Head of major gifts jobs

Head of Individual Giving

We’re looking for an experienced and creative Head of Individual Giving to lead and grow our individual giving programme.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you’ll shape and deliver our individual giving strategy, overseeing the recruitment, retention and development of individual supporters. You’ll lead on our major appeals, including an annual national campaign to Catholic parishes across the UK.

You’ll also play a key role in developing new fundraising products, optimising donor journeys, and ensuring our CRM and data systems support excellent stewardship and insight-driven decision making. This is a senior position with significant scope to shape the programme and make your mark.

About You

We’re looking for a confident and strategic fundraiser with a strong grasp of individual giving and a collaborative approach. You’ll bring:

• Proven experience delivering successful individual giving or direct marketing campaigns in the charity sector
• Strong skills in supporter stewardship and donor retention
• Experience of managing budgets, teams and external suppliers
• A creative, data-driven approach to growing income
• Excellent communication skills

This is a senior leadership position focused on developing and delivering a diocesan Generosity Strategy. You will work closely with clergy, lay leaders, and diocesan staff to foster long-term relationships, increase pledged income, and embed generosity as a core value across the diocese.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of generosity in the Diocese of Lincoln. You’ll be part of a supportive team, working in a role that blends strategy, community engagement, and faith-based leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a diocesan Generosity Strategy
• Promote the Parish Giving Scheme and contactless giving
• Build relationships with parishes, treasurers, and deanery partnerships
• Lead and manage the generosity team, including professional development
• Serve as a key liaison between parishes and the bishop
• Deliver regular reports to diocesan committees and parishes
• Implement and oversee donor management systems and CRM tools
• Collaborate with the National Giving Team and generosity professionals

The Head of Fundraising will lead all fundraising activities, overseeing the full spectrum of income generation to support our mission of empowering young people through football and education. This is an extremely exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to lead on fundraising for an organisation which has barely scratched the surface of the fundraising landscape. There is autonomy over the direction of travel with a lot of support from the CEO on ideas and future programmes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

· Strategic Fundraising Leadership

o Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy to grow income across all streams, aligning with the Foundation’s goals.

o Set long-term targets for income growth, monitoring progress and adapting strategies to capitalise on emerging opportunities.

o Act as a key ambassador, representing the Foundation at senior-level meetings with funders and corporate leaders to secure support.

· Trusts, Foundations, and Statutory Funding

o Lead on securing multi-year grants from major trusts, foundations, and statutory bodies, producing compelling applications and stewardship reports.

o Manage a portfolio of high-value trust relationships, cultivating new leads and ensuring personalised engagement to maximise funding.

o Oversee statutory funding bids, including government departments and local authorities, to support programme.

· Philanthropy, Major Donors, and Individual Giving

o Build and steward a portfolio of major donors and philanthropists, networking to identify prospects and delivering tailored proposals to secure gifts.

o Develop individual giving campaigns, including digital appeals and supporter journeys, to grow recurring donations and engage a broader donor base.

o Foster long-term relationships through personalised stewardship, ensuring high levels of donor satisfaction and retention.

· Corporate Partnerships and Brand Collaborations

o Secure corporate partnerships for sponsorships, employee volunteering, and content production, leveraging the Foundation’s football focus to attract partners.

o Collaborate with the marketing team to align corporate engagement with brand visibility and impact storytelling.

o Negotiate and manage partnerships that provide financial support, in-kind contributions, or co-branded initiatives to enhance programme delivery.

· Events and Community Fundraising

o Plan and oversee fundraising events, such as corporate football tournaments, charity matches, and supporter evenings, to raise funds and build engagement.

o Manage event logistics, budgets, and partnerships to ensure successful delivery and measurable ROI.

· Digital Fundraising and Innovation

o Support digital fundraising strategies, including online campaigns, social media appeals, and email marketing to grow donor acquisition and retention.

o Champion the use of AI and new technologies to optimise fundraising processes, such as personalised donor communications and data analysis.

o Ensure robust data management in CRM systems to track donor interactions, compliance with GDPR, and fundraising performance.

· Team Management and Cross-Team Collaboration

o Work with programme delivery, marketing, and operations teams to create compelling propositions and gather impact data for fundraising materials.

o Ensure all fundraising complies with legal, ethical, and governance standards, mitigating risks and upholding transparency.

· Safeguarding

o Ensure all fundraising activities, events, and donor engagements comply with the Foundation’s safeguarding policies, including DBS checks and risk assessments.

Person Specification

· Essential Skills and Experience:

o Proven track record of securing significant funding across multiple streams, such as trusts, statutory bodies, philanthropy, corporates, and events.

o Experience leading a fundraising team, with strong people management and mentoring skills.

o Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce compelling proposals, reports, and pitches tailored to diverse audiences.

o Strategic thinker with demonstrated success in developing and implementing fundraising strategies to achieve income growth.

o Strong networking and relationship-building abilities.

o Knowledge of fundraising regulations, governance, and compliance, including GDPR and ethical standards.

o Proficiency in CRM systems, data analysis, and digital fundraising tools.

o Passion for the Kinetic Foundation’s mission, with an understanding of challenges faced by disadvantaged young people in London.

o Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people.

· Desirable Skills and Experience:

o Experience in sport-for-good or youth-focused charities, particularly with football-based programmes.

o Knowledge of AI and digital innovations in fundraising.

o Track record of managing high-profile events or brand partnerships.

o Familiarity with London’s philanthropic and corporate landscape.

· Personal Attributes:

o Ambitious and proactive, with a growth mindset and commitment to continuous learning.

o Collaborative and supportive, able to inspire teams and build positive relationships.

o Resilient and calm under pressure, with strong organisational skills to manage multiple priorities.

o Ethical and transparent, with a focus on delivering measurable impact.

About LMK

Good relationships shape our health and happiness, yet we are taught so little about them. LMK (Let Me Know) is on a mission to change that. We are a young and thriving charity providing education about healthy and unhealthy behaviours so that young people have the knowledge and skills to avoid abuse and thrive in their relationships. We work in schools, community organisations and workplaces across London. 

We’re looking for an experienced and inspiring fundraising leader to take LMK’s income generation to the next level. You’ll shape our fundraising strategy, lead a small, dedicated team, and grow income from trusts and foundations, major donors, corporates and individual giving.

You’ll be strategic, collaborative and passionate about LMK’s mission — ready to use your skills to drive real, lasting change.

Working from home, but with occasional travel to London. 

Application Instructions

Please use your cover letter to give us specific information and examples of your experience against each part of the person specification of the role.If you prefer, you can provide us with a video of no longer than 3 mins rather than a cover letter. Please share your video via email.

Please note:  Interviews will be held online on Thursday, November 13th and in person on Friday, November 14th 

Job Title: Head of Philanthropy

Location: Hybrid with 2-3 days a week at our Head Office (Vauxhall) for donor meetings
Salary: £60,066 per annum (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement)

Contract type: Full Time, Permanent 

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as our next Head of Philanthropy to provide strategic leadership to grow and diversify philanthropy income, delivering an ambitious growth plan across trusts and foundations and major donors.

The post holder will provide stragetic leadership to grow and diversify philanthropy income, delivering an ambitious growth plan across trusts and foundations, and major donors. You will strengthen existing relationships to deepen engagement and secure increased support, while proactively driving new business and developing robust pipelines to secure the long‑term sustainability and impact of Refuge’s work. 

Closing Date: 09:00am 17 November 2025

First Interview Stage Date: 26th and 27th November 2025 via video conference

Second Interview Stage Date: 3rd / 4th December in person 

A rare and exceptional opportunity has arisen at The Perse School for a Head of Development to lead our small team with ambition, creativity and energy. You will be a visible senior leader within School and an important ambassador externally.

The Perse Development function typically raises around £250,000 each year.  Our aim is to grow this amount significantly such that the majority of our charitable activities can be funded by charitable donations.  Our School was founded in 1615 by Dr Stephen Perse as an educational charity, providing free places for 100 ‘poor scholars’.  We now have an ambitious long-term vision to re-establish an endowment to fund bursaries and our other charitable aims in perpetuity.

Building on good foundations of successful fundraising and relationship management, an experienced and inspiring Head of Development will significantly increase levels of philanthropic income to the School.

Working closely with the Principal, governors and senior leaders, our new Head of Development will help deliver our fundraising strategy and make a positive difference to the lives of young people, both now and well into the future.

We will consider full-time, part-time and flexible working options.

The Perse School Cambridge is one of the country’s leading independent co-educational day schools for children aged 3-18.

We are committed to providing a very competitive salary and benefits scheme at the same time as offering a wide range of opportunities for personal and professional development. We want our staff to feel engaged and purposeful so that they, in turn, help pupils to be happy and successful. 

Further details including how to apply can be obtained from our website.

Closing date: 3rd November 2025 at midday but applications will be considered as they are received; The Perse School reserves the right to make an appointment before the closing date.

The School actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

Safer Recruitment

The Perse School recognises that an important element in safeguarding our pupils is a robust recruitment process that incorporates measures to deter, reject, or identify people who might abuse children, or who are otherwise unsuited to work with them. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including: references from previous employers, a Disclosure and Barring Service check at the enhanced level, as well as eligibility to work in the UK (in compliance with UK immigration regulations). All work carried out at the School on a regular basis amounts to regulated activity.  This role is also exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone's responsibility. The School is committed to acting in the best interests of the child so as to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. The School requires everyone who comes into contact with children and their families to share this commitment. Interviews will be conducted in person, and they will explore candidates’ suitability to work with children.

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

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 team. This is a new position, part of an expansion of our Advancement Division.

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. 

This is your opportunity to forge the direction of philanthropy at one of the most prestigious universities in the world, building meaningful relationships with high- net-worth individuals and stakeholders who share our vision for impactful change. You will help drive Imperial’s bold and ambitious alumni engagement and fundraising campaign.

Reporting to and working closely with the Director of Development: Principal Gifts and Global, you will have the opportunity to work on transformational gifts – interesting, complex gifts which will build your career.

This position is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to have a major impact on a world-renowned institution. You will be entrepreneurially minded, not fazed by complexity and ambiguity, and comfortable orchestrating a myriad of stakeholders.  We hope 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.

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 three exceptional opportunities to join our dynamic team. As we continue to expand our international presence, we are recruiting for the following roles:

• Head of Development, Faculty of Medicine
• Head of Global Development, North America

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

Closing date: Midnight on Wednesday 19 November 2025.

Interested?

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

Imperial is partnering with Constellate Global Talent on this search. No agencies please.

We are recruiting for a Philanthropy Manager to manage a portfolio of dedicated major donors who contribute significant funding to the charity, developing and implementing inspiring supporter journeys that encourage repeated/ increased support. The postholder will work within a committed and supportive team environment, working collaboratively to raise awareness of the charity’s services, initiating and building mutually beneficial and sustainable relationships to ensure long-term support.

About Life:

Life is a UK charity for vulnerable women and families facing unexpected pregnancy or pregnancy loss. Life’s aim is to provide housing, care and support to vulnerable pregnant women (typically aged 16-25) who are in crisis situations, such as those facing homelessness (or at risk of), escaping abuse or other traumatic circumstances. We offer supported housing, a helpline and counselling service, and other practical and emotional support. Our services are inclusive; non-judgemental; and client-centred.

Our Values:

All our work is underpinned by the following universal human values:

• Humanity – All people are special and equal.
• Solidarity – We’re with you and for you.
• Community – We’re better together.
• Charity – Doing good for one another.
• Common good – Building a better world.

About You

Reporting to the Head of Fundraising, the postholder will work closely with the Individual Giving Manager and other fundraising team members to identify major donor prospects, ensuring thorough research and engagement to cultivate relationships and solicit major gifts. The role will also involve interacting with senior church contacts such as Archbishops and diocesan representatives who have a history of support, so whilst the charity is non-religious and non-political, sensitivity within this jurisdiction will be required.

Information about the role: 

For further information, please see the attached job description. 

Salary: £36,000 – £40,000 FTE

Hours: 21 hours per week over 3 days

Location: Home-Based with frequent travel to supporter locations and occasional travel to Head Office (Leamington Spa)

Please note that this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised closing date if a suitable candidate is found.

Benefits:  

At Life we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our:  

• Generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time hours) 
• Birthday Leave  (applicable after 1 years service)
• Extra annual leave for long term service  
• Company Pension Scheme  
• Signed member of the Menopause Workplace Pledge 

Safeguarding and Equality: 

Life is committed to protecting all staff, volunteers and service users from harm of any kind. Life expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct.   

We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organisation by encouraging applications from all backgrounds.  

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. Life takes its obligation to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people very seriously; therefore, the successful candidate for this post will be also subject to extensive background checking, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) which is paid for by the Charity.  

Our client has been protecting wildlife for nearly 200 years and continues to have ambitions to push forward their research and conservation to protect wildlife at a global level. With an excellent Director of Development and a dynamic Senior Leadership Team, this Head of Philanthropy role will lead philanthropic income strategy and delivery to achieve the organisation's fundraising ambitions.

Head of Philanthropy

Permanent

Level: Senior Management

Salary:  circa £75,000

London with hybrid working 2 days per week in the Regents Park Office 

The Head of Philanthropy is a new role and will be responsible for driving philanthropic income to support the organisation's mission. Setting both philanthropy strategy and being hands on, this role will work and lead a small team to identify, cultivate, and secure major gifts. This role will personally look to develop relationships with donors capable of giving seven and eight-figure gifts, and work with the team to develop a strong culture of philanthropy at the organisation. This will include securing unrestricted funds, restricted gifts to specific conservation activity and capital gifts. The role includes leadership of the organisation's mid-value Patron programme and the organisation's fellowship.

The successful candidate will be able to evidence setting strategy and delivering successful philanthropic income growth. This person will be able to demonstrate securing and achieving major gifts of 6-7 figures, from identifying donors to stewarding a successful gift. They will have managed other team members before and be a strong communicator with other senior internal stakeholders and external donors. Ideally, this person will also have knowledge and some experience with capital appeal fundraising.

Application information

Closing date for completed applications is midday on 30th October.

To apply

To apply for the role please upload your CV together with a supporting statement (of no more than 2 pages) onto the Prospectus website.

The organisation and Prospectus is committed to providing equality of opportunity and welcome candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds. For all job opportunities and progression, job applicants and employees will receive equal treatment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. If you have any disability and would like assistance with completing an application, then please contact Rhiannon Mehta 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.

Head of Development

International Institute for Management Development (IMD)

Location: Lausanne, Switzerland

Competitive salary plus excellent benefits

An independent academic institution with Swiss roots and a global reach, IMD is a pioneer in executive education. 

Through our research, teaching and publications, and with our close ties to business, we equip leaders and organizations to transform themselves and society for the better. With a faculty recognized for thought leadership and real-world impact, and a global network of alumni and partners, IMD is uniquely positioned to shape the future of leadership education.

IMD is investing in our Alumni & Development efforts and we are seeking a major gifts specialist to join us in a newly created Head of Development role.  By leading a growing development team and working with key stakeholders across the institute, you could  expand our capacity to deliver on our mission of transforming organizations and developing responsible leaders who make a positive impact on the world.

As the Head of Development, you will work in lock-step with the Chief Alumni & Development Officer, and be responsible for shaping and implementing IMD’s development strategy.  You will also work closely with the Head of Alumni Relations, and build meaningful relationships with donors, alumni and partners, and secure philanthropic support for key institutional priorities. As a trusted member of the Faculty and Senior Staff team, you will play a central part in advancing IMD’s long-term vision and ensuring our continued global leadership.

It will therefore be critical that you bring a proven track record of major gifts fundraising, and experience of managing high-performing development practitioners.  Experience of working with donors internationally, particularly across Europe, will be important, as is your ability to successfully navigate and work through areas of ambiguity or “the new” as we create a step change in our fundraising programs to match our ambitions.  In return, you will be joining a committed team and enjoy the support of key colleagues and senior volunteers across the institute.

We are partnering with Richmond Associates, a specialist executive search firm on this recruitment.  To learn more about this opportunity or to download a detailed information pack, please contact Richmond Associates.

Closing date for applications is  09:00 GMT on Monday, 10 November 2025

Deputy Director, Principal Gifts
University of Manchester
£80,000 - £110,000, dependent on experience
Hybrid working

This is a really unique opportunity to lead a Principal Gifts programme for the University of Manchester.

As Deputy Director, Principal Gifts, you will work at the most senior levels to secure principal gifts that are truly transformational.  Your leadership will help ensure that we deliver our most ambitious fundraising effort in our history, designed to expand our global influence, engage new audiences and galvanise our community of over 600,000 alumni worldwide. 

You will join an incredible Development and Alumni Relations team here, led by Kate Cambden, and work alongside our new Vice Chancellor, Professor Duncan Ivison, a seasoned fundraiser with vision, ambition and international standing. With philanthropy embedded at the heart of the University’s forthcoming ten-year strategy, this is a pivotal moment to help drive Manchester’s future impact.

Reporting to the Director of Development & Alumni Relations, you will be a vital member of the Senior Leadership Team, providing strategic guidance to University leaders, academics, and fundraising colleagues, while securing the gifts that will make the greatest difference.

This is a chance to shape the future of philanthropy at Manchester - for our students, our researchers, and our global community - while leaving a lasting legacy.

Everything is coming together to make this a real inflection point for Development and Alumni Relations at Manchester.  We have an incredible team, an outstanding Vice Chancellor and a significant growth trajectory in our fundraising. We have an enormous – almost unprecedented - opportunity to help the University of Manchester have an even greater impact in the world. 

The team here are passionate, fun, creative, and ambitious individuals who are dedicated to our work as well as to supporting each other.  This role embodies our values - integrity, collaboration, boldness and ambition - and will be central to delivering the lasting impact our campaign seeks 

Closing date: Midnight on Wednesday 5 November

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 Global Development, North America
Salary: £69,365 to £79,257 per annum
Location: White City (Hybrid)

Passionate about major gifts fundraising and looking for your next big challenge? Or perhaps you are considering a purposeful pivot in your career, using hard won skills from a relevant context?

Here at Imperial College, we are recruiting our Head of Global Development, North America, to join our growing team. This is an opportunity to help drive Imperial’s ambitious fundraising efforts in North America as we embark on our first comprehensive campaign.

You will drive growth in philanthropic support from high-net-worth individuals, build strong relationships with alumni and volunteer leaders, and deliver transformational gifts in support of our campaign goals. You will work closely with the Imperial Global USA Hub - Imperial’s first permanent presence in the US and a cornerstone of our global engagement strategy.

Imperial stands among the world’s top universities, ranked 2nd globally and 1st across the UK and Europe. Our research leads the field, with real-world impact woven into everything we do. From advancing climate solutions and artificial intelligence to breakthroughs in medicine and sustainable engineering, our work is helping to shape a better future and tackle society’s most pressing issues.

Our global recognition reflects more than just rankings; it’s the result of fostering a community where staff and students are empowered to excel. At Imperial, we’re dedicated to delivering an exceptional education, driving world-class research, and turning innovation into positive change.

You will have strong track record in securing major gifts or in income generation with the ability to navigate complex institutional relationships with professionalism and diplomacy. The role requires regular travel to North America.

If you are inspired by the chance to help deliver lasting global impact through education and research leading positive change and believe in the power of STEMB to shape a better world, we would 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.

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 three exceptional opportunities to join our dynamic team. As we continue to expand our international presence, we are recruiting for the following roles:

• Head of Development, Faculty of Medicine
• Head of Principal Gifts

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

Closing date: Midnight on Wednesday 19 November 2025.

Interested?

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

Imperial is partnering with Constellate Global Talent on this search. No agencies please.

Do you have a strong appreciation for the role of philanthropy in the arts? Do you have experience developing and delivering individual giving and philanthropy strategies? If so, you could be our new Head of Philanthropy.

The Head of Philanthropy will lead on day-to-day fundraising across individual giving, memberships, appeals and campaigns for Leeds Playhouse. This role is central to building and sustaining a robust philanthropic programme, with a particular focus on developing a strong pipeline of mid- and high-level donors, cultivating and stewarding High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI), and driving engagement through compelling communications and events.

We are seeking an excellent communicator and strategic fundraiser who is creative, resilient, and highly motivated. The Head of Philanthropy will play a key role in shaping and delivering sustainable income growth through individual giving, and major donor engagement—ensuring our work is resourced for the long term.

The post-holder will report to the Strategic Director of Fundraising & Development, deputising as required, and will line manage the Development Administrator. This role is predominantly based at Leeds Playhouse with some scope for hybrid working, complementing the Strategic Director role (a part-time role, mostly working remotely).

This is a permanent, full time contract. We would like to fill a requirement for 35 hours per week, which is full-time for this role, with some flexibility to work evenings and weekends when required. However, we are open to hearing from people interested in part-time work or job sharing. Pay for the role is £35,700 per year based on 35 hours per week.

Benefits at Leeds Playhouse include 5 weeks holiday entitlement (plus 1.6 weeks of bank holidays), that increases with length of continuous employment; 2 wellbeing days a year; and discounts across our food and drinks, free show tickets and a local gym and swimming discount. Please see our job pack for more benefits we offer.

To find out more about this role, please download our job pack on our website.

To apply, please fill in both of the forms linked on our website listing before the deadline.

The closing date for applications is 10am Wednesday 12 November 2025.

Interviews are currently scheduled for 19 November 2025.

About Dreams Come True

We deliver moments of magic with lasting impact to children living in poverty who have a serious illness, disability, or life-limiting condition. We are the only wish granting charity focused solely on children living in social deprivation in the UK.

About the Role

Dreams Come True is seeking an ambitious, strategic and highly skilled Head of Fundraising to lead and expand its income generation and manage and drive a high performing team. This senior role prioritises the development and delivery of an ambitious major donor and individual giving strategy - cultivating, stewarding, and upgrading supporters, including high-net-worth individuals and regular donors. Reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, you will diversify income streams, maximise philanthropic support, and ensure the charity's long-term sustainability whilst leading, managing, motivating and inspiring the team.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a growth-oriented fundraising strategy, with a strong focus on major donor fundraising and individual giving (regular giving, donor journeys, legacy giving).
• Build a robust pipeline of major donors, personally managing relationships with high-value supporters, cultivating new prospects, and maximising lifetime value through tailored stewardship.
• Oversee the design and execution of engaging campaigns and supporter journeys for individual and legacy donors.
• Direct and support building other fundraising streams (trusts & foundations, events, digital, community), setting ambitious yet achievable income targets.
• Monitor, analyse, and report on fundraising performance, using data-driven insights to identify opportunities and refine approaches.
• Inspire, manage, and develop the fundraising team, fostering a culture of collaboration, high performance, and innovation.
• Ensure policy, governance and compliance with all relevant fundraising legislation and sector regulation.
• Represent the charity in external meetings, building networks and leveraging senior volunteers and Trustees to extend philanthropic reach.
• Translate complex beneficiary needs into compelling cases for support, proposals, and stewardship reports that resonate with donors and partners.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Demonstrated success in major donor fundraising, including personally securing substantial gifts (five and six figures); proven ability to build from scratch, cultivate and maintain relationships with high-net-worth individuals.
• Proven expertise in individual giving, including donor journeys, donor retention and engagement, and developing bespoke campaigns.
• Strong leadership skills, with a track record of building, motivating, and developing high-performing fundraising teams.
• Up-to-date understanding of the fundraising compliance environment (Fundraising Regulator's Code, GDPR, PECR).
• Outstanding communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
• Analytical mindset and the ability to use data to inform strategy, track performance, and drive growth.
• Creative approach to stewardship, recognising, thanking, and meaningfully involving supporters at all levels.
• Passion, resilience, and integrity aligned with the charity’s mission.
• A recognised fundraising qualification (e.g. Certificate/Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Fundraising or equivalent).
• Inspiring and experienced team leader.

Desirable:

• Experience with innovative donor engagement, digital tools, and CRM/database systems.
• Background in a similar scale or mission-driven UK charity.

How to Apply

Apply by submitting a CV and covering letter via CharityJob.