Head of fundraising jobs in Manchester, greater manchester
Want more results?
Add job titles:
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.
Thank you!
Could you offer the kind of caring leadership a fundraising team needs, so they can raise the funds that care for everyone else?
This is a 6-month interim Head of Fundraising role with the North West's biggest adult hospice charity. You'll lead and support a team that has just successfully delivered a major capital campaign and is now looking ahead to focus on ramping up revenue fundraising in 2026.
Location: Hybrid, cross-site (between Heald Green/Little Hulton) and home
Contract: 6-month fixed term (with potential flexibility), open to between 3-5 days / week
Salary: Hospice Band 7 (or competitive day rate for consultants)
This year is all about entering an exciting new chapter - with a brand refresh, major move to a new building and ambitious plans to diversify and grow fundraising income.
We're looking for an experienced fundraising leader on an interim basis to steer the team through this period of change. It's a pivotal role, sitting at the heart of the charity's income generation strategy and supporting a talented, committed team through transition.
What's happening right now?
- Capital campaign has closed, and focus is shifting back to revenue.
- Stable team of 15, looking for caring, compassionate and motivational leadership.
- Major events in the pipeline and looking for guidance and coaching to deliver.
- Current income target sits at £4.6m, with legacies playing a significant role - you'll bring best practice guidance and the potential to lead diversification and growth.
What will you do?
- Lead and inspire the fundraising team, ensuring stability and motivation during change.
- Drive transition from capital to revenue fundraising, building sustainable income streams.
- Oversee key projects and events, working closely with subject matter experts.
- Build relationships with high-value donors and corporate partners.
- Provide strategic oversight while rolling up your sleeves when needed.
What are we looking for?
- A proven fundraising leader with experience across major income streams.
- Someone who thrives on change management and brings clarity and confidence.
- Strong strategic thinking, excellent relationship-building skills and a track-record of delivery.
- Availability to start quickly (within the month) and commit for at least six months.
Practical details
- Hybrid working, with at least 50% on-site presence.
- Flexible working pattern, with occasional evenings/weekends for events.
If you're ready to make an impact and guide a fantastic team through an exciting period of change, then we'd love to hear from you.
To apply
Please send a copy of your CV or profile to Amelia Lee at Charity People as the first step.
If your fundraising experience matches what we're looking for, then we'll be in touch with more about the application process.
Deadline: Monday 19th January
Due to time sensitivities with an interim need, we would encourage you to get in touch as soon as you can. We promise we'll never close early, but appreciate getting ahead with your enquiries.
Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.
.jpg)