Head of major donor fundraising jobs in Bermondsey, greater london
Want more results?
Add job titles:
Job Title: Head of Major Giving - Trusts & Foundations and Individual Donors
Reporting to: Director of Fundraising and Development
Location of work: Home based. The post holder will be expected to travel to meet donors, travel to away days and team meetings in London. The role may involve some irregular travel throughout England and Scotland. Expenses will be paid in line with our Travel and Expenses policy.
Contract type: Ideally full-time, 35 hours per week, 28 hours or 35 hours compressed would be considered.
Contract Length: This is a fixed term contract starting ASAP for 12 months.
Salary: £48,500
Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Magic Breakfast is not able to offer visa sponsorship.
JOB PURPOSE
This is a unique opportunity to step into a pivotal leadership role during an exciting period of transformation at Magic Breakfast. As Head of Major Giving (Maternity Cover), you will shape and deliver our strategy for high-value income generation across philanthropy and trusts and foundations, while embedding a newly merged team and fostering a culture of one unified, high-performing team within Major Giving and more widely as part of Fundraising and Development.
You will lead a team of five people, line managing and working closely with two Major Giving Leads, empowering them and co-creating a Major Giving strategy that fully seizes the opportunities presented by our refreshed organisational strategy. You will also oversee a well-established Trusts and Foundations portfolio and a group of highly engaged individual donors, maintaining and growing these important relationships whilst helping to provide strategic and targeted support across pipeline development.
This role offers a chance to make a tangible difference by bringing together two recently merged teams, embedding new ways of working, and setting up structures for long-term success. You will have a dotted-line relationship with the Business Development Manager (Scotland), enabling you to ensure joined-up major giving approaches across the UK and unlock exciting opportunities in Scotland.
We are looking for a natural relationship-builder with a proven track record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts, outstanding communication skills, and the ability to inspire donors, colleagues, and external stakeholders alike. As part of the Fundraising Leadership team, you will deputise for the Director of Fundraising and Development when needed and collaborate across the organisation to implement, monitor, and adapt our fundraising strategy, maximising the impact of major giving.
This is a rare chance to leave your mark on a highly visible and strategically important function, shaping a newly merged team, influencing our major giving strategy, and contributing to the long-term success of Magic Breakfast.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver an integrated Major Giving strategy covering philanthropy and trusts & foundations with clear objectives and KPIs for income and performance and an embedded review, learn and continuously improve culture.
- Provide strong leadership across the Major Giving team, ensuring delegation and empowerment whilst also setting clear direction that helps to mitigate challenges and unlock and seize on opportunities.
- As part of the wider leadership team, play a key role in ensuring effective delivery of the fundraising strategy, organisational goals and our long-term strategic vision.
-
Oversee a collaborative approach to prospect research and pipeline development to ensure a sustainable flow of opportunities, working with colleagues from across the wider department to leverage opportunities for referrals and pipeline development.
-
Work across the organisation to package innovative and compelling projects for funding. Maintain a strong knowledge of the organisation strategy, business plan and opportunities for innovation, to identify and build compelling giving propositions, wish lists and a persuasive case for support including non-financial asks.
-
Prepare phased budgets and reforecasts, identifying and recognising opportunities and risks to income in line with activity plans and progress.
-
Work with finance and performance and relevant business leads to manage programme budgets and restrictions.
-
Foster strong communication and collaboration with the Business Development Manager (Scotland), ensuring effective two-way sharing of insight, alignment on donor and funder relationships, and joined-up approaches to national and devolved opportunities.
WHAT WE OFFER
At Magic Breakfast we value our employees and work hard to develop offer a supportive, respectful culture which enables everyone to bring their whole self to work.
Please see our website for more infromation and our job pack
APPLICATION PROCCESS
Should you wish to discuss the role before applying please email our People and Culture Team, recruitment @ magicbreakfast. com
Shortlisting - 12th - 14th January
Interview 1 - 19th OR 20th January
Interview 2 - 23rd January
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.
Registered Charity 
51 - 100
Thank you!
Location: London, Hybrid – with 1-2 days per week in our Farringdon office plus regular travel to our office in Bristol and to meet with our amazing supporters.
Closing date: 25th January2026
W/C interview date: 2nd February 2026
Today, 12 children and young people will be diagnosed with cancer. We’ll stop at nothing to make sure they get the right care and support at the right time.
Change lives in a life-changing career
When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. Independence is taken and confidence is stolen. Stability no longer exists. The future suddenly feels uncertain.
The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical. That’s why we exist. Our specialist social workers help children and young people with cancer and their families navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer. We remove barriers, solve problems and prioritise wellbeing. And we stop at nothing to make sure they get the right care and support at the right time.
We challenge the systems and policies that surround children and young people, we highlight gaps and campaign for change. Because we know what a better future could look like. And we know what we need to do to make that future a reality. We need to push harder, reach further and work smarter. And we need the right people on our team to help us get there. People like you.
About the role
We’re on the hunt for a bold, visionary and energetic Head of Trusts and Philanthropy to supercharge our high value fundraising and take our impact to the next level.
You’ll lead, coach and champion our Trusts, Philanthropy, and Fundraising Development teams—building a culture of ambition, innovation, and curiosity that delivers game-changing income growth and unforgettable donor experiences. This is a strategic leadership role where you’ll set the vision, drive collaboration, and champion operational excellence.
Managing three to four senior leads and a wider team of around ten, you’ll draw on your experience and track record in high value fundraising to inspire your people to secure transformational gifts, strengthen pipelines, and deliver best-in-class stewardship. Beyond team leadership, you’ll personally cultivate relationships at the highest level—turning prospects into long-term partners and unlocking gifts that change lives for young people with cancer.
We have a hugely passionate and ambitious Fundraising team here at Young Lives vs Cancer with bold goals and a determination to make a lasting difference. If you want to join us, get in touch!
This role is subject to a criminal record check. In the event of a successful application a basic criminal record check will be completed.
What will I be doing?
No two days are the same at Young Lives vs Cancer. So, summarising your ‘day to day’ isn’t easy. Here are some of the main things you’ll be doing, but you’ll find more details in the job description.
- Lead and inspire our Trusts, Philanthropy, and Fundraising Development teams—setting bold strategies and driving performance that makes a real difference.
- Identify and build powerful relationships with major supporters, turning connections into partnerships that deliver life-changing gifts and fuel our mission.
- Create and deliver ambitious, insight-led fundraising plans for major donors and trusts—grounded in market intelligence and designed to deliver against bold but realistic targets.
- Shape the pipeline for success by overseeing prospect research, compelling cases for support, and best in class stewardship that inspires and delights.
- Champion a culture of philanthropy by engaging trustees and senior volunteers, leveraging networks, and accelerating donor growth.
- Own the numbers—set and monitor income performance, forecasts, and KPIs while ensuring compliance and operational excellence.
- Drive innovation and collaboration to unlock new opportunities and maximise income growth.
What do I need?
Diverse perspectives and unique skillsets are at the heart of Young Lives vs Cancer. If you're passionate about making a positive impact and eager to learn, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't quite meet all the criteria and person specification fully. Your potential is what matters most to us, and we’re committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment to help you develop.
The key skills we’re looking for in this role are:
- Proven expertise in high-value fundraising from major donors to trusts, with a track record of securing high value and transformational gifts.
- An entrepreneurial spark and the ability to spot opportunities, innovate, and drive ambitious growth.
- Strategic vision and delivery skills in building long-term fundraising strategies from the ground up and making them happen.
- Inspiring leadership experience, managing multi-disciplinary teams and engaging senior stakeholders with confidence.
- Relationship building brilliance and skilled in crafting compelling proposals, securing mul commitments and creating partnerships that last.
- Exceptional communication and influencing skills, able to connect with senior audiences inside and outside the organisation.
- Solid knowledge of fundraising regulations, compliance, and best practice, ensuring everything we do is ethical and effective.
What will I gain?
For people to reach their full potential, they need the right environment. As a member of Team Young Lives, you’ll be made to feel supported, valued and appreciated. Here’s how we do it:
- Flexible working: we’re open to working hours outside of 9 - 5 and we can talk through your flexibility requirements at interview stage
- Wellbeing, Thinking & Growth Days: four days a year to to step back from the day-to-day and focus on your own learning and development
- Generous annual leave allowance
- Great family/caring leave entitlements
- Enhanced pension
- Access to our employee savings scheme
To find out more about our benefits package, have a look on our website.
Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their sex, ethnicity, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation. We don’t just accept difference, we value it, celebrate it, nurture it and we thrive because of it.
We’re on a journey to be reflective of the diverse children, young people and families we support. We know we aren’t there yet, and we’re passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation. This includes taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. We particularly welcome applications from members of minoritised communities. Our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy will tell you more.
Accessibility
We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always aim to be as accommodating as possible. Please let us know in your application form of any adjustments or access requirements we could make to help you with the application process and interview.
To arrange an informal chat, please contact Joanna Hancock.
#ShowTheSalary
