Head of philanthropy jobs in brighton, east sussex

High Value Executive
Reference: HVE-2026
Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week
Contract: This is a maternity cover role for c.12 months to start early March 2026
Salary: £28,500 – £31,000 per annum
Location: Flexible remote with regular presence at our office in Horsham, West Sussex, for team meetings.

Are you passionate about wild animals with strong relationship management, communication and organisation skills?

About Us

Born Free works tirelessly to ensure that all wild animals, whether living in captivity or the wild, are treated with compassion and respect and can live according to their needs. As a leading wildlife and conservation charity, we oppose the exploitation of wild animals in captivity and campaign to keep them where they belong – in the wild.

We promote Compassionate Conservation to enhance the survival of wildlife, especially threatened species in the wild, and to protect natural habitats while respecting the needs and safeguarding the welfare of individual animals. We seek to positively impact animals in the wild and protect their ecosystems in perpetuity for their own intrinsic value and for the critical roles they play within the natural world.

About this Opportunity

As our High Value Executive, you will work closely with the High Value Relationships team across philanthropy, corporate and event fundraising. Approximate split is 45% philanthropy, 45% corporate and 10% events.

This role requires a candidate with strong relationship management, communication and organisation skills, who is able to work across a range of relationships and activities concurrently. You will also ideally have previous experience of managing projects, campaigns or other cross -team collaborative activities, and of using creative packages to produce engaging presentations and reports. 

Philanthropy:

You will assist the High Value Relationships Manager and the Head of High Value Relationships with research to create a prospect pipeline. For existing high-value supporters, you will ensure excellent stewardship by maintaining records and reporting and assisting with thanking, impact reports and proposals.

Corporate:

You will contribute to building long-term, sustainable and mutually beneficial relationships with businesses. You will be responsible for assisting the High Value Relationship Manager in providing high-quality account management to Born Free’s growing portfolio of corporate partners and supporting the High Value Relationships Manager and Head of High Value Relationships in developing new business to increase our income and impact.

Events:

You will attend Born Free events (4-5 per year) where you will be confident in networking with high-value supporters and, in the lead up to the events, help, when needed, with sourcing prizes for raffles and auctions.

The successful candidate should ideally demonstrate the following attributes: 

• A minimum of one year in a relationship management and/or fundraising-related role
• Strong interpersonal and account management skills
• Strong timekeeping skills and highly organised, with the ability to plan, prioritise and meet concurrent deadlines
• Professional with strong presentation and communication skills, including use of design programs to create visually impressive pitches, proposals and reports
• A “can do”, flexible approach, comfortable working in a busy, fast-paced team
• Strong attention to detail, able to notice errors in written information
• Proficient with Microsoft computer packages and other digital technology, including CRM systems and online meeting platforms, and use of the internet for research purposes
• A team-minded approach - taking others on the journey with you and sharing knowledge/expertise for the benefit of the wider fundraising team and organisation  
• Celebrates success
• Solutions-focused. Resilient in the face of setbacks and challenges
• Strong empathy and engagement with the work of Born Free, and the desire to drive it forward, bringing energy and determination to its mission.
• After induction, be able to effectively communicate, orally and in writing, the charity’s animal welfare and wildlife conservation priorities, and enhance the brand’s popularity and understanding at every opportunity.

This is a fantastic opportunity to make your mark in a nimble, fundraising team and a much-loved charity.

Our excellent benefits package includes opportunities for continuous professional learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, working from home with regular team meetings to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, wellbeing support, and a competitive pension.

Born Free is an Equal Opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates, regardless of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital/civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity. We welcome requests for flexible working.

The closing date for applications is midnight on Wednesday, 7th January 2026.
Virtual interviews will be held on Monday, 19th January 2026.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

You must have the right to work in the UK.

Born Free politely requests no contact from recruitment agencies or media sales. We do not accept speculative CVs from recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

About EMMS International

EMMS International is Scotland’s longest-serving international healthcare charity, founded in 1841. From its Scottish base, it works with partners in India, Malawi, Nepal, Rwanda, Scotland and Zambia to improve healthcare for people in some of the world’s poorest and most marginalised communities.

Its work focuses on four strategic priorities:

• Non-Communicable Disease: Improving access to care and quality of life for people with NCDs and life-limiting conditions.

• Global Healthcare Workforce: Training and empowering healthcare workers, especially women from low-income backgrounds, to address workforce shortages.

• Health Emergency Response: Supporting health systems to prepare for and respond to disasters and crises such as floods, earthquakes and food shortages.

• Sustainable Healthcare: Strengthening healthcare facilities and services, including infrastructure such as solar power, so they can withstand economic and environmental pressures.

EMMS works through local partners, takes a rights-based and inclusive approach, and designs sustainable programmes that respect the environment and promote human rights. Its origins lie in the Christian faith, and it serves people of all faiths and none.

Following an organisational review, EMMS is creating a new Director of Fundraising role, separating fundraising and communications into two Director posts. EMMS is financially stable with healthy reserves, currently raising around £400,000 per year in fundraised income, plus a significant time-limited major donor gift ending in 2028.

The Director of Fundraising will:

• Lead the development of a diverse, sustainable fundraising strategy across multiple income streams (trusts and foundations, major donors, individual giving, community, corporates, legacies).

• Be hands-on in delivering this strategy, supported by an experienced Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy and a Stewardship Manager.

• Manage and grow relationships with donors and stakeholders, meeting ambitious income targets.

• Oversee budgets, forecasting and reporting, and contribute to organisational strategic and business planning.

• Line manage fundraising staff, setting objectives/KPIs and supporting their development.

• Sit on the Executive Leadership Team and play a proactive role in the wider management and development of the charity, including reporting to the CEO and attending some Board meetings.

What they’re looking for:
An experienced senior fundraiser with a strong track record of strategic income growth across multiple channels, excellent relationship-building skills, strong leadership and team management experience, and knowledge of the Scottish charity and fundraising landscape. You should be confident operating strategically and operationally, familiar with fundraising regulation and good practice, and able to communicate effectively with both Christian and secular audiences in line with EMMS’ faith-based heritage and health mission. Degree-level education or equivalent experience is required; membership of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (or willingness to join) is expected.

Terms and benefits:

• Salary: £63,313 – £70,347 (depending on experience) with annual inflationary rise

• Remote role with monthly meetings in central Edinburgh (more frequently in first three months)

• 25–30 days annual leave (depending on length of service) + 10 public holidays

• 8% employer pension contribution with salary sacrifice

• Salary sacrifice scheme for electric vehicle lease

• Flexible working, travel expenses to office, access to Edinburgh office, some international travel

• Life assurance (three times salary) and Aviva Digi-Care app

Application:
Apply by CV and covering letter (each up to 2 pages) by Monday 12 January 2026.
Interviews in Edinburgh: First stage – Thursday 29 January 2026; second stage – Tuesday 3 February 2026.
You must live in Scotland and have the right to work in the UK.

Community Fundraiser - London​

Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research? ​

Brain Tumour Research is seeking an experienced and motivated fundraiser to join our team. As a key part of our fundraising efforts in our high-performing East region, you will have the opportunity to drive income generation through a variety of initiatives, including challenge events, fundraising groups, and corporate partnerships such as charity of the year. You will also be responsible for driving initiatives to increase our profile and supporter base within London.​

Key Responsibilities: ​​​

• Generate income across a range of community fundraising initiatives and events, with the opportunity to lead on key projects 
• Steward supporters to help drive the charity’s fundraising activities and growth 
• ​Work with the fundraising team to develop and maintain strong relationships with fundraisers, donors, partners, and key stakeholders ​
• Contribute towards the growth and success of fundraising efforts, ensuring a sustainable income stream for the vital ongoing funding of brain tumour research ​​

Requirements: ​​

• At least one year of fundraising experience, with a proven track record in income generation 
• Strong experience in supporter stewardship  
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire supporters and partners alike ​
• Passion for Brain Tumour Research and its mission to fund research and ultimately find a cure 

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If you are looking for a fulfilling and impactful role and have the level of experience and skill we are looking for, we welcome your application.​​

​For this role, the successful candidate must live in the London area.​​

​We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.

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We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.

Closing Date: 04th January 2026

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We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

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