Head of philanthropy and special events jobs

Main duties

Special Events: 

• Supporting the co-ordination and delivery of our special events programme. 
• Manage the core elements of special events delivery such as the co-ordination of auction prizes, guest lists, guest requirements, admin and communications.
• Source ‘money can’t buy’ silent auctions items and raffle prizes and act as the main point of contact with the auction company.
• Support with ticket and tables sales for all special events.
• Deliver high quality supporter care and exemplary stewardship to special event guests.
• Work closely with the Marketing and Communications team to produce event materials including event programmes. 
• Ownership of planning and delivery of our Christmas Carol Service with the support of the Head of Supporter Engagement. 
• Support the Philanthropy Officer with the organisation of our annual cultivation event. 
• Support the Head of Supporter Engagement to identify opportunities for income growth from special events with a view to developing a new Special event within the portfolio to attract new supporters/audiences. 
• Support with stewardship and delivery of our signature challenge event.
• Monitor special events within the sector, looking for emerging trends and sharing insights with the wider team.
• Support the Challenge Event Manager as needed 
• Ability to work evenings and provide on-the-day event support.
• Maintain efficient data and administrative processes for special events, including 
• income tracking and guestlist management on the database. 
• Be an ambassador at events, supporting the delivery of The Passage’s vision and ensuring that the charity’s profile and reputation are enhanced. 
• Ensure that appropriate and compliant risk assessment, health and safety procedures, protocols and policies are implemented for all special events.

Budgets and Finance: 

• Support the Head of Supporter Engagement in tracking and recording income and expenditure for events and ensuring they are delivered within agreed budgets. 

Special Events: 

• Assist with other team projects as needed, working together to deliver a high-quality portfolio of community projects and activities. 
• Support and attend fundraising events as required. 
• Adhere to the highest standards of community fundraising best practice as set out in the Fundraising Regulator Fundraising Code of Practice and ensure that all activities comply fully with the relevant Data Protection obligations and any other legislation. 

General responsibilities

• In conjunction with your Line Manager to continuously develop the role to ensure that all tasks are being undertaken in an effective and appropriate manner which meets the strategic aims and objectives of The Passage. 
• To participate in internal/external meetings as required, and attend training events, conferences and other functions, as necessary. 
• To participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal and help in identifying your own job-related development and training needs. 
• To ensure that all The Passage policies and procedures are being adhered to. 
• To contribute to the effective implementation of The Passage’s Diversity and Equality Policy as it affects both The Passage and its work with vulnerable adults. 
• To at all times undertake your role in a professional manner maintaining a high-quality standard of work, and to always work in accordance with the aims, values and ethos of The Passage1.
• Undertake any other duties that may be required which are commensurate with the role. 

Desired experience

This person specification sets out the essential abilities and qualities which are used in the selection criteria for the post. When completing your supporting statement, please address criteria E1 to E11 and K1 to K7 demonstrating your understanding and knowledge and give evidence of your experience and abilities. 

• E1 - Experience of supporting or delivering special events. 
• E2 - Experience of recruiting new fundraisers and providing excellent stewardship. 
• E3 - Creative thinker with the ability to take the lead, initiative and problem solve 
• E4 - Experience of managing external suppliers. 
• E5 - Understanding of how to use insight, data and market trends to identify opportunities and make recommendations. 
• E6 - Experience of tracking income and expenditure targets. 
• E7 - Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to liaise with people at all levels, over the telephone, email and face-to-face. 
• E8 - A track record of generating and building strong, lasting relationships with supporters. 
• E9 - Competent in the use of online databases such as Salesforce. 
• E10 - Competent in the use of mailing platforms e.g. Dot Digital and design sites e.g.  Canva 
• E11 - Working in the charity sector. 

Desired knowledge

• K1 - Special events, fundraising and trends. 
• K2 - Ability to work under pressure, keeping calm and thinking clearly. 
• K3 - Digital fundraising and online fundraising platforms. 
• K4 - Excellent organisation & time management skills. 
• K5 - Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage and take responsibility for your own workload, handle multiple priorities and to work independently. 
• K6 - GDPR and all relevant fundraising regulations. 
• K7 - Shared passion for the work and values of The Passage. 

Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end-of-life charity. We are the largest non-NHS provider of end-of-life care in the UK, the only provider across all 4 nations, delivering community nursing and hospice care across the country, while providing information and support on all aspects of dying, death, and bereavement. Our leading research pushes the boundaries of what we know about good end-of-life, and our campaigns fight for a world where everyone gets to have the best possible quality of life while living with an illness, they’re likely to die from.

Philanthropy will play a defining role in delivering this ambition. With plans to significantly scale income over the coming years, we are seeking a senior, commercially-minded Philanthropy Lead to drive high-value growth and deepen engagement with influential supporters across the UK.

As Philanthropy Lead, you will take ownership of a high-value donor portfolio, securing and stewarding five and six figure gifts while driving forward a donor-centric fundraising strategy.

You will operate as a trusted partner to senior leaders and influential stakeholders, leveraging networks, insight and opportunity to build a sustainable pipeline of philanthropic support.

Alongside income generation, you will play a key role in shaping how Marie Curie engages high-net-worth individuals bringing innovation, credibility and strategic thinking to a growing function.

What you’ll be doing

• Building a pipeline of new high-net-worth individuals through proactive outreach, networking and relationship building
• Owning and driving your own workload, managing your prospect pipeline and identifying new opportunities
• Initiating conversations, arranging face-to-face meetings and creating bespoke cultivation journeys
• Working closely with senior leaders and volunteers to develop and progress donor relationships
• Developing compelling propositions and confidently making five and six-figure asks
• Using creativity, curiosity and insight to spot opportunities others might miss
• Representing Marie Curie externally and helping grow our profile with influential audiences

Who we’re looking for

• Proven experience in major donor or philanthropy fundraising
• A proven record of securing significant philanthropic income, including five and six figure gifts
• The credibility and presence to engage and influence high-net-worth individuals and senior stakeholders
• Strong commercial judgement combined with a donor-centric, relationship-led approach
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling cases for support and lead high-value conversations
• Strategic thinking, resilience and the ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity
• A collaborative mindset, with the confidence to contribute across a high-performing national team

You don’t need to come from a traditional charity major gifts background transferable experience from relationship-led, high-value environments is welcome.

Please see the full job description here. 

Application & Interview Process

• As part of your online application, you will be asked for a CV and a set of questions.  Please review both the advert and job description and outline your most relevant skills, experience and knowledge for the role.
• Close date for applications: Monday 8th June 2026

Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 (plus London Weighting up to £3,500 were applicable)

Contract: Full time, perm

Based: Hybrid position, with 1–2 days per week based in Marie Curie offices or hospices, including some travel as required.

Benefits you’ll LOVE:

• Flexible working. We’re happy to discuss flexible working at the interview stage.
• 25 days annual leave (exclusive of Bank Holidays)
• Marie Curie Group Personal Pension Scheme (we will match your contribution up to 7.5%)
• Loan schemes for bikes; computers and season tickets
• Continuous professional development opportunities.
• Industry-leading training programmes
• Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programmes
• Enhanced bereavement, family friendly and sickness benefits
• Access to Blue Light Card membership
• Subsidised Eye Care

Additional Information

At Marie Curie, our values are central to everything we do. They guide how we care for people, how we work together, and how we make decisions every day. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe for everyone — staff and volunteers alike — supportive, inclusive and rewarding.  We take stringent steps to ensure that anyone who joins our organisation are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. We actively consider our impact on the planet, embedding sustainability into everyday decisions to create a lasting, positive difference for the individuals we care for and the world we share.

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to thrive and fulfil their potential. Marie Curie is deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, recognising both the social justice imperative and the strength a diverse workforce brings.  We actively encourage applications from people of all cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

We are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. If you require any support, please contact us directly.

Every application we receive is personally reviewed by a member of our Talent Acquisition team, and in return, we ask that your application authentically reflects you — your experience, perspective and voice.

Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end-of-life charity. We are the largest non-NHS provider of end-of-life care in the UK, the only provider across all 4 nations, delivering community nursing and hospice care across the country, while providing information and support on all aspects of dying, death, and bereavement. Our leading research pushes the boundaries of what we know about good end-of-life, and our campaigns fight for a world where everyone gets to have the best possible quality of life while living with an illness, they’re likely to die from.

Job Description

Philanthropy will play a defining role in delivering this ambition. With plans to significantly scale income over the coming years, we are seeking a senior, commercially-minded Philanthropy Lead to drive high-value growth and deepen engagement with influential supporters across the UK.

As Philanthropy Lead, you will take ownership of a high-value donor portfolio, securing and stewarding five and six figure gifts while driving forward a donor-centric fundraising strategy.

You will operate as a trusted partner to senior leaders and influential stakeholders, leveraging networks, insight and opportunity to build a sustainable pipeline of philanthropic support.

Alongside income generation, you will play a key role in shaping how Marie Curie engages high-net-worth individuals bringing innovation, credibility and strategic thinking to a growing function.

What you’ll be doing

• Building a pipeline of new high-net-worth individuals through proactive outreach, networking and relationship building
• Owning and driving your own workload, managing your prospect pipeline and identifying new opportunities
• Initiating conversations, arranging face-to-face meetings and creating bespoke cultivation journeys
• Working closely with senior leaders and volunteers to develop and progress donor relationships
• Developing compelling propositions and confidently making five and six-figure asks
• Using creativity, curiosity and insight to spot opportunities others might miss
• Representing Marie Curie externally and helping grow our profile with influential audiences

Who we’re looking for

• Proven experience in major donor or philanthropy fundraising
• A proven record of securing significant philanthropic income, including five and six figure gifts
• The credibility and presence to engage and influence high-net-worth individuals and senior stakeholders
• Strong commercial judgement combined with a donor-centric, relationship-led approach
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling cases for support and lead high-value conversations
• Strategic thinking, resilience and the ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity
• A collaborative mindset, with the confidence to contribute across a high-performing national team

You don’t need to come from a traditional charity major gifts background transferable experience from relationship-led, high-value environments is welcome.

Please see the full job description here.

Application & Interview Process

• As part of your online application, you will be asked for a CV and a set of questions.  Please review both the advert and job description and outline your most relevant skills, experience and knowledge for the role.
• Close date for applications: Monday 8th June 2026

Salary: £40,000 - £45,000 

Contract: Full time, perm

Based: Hybrid position, with 1–2 days per week based in Marie Curie offices or hospices, including some travel as required.

Benefits you’ll LOVE:

• Flexible working. We’re happy to discuss flexible working at the interview stage.
• 25 days annual leave (exclusive of Bank Holidays)
• Marie Curie Group Personal Pension Scheme (we will match your contribution up to 7.5%)
• Loan schemes for bikes; computers and season tickets
• Continuous professional development opportunities.
• Industry-leading training programmes
• Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programmes
• Enhanced bereavement, family friendly and sickness benefits
• Access to Blue Light Card membership
• Subsidised Eye Care

Additional Information

At Marie Curie, our values are central to everything we do. They guide how we care for people, how we work together, and how we make decisions every day. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe for everyone — staff and volunteers alike — supportive, inclusive and rewarding.  We take stringent steps to ensure that anyone who joins our organisation are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. We actively consider our impact on the planet, embedding sustainability into everyday decisions to create a lasting, positive difference for the individuals we care for and the world we share.

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to thrive and fulfil their potential. Marie Curie is deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, recognising both the social justice imperative and the strength a diverse workforce brings.  We actively encourage applications from people of all cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

We are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. If you require any support, please contact us directly. 

Every application we receive is personally reviewed by a member of our Talent Acquisition team, and in return, we ask that your application authentically reflects you — your experience, perspective and voice.

Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end-of-life charity. We are the largest non-NHS provider of end-of-life care in the UK, the only provider across all 4 nations, delivering community nursing and hospice care across the country, while providing information and support on all aspects of dying, death, and bereavement. Our leading research pushes the boundaries of what we know about good end-of-life, and our campaigns fight for a world where everyone gets to have the best possible quality of life while living with an illness, they’re likely to die from.

Job Description

Philanthropy will play a defining role in delivering this ambition. With plans to significantly scale income over the coming years, we are seeking a senior, commercially-minded Philanthropy Lead to drive high-value growth and deepen engagement with influential supporters across Northern Ireland 

As Philanthropy Lead, you will take ownership of a high-value donor portfolio, securing and stewarding five and six figure gifts while driving forward a donor-centric fundraising strategy.

You will operate as a trusted partner to senior leaders and influential stakeholders, leveraging networks, insight and opportunity to build a sustainable pipeline of philanthropic support.

Alongside income generation, you will play a key role in shaping how Marie Curie engages high-net-worth individuals bringing innovation, credibility and strategic thinking to a growing function.

What you’ll be doing

• Building a pipeline of new high-net-worth individuals through proactive outreach, networking and relationship building
• Owning and driving your own workload, managing your prospect pipeline and identifying new opportunities
• Initiating conversations, arranging face-to-face meetings and creating bespoke cultivation journeys
• Working closely with senior leaders and volunteers to develop and progress donor relationships
• Developing compelling propositions and confidently making five and six-figure asks
• Using creativity, curiosity and insight to spot opportunities others might miss
• Representing Marie Curie externally and helping grow our profile with influential audiences

Who we’re looking for

• Proven experience in major donor or philanthropy fundraising
• A proven record of securing significant philanthropic income, including five and six figure gifts
• The credibility and presence to engage and influence high-net-worth individuals and senior stakeholders
• Strong commercial judgement combined with a donor-centric, relationship-led approach
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling cases for support and lead high-value conversations
• Strategic thinking, resilience and the ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity
• A collaborative mindset, with the confidence to contribute across a high-performing national team

You don’t need to come from a traditional charity major gifts background transferable experience from relationship-led, high-value environments is welcome.

Please see the full job description here.

Application & Interview Process

• As part of your online application, you will be asked for a CV and a set of questions.  Please review both the advert and job description and outline your most relevant skills, experience and knowledge for the role.
• Close date for applications: Monday 8th June 2026

Salary: £40,000 - £45,000 (pro rata)

Contract: Part time

Based: Hybrid position, with 1–2 days per week based in Marie Curie offices or hospices, including some travel as required.

Benefits you’ll LOVE:

• Flexible working. We’re happy to discuss flexible working at the interview stage.
• 25 days annual leave (exclusive of Bank Holidays)
• Marie Curie Group Personal Pension Scheme (we will match your contribution up to 7.5%)
• Loan schemes for bikes; computers and season tickets
• Continuous professional development opportunities.
• Industry-leading training programmes
• Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programmes
• Enhanced bereavement, family friendly and sickness benefits
• Access to Blue Light Card membership
• Subsidised Eye Care

Additional Information

At Marie Curie, our values are central to everything we do. They guide how we care for people, how we work together, and how we make decisions every day. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe for everyone — staff and volunteers alike — supportive, inclusive and rewarding.  We take stringent steps to ensure that anyone who joins our organisation are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. We actively consider our impact on the planet, embedding sustainability into everyday decisions to create a lasting, positive difference for the individuals we care for and the world we share.

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to thrive and fulfil their potential. Marie Curie is deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, recognising both the social justice imperative and the strength a diverse workforce brings.  We actively encourage applications from people of all cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

We are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. If you require any support, please contact us directly. 

Every application we receive is personally reviewed by a member of our Talent Acquisition team, and in return, we ask that your application authentically reflects you — your experience, perspective and voice.

We are looking for an organised and proactive individual to identify new prospects (trusts, foundations, corporates and major donors) to support to the philanthropy team in their fundraising efforts.

The role will help develop and expand our prospect pipeline by identifying new opportunities and supporting the philanthropy fundraising team.

This is an exciting time to join The Christie charity as we embark on a period of transformational growth with the launch of key capital appeals enabling us to see a real step change in our income. We are looking for dynamic individuals to join our successful fundraising team at this exciting time

We are looking for an experienced corporate fundraiser to help maximise charitable income to The Christie Charity by developing the corporate fundraising portfolio and securing corporate support and sponsorship from new and existing business contacts.

This is an exciting time to join The Christie charity as we embark on a period of transformational growth with the launch of key capital appeals enabling us to see a real step change in our income. We are looking for dynamic individuals to join our successful fundraising team at this exciting time.

Liberty is seeking an experienced, dynamic and ambitious Individual Giving Manager to implement a recently adopted individual giving strategy, lead a fast-paced team, and drive forward the next phase of increased public fundraising.

We are looking for someone experienced in digital communications and conversion, excited by the chance to work across a range of human rights issues, and who brings solid experience in leading a team.

Our current priorities are to maximise the success and profitability of supporter acquisition and conversion (mostly digital), forming tailored, data-driven supporter journeys (online and offline), creating a culture of testing, evaluating and optimising, and delivering engaging, integrated fundraising campaigns based on Liberty’s public campaigning and legal cases, and the investigative journalism of Liberty Investigates.

Liberty fully embraces flexible working and is committed to employee development. We aim to encourage people from all backgrounds to work with us and are particularly interested in hearing from people from minority backgrounds and all socio-economic sections of society. Liberty supports hybrid working, with a minimum office attendance of between one and two days per week in the Westminster office, depending on contracted hours.

The deadline for applications is 9am Monday 15 June 2026

Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.

Please be aware that we do not accept CVs for this role. All applicants must complete the application form to apply.

First round interviews will be held online on Thursday 2 July 2026 and Friday 3 July 2026.

Second round interviews will be held in the office on Monday 13 July 2026.

We’re looking for an exceptional Associate Director of Fundraising to lead one of the most ambitious and high-performing fundraising teams in the sector.  

At Blood Cancer UK, our fundraising is in a strong position. Over the last five years, we’ve doubled our income, achieved growth across every fundraising discipline, successfully launched new products, and reached new audiences.

We have fantastic momentum and the ambition to go even further. You would be joining us at an especially exciting time – we’re in the early stages of our first-ever major appeal and have already secured more than £8 million towards our £25 million target. Backed by a highly engaged and well-connected appeal board, this campaign has huge potential across Fundraising, but especially our high value audiences.

We’re looking for an experienced and confident high-value fundraiser — someone who can build authentic relationships with senior and influential supporters, open doors, and inspire people to be part of something transformative.

Alongside this, you’ll oversee our thriving mid-value and legacy fundraising programmes and help us deepen engagement with supporters across the UK.

Our community is the heartbeat of our organisation: passionate, determined people, often with a personal connection to blood cancer and a powerful desire to make a difference. With around five million people affected by blood cancer in the UK, the opportunity to grow our reach and impact is enormous.

You’ll bring ambition, passion and high standards, with the ability to lead and inspire a large, talented team of nearly 50 people. Collaboration will come naturally to you — you’ll build strong relationships across the organisation and be a key member of the Blood Cancer UK leadership team, creating a culture where people feel inspired to be their best.

Most importantly, you will make a real difference to the lives of people affected by blood cancer.