Head of major donor fundraising jobs

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.

Greenpeace UK’s mission is to halve emissions and restore biodiversity by the end of this decade in a fair and equitable way. Their three-year plan outlines how Greenpeace UK (GPUK) is going to play a vital role in getting there.

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.

We are now seeking a Deputy Head of Major Gifts to play a pivotal role within this high-performing and evolving team. This is a newly created position, designed to increase capacity and support ambitious income growth, with significant scope for the successful candidate to shape and define the role.

Blending trusts and foundations with high-net-worth individual fundraising, this role will focus on building and stewarding a mixed portfolio of donors while strengthening Greenpeace UK’s climate philanthropy. It is a highly donor-facing position, suited to someone who thrives on relationship building and is motivated by the opportunity to drive meaningful income in support of urgent environmental change.

This is an exciting moment to join Greenpeace UK. Following a period of organisational change, this is a newly created role which will enable Greenpeace UK to meet ambitious growth in income and unlock opportunities to grow funding for climate campaigns in particular.

As Deputy Head of Major Gifts, you will:

• Manage a portfolio of major donors, trusts, and foundations giving £100,000+, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding long-term partnerships
• Personally secure six- and seven-figure gifts in support of Greenpeace UK’s strategic priorities
• Play a key role in strengthening Greenpeace UK’s climate philanthropy
• Develop and deliver compelling funding propositions aligned with Greenpeace’s strategic priorities
• Build and deepen relationships with key funders and prospects, increasing external engagement and visibility
• Contribute to prospecting strategy, identifying and progressing new opportunities across both T&F and HNWI audience
• Work collaboratively across fundraising, campaigns and communications to deliver integrated, high-impact fundraising approaches
• Act as a senior member of the team, contributing to planning, strategy and a strong, collaborative team culture

This role would suit a relationship-led fundraiser ready to step into a broader, more strategic position, or an experienced manager looking to deepen their impact across major gifts. You will thrive in a role with significant autonomy, confident operating in a fast-evolving environment and shaping both your own portfolio and the wider programme.

Essential skills and experience:

• A strong track record in high-value fundraising, across trusts & foundations (including family foundations) AND major donors
• The ability to work across a blended T&F and HNWI model, regardless of your core specialism
• Personally securing six-figure gifts from T&Fs and major donors
• Experience managing a portfolio of donors and funders within a complex, values-driven, or global organisation
• Proven success engaging senior stakeholders, including Board members, and philanthropic networks
• A proactive, self-starting approach, with the ability to shape a new role and drive activity forward
• Effective collaborator, able to work seamlessly across fundraising, campaigns, and international teams
• A commitment to Greenpeace’s mission, values and independence

Desirable:

• Experience of securing 7-figure gifts from trusts & foundations and/or major donors
• Experience in capital campaign fundraising and cross-market collaboration
• Experience of climate or environmental philanthropy

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. 

If you have any specific requirements which would enable you to participate in the recruitment process more fully, in particular if these relate to a disability or access issue, please see page 11 of the applicant pack for contact details. If you require the job pack in a different format, please get in touch and we will happily provide you with one.

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 via the link on page 2 of the applicant pack.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Research shows that women and people of colour may hesitate to apply unless they meet every area of the person specification. If you’re excited about this role but don’t meet all the criteria, you are encouraged to apply.

Employee benefits

Benefits include: 

• 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

Location: Bristol(with hybrid working, 40% in office), United Kingdom.

Salary: £47,000 to £51,000 per annum

Type: Full-time (28 - 35 Hours pw), Permanent

About Us

The Soil Association, formed in 1946, is the only UK charity which works across the spectrum of human health, the environment and animal welfare. That’s because we cannot tackle these issues in isolation.

We campaign for change, we support farming innovation, we serve healthy food in communities, we support and grow the organic market, and we protect forests. We couldn't do any of this without our supporters, partners, donors and dedicated staff. We make a difference in the world where it’s needed the most. 

About the Opportunity 

2026 is our 80th year and an exciting time to join the Soil Association. We have an ambitious strategy to 2030 with inspiring, scalable projects which are delivering impact across the food system. As a fundraising department, we prioritise brilliant cross team collaboration on campaigns, events and appeals to achieve our ambitious long term growth targets across our income streams.

About You 

We are looking for an exceptional fundraiser and motivational team leader. You will be brilliant at building lasting partnerships both externally with supporters and internally with colleagues. You will accelerate opportunities to broaden our networks, develop compelling proposals, deliver inspiring events and provide outstanding stewardship.

You will:
•  Have a proven track record of securing and managing significant six-figure plus donations 
•  Be a confident, persuasive communicator with the ability to translate complex food systems and sustainability programmes into compelling, tailored propositions
•  Be an experienced leader who thrives on supporting their team to reach their potential

Our Benefits 

• We offer a range of financial and lifestyle benefits to all our employees, including:

• 27 days annual holiday increasing to 30 days with length of service plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time) 

• Pension scheme with ethical investment options and employer contribution increasing with length of service 

• Free membership of the Soil Association and discounts on organic produce 

• Volunteer days to give back to the local community or support green initiatives 

• Family friendly policies and flexible working

• Cycle to work scheme 

• Sociable and engaging workplace of professionals that share a passion for healthy, sustainable lifestyle and produce 

To Apply 

Click ‘apply now’ to submit your CV and Cover Letter application form. Please note we look at applications on arrival and reserve the right to close this vacancy early. 

Please check your junk/spam folder if you do not receive a confirmation email upon submitting your application. All candidates will subsequently receive an email to confirm whether they have made it through to interview stage. 

We know the value of diversity in nature and want it in our organisation. We recognise that diverse backgrounds and experiences will bring a fresh perspective to our work. If you're not sure about applying, please get in touch with us for a chat. 

Thank you for your interest in supporting our work at the Soil Association. 

Head of Principal Gifts
Employer: University of Manchester
Salary: £59,966 to £71,566, depending on experience with scope to go beyond for an exceptional candidate
Location: Hybrid working, Manchester

We are looking for our new Head of Principal Gifts to work with our highest level of donors, securing principal gifts in support of the University of Manchester's key priorities - gifts that are truly transformational and enable us to tackle some of the world's greatest challenges.

We're taking our big gift fundraising to the next level with the launch of a dedicated Principal Gifts programme, and we're looking for someone to play a key role in shaping that transformation, building deep, lasting relationships with top-level donors in the UK and internationally.

With our inspirational new strategy in place and our first-ever university-wide philanthropic campaign, CHALLENGE ACCEPTED, launched in November 2025, this is a pivotal moment for Manchester and for your career.

Reporting to the Deputy Director, Principal Gifts, you'll be joining a brilliant, values-driven team with a fantastic pipeline of prospects, strong existing relationships, and academics who are fully engaged in what we're building together.

Great things happen at The University of Manchester every day - from finding new treatments for cancer and discovering wonder materials like Nobel Prize-winning graphene, to providing life-changing scholarships and influencing government policy to help the world's poorest people. This is the work your fundraising will make possible.

If you're a major gifts or big gift fundraiser ready to make your mark at a world-renowned institution and take that next career-defining step, we'd love to hear from you.

Closing date: Midnight on Monday 20 April 2026

Interested?

Please familiarise yourself with the attached Candidate Pack.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter.

The University of Manchester is partnering with Constellate Global Talent on this search. No agencies please.

Job title: Head of Principal Gifts
Employer: Imperial College London
Salary: £69,365 to £79,257 per annum
Location: White City, London W12 (Hybrid)

About the role:

Are you a fundraiser looking for a new challenge at the highest levels of philanthropy? Are you looking to transition into the field of principal gifts?

Here at Imperial College, we are recruiting a Head of Principal Gifts to join our brilliant and growing team. This is a new position, part of an expansion of our Advancement Division.

What you will be doing:

As Head of Principal Gifts, you will play a transformative role in securing the philanthropic investments that drive groundbreaking discoveries, life-changing innovations and sustainable solutions. Your work will directly impact fields critical to shaping the future – from climate resilience and AI to global health and business innovation. You will have the opportunity to work with amazing colleagues driven to tackle some of the most difficult problems facing society. 

At Imperial, philanthropy has the power to change lives. In this role, you'll be at the heart of that - cultivating relationships with high-net-worth individuals and like-minded stakeholders, and helping drive our most ambitious fundraising and alumni engagement campaign to date.

Working closely with the Director of Development: Principal Gifts and Global, you'll lead on gifts that are genuinely complex and career-defining in scale.

What we are looking for:

We're looking for someone entrepreneurial and ambitious: a natural relationship-builder who thrives in complexity, navigates ambiguity with confidence, and knows how to bring the right people together at the right moment. If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you.

What we can offer you:

• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to use science for humanity.
• Benefit from a sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days’ annual leave and generous pension schemes).
• Access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy from day one, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and cycle-to-work scheme.
• Interest-free season ticket loan schemes for travel.
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

About Imperial

Welcome to Imperial, a global top ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact.

Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, we navigate some of the world’s toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.

As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you’ll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network.

This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you’ll join us at Imperial.

Our culture

We work towards equality of opportunity, eliminating discrimination and creating an inclusive working environment. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities. You can read more about our commitment on our webpages.

Our values are at the heart of everything we do and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate respect, collaboration, excellence, integrity and innovation.

Further Information

This is one of two exceptional opportunities to join our dynamic team. As we continue to expand our international presence, we are recruiting for the following role:

• Head of Global Development, Asia

Each of these roles offers a unique opportunity to shape our strategic direction and build impactful partnerships.

Closing date: Midnight on Thursday 16 April 2026.

Interested?

Please familiarise yourself with the attached Candidate Pack.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter.

Imperial is partnering with Erin Hall-Westfall and Joanna Logan of Constellate Global Talent on this search.

No agencies please.

Salary: £64,093
Contract: Permanent
Location: London Hybrid, 2-3 days per week in Angel office
Closing date: ASAP
Benefits: 24-28 Days annual leave & option to buy/sell more, up to 5% pension contribution, Employee assistance programme, Life assurance cover, Health cash plan

We are very excited to be looking for a Head of Philanthropy to join a national disability charity, supporting people with complex disabilities to live connected and included lives.

With a new organisational strategy and recently implemented CRM system, the Head of Philanthropy will play a crucial role in shaping long-term philanthropic growth. Reporting to the Chief Fundraising & Marketing Officer, you will lead a talented team to develop an ambitious major donor programme, build a robust pipeline of high-value multi-year gifts, and create compelling propositions that inspire high-net-worth supporters.

As a skilled communicator, you’ll work effectively across a large and complex organisation, engaging senior stakeholders, ambassadors and donor networks to maximise opportunities and drive long-term impact for people with complex disabilities.

To be successful as the Head of Philanthropy you will need:

• Significant experience delivering and transforming a major donor programme, including securing multi-year, high-value gifts.
• Strong strategic leadership skills, with experience developing and leading high-performing teams.
• Outstanding relationship-building abilities, with the confidence and communication skills to influence senior stakeholders and engage high-net-worth individuals effectively.

If you would like to discuss this role with us, please contact us and quote the reference 2908JP

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.
 

We are working closely with a health charity to recruit an Interim position to start asap until the end of the year, as Head of Philanthropy & Community Fundraising you will steward existing fundraising, drive new opportunities, and deliver income growth.

The charity is at an exciting stage in its evolution, they are currently refreshing their five-year organisational strategy, this funding ground-breaking research and driving the charity to reach more women and girls through education and advocacy campaigns.

You will be joining a supportive, collaborative and fun team with a variety of skills and expertise. You will contribute to building a positive, values-based culture within the fundraising team and bring together new ideas and creative thinking, expert leadership and strong relationship building and negotiation skills to contribute to significant growth.

The charity are interviewing on a rolling basis so please apply asap.

The Company
The charity are dedicated to improving health through pioneering research and campaigns to support those who most need it. You would be joining a driven and enthusiastic work culture, offering some attractive benefits including pension, private health care, employee discount scheme and cycle to work scheme.

The Role
Lead and inspire a team of four (three direct reports), setting clear objectives and supporting professional development
Share leadership and management of the Development Advisory Group (with the Director of Fundraising).
Work closely with colleagues in fundraising, communications, and research to align activities and maximise impact.
Develop a strong pipeline of major donors
Manage relationships with a portfolio of major donors
Work with the Community Engagement Manager to ensure the growth of community fundraising and challenge events
Lead on the fundraising element of key major donor events through the year

The Candidate
Significant experience in a variety of fundraising incom streams including major donors, trusts, individual giving and community fundraising
Strong experience of relationship fundraising
A strong track record of growing major donor income, ideally at five and six figure level
Experience of leading fundraising events
Experience engaging and stewarding high net worth individuals and senior stakeholders
Experience of leading a team

IMPORTANT NOTE

Our aim is to respond to all successful applications within 5 days. If you havent been contacted within 5 days your application has been unsuccessful and your details will not be held further but we positively encourage you to apply for any other positions that you may see in the future.

We apologise that we cannot contact everybody in person but thank you in advance for your interest.

Third Solutions encourages applications from individuals of all ages & backgrounds. Appointment will be made on merit alone but candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to work in the UK. Third Solutions acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment & an employment business for temporary recruitment as defined by the Conduct of Employment Agencies & Employment Business Regulations 2003.