8 Head of major donor fundraising jobs

Ready to shape the future of high value fundraising for two much loved hospices?

Teesside Hospice and Butterwick Hospice are looking for an ambitious, relationship driven Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships to lead and grow high value fundraising across both organisations at a defining moment in their future.

Salary: £49,984
Location: Across both sites at Teesside and Stockton with c1day from home
Reporting to: Director of Fundraising and Communications
Contract: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week, with 0.8 FTE considered and flexible working arrangements
Benefits: A generous benefits package including up to 36 days' annual leave (including bank holidays), flexible and hybrid working, pension options, free onsite parking, comprehensive wellbeing support, professional development and a range of lifestyle, retail and staff discounts

About the Hospices:

Following the decision to merge, this is a unique opportunity to bring together the strengths, relationships and reach of two established hospices, building an ambitious philanthropy and partnerships programme that will help more people across Tees Valley and County Durham access the very best end of life care.

Together, Teesside Hospice and Butterwick Hospice support more than 6,700 people every year, but they know there are many more patients and families who need their care.

The Role:

You'll lead the development of a joined up high value giving strategy across major donors, trusts and foundations, and corporate partnerships, building on the strengths of both hospices while respecting their individual identities and deep connections within their communities.

This is a strategic leadership role, but it's also very much about relationships. You'll be visible, connected and confident opening doors, personally cultivating significant supporters, developing new networks and creating opportunities for transformational, six figure and multi-year support.

What you'll be doing

• Lead an ambitious high value fundraising strategy across both hospices, driving sustainable income growth.
• Develop major giving, building a strong pipeline of high-net-worth supporters and personally cultivating key relationships.
• Provide strategic leadership across trusts and foundations, securing significant and multi-year funding.
• Grow corporate partnerships across the combined geography, including flagship and high value relationships.
• Lead, coach and develop the Trusts & Grants Manager and Partnerships Managers, creating a confident, high performing team.
• Work closely with senior leaders, trustees and volunteers to unlock networks and open doors to new opportunities.
• Build exceptional supporter journeys that deepen relationships and grow long term value.
• Bring teams and opportunities together across both hospices, sharing expertise and creating greater collective impact.

What we're looking for?

An experienced high value fundraiser with a strong track record in major giving, trusts and foundations and/or corporate partnerships.

• A brilliant relationship builder who can engage confidently with high-net-worth individuals, senior business leaders, funders, trustees and other influential stakeholders.
• Someone with the ambition and confidence to develop significant gifts, including six figure and multi-year opportunities.
• A strategic thinker who understands pipelines, forecasting and income growth, but never loses sight of the relationships behind the numbers.
• An inspiring and supportive leader who can develop people, build confidence and create a culture of accountability and ambition.
• A collaborative, thoughtful approach and the ability to bring people with you through a period of exciting organisational change.

You'll have the opportunity to build the strategy, develop the team and create the philanthropic and corporate relationships that will help ensure hospice care is there for more people and families, today, tomorrow and for generations to come.

Interested? We'd absolutely love to hear from you.

To apply: Send your CV or profile to Ellen Drummond at Charity People to start the conversation. If your experience aligns, Ellen will be in touch with next steps and details of how to make your application.

Closing date: 9am, 7th October 2026

Interviews: 22nd and 23rd October 2026

Only because this role is time sensitive, we'll be reviewing CVs on a rolling basis - so please do get in touch as soon as possible if you're interested. But, if you're away on holiday or your personal circumstances make this time of year difficult, please just reach out to Ellen and we'll ensure that you don't miss out.

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.

Sightsavers is looking for an experienced and strategic Head of Major Donor Fundraising to lead the next phase of growth for our high value individual giving programme. This role can be worked full time or part time, with a minimum of four days per week, and is UK based with regular travel to our Haywards Heath office.

As part of the Fundraising and Marketing directorate, you will develop and deliver a long-term major donor strategy, lead a specialist team and personally manage a focused portfolio of high value donors and prospects. The role will focus on supporters giving £10,000 or more per year, while also strengthening nurture and loyalty programmes that help build a sustainable future pipeline of philanthropic support.

Working closely with colleagues across fundraising, technical leadership, programme delivery, finance, planning and senior leadership, you will identify compelling funding opportunities and help build strong cases for support. You will also represent Sightsavers externally with donors, prospects, philanthropy advisers, wealth advisers and sector networks.

We would like to hear from confident and collaborative senior fundraisers with experience of leading or managing a high value fundraising programme. You will bring a strong track record of securing, cultivating and stewarding significant gifts, including six-figure prospects, alongside the ability to use data and insight to manage pipelines, forecast income and support decision-making. You will also bring the relationship-building skills to work effectively with trustees, senior leaders, high net worth individuals and external advisers.

Application and interview process
To apply, please complete an application through our recruitment portal by uploading an up-to-date CV and answering the job-specific questions. We are particularly interested in understanding your motivation for applying. We anticipate a two-stage interview process, with first interviews from w/c 12 October and second-round interviews expected w/c 19 or 26 October 2026. The process will include a role-specific presentation task at first interview stage, and one interview will be held in person at our Haywards Heath office. We would like the successful candidate to start by the end of January 2027.

Sightsavers is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences and are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Who we are

Nature is in crisis. People are destroying and consuming the natural world at a devastating rate, threatening the ecosystems on which all life depends. Birds are our early warning system, revealing the health of our planet and helping us understand the urgent action needed to protect it.

BirdLife International is the world’s largest partnership for nature conservation, bringing together 125 national organisations across six continents to protect birds, biodiversity and the natural systems that sustain life. Through our unique local-to-global approach, we work at the intersection of science, policy and community action to tackle the global nature and climate crises.

Using world-leading bird science, we collect and analyse data from across continents, landscapes and seascapes to identify the most effective and innovative conservation solutions. Our work conserves species, safeguards critical habitats and empowers communities to create lasting change for nature and people.

At the heart of BirdLife is a powerful global movement. More than two million birders, scientists and local volunteers help track, study and protect birdlife around the world, generating the knowledge and action needed to drive conservation impact at scale. Together, we are giving nature a voice and building a future in which birds, wildlife and people can thrive.

BirdLife International’s Development Team is in an exciting new phase of recruitment and growth and will be hiring for a number of roles to support growth and sustainability across the organisation – including this newly created role.

About the role

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer and working with colleagues worldwide, the Head of Major Gifts will lead the organisation’s major gifts programme, taking responsibility for both strategic development and frontline fundraising. The Head of Major Gifts will build pipeline, create new opportunities, strengthen fundraising discipline and embed a proactive new-business culture across the major gifts function. Seeking to grow and develop this area, the Head of Major Gifts will play both an operational and strategic role – personally winning and managing relationships at the £250k+ level, as well as developing the team and the strategy. It will also have the opportunity to partner with the Chief Development Officer on principal gifts at the £1m+ level.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a major and principal gifts strategy to grow high-value individual giving across the UK, US and other global markets, in partnership with the CDO.
• Lead, coach and develop the Major Gifts team of 3, providing direct, hands-on role-modelling in cultivation and solicitation.
• Represent Major Gifts on the Development Management Team to steward the Development programme at BirdLife and collectively lead transformational change, especially the shared delivery of the Development strategy.
• Represent Major Gifts on the Principal Gifts Working Group.
• Identify opportunities to grow BirdLife’s donor base in key regions, particularly in the U.S. and Europe.
• Personally develop and manage a portfolio of £250k–£1m+ donors and prospects and provide direct, hands-on support to the CDO on principal-level (£1m+) relationships and proposals.
• Ensure each team member undertakes new business activity to build a robust pipeline within designated markets and giving levels, feeding future portfolio growth for the team.
• Set and monitor major gifts income targets and performance goals; track progress and pipeline health and provide regular reports to leadership on revenue generation and donor engagement and take corrective actions as needed.
• Manage the Major Gifts team budget, recruitment and resource allocation.

Who we are looking for

This role would suit a seasoned major gifts leader, ideally with experience in the conservation and/or international NGO space. We are looking for someone who enjoys being both hands-on and strategic, with experience securing and managing transformative (£250k+) gifts – and coaching others to maximise their own portfolios. A new-business mindset is crucial, as this role will continue BirdLife International’s major-giving growth trajectory.

• Experience personally raising six- and seven-figure gifts from individuals.
• Experience of successfully developing and delivering a major gifts/principal gifts strategy.
• Experience coaching or line-managing fundraisers to develop their own donor relationships.
• Experience working in an international, complex, not-for-profit environment.
• Experience managing a small major gifts team, including budgetary responsibility.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and with external stakeholders using a partnerships approach.

Location: Remote, UK, with travel to the David Attenborough Building in Cambridge
Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 5th October

Harris Hill are delighted to be working with a charity to recruit for the Head of Philanthropy on a maternity cover basis.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced philanthropy fundraiser to lead and develop a high performing programme encompassing Major Donors, Trusts & Foundations and Mid Value Donors, helping to grow income and strengthen long term supporter relationships.

Philanthropy is a significant contributor to the charity's overall income, encompassing Trusts & Foundations, Major Donors and Mid Value Donors.

As Head of Philanthropy, you will provide strategic leadership across the programme, building on existing successes while identifying new opportunities for growth.

A key focus will be on re engaging lapsed donors, developing a strong pipeline of new prospects and further strengthening the Mid Value programme to cultivate future Major Donors.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead, motivate and develop the Philanthropy team, creating a supportive, ambitious and high performing culture.
• Lead the development of strong, long term relationships with Major Donors and Trusts & Foundations
• Manage and develop a portfolio of high value donors and prospects.
• Identify opportunities to re engage lapsed donors and develop new donor relationships.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Experienced and successful in Major Donor fundraising, ideally with Trust fundraising experience.
• An effective and inspiring people manager.
• Experienced in developing donor pipelines and growing income.
• A confident and compelling communicator, both verbally and in writing.
• Highly organised, able to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Comfortable managing budgets, KPIs and financial reporting.
• Collaborative and able to build strong relationships across an organisation.
• Proactive, creative and confident in identifying and pursuing new opportunities.
• Calm under pressure, adaptable and able to manage competing demands.
• Committed to delivering an excellent supporter experience.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary: £50,000- £55,000 per annum
• Contract type: 12 months FTC, full time, 37.5 hrs a week
• Location: North London, hybrid working
• Deadline: On rolling basis

Recruitment process: Cv

If this sounds like you, then please do get in touch ASAP!

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

Harris Hill is delighted to be partnering with Wellbeing of Women to recruit a Head of Philanthropy and Community Fundraising. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced fundraising leader to join the charity at an important stage of its growth and play a key role in delivering its ambitious fundraising strategy.

About the organisation

Wellbeing of Women is a leading women's health charity dedicated to saving and changing the lives of women, girls and babies. Its ambition is to ensure that women's lives are not limited by their gynaecological and reproductive health.

You will be responsible for stewarding existing income while identifying and developing new opportunities to deliver ambitious growth targets.

Key responsibilities

Leadership & management

• Lead, inspire and develop a team of four, including three direct reports, setting clear objectives and supporting professional development and wellbeing.
• Share leadership and management of the Development Advisory Group with the Director of Income and Engagement.
• Monitor team performance and ensure high standards, accountability and collaborative working.
• Work closely with colleagues across fundraising, communications and research to maximise opportunities and impact.
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative and values-led fundraising culture.

Philanthropy & fundraising

• Develop and manage a strong pipeline of major donor prospects.
• Personally manage and develop a portfolio of major donor relationships.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with high-net-worth individuals and senior stakeholders.
• Identify and develop opportunities to grow five- and six-figure income.
• Work with the Community Engagement Manager to grow community fundraising and challenge events.
• Lead the fundraising element of key major donor events throughout the year.
• Use data, insight and CRM systems effectively to support fundraising activity and income growth.
• Ensure fundraising activity follows appropriate due diligence, contracting, data protection and fundraising standards.

About you:

You will be an experienced fundraising professional with a strong understanding of relationship fundraising and a proven ability to generate significant income.

You will have:

• Significant experience across a range of fundraising income streams, ideally including major donors, trusts, individual giving and community fundraising.
• A strong track record of growing major donor income, ideally at five- and six-figure level.
• Extensive experience of relationship fundraising and managing donor relationships.
• Experience of leading successful fundraising events.
• Experience engaging and stewarding high-net-worth individuals and senior stakeholders.
• Experience using and managing CRM databases.
• Proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and storytelling skills.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills.
• The ability to prioritise effectively and manage multiple projects and competing demands.
• A good understanding of fundraising processes, including due diligence, the Fundraising Code of Conduct, contracting and data.
• Strong leadership skills and the confidence to motivate and drive a team.
• Confidence presenting and speaking to a wide range of audiences.
• A proactive, self-starting approach, with the ability to use initiative and intuition.
• A collaborative and supportive leadership style that encourages trust and autonomy.

Salary:

• Salary of circa £50,000
• Permanent, full-time position
• Hybrid working, with a minimum of 2 days per week at the London Bridge office
• Deadline: Monday 21^st September 
• Interview: 1^st Interview: 28^th September

                             2^nd Interview: 7^th October

• Recruitment Process: Cv and Supporting Statement to

Fractional Head of Philanthropy

c£50k or equivalent day rate | London (Hybrid) | 16-24 hours/week

The 93% Club is the UK's fastest-growing network for state-educated people - up 75% in income, three years running. Now we're building philanthropy into the mix, and we need someone brilliant to lead it. Part-time.

We've raised £0.4m from philanthropic sources in the last 12 months with zero dedicated resource. Imagine what's possible with you steering it.

This is a new, senior role reporting to the COO with a dotted line to the CEO. You'll set the strategy, build the case for support, and personally hold the relationships with our highest-value donors - major gifts, trusts, corporates. No red tape, no legacy systems to unpick. You're building this from scratch.

You'll need:

• A track record of securing serious gifts and building real pipelines
• Confidence with CEOs, donors and everyone in between
• The judgement to make a fixed number of days count
• Genuine belief in what we're building - #StateSchoolProud and proud of it

You'll need:

• Full ownership of a new function, from day one
• A fast-growing, mission-driven team who'll back you
• £50k (not pro rata), 2-3 days/week, hybrid
• The chance to help millions of state-educated people thrive

Sound like you? We'd love to hear from you.

To register your interest, a CV or draft profile is a great first step. You can send this to Philippa Randle at Charity People directly through the application channel on this website or get in touch to request the full job pack.

Closing date: midday on Friday 25 September
Please note we will be reviewing applications and interviewing on a rolling basis, so please get in touch early to avoid disappointment.

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.

Prospectus is delighted to be supporting a national countryside conservation charity in the search for a new Head of Philanthropy at this crucial time during their centenary year, ahead of the launch of a new 10-year strategy in December. The charity is a campaigning organisation that believes in having accessible countryside and green spaces for all. They supports the protection and regeneration of countryside spaces rich in nature and believe this plays a crucial role in responding to the climate emergency. With a local office in every county in England, they are passionate about working with communities and creating better places for everyone to enjoy.

This role is offered on a permanent full-time contract basis paying a salary of circa £61,000 per annum to work in a hybrid and flexible working model from their London Office.

The post holder will proactively lead and implement strategies for maximising funding through significant support from trusts & foundations, statutory & institutional funders, high net worth individuals and corporate partners. They will develop and steward key relationships and identify new funding and partnership opportunities that support the charity's campaigning priorities. The post holder will provide strategic direction and hands-on support to a team of two officers, fostering a collaborative, ambitious and effective approach to income generation.

They are looking for a candidate with demonstrable experience of identifying, securing and developing relationships with potential for significant funding particularly through partnerships, along with trusts, foundations and high net worth individuals. They are looking for someone with demonstrable experience of securing 5 and 6 figure philanthropic and trust & foundation funding and meeting targets. The ideal candidate will have demonstrable experience of creating sponsorship, engagement and cultivation opportunities to secure long-term funding.

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy/maternity. If you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the process, then please contact Firas El Dib at Prospectus. 

If you feel you meet some of the criteria but not all, we really hope you'll enquire and learn more. Prospectus can advise and support on each part of the role and hopefully your application, so we look forward to hearing from you. 

In order to apply please submit your CV in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will arrange for a meeting to brief you on the role. You'll then have all the information you need to formally apply. We are looking forward to connecting with you soon.