Head of fundraising jobs in Milton keynes

Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research?

Brain Tumour Research is seeking an experienced and game changing Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships.

Do you have the experience, drive and determination to thrive in this role?​​

Job Purpose:

To lead delivery of our fundraising in five key income lines: Trusts & Foundations, Corporate Partnerships, Legacies, Other Charities, and Lottery; oversee our Special Events programme and assist the Director of Income Generation and Development with our Major Donor programme.

You’ll enjoy being part of and contributing to a busy, experienced, fast-working, and dedicated team while working cross-functionally with other departments such as PR, marketing and Research, Policy and Innovation.  

Brain Tumour Research is an exciting, innovative, and ambitious charity. We are passionate about finding a cure for brain tumours through the establishment of dedicated Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence around the UK. 

​

Key Requirements:

• Proven experience and success in securing, managing, and growing high value fundraising income, including corporate partnerships, trusts & foundations, legacies and major donors.
• Demonstratable strong strategic planning skills and the ability to develop and implement long-term strategies to achieve fundraising targets and enhance the charity's mission
• Proven leadership and people management skills, with experience in overseeing multi-disciplinary teams. Essential experience includes team leadership, staff motivation, setting clear objectives, and fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management abilities.
• Track record of developing and implementing successful fundraising strategies.
• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels and an excellent standard of written English.
• Analysis of data and trends to inform fundraising strategies and success measurement is an important aspect of the role. This includes using CRM systems and other fundraising tools ​​

If you are looking for a fulfilling and impactful role and have the level of experience and skill we are looking for, we welcome your application.

​We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.

The closing date for applications is: 18th January 2026​

We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.

​

We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

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. 

The Head of Fundraising is a senior leadership role responsible for driving sustainable income growth in support of In2scienceUK’s mission to widen access to STEM degrees and careers for young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

You will develop and deliver a bold, integrated fundraising strategy that secures and diversifies income across trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, major donors, research grants and other income streams. Through compelling cases for support and clear articulation of impact, you will build confidence and long-term commitment among funders and strategic partners, unlocking new opportunities for growth and expansion.

Leading and developing a small, high-performing fundraising team, you will oversee prospecting, relationship management and stewardship, ensuring a professional, data-led and donor-centred approach. You will work closely with senior colleagues and programme teams to translate organisational priorities and impact into strong funding propositions that maximise income potential.

You will proactively identify, cultivate and manage strategic funding relationships, positioning In2scienceUK as a credible and ambitious partner. Combining strategic insight with hands-on delivery, you will take an entrepreneurial approach to income generation, strengthening the organisation’s fundraising capability and resilience in support of its long-term goals.

In2scienceUK operates on a remote basis, with necessary UK-wide travel for partner and funder meetings, events, and staff co-working days. 

Direct Reports

Fundraising Team: Development Manager, Development Officer, External Fundraising Consultancy.

Responsibilities 

Fundraising & Development

• To collaborate with the senior leadership team and trustees in setting organisational strategy and building strategic partnerships to support In2science’s vision for 2026 and beyond.

• Lead on planning, implementation and delivery of segmented fundraising and stewardship campaigns across programmes and audiences with a 2026 income target of £1.5m. 

• Lead and manage a diverse fundraising portfolio, including corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, research grants (e.g., UKRI), government funding, and individual giving.

• To lead a small but effective fundraising team, including an external fundraising contractor to build upon our success to date to achieve funding targets and foster strategic relationships with funding and delivery partners.

• Budget and resource all aspects of fundraising and communications, including engaging with external contractors to maximise our output and upskill our teams.

• Work closely with the Head of Operations to oversee our CRM, ensuring accurate pipeline reporting and forecasting, as well as utilising the system for tailored stewardship opportunities.

• Work closely with our programmes team to ensure that deliverables are met and in line with our mission and objectives.

• Explore opportunities for partnership to launch new programmes and initiatives, working with the Data and Impact manager to use national data to ensure we deliver the greatest possible impact to those most in need.

Governance

• To work with the SMT, CEO, and Trustees to ensure strong charity governance, including leading the Growth Subcommittee and preparing reports for quarterly board meetings.

• Identify organisation-wide opportunities to streamline and improve performance across the organisation.

• Working with SMT and trustees to ensure charity compliance. Including the charity commission, funding regulator, ICO.

• Identify and manage organisational/operational risk and ensure that all measures are in place to mitigate this.

As duties and responsibilities change, the job description will be reviewed and amended in consultation with the post holder. The postholder will carry out any other duties that are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the line manager. All staff must undertake all mandatory training, checks and compliance as instructed by the organisation.

Person Specification

Essential:

• A passionate advocate for social mobility in STEM.

• An inspiring leader who can inspire and collaborate across the organisation to achieve our collective goals.

• Three years experience of leading a fundraising team to generate a seven-figure annual income from a diverse range of donors, ideally in a charitable organisation.

• Knowledge of all streams of fundraising, with direct experience in at least two of the following: corporate fundraising, trust and foundations, research grants e.g. UKRI, government grants or individual giving (incl. high-net worth donors).

• A target driven individual with a proven track record of personal six-figure income generation and achieving or exceeding personal targets.

• Excellent relationship management skills to steward existing and potential partners and donors.

• Experience of line management including developing personal development plans and setting KPIs.

• Superb written and verbal communication skills with the ability to persuade and influence at all levels..

• Evidence of efficient and accurate management of budgets and resources.

• Willingness to work flexibly and attend occasional events or meetings on evenings/weekends when required.

• Working collaboratively and supporting fostering a collegiate workplace environment.

• Upholds the values of our code of conduct and is respectful to all.

Desirable:

• Direct knowledge and/or experience of the barriers young people face in accessing STEM degrees or careers.

• Direct knowledge and/or experience of working with education organisations or STEM sector employers, incl. knowledge of current trends.

• Experience of working in collaboration with across teams to deliver new initiatives that maximise outcomes for young people and attract relevant funding.

• Evidence of delivering highly impactful events.

• Experience of governance in a small charitable organisation and utilising Trustees to support the organisation's goals and objectives.

Benefits: 

At In2scienceUK we practise what we preach by giving all staff opportunities to progress in their careers. You will have the opportunity to develop your career with your line manager to get you to the next level from day one. 

Although we take our career development seriously we also value work-life balance. You will have the opportunity to work flexibly from home, balancing your caring responsibilities, volunteer commitments, hobbies and anything else that makes you happy. 

You will have 28 days of annual leave per annum, plus bank holidays. 

Applications:
Applications can be made via CharityJob, Deadline: 25th of January 2026 @ 17:00.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of applications or a suitable candidate.

Commitment to Safeguarding: 

In2scienceUK is committed to our responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults as outlined in Working Together to Safeguard Children. We are committed to recruiting candidates who share this commitment to safeguarding, and therefore we apply robust recruitment and selection procedures to ensure that the people selected are right for the job, and that all candidates are appropriately screened prior to appointment. 

The following pre-employment checks will be undertaken as applicable:

• References 

• DBS check and/or Overseas criminal records check where applicable

• Self-Disclosure 

• Identity check 

• Right to work in the UK 

• Evidence of qualifications applicable to the role 

• Confirmation of registration with applicable registered body where applicable 

Many of our roles involve working with children and we will therefore take up references prior to your appointment. You should provide details of referees including your current and previous employers, covering the last 5 years. Your current or previous employer will be asked about disciplinary offences relating to children, if the role involved working with children, including any in which the penalty is time expired. We will also ask if you have been the subject of any child protection concerns and if so, the outcome of any enquiry or disciplinary procedure. 

Diversity and Inclusion:

In2scienceUK is committed to being an inclusive and diverse organisation where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those who are underrepresented in STEM and the charity sector, including but not limited to people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

We recognise that talent and potential come in many forms, and we welcome applicants with different experiences, perspectives, and ways of thinking. We are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process and working environment, and we will make reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. If you require any adjustments, please let us know.

Head of Fundraising
Salary: £51,818 - £60,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 35 hours per week. Flexibility in working pattern, in agreement with line manager
Based: Any BBOWT Office with travel to other sites as required. Hybrid working available

The Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust has a vision for “more nature everywhere, for everyone”. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. This includes you being comfortable bringing your whole self to work, and us co-working with the diverse communities we serve to ensure we are meeting everyone’s needs.

We’re looking for a Head of Fundraising who cares deeply about helping nature recover – and who values working in an environment where wellbeing, collaboration and balance matter just as much as results.

In this role, you’ll guide and nurture our fundraising programme across philanthropy, membership, trusts, grants and business partnerships. You’ll be part of a supportive leadership team that’s committed to sustainable growth, shared learning and creating the conditions for people and nature to thrive together.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading with purpose – helping secure the income that enables our vital work, with a focus on long-term sustainability rather than short-term pressure.
• Shaping a fundraising strategy that reflects our values and supports meaningful connections with our supporters.
• Supporting and developing a motivated team, championing wellbeing, professional growth and a healthy, collaborative working environment.
• Exploring values-led campaigns and new opportunities that feel authentic to our mission and respectful of supporters.
• Acting as a trusted advisor to Directors and Trustees, helping embed a positive fundraising culture across the organisation.

For all your hard work you can expect a great rewards package in return. In addition to being part of a friendly, skilled and knowledgeable team, passionate about making a difference, when you work for us, you’ll also receive

• Generous annual leave entitlement with paid birthday leave, balance days, urgent personal business leave and generous occupational sick pay
• Flexible working to achieve work-life balance
• Wellbeing initiatives including 14 qualified Mental Health First Aiders, YuLife benefit package - access to immediate and confidential help for any work, health, or life matters; 3x life assurance, online GP access, discounts and trade YuCoin points for gift cards
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and family-friendly policies
• Salary exchange pension with generous employer contribution
• Learning & Development Programme for all
• Membership to BBOWT’s, and The Wildlife Trusts’, Staff Network Groups for social interaction, peer support, mentoring and personal development

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience raising income in a charity or membership-based setting
• Demonstrable track record of successfully leading more than one fundraising income stream in a membership-focused organisation
• Confidence in growing high-performing teams and great at building relationships
• Brings empathy, positivity, and a collaborative leadership style

The closing time and date for applications is 11.59pm on Wednesday 28th January 2026.

Stage 1 interviews will take place the afternoon Wednesday 4th February 2026, second stage interviews likely to be 9th or 11th February 2026.

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.

We want our people to be as diverse as nature, so we particularly encourage applications from people who are underserved within the communities in which we operate. This includes people from visible ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities (including those who are neurodivergent), the LGBTQ+ community, those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and younger people. We are committed to creating an organisation that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities.

BBOWT values diversity and inclusion and the benefits this brings. We want every candidate to have the best chance of success as part of this process. In order to do this, we know that some candidates will need reasonable adjustments. You will be able to contact BBOWT Recruitment Team if there are any reasonable adjustments we can provide during the recruitment process, including completing your application.

No agencies please.