Head of principal gifts jobs

Help shape the future of a globally recognised university as Durham builds towards its bicentenary and an ambitious fundraising campaign.

Location: Durham / Hybrid - At least two days on campus

Applications close: 9 a.m. Monday 24th August 2026.

Who we are
Durham University is one of the world's leading universities, combining academic excellence, a distinctive collegiate community and a global network of more than 200,000 alumni and supporters.

As we approach our bicentenary in 2032, philanthropy will help us widen opportunity, support world-leading research, enrich student experience and invest in projects that benefit future generations through an ambitious fundraising campaign. The campaign will build on almost 200 years of achievement and create new opportunities for students, researchers and communities.

The Development and Alumni Relations Office sits at the centre of this work, building lifelong relationships with supporters and securing philanthropic investment.

About the role
This is a pivotal appointment at an important moment in Durham's fundraising journey.

The Head of Principal Giving will focus on developing and securing transformational philanthropic support from some of the University's most significant donors and prospects. Working closely with the Chief Development Officer, senior academic leaders, Campaign Board members and influential volunteers, you will help shape the next phase of principal giving at Durham.

You will manage a carefully selected portfolio of high-potential relationships, leading conversations that result in seven- and eight-figure gifts. Alongside securing major commitments, you will help strengthen Durham's principal giving capability, build a sustainable pipeline of future support and contribute to the success of the bicentenary campaign.

The role also offers the opportunity to engage with philanthropists and global networks across key international markets, including North America and Asia, helping to unlock new opportunities for investment in Durham's future.

What we are looking for
We are interested in experienced fundraising professionals who have secured significant philanthropic support and enjoy building long-term relationships with donors, colleagues and partners. You may already lead a major or principal giving programme within a university, or bring experience from another setting where you have worked with major philanthropists, family foundations, trusts, corporates or high-profile supporters.

You will be comfortable operating at a senior level, building credibility with influential stakeholders and translating complex ideas into compelling opportunities for support. You will be collaborative, thoughtful and motivated by the impact philanthropy can have on people's lives. You will enjoy working across a large organisation and bringing people together around shared ambitions.

If you are excited by helping to shape Durham's future through transformational giving, we would love to hear from you.

Please click on the link to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you will find full details of the role and how to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 24th August 2026

Major Donor Fundraising Manager

These are ambitious times for the Charity and we now have an exciting opportunity for a proactive and professional individual with outstanding relationship building and influencing skills to join the dedicated Fundraising Department.

Position: Major Donor/Gifts Manager

Location: East Devon, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty/Hybrid (site attendance currently estimated to be one day per week, flexible working patterns considered, where required)

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week, 08.30-16.30, Monday-Friday

Salary: £41,200 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: Wednesday 26 August 2026.. Please note this role may close earlier than advertised so apply as soon as possible.

About the Role

As Major Gifts Manager, you will drive the development and delivery of the Major Gifts programme in line with agreed annual targets and the wider Fundraising Strategy. Working closely with the Head of Major Gifts, you will continuously evolve and strengthen the approach, ensuring a highly joined-up,

donor-centred model across the organisation, focusing on deepening high-value relationships,

increasing sustainable income, and building a strong, forward-looking pipeline of support.

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include:

• Inputting into and delivering the Major Gifts Strategy and improving the Major Gift portfolio and performance.
• Delivering and reporting on agreed projects, fundraising targets and KPIs.
• Proactively identifying and delivering new fundraising donors and income growth opportunities within Major Gifts.
• Leading on selected donor cultivation and stewardship projects to support sustainable income growth in Major Gifts, including events and other opportunities;
• Personally securing, managing and stewarding a portfolio of active Mid-Value, Major Donors and Charitable Trusts, forging and maintaining strong and enduring relationships.
• Supporting and growing the Major Gifts cultivation programme and pipeline to grow funders’ understanding of the diversity of the charity’s work.
• Being agile to changing market conditions and trends and working with the Head of Major Gifts to relay this into cultivation and stewardship.

About You

We are looking for someone with experience of managing, developing, and delivering major gifts programmes, including trust and foundation income.

You will have:

• Proven ability to cultivate and secure new major gifts, alongside building and managing a robust future pipeline.
• Extensive experience of building and stewarding effective relationships with high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, charitable trusts, and major donors.
• A well-developed understanding of monitoring, evaluation, and performance analysis to inform decision-making.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage clearly, confidently, and diplomatically with a range of stakeholders
• Strong track record of consistently meeting or exceeding personal fundraising targets.
• Advanced influencing skills, with the ability to deliver objectives through collaboration with internal and external stakeholders at all levels

Benefits include:

• Competitive pension.
• Life assurance – 2 x annual salary
• 31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 will each full year of service.
• Wellbeing team.
• Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.
• Long service awards.
• Healthshield plan
• Free parking.
• Life assurance.
• Subsidised restaurant and shop.

About the Organisation

Join one of the UK’s largest international animal welfare charities, currently supporting projects in over 35 countries worldwide, working for a world where donkeys and mules live free from suffering and their contribution to humanity is fully valued.

The Charity is a Disability Confident Employer, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults) and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.

You may also have experience in areas such as Major Donor, Major Gifts, Philanthropy, Major Donor Fundraiser, Major Gifts Fundraiser, Philanthropy Fundraiser, Major Donor Fundraising Manager, Major Gifts Fundraising Manager, Philanthropy Fundraising Manager, Major Donor Fundraising, Major Gifts Fundraising, Philanthropy Fundraising.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, Not For Profit People. #INDNFP

For over 140 years, the Forces Employment Charity has proudly supported service leavers, veterans and their families in building successful civilian careers. We provide veterans with life-long, life-changing support, jobs and training opportunities regardless of circumstances, rank, length of service or reason for leaving. 

By working for FEC, you will become part of a vibrant team living the Charity's values: Expert, Supportive, Passionate, Open and Honest, Resilient and Collaborative. 

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Brief role description

The Management Accountant plays a key role in supporting the Director of Finance and Resources and Head of Finance by preparing management reports, undertaking financial analysis and ensuring accurate reconciliations, audits and compliance with policies. Working closely with directors, managers and the fundraising team, the role also contributes to the effective implementation and monitoring of funding streams, financial controls and reporting processes.

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Who we're looking for

We're looking for a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with experience in management accounting, budgeting and financial reporting. You will have an analytical mindset, excellent attention to detail and the ability to turn financial information into clear, concise reports that support decision-making.

The successful candidate will have experience producing monthly management accounts, a good understanding of VAT and strong IT skills, including proficiency to Microsoft Office. You'll be able to manage competing priorities, work to deadlines and communicate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.

Most importantly, you'll be a proactive team player who can work collaboratively, exercise discretion when handling sensitive information and contribute positively to a supportive and mission-driven organisation.

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Interested? Want to know more about the Charity? Check out our website.

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Eager to know more about the role? Have a look at the Job Description. 

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What's in it for you? Check out our Benefits.

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Have we convinced you to apply? If so, submit your CV and Covering Letter by Monday, 16 August 2026.

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Got questions about the role? Get in touch with the People Team at the Forces Employment Charity.

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Please note: Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert; therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as possible. If you are an internal applicant, please ensure you have made the People Team aware before applying. 

We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff by creating an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone, including those with disabilities, can thrive, develop and achieve their full potential. We actively encourage applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and ensure reasonable adjustments are made to support candidates with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process.

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#LI-DNI

Area Manager Role

Location: London (field-based with some home working)
Salary: £46,000
Contract: Full Time
Closing Date: 24 August 2026

Join FARA and Help Transform Lives Through Retail

Founded over 35 years ago, FARA Foundation is a UK registered charity and a successful charity retailer with a network of 39 vibrant shops across London. FARA raises vital funds to support vulnerable and disadvantaged children, young people and their families in Romania, providing services that help break the cycles of poverty and give young people a better start in life.

We are looking for an exceptional Area Manager to lead and develop a portfolio of 10+ charity shops, supporting Shop Managers to deliver outstanding commercial results while creating welcoming, community-focused spaces that embody FARA’s values and mission.

This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially-minded and people-focused leader who enjoys developing others, driving performance, and contributing strategically to a charity retail operation.

The Role

Reporting to the Trading Director, you will be responsible for supporting and developing a group of Shop Managers, helping them maximise sales, donations, Gift Aid income and community engagement while ensuring shops operate safely, compliantly and efficiently.

As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will contribute to the wider development of the trading business, lead operational projects, and play a key role in delivering FARA’s long-term retail strategy.

About You

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate the following competencies:

• Values-led leadership: A strong commitment to FARA’s mission, vision and values, with the ability to lead, coach and develop Shop Managers in a supportive, accountable and collaborative way.
• Commercial focus: Experience of achieving results through others, using KPIs, budgets and financial reports to improve sales, contribution, Gift Aid, stock generation and controllable costs.
• People development: Strong line management skills, with experience of recruitment, induction, performance management, succession planning and handling employee relations matters.
• Retail operational excellence: A sound understanding of shop operations, including pricing, culling, density, curation, sales space, sorting, layout and the ability to coach managers to improve the retail proposition.
• Compliance and risk management: Working knowledge of health and safety, risk assessments, fire risk assessments, regulatory requirements and the ability to maintain safe, compliant shops.
• Project and planning skills: Experience supporting target setting, five-year plans, shop improvements, refits, relocations or other operational projects.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in an Area Manager, Regional Manager or equivalent multi-site retail role (or demonstrable desire to gain wider experience).
• Strong track record of leading teams to achieve and exceed commercial and operational KPIs.
• Excellent commercial awareness with the ability to analyse financial and operational data.
• Experience in coaching, developing and motivating staff.
• Experience handling employee relations issues, including performance management, disciplinary and grievance matters.
• Knowledge of health and safety, risk management and compliance requirements.
• Strong organisational, planning and project management skills.
• Ability to build effective working relationships across a wide range of stakeholders.
• Proficient IT skills to perform a range of professional functions on excel, word and other applications.

Desirable

• Experience within charity retail or the not-for-profit sector.
• Experience recruiting and managing volunteers.
• Knowledge of retail refurbishment, relocation or property projects.
• Understanding of Gift Aid and donation-led retail operations.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Additional Information

• Travel across London will be required.
• Participation in an on-call rota approximately one weekend per month will be required.
• Occasional cover for colleagues during periods of annual leave/absence will be required.

How to Apply

If you are an inspiring retail leader who can combine commercial expertise with a passion for people development and social impact, we would love to hear from you.

To apply, please submit a CV and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) by email outlining how you meet the skills & experience required for the role and why the role excites you.

Applications Deadline: 24 August 2026

Interview Dates:

• Round one: Online 2 September 2026 (online via Zoom)
• Round two: In Person 18 & 21 September 2026 

Join FARA and help us grow a retail operation that changes lives, strengthens communities and delivers lasting impact.