Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction. Their vision is a world where everyone has equal access to clean air, water, and energy; where the nature we love is protected, precious habitats are restored and communities are united by ambitious climate action.
The Key Relationships programme sits at the heart of Greenpeace UK’s fundraising, securing the philanthropic investment that powers its campaigning work. The team raises around £15–16 million annually from major donors, trusts and foundations, and legacies, contributing significantly to the organisation’s wider fundraising income of approximately £37 million.
The Individual Major Gifts programme is a core part of this, driving income from high-value supporters including high-net-worth individuals and family foundations. Sitting within a collaborative structure alongside trusts and foundations, it reflects the increasingly blended nature of donor giving.
We are now seeking a Head of Major Gifts (Individuals) to lead this important area. Reporting to the Deputy Fundraising Director, Key Relationships, you will jointly lead the major gifts function alongside the Head of Major Gifts (Trusts & Foundations), combining strategic leadership with hands-on fundraising. You will jointly lead a team of Major Gifts specialists while personally managing a portfolio of the organisation’s most significant donors, securing six- and seven-figure gifts. You will also lead Greenpeace UK’s contribution to a high-profile global capital campaign to raise €100 million, helping fund a pioneering fossil fuel–free ship and accelerate climate and biodiversity work.
As Head of Major Gifts (Individuals), you will:
- Develop and deliver the major gifts strategy, driving ambitious income growth aligned to UK and global priorities
- Lead Greenpeace UK’s contribution to the €100M Global Capital Campaign, translating global strategy into UK delivery
- Personally cultivate and secure transformational gifts from high-net-worth individuals
- Line manage the Major Gifts Manager and wider team alongside the Head of Trusts & Foundations, creating a high-performing, collaborative and values-led culture
- Oversee pipeline development, prospect research and donor stewardship to ensure sustainable growth
- Work across fundraising, campaigns and communications to develop compelling donor propositions
- Influence senior stakeholders, trustees and international colleagues to maximise major donor engagement
- Manage budgets, performance and reporting, ensuring delivery against ambitious financial targets
- Contribute to the leadership of the wider Key Relationships programme and organisational direction
Essential skills and experience:
- Significant experience in senior-level major gifts fundraising with a track record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts from U/HNWIs.
- Experience of leading fundraising strategy and delivering sustained income growth.
- Demonstrated experience of leading, developing, and motivating teams, with a proven track record of achieving high performance.
- Experience of working with senior stakeholders, trustees, and high-net-worth individuals.
- Strong understanding of international or capital campaign fundraising, with direct experience a distinct advantage.
- Experience of managing budgets and meeting ambitious financial targets.
- Knowledge of, or experience working in, the environmental, climate, or biodiversity sectors is a distinct advantage to enable credible and insightful engagement with expert colleagues, partners and donors
Diversity and Inclusion
Greenpeace UK recognise the value in having a diverse workforce, as well as the importance of creating equal opportunities for all. Applications are welcomed and encouraged from people of all backgrounds.
Applications are particularly encouraged from people of colour, disabled people, and people who identify as working class now or in the past.
Candidates will be selected based on how well they meet the criteria for the role and all applicants will be treated fairly throughout the recruitment process. To find out more, including the many ways that diversity and inclusion is encouraged and promoted at Greenpeace UK, please click here.
Anti-racism and inclusion commitments
Greenpeace UK wants its team to reflect the diversity of the communities it works alongside. It is committed to fairness, inclusion, and challenging discrimination and oppression in all its forms.
The environmental sector still has further to go when it comes to representation. Greenpeace UK has published ambitious race representation targets and, through its Anti Racism Plan, is working proactively to achieve stronger representation of people of colour, particularly within leadership positions.
As part of this commitment, a Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) is being piloted. Greenpeace UK aims to offer an interview to everyone who opts into the scheme and meets the essential criteria. Guaranteed interview applications will be processed by QuarterFive and shared only with the Greenpeace UK recruiting manager and HR team.
If you identify as a person of colour and meet the essential criteria for the role, you can choose to opt in to the Guaranteed Interview Scheme - see applicant pack for details.
Employee benefits
- 25 days annual leave for full-time staff, with additional leave accrued according to length of service up to a maximum of 32 days
- Once a month, all Greenpeace staff take an organisational ‘breather’ day where the office closes with no expectations of output on these days
- Office closure normally occurs between Christmas and new year and staff are not required to use annual leave to cover this period
- Employer pension contribution of 8.5% of basic salary, provided employees contribute at least 3%
- Interest free season ticket loan, or a tax efficient bicycle loan
- Life assurance scheme (4 x annual salary)
- Employee Assistance Programme that includes access to free confidential advice with a qualified counsellor
To apply, please upload your CV, making sure it reflects the essential skills and experience outlined above. You can use the notes section to share any additional information. Suitable applicants will be contacted and given full support with the formal application process.
Non Charity Employer 
101 - 500
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!
Summary:
The Head of Engagement & Fundraising will play a pivotal role in driving the charity's mission forward by developing and implementing innovative fundraising strategies. This position is essential for enhancing community engagement and building lasting relationships with donors, ensuring the sustainability and growth of our initiatives in North Leeds, Yorkshire. The successful candidate will lead a dedicated team, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence in fundraising efforts.
Why This Role Matters
As Head of Engagement & Fundraising, you’ll be the strategic force behind the charity’s mission — developing and delivering an ambitious engagement and income‑generation strategy that strengthens long‑term sustainability.
You’ll lead a passionate team, champion the charity’s voice across all channels, and build meaningful relationships with funders, partners, community groups and local networks.
This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior role where your ideas, leadership and creativity will directly shape impact across the region.
What You Will Do:
- Strategic fundraising growth — Create and deliver a forward‑thinking fundraising strategy that increases and diversifies annual income.
- Marketing & engagement leadership — Oversee all marketing activity across digital, social, PR, campaigns and events.
- Team development — Coach, inspire and develop a high‑performing team across marketing and fundraising.
- Funding applications — Lead and project‑manage compelling bids to trusts, foundations and grant‑making bodies.
- Stakeholder relationships — Build trusted partnerships with funders, community groups, local networks and internal teams..
Who we’re looking for
We’re looking for an experienced, values‑driven professional who combines strategic thinking with the ability to deliver in practice.
You’ll be:
- An experienced fundraising and engagement manager from the UK charity, social care or community sector
- A confident, inclusive leader with a coaching mindset and proven experience of managing and developing teams
- A strong grant writer with a successful track record of securing funding from trusts, foundations and grant‑making bodies
- A digitally savvy marketer with hands‑on experience across social media, email, CRM systems and online fundraising platforms
- A natural communicator and relationship‑builder who thrives in community‑focused environments
- A creative storyteller able to craft compelling campaigns and messages that inspire action
- Someone with a proactive, can‑do attitude, excellent time‑management skills and the ability to get things done in a fast‑paced setting
- A values‑driven professional who wants their work to make a genuine and lasting difference
Why join us?
- Salary up to £55,000, depending on experience
- Early finish every Friday at 2pm
- Supportive, values‑driven and collaborative culture
- Senior leadership role with real influence and autonomy
- The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives
How to apply
To apply, please submit your CV along with a supporting statement outlining how your experience, skills, and values align with this role.
We actively welcome applications from people with lived experience and from under‑represented communities.
Closing date: 26 May 2026 at midday
We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Please note: no recruitment agencies or third‑party applications, thank you.
Our values
- Collaboration- Working closely with our residents, customers, locality and service users to understand and respond to their needs
- Caring- Caring for others and the environment
- Respectful- Treating people with respect
- Efficiency -Using resources effectively and efficiently
Thank you!
This is a rare opportunity to join a charity at the very start of its journey.
Head of Fundraising & Communications
- Salary: £60,000-£65,000
- Location: Initially from home until opening with travel for prospect meetings primarily in Wakefield and the surround. Once open, hybrid, with 3 days per week on site.
- Contract: Permanent, 37.5 hours (open to flexible working requests)
- Benefits: 33 days holiday, pension, professional development
Wakefield Youth Zone will be the newest member of OnSide's growing network of state-of-the-art youth centres, giving young people somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to when school is out. With capital funding secured and construction about to begin, the next critical phase is revenue fundraising.
This is more than a fundraising leadership role. It's an opportunity to build the fundraising and communications function from day one. Initially, you'll be the driving force behind building a community of around 34 Founder Patrons, each giving £25,000 per year for four years, creating the financial foundation for the Youth Zone's first years of operation. As opening approaches, you'll recruit and lead your own team, shaping strategy, culture, and long-term sustainability.
We're looking for someone entrepreneurial, relationship-led and comfortable working independently. You'll be supported by the national OnSide network, an exceptionally successful proven model, and a growing Yorkshire partnership with Barnsley Youth Zone.
What you'll be doing:
- Lead the Founder Patron campaign, securing multi-year major/corporate gifts
- Build and lead the fundraising and communications function
- Develop and deliver a sustainable fundraising strategy
- Personally manage key donor and corporate relationships
- Work collaboratively across the OnSide network and region
- Sit on the future Senior Leadership Team
- Oversee the Youth Zone's communications function, supported initially by a regional comms manager, and later by a dedicated local comms hire.
What we're looking for:
You will be an ambitious and relationship-driven senior fundraiser with:
- A strong track record of securing major relationships
- Experience working with corporates and/or high-net-worth individuals
- Strategic thinking alongside hands-on delivery
- Confidence in building partnerships and making the ask
- Entrepreneurial mindset and collaborative approach
This is a career-defining opportunity to build something from the ground up and create lasting impact for young people in Wakefield.
How to Apply
If you're as excited about this role as we are, please send your CV or profile to Ellen Drummond at Charity People to start the conversation. If your experience aligns with the brief, we'll be in touch with next steps on how to make your formal application.
Closing: 9am, on Friday, 15th of May
First stage virtual interviews: 21st & 22nd of May
Second stage in-person interviews: W/C the 1st of June
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.
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