Global director of philanthropy and investment jobs

Compassion in World Farming International is a global movement transforming the future of food and farming. As our Global Head of Major Donors, you’ll lead and grow a high-impact global philanthropy programme, generating significant income from high-net-worth individuals and principal donors to support our mission to end factory farming.

Role type: Full-time; Permanent

Location: Godalming, UK (hybrid working pattern 2x days in the office: Team days Tuesdays & Thursdays)   

Salary: £55,000 -£60,000 per annum (depending upon skills and experience)   

About the role 

As our Global Head of Major Donors, you’ll help shape and deliver an ambitious global major donor strategy, building a strong pipeline of five and six figure donors across key markets, including the UK, US and Europe while personally cultivating high-value relationships. Alongside this you’ll provide strategic oversight of our growing global mid-level donor programme. As part of this role you’ll work closely with senior leaders across Compassion, where you’ll help translate our work into compelling propositions that inspire meaningful, long-term support.

As our Global Head of Major Donors, you’ll be responsible for:

• Leading the global major donor and mid-level fundraising programmes to deliver sustainable income growth across the UK, US and key European Markets
• Building and executing strategies to grow five- and six-figure gifts, with a focus on £50k+ donors
• Personally cultivating, soliciting and stewarding a portfolio of high-value donor relationships
• Developing compelling donor propositions and exceptional supporter journeys
• Driving pipeline development and prospect acquisition through insight led strategies
• Leading and developing a high-performing small team of fundraisers based in the UK, US and Europe
• Overseeing income forecasting, KPIs and CRM data quality to support strategic decision-making for this programme
• Collaborating across teams to maximise donor engagement, events, and global fundraising impact. 

About you

To succeed in this role, you’ll be a strategic and relationship focused leader, with a strong track record of securing high-value gifts and growing philanthropic income streams across different markets. You’ll need to bring a blend of strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and leadership capability, where you are able to inspire donors and team members, while delivering against ambitious income targets.

Skills and experience you’ll need to bring:

• Proven success securing five and six-figure gifts from high net worth individuals
• Experience working in international fundraising contexts, ideally with experience of the US and/or European markets
• Experience designing and delivering major donor growth strategies
• Experience of leading or contributing to mid-level giving programmes 
• Strong personal track record in cultivating, soliciting and closing high-value gifts
• Experience leading and developing passionate, high-performing fundraising or philanthropy teams
• Strong financial and analytical skills, including forecasting and pipeline management
• Ability to create compelling, tailored donor journeys and propositions
• Outstanding communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with confidence to influence at senior level
• A collaborative, proactive approach with a clear commitment to our mission

If you don’t meet every requirement but believe you could thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply.

Why join us

This is a rare opportunity to shape global philanthropy and deliver lasting impact for animals worldwide. 

We offer a supportive, flexible workplace with a strong focus on wellbeing and development, including: 

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays 
• Health Cash Back Plan and 24/7 GP access 
• Employee Assistance Programme and MHFA support 
• Premium Calm App subscription 
• Electric car scheme available
• Defined contribution pension scheme 
• Enhanced discretionary sick pay 
• Hybrid working model (role and location dependent) 
• Free onsite parking and office next to mainline station 
• Cycle Benefit scheme and other savings options 
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities 

How to apply and key dates

If you’re ready to make a global impact, we’d love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining how you meet the Person Specification. To support a fair and unbiased recruitment process, we kindly ask that you do not include a photo in your CV. 

Please note that we may begin interviews on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged. 

Closing date: Friday 5 June 10am

1st Stage (Teams) Interview: Wednesday 10 June

2nd Stage (Face to Face at HQ) Interview, with task: Wednesday 17 June

“Join us in building a more compassionate future for animals, people, and the planet.”

As part of Stage 1 interviews, shortlisted candidates may receive pre‑shared, values‑based interview questions to support a positive candidate experience. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know, we’re always happy to support candidates.

About Compassion

Compassion in World Farming International is a leading global organisation working to end factory farming. Founded in 1967 by British farmer Peter Roberts, we’ve spent over 50 years driving change, successfully campaigning to ban cruel practices such as barren battery cages, veal crates, and sow stalls across the UK and Europe.

Our work combines advocacy, campaigning, and collaboration with policymakers and businesses to promote animal welfare and sustainable food systems. We envision a future where animals are treated with compassion, and farming supports both people and the planet. To learn more about our mission, culture, and opportunities, please explore our Candidate Pack, and Careers Page. 

To comply with legal requirements in the UK and internationally, all applicants must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the country where the role is based. Compassion in World Farming is absolutely committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their background.  We value diversity and live experience and acknowledge the underrepresentation of people from certain backgrounds, both within our organisation and across the sector.  We welcome applications from underrepresented groups, whether these be of ethnicity, gender, identity, religion, physical ability, sexual orientation or other.

About Malaria No More UK

We exist to end malaria, together. Malaria is preventable and treatable — yet a child still dies every minute from this disease. At Malaria No More UK (MNMUK), we refuse to accept this. Through targeted influencing communications, bold partnerships and political advocacy, we mobilise the leadership, funding and innovation needed to end malaria. We work to protect G7 ODA budgets for malaria and unlock new financing opportunities that accelerate progress toward a malaria-free world.

At a time of uncertainty for international development and malaria financing, this work has never been more vital. The future of the malaria fight is being shaped now — and with the right leadership, creativity and advocacy, we can secure the investment needed to end malaria in our lifetime, saving lives and unlocking billions in shared growth and prosperity

Job summary

The Senior Policy and Research Manager will play a central role in building MNMUK’s advocacy arguments both globally and within the UK. The postholder will lead MNMUK’s flagship research projects, developing and commissioning new research, managing consultants, writing compelling reports and supporting the team with widespread dissemination across donor markets and media.

We are looking for someone who has demonstrable experience of developing, commissioning and interpreting qualitative and quantitative data/research, and who has had experience of working in a team to translate evidence and policy into advocacy arguments and media outputs. We are looking for a confident communicator (especially in written form) with strong project management skills and attention to detail.

Key responsibilities

Research and evidence management

· Lead the development, commissioning and project management of quality research, data and insight projects to build advocacy arguments and drive news media coverage

· Lead on generating evidence, insights and research, including analysis of existing data (evidence reviews/secondary analysis) and primary quantitative/qualitative research

· Drive sustainable, well accepted processes to ensure the organisation uses up to date and accurate statistics and messaging

· Monitor updates in malaria science and research, keeping MNMUK aware of key developments

· Develop subject expertise on malaria, global health research and development and new financing (World Bank IDA, philanthropy, blended finance)

Campaign and media support

· Write compelling reports, briefings and inquiry submissions for politicians and policymakers, and work with colleagues to provide support on similar documents.

· Work closely with the media team to develop the content needed to deliver supportive news coverage (both in the UK and globally)

· Support the development of policy and campaign propositions across our MNMUK’ work (including innovation/science of malaria tools and financing opportunities for global health)

· Present policy arguments and findings for internal and external audiences in a clear and compelling way

Partner relationship management

· Develop and manage relationships with key partners in the fields of scientific research e.g. LSHTM and global health bodies e.g. Gavi, the vaccine alliance

· Occasional travel may be required to Africa and/ or Europe, sometimes at short notice.

Qualifications, skills and experience

Essential

Experience

· Significant experience of using policy and research to drive advocacy, policy or communication strategies and campaigns (globally or within the UK)

· Significant experience of developing /commissioning research and managing consultants

· Significant experience of supporting the development of impactful news media products (including media stories and press trips)

· Experience writing reports, briefings and consultation responses for political audiences

· Evidence of successful relationship building and partnership working

· Strong project management and organisational skills

Knowledge

· Understanding of key international development issues and debates

· Knowledge of relevant research methods and how to apply them

Skills

· Strong quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills

· Strong copywriting skills – able to translate complex content into language the public and media can be motivated by

· Stakeholder management and relationship building skills

· Attention to detail

Desirable

· Experience working on malaria or global health

· Academic background in international development / global health / malaria or a related field

· Experience working in matrixed or cross-functional organisational structures

· Knowledge of World Bank financing structures

· Knowledge of AI tools for research processes

· Experience of working with a range of senior stakeholders

What we offer

· A collaborative, creative and mission-driven team culture

· Hybrid working

· 10% employer pension contribution

· 28 days holiday plus bank holidays and organisation-wide closure over the Christmas period to ensure everyone enjoys a meaningful break

· Opportunities for learning and development

Ashden’s mission is to showcase outstanding climate solutions and accelerate systemic change that unleashes their transformative potential. Our vision is of a world where everyone enjoys access to clean energy. Where people and nature thrive.

For over 25 years, Ashden has worked with enterprises and organisations in the UK and the Global South to find, champion and scale solutions to the climate crisis. We excel in storytelling that connects these solutions with the policymakers, funders and investors poised to help them scale and maximise their impact.  Our support is expanding access to affordable clean energy to farms, villages and refugee camps in the Global South. In the UK, we are helping create warmer homes, greener schools and accelerating climate action across our towns and cities.

Ashden is a highly regarded and well-connected organisation with a strong brand and a track record of building meaningful relationships with high value and high-profile individuals. We are excited to build on the good work already achieved to further scale fundraising in this area.

You will be joining Ashden at a pivotal moment. In 2024, we launched our Changemakers campaign to secure mission-aligned funding from donors making four and five-figure gifts and beyond - a programme you will personally lead and continue to shape and develop - an exciting opportunity to nuture an emerging initiative by stewarding and uplifting current donors whilst attracting new supporters. Working in close partnership with the Director of Business Development, you will also proactively support the prospecting, cultivation and stewardship of both new and existing donors to secure transformational seven-figure gifts. As our Major Donor Lead you will have the opportunity to define, refine and strengthen our major donor proposition more broadly, securing both unrestricted and restricted income to support our long-term impact.

We’re seeking an experienced fundraiser with a track record of securing major gifts and building strong relationships with high-net-worth individuals. While climate or environmental exposure is not essential, alignment with Ashden's values and passion for driving systems change is crucial. You’ll be supported by a collaborative team, including senior leadership and Trustees, and will have key strategic and operational input into the success of our fundraising, the growth of the team, and the broader impact of our charity.

This is a stimulating and rewarding opportunity for someone looking to develop their career within a highly collaborative, passionate and visionary organisation. It is also an outstanding opportunity for those keen to deepen their experience and insight in philanthropy at the highest levels, including meaningful exposure to pioneering venture philanthropy and innovative impact-led funding models.

Location: Hybrid, ideally 2 days in London Victoria office

Hours: Full Time with flexible working agreed. Part time hours or compressed hours will also be considered.

To read more about the role and organisation, please download the full appointment brief below.

Closing Date: 11 June 2026

People Beyond Profit Conversations: 15-19 June 2026

Ashden Interviews: 25 June 2026 (online) and 2 July 2026 (in person).