Head of principal gifts jobs

Head of Principal Gifts
Employer: University of Manchester
Salary: £59,966 to £71,566, depending on experience with scope to go beyond for an exceptional candidate
Location: Hybrid working, Manchester

We are looking for our new Head of Principal Gifts to work with our highest level of donors, securing principal gifts in support of the University of Manchester's key priorities - gifts that are truly transformational and enable us to tackle some of the world's greatest challenges.

We're taking our big gift fundraising to the next level with the launch of a dedicated Principal Gifts programme, and we're looking for someone to play a key role in shaping that transformation, building deep, lasting relationships with top-level donors in the UK and internationally.

With our inspirational new strategy in place and our first-ever university-wide philanthropic campaign, CHALLENGE ACCEPTED, launched in November 2025, this is a pivotal moment for Manchester and for your career.

Reporting to the Deputy Director, Principal Gifts, you'll be joining a brilliant, values-driven team with a fantastic pipeline of prospects, strong existing relationships, and academics who are fully engaged in what we're building together.

Great things happen at The University of Manchester every day - from finding new treatments for cancer and discovering wonder materials like Nobel Prize-winning graphene, to providing life-changing scholarships and influencing government policy to help the world's poorest people. This is the work your fundraising will make possible.

If you're a major gifts or big gift fundraiser ready to make your mark at a world-renowned institution and take that next career-defining step, we'd love to hear from you.

Closing date: Midnight on Monday 20 April 2026

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.

About Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral is the cathedral of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the leader of the Church of England and symbolic leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Located in Canterbury, Kent, it is one of the oldest Christian structures in England and forms part of a World Heritage Site.

Step into a role where history meets innovation. Canterbury Cathedral one of the worlds most iconic heritage sites is seeking a dynamic Head of IT to shape and lead our digital future.

This is your chance to bring modern technology, cyber resilience, and digital transformation to a complex and inspiring organisation that blends worship, music, education, heritage conservation, and visitor engagement.

What You'll do as Head of IT

As our Head of IT, you'll drive the Cathedrals digital strategy and oversee the entire technology environment, you'll

• Provide strategic leadership and expert guidance on digital development and cyber security.
• Manage and modernise our IT infrastructure, cloud platforms, networks, and digital systems.
• Oversee key platforms including Microsoft 365, finance/HR systems, CRM, ticketing, and website services.
• Lead cyber security, information governance, and compliance with UK GDPR.
• Support audio-visual and livestreaming technology for worship and events.
• Ensure sensitive, safe installation of tech across our Grade I listed heritage estate.
• Manage suppliers, budgets, and digital transformation projects.
• Play a key role in emergency response, safeguarding, and organisational risk management.

This is both a strategic and hands-on role ideal for someone who loves leading with vision but isn't afraid to roll up their sleeves.

What were looking for in a Head of IT.

• Significant experience managing IT systems in a complex organisation.
• Strong knowledge of cyber security, cloud systems (especially Microsoft 365), and infrastructure.
• A clear understanding of data protection legislation.
• Leadership that's collaborative, calm under pressure, and customer focused.
• The ability to translate technical challenges into clear, actionable advice.
• Respect for the Cathedrals mission, community, and safeguarding commitments.
• Experience in the charity, heritage, education, or church sectors is a bonus but not essential

Why Work with Us?

Joining us means becoming part of a warm, dedicated community working in one of the most extraordinary environments in the world. You'll help shape how technology supports worship, visitors, education, heritage, and mission today and for generations to come.

Apply now, become part of the Canterbury Cathedral community and help us build a digitally confident future rooted in over 1,400 years of history.

Our recruiting Approach

As applications are received, interviews may take place prior to the advertised closing date.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

We welcome applications from underrepresented groups.

Canterbury Cathedral is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.

Job title: Head of Global Development, Asia
Employer: Imperial College London
Salary: £69,365 to £79,257 per annum
Location: White City, London W12 (Hybrid)

About the role:

Here at Imperial College, we are recruiting a Head of Global Development, Asia to join our brilliant team. Reporting to and working closely with the Director of Development: Principal Gifts and Global, this is a new position which will help deliver our first university-wide fundraising and alumni engagement campaign.

What you will be doing:

As Head of Global Development, Asia, you will lead our development efforts across Asia, helping to shape and deliver the College’s philanthropic strategy in the region. The role will be central to cultivating major philanthropic relationships, supporting regional engagement for Imperial’s President and senior representatives, and contributing to the wider success of our global campaign.

What we are looking for:

This position is an opportunity for either an experienced fundraiser or an individual with business or relationship development experience in the region. The role will require diplomacy, strategic insight, and the ability to operate effectively within a complex global institution. Experience working across Asia would be advantageous.

This is a unique opportunity to shape and lead our engagement with high-net-worth individuals and stakeholders across Asia – one of the most exciting regions for philanthropic fundraising - connecting them to Imperial’s world-leading research and innovation ecosystem.  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. You can read more about our commitment on our webpages.

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

• 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 Thursday 16 April 2026.

Interested?

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

Imperial is partnering with Erin Hall-Westfall and Joanna Logan of Constellate Global Talent on this search.

No agencies please.

Location: Options for role to be site-based (Buckinghamshire or East Yorkshire) or a hybrid contract with regular UK travel for donor meetings and team events.
Salary: £60,000 per annum.
Contract: Permanent, full-time hours. 

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, whose mission is to see a time when no deaf person feels alone, is seeking a Principal Gifts Manager responsible for identifying, cultivating and stewarding high-value donors to the charity giving £100,000 plus.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People has been creating life-changing partnerships between hearing dogs and deaf recipients since 1982. As well as acting as an ear to their partners and alerting them to sounds, the charity’s clever and expertly trained dogs help deaf people to live life with confidence and independence, whilst providing love, companionship and emotional support.

Following a strategic review, the charity is now looking to build a new Income Generation Directorate to enable it to transform many more lives across the UK. This role will be critical to help Hearing Dogs reach their goals to significantly grow and diversify income.

Reporting to the Head of Philanthropy, the post-holder will work closely with senior leaders, trustees and senior stakeholders to solicit high-value gifts, typically of six and seven figures, and to build and deepen long-term relationships between donors and the charity. You will be responsible for developing and managing a portfolio of potential and current principal-level donors, as well as delivering exceptional stewardship journeys that demonstrate the impact and value of donor support.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record in securing major gifts at the six-figure level or above, ideally in a principal or transformational giving context. You will be skilled at building and maintaining strong, long-term relationships with high-net-worth individuals, as well as being experienced at developing and delivering complex donor strategies and bespoke giving propositions. Finally, you must be a collaborative team player with strong project management and communication skills.

This is an exceptional opportunity to play a leading role in scaling transformational philanthropy at a charity which is changing people’s lives every day, where you have the flexibility of working remotely or spending time at Hearing Dogs’ stunning bases in Buckinghamshire or Yorkshire, with friendly and passionate staff and their four-legged friends.

If you want to lead the pack and help deaf people live well with hearing loss, please download our Candidate Pack for further information [PDF], which includes details on how to apply.

Closing date: Monday 6th April, 9.00 am. 

This is an exceptional opportunity at one of the world's most prestigious universities at a time of extraordinary ambition and philanthropic momentum. 

Associate Director of Development – Principal Gifts
Employer: University of Oxford
Salary: £65,336 - £82,255 with scope to go beyond for a leading professional with outstanding experience and track record
Location: Oxford (Hybrid)

Here at the University of Oxford, we are recruiting three Associate Directors of Development – Principal Gifts to join our incredible team. These are new positions, part of an expansion of our friendly, collaborative and successful Principal Gifts team.

As Associate Director of Development – Principal Gifts, you will operate at the highest levels of the University to secure transformational gifts at the eight-figure-plus level, advancing Oxford’s mission and global impact.  Your work will help ensure that Oxford continues to attract the brightest minds, pursue world-leading research, and address the most urgent challenges facing humanity.

You will work closely with the Vice-Chancellor, Chief Development and Alumni Engagement Officer, Director of Development – Principal Gifts, and other senior leaders to align principal gift opportunities with institutional priorities and articulate a compelling case for support to some of the world’s most significant philanthropists.

Your impact will be enduring – enabling breakthrough discoveries, expanding opportunity for students, and strengthening Oxford’s position as a global leader in education and research.  The Associate Director of Development role offers the chance not only to secure transformational gifts, but also to shape the future of Oxford’s philanthropic culture and leave a legacy at an institution that has been changing the world for over nine centuries.

This is a chance to join a dedicated, professional and ambitious team at a time when Oxford’s fundraising is at unprecedented levels. With strong support from the Vice-Chancellor, a proven track record of principal gift success, and an unparalleled global reputation, you will have every opportunity to make your mark, both at Oxford and in your career.

You will be passionate about what we do here, not phased by complexity and ambiguity, and comfortable orchestrating a myriad of stakeholders.  We hope to hear from you!

The University of Oxford is partnering with Erin Hall-Westfall and Joanna Logan of Constellate Global Talent on this search.

Closing date: midnight on Monday, 6 April 2026.

Interested?

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

Diversity and Inclusivity

The University of Oxford is committed to equal opportunity, and to being a place where everyone belongs and is supported to succeed. We recognise how the diversity of our community enriches our ability to deliver on our academic mission.

We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds, including those under-represented within higher education. No applicant or members of staff shall be unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

No agencies please

Head of Enterprise Architecture

Contract: Permanent, Full Time – 35 hours per week

Location: London, UK
UK hybrid working – a minimum of 40 % of working time is spent face-to-face (London office, external meetings or travel). 60/40 hybrid working at WaterAid means roughly three days wherever you work best and two days together in person.

Salary: £71,481/-per year with excellent benefits.

We offer competitive, market-aligned starting salaries. While most roles are offered at the advertised starting salary, we may adjust this in exceptional cases depending on a candidate’s experience, skills, and potential.

Change starts with water. Change starts with you.

Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that – for everyone, everywhere. Join us, and your energy will help unlock people’s potential and create a fairer future.

About WaterAid

We’re a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.

About the team

The Head of Enterprise Architecture sits within the IT Leadership Team and reports directly to the Director of IT. The role leads the newly established Enterprise Architecture function consisting of a small data engineering team and a data governance lead. Enterprise Architecture is one of the core pillars of WaterAid’s IT & Technology planning, along with Global IT Service & Delivery, Global Cybersecurity & Global IT Portfolio & Strategic Engagement.

About the role

The Head of Enterprise Architecture provides strategic leadership for enterprise, data, and solution architecture across WaterAid UK and supports global initiatives. This role sets the vision for organisation-wide architecture, ensuring that business strategy is underpinned by scalable, responsive, and sustainable technology and data ecosystems. The postholder is responsible for the oversight of data architecture, engineering, integration, and governance to drive business value and data maturity.

In this role, you will:

• Enterprise Architecture Strategy and Governance: Define, implement and develop WaterAid’s enterprise architecture strategy and embed governance across delivery lifecycles.
• Data Architecture and Data Engineering Leadership: Oversee WaterAid UK’s data architecture and lead the Data Engineering function, ensuring scalable, secure data platforms, integrations and pipelines.
• Strategic IT Leadership: Act as a key advisor within the IT Senior Leadership Team, shaping IT strategy, influencing planning and prioritisation, and ensuring technology addresses organisational requirements.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Change Adoption: Engage senior leaders to translate business needs into architectural outcomes and lead the adoption of architectural best practices, agile approaches and continuous improvement.

• Champion WaterAid’s commitment to equity, inclusion and safeguarding.

To be successful, you will need:

• Strong experience in EA and data architecture methodologies and frameworks (e.g. TOGAF) with the ability to translate business strategy into technology and data solutions.
• Proficiency in data modelling, integration, cloud and hybrid environments (we are a Microsoft Azure house), and practical experience of data engineering and lifecycle processes.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary technical teams and influence senior stakeholders, including communicating complex concepts to non-specialists.
• Strong knowledge of data governance, regulatory compliance (including GDPR). Security and risk management frameworks.

Although not essential, we’d prefer you to have:

• Professional certifications in enterprise/data architecture frameworks or cloud technologies (e.g. TOGAF, Zachman, Azure).

• Working knowledge of data engineering languages (SQL, Python), Business Intelligence tools (e.g. Power BI, Tableau) and experience with predictive analytics projects.
• Experience in a charity, public sector, or similar mission-driven organisation.

Closing date: Applications close 12:00 PM UK time on 24th April 2026. Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 4th May. Shortlisting and interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis, and the role may close earlier if a suitable candidate is found. Therefore, we encourage you to apply at an early stage.

How to apply: Apply to upload your CV and Cover Letter.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application?

At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.

Pre‑employment screening

To apply for this role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to local law and WaterAid’s Safer Recruitment policy. All UK based roles require a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Benefits

• 36 days’ holiday (including 8 Bank Holidays)
• Option to buy an extra 5 days’ annual leave
• Employer pension contribution up to 10 %
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Season ticket loan
• Free annual eye tests
• ‘Give as you Earn’ charitable giving scheme
• Enhanced parental leave (maternity, adoption/surrogacy, shared parental and paternity)
• Sabbaticals
• One paid volunteer day each year

As part of our annual leave policy, all employees receive three additional days of annual leave on top of their standard allocation of 25 days. These days are designated to cover the period when our UK office closes between Christmas and New Year, allowing all UK WaterAiders to take a well-deserved break.

These days are automatically scheduled and cannot be changed or moved. Annual leave is accrued based on your start date. If sufficient leave has not been accrued by the time of the closure, the 3 days will be taken as unpaid leave or pro-rated, depending on your circumstances.

Our People Promise

We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation.

Safeguarding

We are committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero- tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks).

Together, we’ll change the world through water.

Join us and be part of the change!

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People – High Value Events Team Manager
Location:Hybrid working with some travel to Hearing Dogs offices in either Buckinghamshire or East Yorkshire.
Salary: £55,000 per annum.
Contract: Permanent, full-time hours. 

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, whose mission is build confidence, companionship and connection for people with hearing loss, is seeking a High Value Events Team Manager to lead the development and delivery of inclusive, inspiring and impactful high-value event experiences that deepen relationships and generate transformational philanthropic support for the charity.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People has been creating life-changing partnerships between hearing dogs and deaf recipients since 1982. As well as acting as an ear to their partners and alerting them to sounds, the charity’s clever and expertly trained dogs help deaf people to live life with confidence and independence, whilst providing love and emotional support.

Following on from a strategic review, the charity is now building a new Income Generation Directorate, to enable them to transform many more lives across the UK. This role will be critical to help Hearing Dogs reach their goals to significantly grow and diversify income.

With a strong focus on values-led, relationship-based fundraising, this role will provide strategic leadership to the charity’s new High Value Events function, bringing a consistent, high-quality approach to engagement, cultivation, fundraising and stewardship events. The post-holder will ensure that events are inclusive, mission-focused and deliver strong return on investment, building long-term commitment among principal and major donors, trusts and foundations, corporate partners and senior volunteers.

The ideal candidate will be a strong leader with a background in planning and delivering high-value fundraising or engagement events generating £100k+. You will have worked with high-value supporters, including high net worth individuals, committees and senior stakeholders, and will have a strong track record of working to income targets and maximising fundraising return on investment. Excellent organisational and communication skills will be combined with the ability to engage and influence a wide range of audiences. You will be creative and proactive, with a collaborative and inclusive approach to work, alongside the ability to communicate impact clearly and compellingly.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the direction of High Value Events at an organisation which is changing people’s lives every day, and where you have the flexibility of working remotely or spending time at Hearing Dogs’ stunning bases in Buckinghamshire or Yorkshire, with friendly and passionate staff and their four-legged friends.
 

If you want to lead the pack and help deaf people live well with hearing loss Please download our Candidate Pack for further information [PDF], which includes details on how to apply.

Closing date: Monday 20th April, 9.00 am. 

About the role

At some point in our lives, we or someone we love will need hospital care. At UHCW Charity, we’re here to make those moments better - funding the extras that go beyond NHS provision, from life-saving equipment and pioneering research to more comfortable, welcoming spaces and support for patients, families and staff when they need it most.

We’re looking for a Fundraising and Events Lead to play a key role in delivering and growing income across corporate, community and events fundraising. This is a hands-on role where you’ll lead day-to-day fundraising activity, build strong relationships with supporters, and ensure every interaction reflects the quality and care at the heart of our charity.

You’ll work closely with the Head of Fundraising to drive forward plans, strengthen supporter journeys, and ensure our fundraising is proactive, well-coordinated and consistently delivered. You will also line-manage and support our Fundraising Assistant, helping them to develop and thrive in their role.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading the delivery of fundraising activity across corporate, community and events income streams

• Planning and overseeing a varied events programme, ensuring high-quality supporter experiences

• Building and managing relationships with corporate partners, community groups and key stakeholders

• Supporting and inspiring fundraisers across the Trust, local community and beyond

• Developing fundraising materials, campaigns and communications in collaboration with marketing

• Overseeing supporter journeys and stewardship to improve engagement, retention and income

• Managing and supporting the Fundraising Assistant

• Using our CRM (Beacon) to track activity, analyse performance and inform future planning

About you

You’ll be a proactive and organised fundraiser with experience delivering events and building excellent relationships that generate income. You’ll be confident managing multiple priorities, spotting opportunities, and ensuring a high standard of supporter experience at every stage.

You’ll also bring:

• At least 3 years’ experience in fundraising or a similar role

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills

• Experience planning and delivering events or fundraising activities

• The ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team

• Confidence using data and insight to improve performance

Most importantly, you’ll be motivated by making a genuine difference and helping us grow support for our hospitals and communities.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a broad and varied fundraising portfolio within a well-respected NHS charity. You’ll play a key role in shaping supporter experiences, growing income sustainably, and building relationships that have a real and lasting impact.

We offer:

• 27 days annual leave plus public holidays

• A pension scheme with matched contributions up to 7%

• Blue Light Card discounts

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Opportunities for professional development

Join us and help make a real difference for patients, families and staff across Coventry and Warwickshire.

The Digital Marketing Manager is accountable for the delivery and performance of our website, email, SEO, PPC, paid-social and CRM marketing, ensuring all our digital channels are optimised for both awareness and income generation.

This is a hands-on role which will see you deliver key activity as well as lead a small team in prioritising and evaluating work across digital channels, using data and insight to inform decisions. To spearhead and champion our digital marketing transformation, you’ll need to be a results driven and experienced professional, who thrives in a fast-paced environment. Your skills and passion will see you:
• Develop and implement a comprehensive digital marketing strategy aligned with our income growth objectives.
• Deliver and continually improve how we connect with our audiences, primarily through (but not limited to) strategic use of email, website management, SEO, PPC, paid social and CRM marketing.
• Identify opportunities to maximise online brand awareness, engagement and revenue generation.
• Track, analyse and report on digital performance metrics, owning KPIs for traffic, conversion, income and engagement, as well as providing actionable insights and data to improve and inform digital marketing effectiveness.
• Own website performance by managing content within the CMS, improving user journeys, implementing SEO best practices and using data and analytics to increase visibility, traffic and conversion rates.
• Plan, execute and optimise our paid advertising accounts, including Google Ads and paid social platforms (e.g. Meta), using A/B testing to ensure they are data-driven, cost efficient and deliver ROI and income.
• Lead and deliver email and CRM activity (including building campaigns, managing audiences, segmentation and automation), ensuring data, templates and journeys are optimised for engagement and conversion, using performance and insights to drive improvements.
• Embed a culture of data-driven decision making and bring visibility and transparency to digital marketing activity by regularly reporting impact against objectives, trend spotting as well as using a variety of data and analytics tools to raise the profile and understanding of digital marketing across the charity.
• Work closely with the Data team to ensure digital and data strategies align and data between digital channels is automated, accurate and can be reported on effectively.
• Safeguard the integrity of the charity’s digital presence ensuring it complies with data protection regulations and any other applicable legislation.

 

What we offer: 

• Flexible and hybrid working to support work-life balance 

• Generous annual leave entitlement with additional leave for long service  

• Enhanced sick pay 

• Enhanced Maternity Pay 

• Employee Assistance Program and Lifestyle Savings

• Free flu jabs 

• Cycle to work scheme 

• Charity events throughout the year 

• Employer enhanced auto-enrolment pension scheme with 8% employer contribution 

• Ongoing commitment to education and professional development 

The Charity is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.  

Successful candidates will have access to vulnerable beneficiaries therefore the role is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance.  

If you think you have the qualities we are looking for and the desire to contribute, please download the Job Vacancy Pack and then send us a CV and covering letter explaining how you meet the criteria for the role and making clear why you would like to be considered for it. 

We will be interviewing for this role on 15th May at our Charity Office based in Birmingham City Centre.

We are seeking an exceptional leader who can act as a credible spokesperson and ambassador for the Catholic Union, building trusted relationships across the Church, parliament and wider society and helping to grow the Catholic Union’s influence and engagement in the years ahead.

Founded in 1870, the Catholic Union of Great Britain brings Catholic laity and Catholic social teaching to the public square across England, Wales and Scotland. Working in partnership with dioceses, parishes, MPs, MSPs, MSs, peers and Catholic organisations, our vision is of a society in which Catholic laity are informed, equipped and encouraged to engage in public life.

Our work is shaped by three key themes: engagement, education and encouragement. Through these we foster informed participation in public debate, help Catholics and the wider public understand contemporary social and political issues through a Catholic lens, and inspire greater confidence for Catholics to contribute to civic and community life.

In recent years the Catholic Union has developed from being largely volunteer-led into a more professional and strategically focused organisation, strengthening relationships across the Church and wider society. Our Weekly Briefing, now read by around 6,500 people each week, has become a key channel for parliamentary reporting, Catholic news and reflection.

As Director, you will lead the Catholic Union at an exciting moment in its development. You will represent the Catholic Union publicly, strengthening relationships with bishops, diocesan leaders, parliamentarians and Catholic organisations. You will act as a trusted ambassador for the Union, grow our channels of influence and engagement, and work with Trustees, Council and a small experienced team to support the organisation’s continued development.

If you are inspired by the opportunity to serve as a public voice for a respected Catholic organisation and help foster thoughtful dialogue and engagement in public life, we would love to hear from you.

For more information, please see the job pack attached. Closing date 10th April.

Donor Relations Manager

Department: Proposition Dev & Supporter Engagement
Grade and Salary: £45,031 - £48,607 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance
Job ID: 142025

About Us

Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement (P&A) provides a fundraising and alumni engagement function in support of King’s College London. We are proud to work with colleagues across the university and its health partners to help them serve society through world-leading education, research and healthcare.  Our work also includes a partnership with the Maudsley Charity in support of children’s mental health initiatives between the university’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience and the South London & Maudsley NHS Trust.

​We are a committed team that brings together fundraisers working across different channels, alongside colleagues who promote King’s College London’s engagement with its worldwide alumni community. Our work is underpinned and enhanced by a range of dedicated professionals in supporting areas covering proposition development, supporter engagement, supporter operations and business operations.

​We have an impressive, well-established track record of success in securing support that allows the university and partners to deliver on their missions. This includes our global, award-winning World Questions: King’s Answers campaign, which set the standard in the sector and enabled us to raise substantial funds to help tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. Ambitious and innovative, the team has won awards such as a CASE Platinum Award for Fundraising and a CASE Gold Award for Donor Relations and Stewardship. We are strongly values-driven with a focus on sustaining an excellent and supportive culture, which we see as key to creating a successful team that can support the university and its partners in making a real and positive difference to the world we live in. 

More on King’s College London

​King’s College London is an internationally renowned university delivering exceptional education and world-leading research. The university is dedicated to driving positive and sustainable change in society and realising our vision of making the world a better place.  Through its commitment to exceptional education, impactful research and genuine service to society, King’s College London is creating positive change in its communities, both in London and on the world stage. The Strategic Vision 2029 looks forward to King’s College London’s 200th anniversary in 2029 and sets out ambitious plans in five key areas:  

• ​Educating the next generation of change-makers; 

• ​Challenging ideas and driving change through research; 

• ​Giving back to society through meaningful service; 

• ​Working with our local communities in London; 

• ​Fostering global citizens with an international perspective.  ​

About the role

This role will shape how King’s builds trust, celebrates generosity, and strengthens long term donor relationships. The Donor Relations Manager (maternity cover) will lead the creation and delivery of high quality stewardship for some of the university’s most impactful supporters.

Reporting into the Head of Donor Relations, the role oversees the project management of more than 120 bespoke donor reports each year - compelling, insight rich updates that show donors the real difference their gift has made across King’s, from pioneering research into personalised cancer treatments and young people’s mental health to innovative programmes in AI and Law and sustainability. Working closely with fundraisers and our Advancement Writing team, the post-holder will ensure every report is delivered on time, to an exceptional standard, and with opportunities to introduce more personalised, creative stewardship along the way.

The post holder will partner with fundraisers to design tailored stewardship plans for major and principal gift donors, including those giving £5m+. This includes impact reporting, naming and recognition, and bespoke engagement projects that help donors feel valued, connected, and confident in their support of King’s.

Strong project management skills, excellent writing and organisational abilities, a sharp eye for detail, and the ability to juggle deadlines with confidence and initiative are key to this role, as are creativity, curiosity, and a passion for crafting meaningful donor experiences.

This is a full-time post (35 Hours per week) and is a fixed term contract for the year of maternity cover. P&A has a hybrid working approach, with a minimum of 40% of time in the office. Typically, this equates to two days per week, but we’re very happy for colleagues to be in more frequently if they so wish.

About You

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates with the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

· Understanding of one or more of: UK Charity sector/Higher Education and donor relations/stewardship

· Project management skills and strong editorial, copy writing and proof-reading skills

· Insight driven – ability to think about what is and isn’t working, see new innovations in the sector and take on feedback from fundraising colleagues and our donor community

· Ability to meet deadlines, work well under pressure and deliver projects to budget

· Strong relationship management and people focused skills with proven experience in collaboration across teams to achieve shared goals

Desirable criteria

· Adobe InDesign software experience

· Experience of using Microsoft Dynamics or similar customer/donor data base and associated processes and systems

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Further Information

At King’s, we believe that the diversity of our community and a culture that is welcoming, open, inclusive and collaborative, are great strengths of the university.

The Equality Act of 2010 protects the rights of our students and staff and provides a framework to fulfil our duties to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and in addition, to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. At times, this will include balancing rights and beliefs that can feel in tension.

We are committed to free speech and to academic freedom, believing that our foundational purpose as a university, is to create spaces where a wide range of ideas, including ideas that are controversial, can be discussed and debated, and where members of our community can express lawful views without fear of intimidation, harassment or discrimination.

When engaging in the robust exchange of ideas, we ask that our community is mindful of our Dignity at King’s guidance.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification section of the job description. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

We reserve the right to close adverts early due to the volume of applications we receive. While the closing date may change, all adverts will close at 23:59 to allow sufficient time for applications to be submitted on that day.

We encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment as once we have closed a vacancy you will be unable to submit your application.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit’ pages.

We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements, including part-time, compressed hours and/or job shares, as appropriate and in the context of the business needs associated with the role. 

We offer the opportunity of an “Ask Us Anything” Teams call on Thursday 9th April 2026, 12 – 12:45. During this call you will be able to ask any questions you might have about the role, the selection process, our department, our core values and work culture, our current hybrid work policy, or simply listen to others’ questions. 

​This roles with have two interview stages, a standard skills-based interview followed (for up to two appointable candidates) by a Core Values interview. 

 Close Date: 12-Apr-2026

​First stage interviews are likely to be held on w/c 20th April 2026.

Core Values interviews are due to be held on w/c 27th April 2026.