Head of fundraising jobs in Cambridge, cambridgeshire
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About the Trust
We're one of the UK’s biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water. We're looking for people who support our cause and want to make a difference for future generations. Could this be you?
Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country's third largest collection of historic buildings, as well as the nature and wildlife that calls our canals home. All of this enables us to provide wellbeing opportunities for millions of people each year.
Join Our Team: Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships
We’re excited to welcome a new strategic leader to shape and deliver transformational income growth and strategic partnerships for the Trust.
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
Working Hours & Location
This role follows a 37 hours, Monday to Friday working pattern. This is a home-based role, requiring regular travel to meetings with donors, events and to our main hubs for collaborative meetings and team activities.
Role Overview
In this pivotal role, you will lead the refinement and delivery of the Trust’s high value giving strategy, building and sustaining relationships with philanthropists, statutory funders, trusts and foundations, and corporates. You’ll inspire, lead, and manage a diverse team to achieve ambitious income targets and strengthen strategic partnerships that support the Trust’s vision. You will actively demonstrate desired behaviours - enthusiastically engaging with external partners, taking initiative to strengthen the team, and fostering a culture within the Trust that supports high level giving.
Key Responsibilities
- Implement and refine the Fundraising Strategy to deliver significant and sustainable income growth and impact.
- Lead, inspire and develop a diverse team, fostering a culture of delivery, collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
- Personally lead on cultivating and stewarding transformational relationships with corporates, trusts, foundations, high-net-worth donors and some statutory sources while empowering your team to build profitable, multi-year relationships, a robust pipeline and secured income.
- Prepare, monitor, and deliver the annual business plan and income budget (currently £5m with significant growth planned).
- Represent the Trust externally at a senior level and maintain awareness of sector trends.
- Maintain best practice in fundraising compliance, risk management, and reporting, maintaining the highest standards of integrity.
- Embed diversity, inclusion, and safety responsibilities in all activities.
About You
As an accomplished fundraising leader with a proven track record of delivering high-value income and building strategic partnerships, you thrive in complex stakeholder environments and bring a blend of vision, resilience, and hands-on expertise. You’ll be confident influencing at Board level, adept at navigating ambiguity, and passionate about making a lasting impact.
Skills & Qualifications
- Proven experience in leading a team – skilled at building, inspiring, and motivating teams to achieve fundraising goals.
- Comprehensive expertise in major donor fundraising, corporate partnerships, and trust and foundation giving, alongside a working knowledge of statutory giving.
- Demonstrated expertise in high-value fundraising and partnership development, with a proven ability to create, cultivate and steward long-term relationships while influencing internal stakeholders to secure and sustain transformational support.
- Proven success in securing transformational gifts and multi-year partnerships.
- Demonstrable problem-solving skills, able to influence inside and outside the organisation.
- A proven ability to develop and write persuasive and successful funding applications and partnership proposals for major donors, trusts and foundations, and corporates.
- Exceptional communication and networking skills, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse audiences.
- Experience managing significant budgets and delivering income growth.
- Knowledge of fundraising compliance and sector trends.
- A collaborative and innovative approach, able to lead and motivate a diverse team while working cross-functionally.
- Personal resilience and adaptability, with the ability to deliver results in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
What We Offer
We offer an annual salary of £78,000, plus £520 cash car allowance per month. Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here:
Our values
We care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone can thrive. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.
We want everyone to have the opportunity to perform at their best during our recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments - whether for a disability, neurodiversity, or health condition - please let us know what you need and how we can support you. We’ll work with you to make any necessary changes.
All of our jobs can be considered on a part time flexible or job share basis.
We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. You are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. We recognise not everyone who is classified as disabled under the Equality Act personally identifies this way, or with this definition of disability. Please do not let this discourage you from applying under the scheme.
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
Registered Charity
More than 1000
Canal & River Trust is the UK's largest canal charity, caring for a 2,000-mile network of stunning canals and navigable rivers.
Thank you!
Salary: £50,000 - £60,000
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Location: Remote, preferably South East based
Closing date: 28 January
Interviews: 4/5 February
Benefits: 25 days annual leave, pension, flexible working
We have a great opportunity for a Head of Fundraising working for the UK’s leading charity dedicated to advancing research, raising awareness, and providing support for individuals and families affected by mitochondrial disease.
This exciting role is very much a “head and hands” role. You’ll set direction, lead the fundraising team and shape the strategy - but you’ll also get stuck in to campaign creation, pitch development and donor stewardship, rolling your sleeves up where needed.
To be successful as the Head of Fundraising you will need:
- Senior-level experience across at least two fundraising disciplines, including corporate partnerships or individual giving, with a track record of delivering income growth
- Experience leading and developing teams, with a supportive and empowering approach
- Experience of creating and launching fundraising products, campaigns & supporter journeys.
If you would like to discuss this role with us please contact us and quote the reference 2824EI.
Ashby Jenkins Recruitment are a specialist charity recruitment agency, we use our extensive sector knowledge and experience to match candidates to the most suitable charity jobs. We are passionate about improving equality across the sector, you can read more about our commitment to diversity here.
We take a relationship-led approach to recruitment in the charity sector and partner with you as the leading charity recruitment agency.
If enough applications are received the charity reserve the right to end the application period sooner.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you a strategic, relationship-driven leader with a passion for making a difference?
East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is seeking an experienced and ambitious Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships to lead and grow our high-value fundraising at a pivotal point in the organisation’s development.
Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships
Location: The role can be based at any of our three hospices (Norfolk, Ipswich, Cambridge) with hybrid working
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week
Salary £47,000 - £55,000 per annum, experience dependent
About Us
East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) ensures the best possible quality of life and makes every moment count for children and families across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk. Our family-centred approach includes specialist nursing care, symptom management nursing, short breaks, wellbeing activities, therapies, care at end of life, bereavement support, counselling and volunteer services in the family home; all meeting the individual needs of the child, young person and whole family.
In 2020, all three of our hospices; The Nook (Norfolk), The Treehouse (Ipswich) and Milton (Cambridge) were rated OUTSTANDING by the Care Quality Commission.
Our people are central to our success. We have a talented workforce of staff and volunteers in Care, Fundraising, Retail, Facilities, IT, Finance, Marketing & Communications and Human Resources.
We’re over 440 employees strong, with a team of more than 2,000 volunteers across the organisation including over 50 shops and a Retail Distribution Centre.
About the Role
This is a rare opportunity to take on a senior philanthropy role with real influence, autonomy and scope, combining strong core income delivery, with the chance to lead a major capital expansion appeal for The Treehouse Hospice in Ipswich which will significantly enhance the services we can provide to children, young people and their families.
Reporting into the Director of Fundraising, this senior leadership role within our Fundraising team, responsible for delivering around £3 million in income annually.
Managing and inspiring a talented team, develop innovative strategies, and personally cultivate relationships that result in transformational gifts.
What you’ll do:
- Lead and implement the Philanthropy & Partnerships strategy to achieve ambitious income targets.
- Build and steward long-term relationships with major donors, corporate partners, and trusts.
- Manage and empower a multi-disciplinary team, fostering collaboration and exceptional donor stewardship.
- Drive major appeals and oversee budgets to ensure effective allocation and performance.
- Champion EACH’s values and maintain strong links between fundraising and care teams.
What we’re looking for
- Proven success securing major gifts from individuals, corporate partners, and trusts/foundations.
- Experience leading and motivating teams and engaging senior stakeholders.
- Skilled in developing and delivering data-driven fundraising strategies to meet ambitious targets.
- Experienced in managing complex projects, including major appeals.
- Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and KPI monitoring.
Comprehensive range of benefits of working for EACH:
- Free onsite parking & Subsidised meals
- Enhanced Annual leave Entitlement - 27 days + 8 UK Bank Holidays
- Additional holiday purchase scheme
- Employee health cash plan & wellbeing support schemes
- AVIVA pension package – up to 7% Employer Contribution inc Life Assurance
- NHS pension - continuation of if already contributing
- Free Eye Tests
- Cycle to work scheme
Closing date: 8 February 2026
N.B. EACH reserves the right to close this vacancy early, should we receive a sufficient number of applications.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
Diversity Statement:
At EACH we believe in fostering a workplace where every individual feels valued and respected. We are committed to building a culture of inclusion where differences are embraced. We are actively seeking talent from all walks of life, recognising that diversity drives innovation, creativity and success.
Join us on a journey to create a more inclusive workplace, where everyone has equal opportunities to grow, contribute and succeed. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply for opportunities at EACH and adjustments will be made to facilitate the application and selection process.
Please note:
This post is subject to a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check prior to appointment.
It is a criminal offence for people who are barred from working in Regulated Activity (under the Safeguarding and Vulnerable Groups Act 2006) to apply for roles that require them to work unsupervised with that particular group.
EACH has a legal responsibility to ensure that its employees have the legal right to live and work in the UK. Therefore, if you are made an offer of employment, this will be subject to verification that you are eligible to work in the UK before you start work.
Interested in Learning More Before You Apply?
At EACH, we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone and actively encourage applicants to ask questions, request reasonable adjustments or have an informal discussion before submitting an application.
No agencies please.
Thank you!
Contract: 12-month fixed-term contract
Salary: £60,000 per annum
Location: Home-based with regular travel
Closing date: Wednesday 28 January 2026
Interview date: 4 & 5 February 2026
Blue Cross is seeking an experienced and ambitious Head of Philanthropy to lead and make an active contribution to our High Value Fundraising project, a key initiative designed to grow our future income. This 12-month fixed-term role will focus on delivering high-impact fundraising activity while managing and inspiring a talented Philanthropy team.
More about the role
You will support in the delivery of the 2026 Philanthropy plan across trusts, foundations, and high-net-worth individuals, with a particular focus on the High Value Fundraising project. Leading high-value fundraising activity, you will manage your own portfolio, create income pipelines, develop key performance indicators, and work closely with internal and external stakeholders to maximise philanthropic support. You will ensure the charity’s Case for Support remains current and compelling and deliver high-standard donor reporting.
This is a home-based role with a contracted base site. Travel to your base site is considered normal commuting, while travel to other Blue Cross locations or partner sites will be reimbursed.
About you
You are a credible senior leader with a strong track record in philanthropy fundraising, capable of translating strategic priorities into tangible outcomes. Motivated by ambitious goals, you thrive on building relationships, inspiring teams, and influencing at the highest level. You are resilient, creative, and aligned with Blue Cross’s values of compassion, courage, and inclusion.
Essential Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
- Extensive experience developing strategies that increase income from major donors and institutional funders, including personally securing five- and ideally six-figure donations
- Proven experience of meeting and exceeding ambitious income growth targets
- Experience of building and managing funder relationships
- Strong financial monitoring, target setting, and reporting skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to analyse and present data tailored for different audiences
- Highly developed influencing and negotiation skills
- Track record of leading, managing, and inspiring a team, encouraging innovation and improving ways of working
- Experience working at senior organisational levels and managing relationships with Directors, CEOs, and Boards
- The ability to demonstrate, understand, and apply Blue Cross’s values
Desirable Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
- Experience of fundraising for significant capital projects
- Knowledge of CRM systems and data management
How to apply
Click Apply to submit your application. Please note that applications may close early if we receive a high volume, so we encourage early submission.
Registered Charity
501 - 1000
We believe in a world where all pets enjoy a healthy and happy life with people who love them
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.