for veterans living with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and complex trauma. Through our award-winning PALS™ (Partner Animal Life Skills) programme, we help veterans re-engage with life, with the support of a trusted companion by their side.

Following a period of governance transition and renewal, we are entering a new and exciting phase. We are strengthening leadership, systems, and strategy to ensure long-term sustainability and greater reach. As we begin this next chapter, we are seeking an experienced, values-driven CEO to lead us confidently into this next phase.

The Role

The CEO will provide strategic direction, operational oversight, and cultural leadership for Veterans With Dogs. Working closely with the Board of Trustees, the CEO will oversee the delivery of the charity’s mission, ensure operational excellence, develop our long-term strategy, and foster a values-led and high-performing team.

This is a hands-on, multi-dimensional leadership role, ideal for a calm, pragmatic, and inspiring individual with experience of organisational stabilisation, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable growth. You will be a visible leader at our base in Exeter, while building strong relationships across the veteran, assistance dog, and wider charity sectors.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

· Lead the development and delivery of an interim plan and longer-term organisational strategy

· Translate strategic goals into clear operational priorities and plans

· Foster a compassionate, inclusive, and mission-aligned organisational culture

· Act as a credible and inspiring ambassador for Veterans With Dogs with stakeholders, funders, partners, and the public

• Guide the charity through stabilisation and values-led, sustainable growth

Governance & Compliance

· Ensure compliance with all relevant charity law, regulation, and best practice

· Work in partnership with the Board of Trustees, supporting effective governance and reporting

· Implement and embed improvements in HR, finance, safeguarding, IT, and operational systems

• Lead on organisational risk management, ensuring policies and procedures are in place and regularly reviewed

Operations & Programme Delivery

· Oversee day-to-day operations to ensure safe, ethical, and effective service delivery

· Ensure safeguarding standards are upheld for both veterans and dogs

· Drive continuous improvement in programme quality, delivery, and impact measurement

• Ensure operational systems and data processes are robust, compliant, and fit for purpose

People & Culture

· Lead, support, and nurture a small, dedicated staff team and wider network of volunteers

· Promote staff wellbeing, clear communication, and professional development

• Work with trustees to assess future staffing needs and build leadership capacity

Finance & Sustainability

· Work with trustees and advisors to ensure sound financial management and reporting

· Contribute to financial planning, budgeting, and development of a sustainable reserves policy

• Help diversify income streams, supporting fundraising efforts, corporate partnerships, and individual giving

Fundraising & External Relations

· Build and maintain relationships with funders, donors, corporate partners, and sector allies

· Collaborate with the fundraising trustee to develop new funding opportunities

· Represent the charity externally with credibility, transparency, and professionalism

• Strengthen partnerships with ADUK, ADI, Cobseo, and other key membership bodies

Person Specification

Essential

· Senior leadership experience within a charity, social enterprise, or values-led organisation

· Strong knowledge of charity governance, regulation, and trustee relationships

· Experience leading teams through organisational change or stabilisation

· Financial literacy with experience of budgeting, reporting, and planning

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills across diverse stakeholders

• A calm, values-based, and ethical leadership approach

Desirable

· Experience in health, mental health, veterans’ services, or trauma-informed work

· Experience working with boards during periods of strategic or leadership transition

· Fundraising and/or income generation experience

· Understanding of safeguarding best practice (for people and/or animals)

• Lived experience of the military or charity sectors (not essential)

Our Commitment

Veterans With Dogs is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We actively welcome applicants from all backgrounds and strive to create a supportive, respectful, and empowering workplace. We recognise the value of lived experience and are committed to continuous learning as an organisation.

How to Apply

Apply with your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your interest and suitability.

If you would like a confidential conversation before applying, we would be happy to speak with you.

Closing date to apply: Friday 13 March 2026

· First interviews (online): week commencing 16 March 2026

· Second interviews (in our Exeter office): week commencing 23 March 2026 TBC

NO RECRUITERS AT THIS STAGE PLEASE

Do you love helping people and helping a great charity at the same time?  Are you friendly, clear and compassionate when speaking to our supporters on the phone or in person?  Do you have strong computer skills and a keen attention to detail?

At Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity, we believe there’s always more we can do for our sick kids and women. It’s our mission to raise the vital funds needed to make a real difference to all who use our hospitals and to make our hospital feel just like home. 

We’re looking for a friendly, hard-working, compassionate individual to join our fast-paced team. You will have strong communication skills, with a friendly demeanour and a positive, ‘can do’ attitude.  Sound computer skills are also essential for success.  Our Supporter Services Team is the first port of call for many of our supporters and we hope each interaction is the beginning of a lasting relationship in support of our charity. 

To be successful in this role you will: 

• Have previous experience in a customer services/administrative role

• Be friendly, compassionate and self-motivated 

• Possess a natural ability to engage with people on the phone or in person, and encourage trust and enthusiasm at the start of a supporter’s journey with the charity 

• Be able to work at a computer for significant periods of time, as well as acting as an effective and engaged team-player. 

• Have excellent computer skills – touch-type desirable, confident using a database, ensuring data input is clean and efficient.

• Regular monitoring of a busy team inbox and responding to or forwarding on emails in a prompt and helpful manner, within agreed timescales 

• Have responsibility for the recording of donations and other financial data onto the database and handwritten ledger – ensuring accuracy at all times 

• To ensure timely and efficient thanking of our supporters 

• Possess a full driving license

Please see the job pack attached for further information on the role.

What we offer:

The Charity is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. 

• Flexible working and the opportunity to WFH one day per week to support work-life balance
• Generous annual leave entitlement with additional leave for long service 
• Enhanced sick pay
•  Access to an Employee Assistance programme which offers 
  both virtual and in-person support, 24/7 access to a GP 
  surgery web app, as well as lifestyle savings across online and 
  high street shops
• Free flu jabs
• Charity events throughout the year
• Employer enhanced auto-enrolment pension scheme with 8% employer contribution
• Ongoing commitment to training and professional development

The Charity is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. 

Successful candidates will have access to vulnerable beneficiaries and will therefore require an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). 

If you think you have the qualities we are looking for and the desire to contribute, please download the Job Description and Person Specification and then send us a CV and covering letter explaining how you meet the criteria for the role and making clear why you would like to be considered for it. 

In this pivotal role as Prospect Research Manager at Diabetes UK, you will lead on managing prospect research, pipeline development, and adhere to best practice across income streams with a clear strategy that focuses on sourcing prospective high value donors to fund key strategic ambitions. One in 15 of us is now living with diabetes. Together, we have the opportunity to change this for the next generation. We are looking for someone who is a strategic thinker, analytical, organised in their approach and who can demonstrate accuracy and attention to detail in their work.   Join us and be part of something truly transformational as we change the narrative around diabetes and create a more inclusive world.

About our Organisation 

The Soil Association, formed in 1946, is the only UK charity which works across the spectrum of human health, the environment and animal welfare. That’s because we cannot tackle these issues in isolation.

We campaign for change, we support farming innovation, we serve healthy food in communities, we support and grow the organic market, and we protect forests. We couldn't do any of this without our supporters, partners, donors and dedicated staff. We make a difference in the world where it’s needed the most.

About the Opportunity 

Join our ambitious fundraising team and play a vital role in retaining and developing supporters to raise income for the Charity. You’ll have a passion for donor centric communications and enjoy working across multi-channel campaigns. You’ll bring fundraising experience in excellent supporter stewardship and writing for different supporter audiences across both print and digital formats.

About You 
You've gained experience within a fundraising team and have knowledge about the needs of charitable donors. Understanding of a CRM or database is essential in order to deliver supporter journeys and manage donor data. You'll have worked in a similar role previously where you've written for a variety of supporter audiences across multiple channels. Experience of end of end project management for delivering a printed magazine is essential, as this is a large part of this role. As well as working knowledge of email marketing tools and analytics.

Our Benefits

• We offer a range of financial and lifestyle benefits to all our employees, including:

• 27 days annual holiday increasing to 30 days with length of service plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time) 

• Pension scheme with ethical investment options and employer contribution increasing with length of service 

• Free membership of the Soil Association and discounts on organic produce 

• Volunteer days to give back to the local community or support green initiatives 

• Family friendly policies and flexible working

• Cycle to work scheme 

• Sociable and engaging workplace of professionals that share a passion for healthy, sustainable lifestyle and produce. 

To Apply 

Click ‘apply now’ to submit your application form. Please note we look at applications on arrival and reserve the right to close this vacancy early. 

Please check your junk/spam folder if you do not receive a confirmation email upon submitting your application. All candidates will subsequently receive an email to confirm whether they have made it through to interview stage. 

For any queries, please contact us.

Please note we do not accept CVs or Cover Letters. 

We know the value of diversity in nature and want it in our organisation. We recognise that diverse backgrounds and experiences will bring a fresh perspective to our work. If you're not sure about applying, please get in touch with us for a chat. 

Thank you for your interest in supporting our work at the Soil Association. 

The CEO will play a pivotal leadership role in ensuring the continued success and sustainability of Clwyd Special Riding Centre. This is a wide-ranging role combining strategic leadership with hands-on people management.

The postholder will oversee the daily running of the Centre while also working closely with Trustees to deliver long-term development plans. The role demands strong financial and organisational management, excellent people skills, and the ability to balance compassion with pragmatism.

The CEO will act as a key ambassador for the Centre, building relationships with supporters, stakeholders, and the wider community to secure funding and grow the charity’s impact.  The CEO will create the strategic plans for the next 5 years and work with the Trustees, Stakeholders and Staff to implement the plan.

This is an exciting opportunity to transition the organisation into a sustainable, self-funded and agile organisation able to meet the needs of their traditional participant and those members of the community who could benefit from equine activities.

Contract length: Permanent

Location: North West London

Hours per week: 35, flexible working but minimum two days in the office

Salary:  £43-47K depending on experience

Closing date for applications: Sunday 1 March 2026 at midnight, interested applicants are encouraged to apply early.

Interview dates: We will be conducting Teams interviews w/c 9th March, followed by an in-person interview w/c 16th March.

Are you a fundraiser passionate about making a real difference for animals in need? We are looking for a Public Fundraising Manager to join us at Mayhew.

Every dog and cat in need deserves expert, personalised care and support, and to be loved. When you work for Mayhew, you understand that better than ever.

We’re a passionate, committed and diverse team of c80 staff and c150 volunteers, here for dogs, cats and communities in the UK, in Georgia and in Tunisia. We offer expert veterinary care, rescue and rehoming services, programmes in the community and guidance and support to improve the lives of dogs and cats in need.

We are recruiting an experienced and ambitious Public Fundraising Manager who will share our compassion and commitment to animal welfare, to lead on the delivery of our public fundraising programme This role manages activity across individual giving, community & events, legacies and in memory, ensuring it aligns with our strategic goals and delivers long-term, sustainable income from these income streams.

Our Public Fundraising Manager is integral to our ambition to broaden our reach and deepen our impact by shaping our mass fundraising activities and working on integrated campaigns with the Fundraising Team, wider colleagues and external suppliers. This is a highly visible and important role for Mayhew and will work across departments to strengthen our case for support and employ it across a range of mass fundraising products, retention and acquisition channels, as well as delivering excellent stewardship and supporter experience.

As a senior member of the Fundraising Team, this role spans strategic planning and operational delivery and the successful candidate will be able to pivot from working closely with the Head of Fundraising to identify new growth opportunities, to project managing a direct mail appeal, to supporting their line reports to optimise their own day-to-day work and processes.

At Mayhew, we feel the urgency of soaring demand for our vital work and feel relentless in our commitment to rise to meet it. We work in a contemporary and flexible way, always supporting one another to take opportunities and to manage competing priorities so we can achieve our objectives. We are looking for someone who is as committed to dogs and cats in need as we are, and who thrives in this working style.

We are looking for an experienced, passionate and resourceful fundraising manager with a keen eye for detail and proven experience of meeting or exceeding income targets. We are looking for someone with a focus on individual giving and experience in at least one of community & events or legacies, with a keen ability to use data to deliver insight-led activity and supporter journeys. We are looking for someone who shares our ambitions to grow our income significantly over the coming years, and face into challenges and opportunities along the way, and who will inspire trust and enthusiasm in their team and across the organisation.

Generally, you will:

• Provide leadership and support to the Head of Fundraising as part of the fundraising team
• Deliver against income targets (£2.7m in 2026) and maximise the unrestricted impact of cash and regular giving income
• Develop and implement effective onward fundraising donor journeys, including legacy marketing
• Proactively improve supporter care processes, operations and relationships
• Lead innovation in our public fundraising approach in a test and learn culture
• Collaborate proactively across the organisation to find, develop and share stories that will inspire support
• Be a positive, empathetic people manager, inspiring your team and leading by example.

To be successful in this role, you need relevant experience in:

• A fundraising role in a charity of comparable breadth and scope with proven success in growing income, with experience in individual giving and one of community & events or legacies
• Being a great project manager and successfully managing multiple, often competing projects through to delivery
• Budget development and management, including regular forecasting
• Identifying and successfully implementing proactive initiatives to grow and diversify income
• Reporting and monitoring success so as to adapt and refine fundraising projects and products
• Successfully motivating, managing, and developing a team, whether through line management or project/stakeholder management

Why Join Mayhew?

You’ll be part of an ambitious organisation with plans to grow income and broaden our impact for dogs, cats, and communities. We work collaboratively and flexibly, always supporting one another to take opportunities and to manage competing priorities so we can achieve our objectives.

If you’re ready to make a real difference and thrive in a fast-paced, purpose-driven environment, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today to join Mayhew and help us create a better future for dogs, cats, and the people who love them.
 

Please note that successful candidates will be asked to evidence their Right to Work in the UK post-job offer – we do not hold a sponsor licence therefore we are unable to provide Visa sponsorship.

We reserve the right to close this post at any time, should we receive a high volume of applications.

This is a brand new leadership role at a pivotal moment for the Greyhound Trust.

We’re creating a new team, with a new remit, to take on a new challenge: driving our work across brand, income generation, marketing, communications and engagement so that more greyhounds can be supported, homed and championed.

As Head of Marketing, Communications and Income Generation, you’ll build and lead a compact, hands-on, multi-disciplinary team, bringing together specialist skills and embedding genuinely integrated, collaborative ways of working. This role will suit someone who enjoys shaping teams as much as shaping strategy — and who is excited by the opportunity to create something from the ground up.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you’ll be a key member of the senior management team, contributing to the organisation’s strategic development, long-term planning and operational effectiveness. You’ll work as part of a highly motivated, close-knit leadership group based at the National Greyhound Centre in Horley, Surrey, where collaboration, mutual support and shared accountability really matter.

Alongside leading the Trust’s brand, marketing and income generation activity, you will also develop and manage our wholly owned trading subsidiary, Greyhound Events Ltd — ensuring it grows sustainably and plays a meaningful role in both income generation and supporter engagement. You’ll see events not just as fundraisers, but as powerful opportunities to build relationships, tell our story and bring new audiences closer to our cause.

You’ll be responsible for creating and delivering an integrated brand, marketing and income generation strategy, grounded in audience insight and sector best practice, and flexible enough to evolve as we grow. From individual giving and digital campaigns to partnerships, events and retail, you’ll oversee a diverse income portfolio while ensuring supporters and volunteers have a consistently positive experience with the Greyhound Trust.

This is a role for a leader who combines strategic vision with practical delivery, and who leads with empathy, creativity and determination. You’ll support colleagues and volunteers across the organisation, champion high standards, and help ensure that everything we do reflects our values — committed, compassionate and determined — always doing what is best for every greyhound.

We are excited to hear from you if you bring experience, energy and a commitment to our casue.

Please see the full JD / Job pack below.

Lismore is an island rich in history and Gaelic heritage and is home to a vibrant Heritage Centre which is now recruiting a Freelance Project Officer. The Project Officer will lead the development phase of a planned extension. The post-holder will be responsible for securing funding for the project and managing the project through the planning stage, working closely with appointed architects, funders, stakeholders, and the local community.

This role is central to ensuring the project is well-defined, fully costed, and ready for delivery, while aligning with the Centre’s heritage and community objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Fundraising and Funding Development
• Project Development and Planning
• Stakeholder and Community Engagement
• Reporting, and Administration

Person Specification

• Demonstrable experience in fundraising or funding development, preferably within the heritage, cultural, or community sector.
• Experience of working on development projects.
• Proven ability to write clear, persuasive funding applications and reports.

We are looking for an experienced museum and heritage professional with a curatorial and/or learning and engagement background to ensure our collection, archive and content development has relevance for diverse audiences and partners.

The role of Head of Content, Learning & Engagement offers a hugely exciting opportunity to join a young and ambitious charity at a pivotal moment in its evolution.

You will develop our work across the collection and archive, including having curatorial oversight for Crystal Palace Museum, ownership of which will be transferring to the Trust during 2026. You will also lead our learning and engagement programmes, ensuring all activity is audience-driven and rooted in our mission, values and strategic principles and taking inspiration from our rich heritage and landscape and fascinating creative, cultural, and sporting legacy.

Join a charity which helps families wherever and whenever they need us

Lia’s Wings is the only charity delivering life-saving aeromedical transfers by plane both within the UK and overseas. We make sure babies and children receive the vital treatment they need, no matter where they are. Alongside these urgent medical transfers, we provide tailored, wrap-around support for families to help them through a crisis, creating long-term improved health and well-being outcomes.

We are seeking a new Director of Fundraising to help us increase our income to support more families. 

The successful candidate will set the strategic direction for fundraising, lead the team to build strong and sustainable income streams and ensure the charity has the resources it needs to deliver and expand our vital services.This is a wonderful opportunity to help shape the future of our small but mighty charity. The successful candidate will bring proven fundraising leadership experience, strong relationship-building skills, and a genuine passion for providing life-changing support to babies and children.   

Key Responsibilities: 

• Develop and deliver a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned to organisational goals.
• Lead income development and diversification across corporate, major donor, trusts and foundations, community fundraising and events.
• Lead the development of compelling cases for support, proposals, and donor communications.
• Build a strong corporate partnerships programme, including aviation sector engagement and charity of the year partnerships.
• Identify and cultivate major donor prospects, working closely with the CEO where appropriate.
• Grow individual giving, including regular giving, appeals, and legacy development.
• Oversee the trusts and foundations pipeline, ensuring high quality applications and stewardship.
• Provide strategic insight to the CEO and Board on fundraising performance, opportunities, and risks.
• As a member of our Senior Management Team, contribute to organisational planning, budgeting, and impact.  reporting.

We are looking for someone with: 

• Proven track record of delivering significant income growth across multiple fundraising streams.
• Experience developing and implementing fundraising strategies.
• Strong leadership skills, with experience managing and developing teams.
• Demonstrable success in building relationships with high-value donors, corporates, or trusts.
• Experience working in a small or growing charity environment.

For further details, please see the attached job description. 

How to apply: 

To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter. Your cover letter (no more than 2 sides of A4) should demonstrate how you meet the person specification set out in the job description. 

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 27th February. 

Please note first round interviews will take place online Thursday 5th and Monday 9th March. A second (and final) round interview will take place in London on the morning of Wednesday 18th March. 

You will be part of a warm, supportive and forward-thinking community dedicated to nurturing young people academically, emotionally and spiritually. Seeking an ambitious, relationship-driven Development Manager to lead and grow our fundraising, community engagement, and alumni relations activity across our family of schools. This is an exciting opportunity to join a values-led educational trust and play a strategic role in supporting life-changing bursaries, major development projects, and the flourishing of our parent and alumni communities. Working closely with the COO, Heads, Governors, and our dedicated volunteer networks, you will champion a culture of philanthropy, belonging, and long-term support for our schools.

As Development Manager, you will:
Lead the Fundraising Strategy - Design and deliver a long-term fundraising strategy, with a particular focus on bursaries and capital projects
Build and nurture relationships with donors and prospects
Develop a strong, sustainable donor pipeline
Monitor fundraising performance and share regular progress updates with senior leaders.
Line manage the Development Assistant
Grow Our Alumni & Parent Communities
Create a vibrant alumni programme shaped around events, storytelling, and engagement opportunities
Oversee alumni data management and ensure GDPR compliance
Coordinate high-quality alumni communications, reunions, and digital content
Support & Empower Volunteers
Act as the main liaison for parent-led groups, providing guidance and partnership
Support community events such as fairs, auctions, uniform sales and fundraising initiatives
Deliver Inspiring Communications & Events
Work with Marketing to champion development of stories across digital and print channels
Produce engaging content that demonstrates the impact of giving
Plan and deliver stewardship and cultivation events, including receptions, legacy gatherings and giving campaigns.
Oversee development administration, correspondence, databases, and budgets
Travel is required one day a week to their other site in surrey

About You
Proven success in fundraising, development, alumni relations or stakeholder engagement
Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills
Strong written and verbal communication, including ability to create persuasive content
Experience managing multiple projects strategically and efficiently
Confident using CRM systems and working with donor/alumni data
Experience leading or mentoring staff
A proactive, collaborative approach with the ability to work independently
Experience working with senior leadership or major donors
Knowledge of GDPR and charity sector compliance
Understanding of donor stewardship, major gifts or planned giving

If this role is of interest, please apply ASAP with an up-to-date word version of your CV highlighting all your relevant experience. Please do feel free to get in contact to discuss this role in detail or if you have any queries.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk