Head of major donor fundraising jobs

Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity
Location: Sheffield
Reporting to: Director of Fundraising

Salary: £45,721.96 to £60,963.64 per annum

Hours and basis: Full Time 37.5 hours per week / Permanent position

Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity is looking for an ambitious and inspiring fundraising leader to join us as Head of Philanthropy, Trusts & Foundations. This is a unique opportunity to shape and drive high-value fundraising strategies that directly transform the lives of children and families.

About the role

In this pivotal leadership role, you will lead and grow our philanthropy and trusts income streams, developing and delivering a long-term strategy that drives sustainable income growth and meaningful impact.

You’ll work closely with senior leaders, clinicians and colleagues across the Charity and NHS Trust to bring compelling, high-impact projects to life, engaging new supporters and strengthening relationships with our existing donors.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a strategic plan for philanthropy, trusts and foundations fundraising
• Secure significant gifts and long-term partnerships from major donors and funders
• Personally manage a portfolio of high-value prospects and supporters
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of funding opportunities
• Oversee compelling cases for support, proposals and grant applications
• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing fundraising team
• Work collaboratively across the organisation to identify impactful funding opportunities

About you

We’re looking for a collaborative and driven fundraising professional with a proven track record in securing high-value gifts (ideally six-figure+).

You will bring:

• Strong experience in major donor and trust fundraising
• Exceptional relationship-building and influencing skills
• Strategic thinking and a results-driven approach
• Experience leading and motivating high-performing teams
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling funding propositions
• A proactive, creative mindset with strong organisational and analytical skills

For further details please read the full job description which outlines behaviours and qualities we are looking for along with skills and experience.

Why join us?

At Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity, you’ll be part of a passionate, ambitious team committed to making a real difference. You’ll have the opportunity to work on inspiring projects, build meaningful relationships, and shape the future of philanthropy which supports the Sheffield Children’s Hospital to enable healthier futures for children and young people.

Ready to make an impact?

Apply today with your CV and a covering letter.

Initial closing date: Wednesday 1st July 2026 - 9am

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to all applicants. If you are shortlisted for interview, we will contact you directly. We thank you for your interest in joining Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity.

Agencies: We are not accepting unsolicited agency contact or applications for this role. Any CVs submitted by agencies without prior agreement will not be considered.

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.
 

Salary: £65,000-£68,000 per year

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: UK (minimum 2 days per week in the London office)

Work Pattern: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week with the opportunity for flexible working hours

Reporting To: Chief Engagement Officer

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit an anonymised CV and covering letter (please remove any identifying details such as name, address, or photos) by midnight on 1st July via the Workable link.

In your covering letter, please demonstrate your motivations for applying for the role, how the position aligns with your career plans, and the experience (professional, voluntary, or lived) that makes you a strong fit for the role in line with our values and the criteria outlined in the job description.

We encourage candidates to ensure their responses reflect their own skills, experiences, and personal voice. If AI tools are used, candidates should also explain how and why they used them.

Please use see our AI guidance for Job Applicants.

INTERVIEW STAGES

The selection process will consist of three stages (dates will be confirmed with shortlisted candidates):

• First-round interview w/c 13th July
• Second-round interview w/c 20th July

Candidates will be asked to prepare a presentation (10–12 minutes maximum) on a major donor stewardship communications plan. Candidates should allocate no more than 3 hours to prepare this task.

• Final interview with the CEO w/c 27th July

ABOUT THE ROLE

Mission 44 exists to drive change and build a fairer, more inclusive future for young people around the world. As our work and partnerships continue to grow, so does our ambition to tell powerful stories that shine a light on the barriers young people face, champion solutions, and inspire meaningful action. 

The Head of Major Donors will play a critical role in strengthening and stewarding Mission 44’s relationships with high-value donors, philanthropists, and strategic supporters.

This role will work alongside the Chief Engagement Officer to lead the development and delivery of a thoughtful, personalised and impactful Major Donors programme that deepens donor pipeline and engagement, increases contributions, strengthens long-term relationships, and inspires continued investment in Mission 44’s mission and impact.

The successful candidate will combine exceptional relationship management skills, a solid network of donors, strong project coordination and communications, with strategic thinking.

They will work closely across fundraising, communications, programmes and leadership teams to ensure donors experience meaningful engagement with Mission 44’s work, values and community.

Requirements

MAJOR DONOR CULTIVATION AND RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT (70%) 

• Lead the organisation’s cultivation of new donors and deepening of the major donor pipeline. 
• Personally lead the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major donors and prospects for six/seven-figure gifts.
• Lead the implementation of Mission 44’s global major donor stewardship strategy, ensuring all major donors feel engaged in and inspired. 
• Manage and coordinate stewardship plans for high-value donors and philanthropic partners
• Build trusted, long-term relationships with major supporters through thoughtful and personalised engagement
• Develop tailored donor journeys that reflect supporter interests, motivations and impact priorities
• Identify opportunities to deepen donor engagement and increase long-term support
• Provide administrative support for the Global Growth Committee
• Work with Head of Engagement and Events to plan and deliver donor engagement opportunities at events, briefings, roundtables and programme visits to bring donors closer to our work 
• Support leadership engagement with major donors and key stakeholders
• Coordinate donor experiences linked to Mission 44 campaigns, partnerships and strategic moments
• Help create meaningful opportunities for supporters to connect with Mission 44’s mission, young people and impact

DONOR COMMUNICATIONS AND IMPACT REPORTING (20%)

• Ensure donors receive timely, high-quality communication and reporting
• Coordinate the creation of bespoke donor updates, reports and impact communications
• Work collaboratively with programme and communications teams to translate impact into compelling donor narratives
• Work with the communications team to ensure stewardship materials are high quality, aligned to brand and reflective of Mission 44’s values
• Support the development of case studies, impact stories and donor-facing content

SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT AND COLLABORATION (10%) 

• Maintain accurate donor records, engagement tracking and stewardship activity within CRM systems
• Monitor stewardship activity, timelines and reporting commitments
• Contribute to donor analysis, segmentation and fundraising insights
• Work closely with wider fundraising colleagues, communications and impact teams to deliver integrated supporter engagement
• Support senior leadership and ambassadors with donor preparation, briefing materials and relationship management
• Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing fundraising culture

ABOUT YOU: SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL 

• Significant experience in major donor cultivation, stewardship, philanthropy or high-value relationship management
• Proven track record of managing relationships with high-net-worth individuals, philanthropists or strategic supporters
• Experience developing and delivering donor stewardship plans and engagement strategies
• Proven success in the direct solicitation and stewardship of six- and seven-figure philanthropic contributions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience producing high-quality donor reports and communications
• Strong project management and organisational skills
• Experience working with CRM systems and donor databases
• Some travel, particularly to the US 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders effectively

DESIRABLE

• Experience of major donor management at a global level 
• Experience of Fundraising for a grant-making / campaigning organisation
• Experience with Principal Gifts processes   
• Experience supporting fundraising campaigns or major gifts programmes
• Understanding of education equity, youth opportunity or systems change work
• Experience working within high-profile or fast-paced organisations
• Event management and donor engagement experience

PERSONAL QUALITIES  

• Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail
• Emotionally intelligent and discreet
• Strategic and proactive thinker
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to communicate impact in a compelling and authentic way
• Passion for equity, inclusion and social justice
• Commitment to Mission 44’s values and mission
• Resilient with demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

• Enjoy 28 days annual leave, plus a day for your birthday
• Use our cycle-to-work scheme and free gym access
• Save for retirement with our generous pension package
• We finish every Friday at noon in August
• Optional health insurance and acccess to an EAP
• Professional development budget of £1k
• Unlimited volunteering leave, as agreed with your manager
• Wellbeing allowance to spend in whatever way works for you
• Competitive parental leave package

Role description: 

We are currently looking for a Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships to join our Fundraising & Supporter Experience Team. 

Reporting to the Director of Fundraising & Supporter Experience, the postholder will lead the development and delivery of the charity’s philanthropy and partnerships strategy, translating organisational ambition into compelling propositions, high value relationships and sustainable income growth. 

Leading a small, committed and recently established team, the Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships will build on early successes to define future direction, strengthen capability, and scale income from major donors, trusts, foundations and corporate partners.  

This role offers a significant opportunity to shape and grow a developing function and play a pivotal part in enabling Yorkshire Cancer Research to deliver its ambitious growth plans and achieve its vision of a Yorkshire free from cancer.  

Specifically you will: 

• Lead and work in partnership with relevant Fundraising Managers to develop and deliver Yorkshire Cancer Research’ Philanthropy & Partnerships strategy to the charity’s mission, values and organisational strategy.

• Provide clear strategic leadership across all high value, aligned income streams, including: Philanthropy, Trusts and foundations, Corporate partnerships, Strategic and multi year funding partnerships

• Ensure the philanthropy and partnerships strategy aligns with, and complements, the public fundraising strategy, delivering a coherent overall income approach. 

To be considered for this role, you will need to be a member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising and have significant experience leading high-value fundraising and/or partnership income streams, with evidence of delivering significant and sustainable income growth.

For further details please refer to the role profile. 

Application 

Before applying, please visit our Careers Page to view the full role profile and find out more about working for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

To apply please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to Claire Wooldridge, Head of People before 9th June 2026. Please read our privacy notice before applying. 

The charity is a responsible and flexible employer.We welcome any discussion for flexible working at the interview/offer stage where we will consider an individual’s circumstances against the needs of the charity.

We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. If we can make any reasonable adjustments to support your application, please contact us.