Head of major donor fundraising jobs

Create is seeking a dynamic, ambitious, driven, fundraiser (grants/major gifts) with strong strategic skills, an exemplary income generation track record, and a passion for the power of the creative arts. This Senior Leadership Team position reports directly to the Chief Executive and manages a small team.

Do you believe in the power of the creative arts to connect, empower and upskill isolated and vulnerable children and adults? Are you passionate about relationship building, storytelling, meeting targets and changing lives? Are you excited to use your extensive senior-level fundraising experience, knowledge and contacts to lead Create’s income generation from Trusts & Foundations (T&F), public sector and High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI)? 

Every day, London’s Air Ambulance Charity brings hope to critically injured patients when they need us most. Working alongside the NHS, our advanced trauma team delivers life-saving care across London, made possible entirely by the generosity of our supporters.

We’re entering an exciting new chapter. Following the success of our capital appeal, we’re investing in our philanthropy and partnerships programme with the ambition to become a world leader in philanthropic giving and to double our high-value income over the next five years.

We are seeking an exceptional Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships to lead this transformation.

This is a strategic leadership role with responsibility for a £2.7m portfolio spanning major donors, corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations. You’ll shape and deliver an ambitious multi-year strategy, build innovative funding models focused on clinical innovation and research, and create transformational relationships that drive long-term sustainable growth.

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you’ll:

• Lead and inspire a high-performing philanthropy and partnerships team
• Secure transformational gifts and strategic partnerships
• Champion innovation, data-led decision making and exceptional supporter experiences
• Personally steward some of our most influential supporters and prospects
• Influence organisational strategy and help position London’s Air Ambulance Charity as a sector leader in modern philanthropy

We're looking for a collaborative, visionary and mission-driven leader with a proven track record in high-value fundraising and partnership development. You’ll be an inspiring people leader, a strategic thinker and a confident ambassador who thrives on building meaningful relationships and delivering lasting impact.

If you’re passionate about using philanthropy to save lives and want to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of one of London's most inspiring charities, we'd love to hear from you. 

Our benefits

Working environment

• Hybrid working for most roles, with time split between our offices at Mansell Street or The Royal London Hospital and remote workin
• Flexible working arrangements for most roles, with a 35-hour working week (for full-time employees) and core hours of 10:00-16:00
• A collaborative culture built around our values: compassionate, courageous and pioneering
• Access to a variety of learning and development opportunities to support your career growth
• A commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging, supported by our employee-led network, All Inclusive.

Supporting your wellbeing

• 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part-time employees)
• Additional office closure between Christmas and New Year, giving you an extra three days leave each year
• Additional annual leave awarded for long service
• One day's paid moving leave each year
• One day's paid volunteering leave each year to support causes that matter to you
• Compassionate leave
• Enhanced sick pay, providing up to five weeks full pay in a rolling 12-month period from day one of employment
• Access to a free and confidential Employee Assistance Programme, offering support for emotional, financial and legal matters, plus a wellbeing app.

Supporting your financial wellbeing

• Generous pension scheme with a 10% employer contribution when you contribute 5%
• Medicash health cash plan, helping you claim back the cost of everyday healthcare expenses
• Access to a wide range of employee discounts through sites including Blue Light Card, Health Service Discounts and Perks at Work
• Season ticket loan
• Cycle to Work scheme.

Supporting your family

• Enhanced maternity pay, offering company maternity pay at 75% of your annual salary for weeks seven to 26 of maternity leave
• Life assurance cover equivalent to four times your annual salary.

We are currently recruiting an experienced Head of Philanthropy & Corporate Partnerships to lead Liverpool Philharmonic’s fundraising and partnership activity, securing vital support from individuals and corporate partners. You'll develop and implement fundraising strategies, build and nurture high-value relationships, and drive income growth to support our artistic programme, community impact projects and strategic priorities. If you’re a strategic fundraiser with a strong track record of generating income and developing partnerships, we’d love to hear from you.

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.