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Smile Train is the world’s largest cleft-focused organisation, supporting life-changing surgery and comprehensive cleft care for children and adults globally. Through its unique local model, Smile Train has supported more than 2 million surgeries and works with medical partners across 75+ countries to deliver sustainable, high-quality care.
The UK plays a vital role within this global organisation, contributing significant income, insight and strategic input. The UK programme is performing strongly, with income expected to reach c.£14–15m this year, underpinned by a successful individual giving and legacy programme.
Smile Train is now entering its next phase of growth in the UK, with a clear opportunity to build and strengthen high-value income, particularly across major donors and mid-value giving.
Reporting to and working closely with the Director of UK Fundraising, you will manage a portfolio of donors and prospects, with significant opportunity to deepen relationships and grow supporters into higher-value philanthropy over time. This will be a hands-on, relationship-led role focused on building meaningful engagement and delivering long-term income growth.
This role offers an ambitious, skilled relationship developer the opportunity to build and grow Smile Train UK's major donor programme as part of its new five-year strategy, with strong organisational investment in philanthropy.
Working closely with a highly experienced and collaborative Director of UK Fundraising and broader fundraising team, you will contribute to developing ways of working, testing engagement strategies, tailoring the compelling case for support and working closely with colleagues in the UK and globally.
As Philanthropy Manager, you will:
- Manage and develop a portfolio of c.120–150 donors and prospects, primarily giving at mid-value level (up to c.£5k) with significant headroom for growth
- Build strong, long-term relationships with supporters through tailored cultivation, solicitation and stewardship
- Identify and engage new prospects, developing a sustainable pipeline of future high-value donors
- Develop and deliver individual engagement plans to retain and upgrade donors over time
- Prepare high-quality proposals, reports and communications to support donor engagement
- Support the development of Smile Train’s high-value case for support and fundraising approach in the UK
- Work closely with the Director of UK Fundraising and global colleagues to align activity and maximise opportunities
- Contribute to events, donor visits and wider engagement activity
- Maintain accurate records and support effective pipeline and performance management
Essential skills and experience:
- Experience of relationship fundraising, with exposure to major donors or mid-value giving. Other relationship-driven fundraising experience will be considered, for instance with trusts and foundations or corporate partnerships, where you can evidence income generation via relationship-building with HNWIs or purse-string holders.
- A track record of generating substantial income and securing 5-figure or higher gifts
- Confidence in managing a portfolio and delivering personalised donor engagement
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop compelling proposals
- A proactive, organised and hands-on approach, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
- The ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team
Desirable:
- Experience of working within a developing or growing high-value fundraising programme
- Exposure to international development, global health or a similarly mission-led environment
- Knowledge and use of Salesforce CRM
- Experience working within a global or matrix organisation
Smile Train UK offer an excellent employee benefits package, which includes:
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Private Medical Insurance
- Life Assurance
- Income Protection
- Up to 7 days paid sick leave per year
- “Sunshine Fridays” early Friday finish across summer months
Smile Train UK is partnering with Laura Macnamara at QuarterFive on this appointment.
A cover letter is not required when applying via CharityJob. However, we would welcome any additional information you can provide to demonstrate how your experience and skills align with the person specification.
Laura will provide full support to suitable candidates who are invited to progress to the formal application stage.
We are grateful for the time and interest of everyone who applies. Due to the anticipated volume of applications, we may not be able to respond individually to every applicant. Candidates selected to progress will be contacted directly.
Grade: 4
Salary: £44,080 per year
Position Type: Full-time, 37.5 hours week, Permanent (flexible working considered)
Responsible to: Senior Philanthropy and Partnerships Manager
Direct reports: None
Location: Remote (UK), within reasonable commuting distance to London to accommodate regular donor meetings. This may be up to once a week. Additionally, there will be two trips per year to our HQ in Truro, Cornwall.
ROLE PURPOSE
Sitting within our Philanthropy & Partnerships team, you will play a pivotal role in securing the philanthropic support that makes ShelterBox's work possible. By identifying, qualifying and developing major donor opportunities from our supporter base, networks and wider community, you will help connect more people with our mission to ensure no one is without shelter after disaster.
At the heart of this role is building and strengthening the major donor pipeline. You will proactively analyse data, identify high-potential prospects, uncover valuable connections and work with colleagues across the organisation to create opportunities for supporters to deepen their engagement with ShelterBox. Through strategic prospect research, qualification and relationship building, you will help move individuals from initial interest to meaningful philanthropic partnerships.
Working closely with colleagues across Philanthropy & Partnerships, senior leadership, volunteers and key stakeholders, you will develop and implement tailored cultivation plans that create pathways to giving and maximise the long-term potential of prospective donors. You will support the delivery of bespoke engagement opportunities, proposals and communications drawing on ShelterBox's powerful humanitarian mission, compelling stories and tangible impact to engage diverse audiences and inspire long-term philanthropic support.
You will also play a key role in coordinating the Philanthropy Advisory Board and supporting events and activities that help expand networks, generate introductions and unlock opportunities to engage prospective major donors with ShelterBox's work.
Through strategic pipeline development, relationship building and effective use of data, insight and networks, you will help grow a thriving community of future major donors whose investment enables families affected by disaster, conflict and climate-related crises to access shelter, safety and a foundation for recovery.
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
We are looking for a proactive and strategic fundraiser with a talent for identifying opportunities, building relationships and developing a strong pipeline of future major donors.
You will be naturally curious and enjoy analysing data, researching prospects and uncovering opportunities to deepen engagement with existing supporters. Equally comfortable networking with supporters, volunteers, senior stakeholders, and professional contacts, you will be confident initiating conversations, and skilled at connecting people to ShelterBox's work whilst creating meaningful pathways towards philanthropy.
You will have excellent communication, influencing and project management skills, enabling you to coordinate multiple prospects, cultivation activities and stakeholder relationships simultaneously. Highly organised and confident using CRM systems, supporter insight and prospect research tools, you will be experienced in managing and progressing a pipeline, ensuring opportunities are effectively qualified, cultivated and moved through the donor journey.
This is an exciting opportunity for a major donor fundraiser who enjoys opening doors, creating new opportunities, building meaningful supporter engagement and converting warm prospects into committed philanthropic supporters whose generosity will help families affected by disaster.
DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
- Effectively manage a portfolio of major donors: developing strong and personal relationships, delivering bespoke stewardship and communication plans to ensure donors feel part of ShelterBox; providing them with inspiring stories, unique engagement opportunities, and strong impact reporting.
- Work with the ShelterBox team and key external influencers, connectors, partners and/or networks to grow and steward the major donor pipeline, cultivating relationships with new audiences.
- Develop a wide range of compelling communications for prospects and existing major donors including proposals, reports, and deliver concise and engaging updates via email, phone and in person.
- Work with the Senior Philanthropy and Partnerships Manager, Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships, Director of Fundraising and Communications, and CEO to steward to the top high-level donors.
- Working with the Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships to refine and implement the major donor strategy.
- Work closely with the Stewardship and Research Officer and Philanthropy & Partnerships Assistant to carry out targeted prospect research, and develop bespoke and strategic cultivation plans for prospective donors currently in the pipeline.
- Support with the development and implementation of cultivation and stewardship events to deepen donor engagement and reach new audiences.
- Utilise the grant management system when securing restricted income (i.e. tracking pipeline, asks, restricted income secured, reporting requirements).
- Act as the subject matter expert (SME) to provide knowledge and expertise in major donor fundraising and the wider ShelterBox team (UK and global affiliates).
- Maximise the benefits of the CRM to create and implement cultivation and stewardship journeys for high-level funders, keeping records updated and following Data Protection regulations.
- Be active in the fundraising sector, know and follow the latest fundraising legislation and codes of practice, seek out peer learning and peer mentoring opportunities, network and contribute.
- Represent ShelterBox as required and always work in line with our aims, values and plans.
- As part of an emergency organisation there will be times when you will be required to work evenings and weekends at short notice in response to a disaster
- Any other duties as required which are deemed appropriate to the level and grade of the post.
Lead a Transformational Fundraising Vision – Shape the Future of Epilepsy Research
Epilepsy Society is entering one of the most ambitious chapters in its 130‑year history. A landmark planning decision has unlocked an anticipated £93 million to accelerate pioneering research, advanced diagnostics and scientific innovation, enabling us to become the world’s largest epilepsy research centre. We are now seeking a Director of Fundraising & Marketing who can turn this moment into momentum.
This is a strategic leadership role for someone who excels at setting vision, building capability and inspiring others. You will define the fundraising and marketing strategy for a new era, shaping the propositions, partnerships and profile that will fuel discovery and deliver impact for the 630,000 people living with epilepsy across the UK.
You will work at the intersection of science, philanthropy and influence: partnering with world‑leading researchers, engaging major donors and foundations, and elevating Epilepsy Society’s voice as a leader in neurological research and innovation. Your leadership will ensure we have the visibility, credibility and investment required to accelerate breakthroughs and improve lives.
If you are energised by building something significant, we would be delighted to hear from you.
About Epilepsy Society
Epilepsy Society is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to transforming the lives of people affected by epilepsy through world‑class research, specialist medical care and trusted information. Our partnership with UCL places us at the forefront of global scientific discovery, while our clinical services, advocacy and support ensure that lived experience shapes everything we do.
We are now embarking on a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to expand our research and medical centre, invest in cutting‑edge technology and accelerate personalised treatment for people with the most complex needs. Realising this potential requires deeper partnerships, greater visibility and sustainable income growth.
About You
You are a strategic fundraising and marketing leader who brings:
- A track record of shaping high‑value fundraising strategies and securing transformational support.
- The credibility to influence at Board, executive and senior stakeholder level.
- Experience building ambitious teams, cultures and capabilities.
- The ability to translate scientific innovation into compelling, investable propositions.
- A strategic mindset paired with the judgement, presence and relationship‑building skills needed to operate at the highest levels.
You thrive in environments where you can build, shape and lead, and where your work directly accelerates scientific progress and improves lives.
If you want to play a part in creating a future where people with epilepsy are understood, supported and empowered, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Closing date: Tuesday 29th September at 9am

