Individual giving and trusts fundraiser jobs

Director of Fundraising Development

We have an exciting and rewarding opportunity for a Director of Development to join the Senior Leadership Team.

The Director of Development is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and provides strategic and operational leadership across all fundraising and income generation activities.

Join a youth social action charity which challenges 18 to 25-year-olds to tackle educational inequality through a year of full-time social action. As mentors, tutors and role models in schools, they support pupils growing up in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the UK.

Position: Director of Development

Location: London/Hybrid (two days worked from the office or at external events per week and two days from home)

Hours: Part-Time, 4 days per week, 28 hours per week

Salary: £60,000 pro rata (£48,000 for 28 hours)

Duration: Fixed-term (12 months with possibility to extend)

Start date: March-April 2026

Closing Date: 7 January 2025

Interviews: Starting from the week commencing 12 January 2026

The Role

The Director of Development is responsible for leading a dedicated Development team to secure sustainable income from corporates, trusts and foundations, high-net-worth individuals, events, and statutory bodies.

You will collaborate with the SLT colleagues and the Board’s Development Committee to drive income growth, strengthen relationships with key supporters, and ensure the organisation’s fundraising strategies align with the organisations mission, values, and long-term objectives.

The role combines strategic oversight with hands-on leadership of a high-performing team, ensuring fundraising systems, processes, and reporting are effective, accurate, and aligned with best practices.

Main duties and responsibilities include:

· Strategic Leadership of Development

· Team Leadership and Management

· Major Donor, Corporate and Trusts Management

· Systems, Processes and Reporting

· External Engagement and Profile Raising

About You

We are looking for someone with strong interpersonal, relationship-building, and presentation skills and the ability to engage and inspire diverse audiences.

You will have:

· Demonstrated commitment to the charity’s mission, vision, and values.

· Extensive experience in a senior fundraising or development role with a proven record of securing significant corporate, trust, foundation, or major donor partnerships.

· Experience leading and managing a fundraising or development team, including performance management and professional development.

· Proven track record in managing fundraising income budgets, forecasting, and planning.

· Experience of working with senior stakeholders and trustees to secure funding and support.

· Experience managing fundraising systems and reporting processes, including Salesforce.

· Demonstrable success in achieving challenging fundraising targets.

· Experience working in the charity or education sectors, including integrating programme impact into fundraising.

Please apply by uploading your CV and cover letter (two pages preferred) demonstrating your suitable experience, knowledge, skills and abilities. Due to the high volume of CVs received, the charity can only respond back to the successful candidates.

Employee Benefits

As an organisation, particular emphasis is placed on fairness, well-being, and inclusion and offer a range of benefits for staff, including:

· Great holiday entitlement

· Training including degree-level qualifications

· Pension scheme enrolment starts at 4% as standard, and employee contributions are matched up to 5%

· Free eye tests and £20 off glasses

· Interest-free travel season ticket loans

· Interest-free bike loans under the “Cycle to Work Scheme”

· Interest-free Loans to assist employees with welfare or financial hardship

· 2 days per year to pursue volunteering opportunities and 2 days per year to support wellbeing

· Regular all staff wellbeing sessions with external wellbeing experts

· Reservist friendly employer - Bronze award

· Laptop and mobile phone

Other areas of experience may include Director of Development, Development Director, Director, Fundraising Director, Director of Fundraising, Trusts, Foundations, Major Donor, Corporate, Fundraiser, Fundraising, Head of Fundraising, Income, Director of Fundraising and Development.

Please note this role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of our client.

We are thrilled to be helping Spectra to find seek a compassionate, curious, and entrepeneurial Head of Fundraising. You will ideally have experience managing a small teams to achieve impressive results across individual giving with lower and higher value donors.

This is a full time position (compressed hours or 4 days may be considered), with hybrid working once or twice a fortnight in London.

The Charity
Spectra are a long standing LGBTQ+ CIC dedicated to providing supportive, expert, and non-judgemental peer-led health and wellbeing services.

Their services include:

• Peer-led counselling, social groups and mentoring, particularly amongst LGBTQ+ communities
• HIV testing, outreach and education for communities affected by HIV, particularly Black and Asian communities, as well as the LGBTQ+ community
• Sexual health and LGBTQ+ training for carers, teachers and healthcare staff
• Sexual health education for neurodiverse, SEND young people and their carers
• Health advocacy and casework for trans, gender diverse and sex worker communities

The Role

They aim to diversify their income streams over the next few years and invest resources in building a brand that will capture people's imaginations and hearts, thereby building on a small pool of existing donors and growing individual giving, legacy, and major donor work.

With increased resources allocated to diversifying income, this post would suit someone interested in a start-up project focused on building individual giving from scratch, including regular and one-off donations, cultivating donors, including major donors, coordinating and developing event-based fundraising, and legacy-based giving.

You would manage a small team od two and work with the Senior Trust Fundraiser to provide support to other Strategic Programme leads, to ensure they maintain a high standard of reporting to trusts and foundations.

The Candidate

We are looking for a good all-rounder with entrepreneurial flair and experience, excellent relationship management, strong skills in marketing and communications, and experience in individual giving, digital fundraising and ideally higher value philanthropic income.

If you manage with integrity, stand for LGBTQ+ rights, are committed to racial and social justice, and strive for health equity, get in touch!

IMPORTANT NOTE

Spectra are reviewing applications on a rolling basis so do get in touch ASAP to find out more.

Our aim is to respond to all successful applications within 5 days. If you havent been contacted within 5 days your application has been unsuccessful, but we positively encourage you to apply for any other positions that you may see in the future.

We apologise that we cannot contact everybody in person but thank you in advance for your interest.

Third Solutions encourages applications from individuals of all ages & backgrounds. Appointment will be made on merit alone but candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to work in the UK. Third Solutions acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment & an employment business for temporary recruitment as defined by the Conduct of Employment Agencies & Employment Business Regulations 2003.

Location: Reading, Hybrid (at least once per a week to Reading Office)
Hours: 37 per week 
Salary: 28,532.46 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent
Campaign Closes: 5th January 2026

The Public Fundraising Executive supports the whole Public Fundraising team to achieve its aims and objectives by undertaking key administrative tasks, stewarding supporters across a range of fundraising activities, and assisting with the delivery of the team’s projects, which might include managing marketing campaigns, attending events or conducting research. They are also responsible for the acquisition, engagement and retention of supporters across all our public fundraising income streams. These include individual giving (cash, regular giving, lottery, payroll giving), legacies, in-memory, third-party challenge events, community fundraising, owned products and events, and innovation and new product development. The Public Fundraising Team play a vital role in contributing to our organisational strategic goal of developing sustainable sources of income and have received significant long-term investment from the Board to accelerate growth of fundraising income in this area.

Are you an exceptional fundraiser who excels at cultivating high-value relationships and securing transformational gifts? Do you enjoy working with senior volunteers and philanthropists who are deeply committed to changing children’s lives?

Step into a pivotal role within one of the UK’s leading philanthropy teams as you lead our flagship Tick Tock Club appeal — inspiring major donors and volunteers to drive extraordinary impact for seriously ill children.

Salary

The salary for this position is £52,526 per annum and we operate a hybrid working policy of a minimum of 2 days per week in the office. 

In line with our EDI strategy and Total Reward policy, we calculate our salaries based on benchmarking data across the charity sector. To ensure fairness for existing staff and new joiners, we do not offer salaries above the advertised rate.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver a personal fundraising target of £1.5m+, securing six- and seven-figure gifts and multi-year commitments from high-net-worth individuals and charitable trusts.
• Lead the £20m Tick Tock Club appeal, shaping strategy and driving one of GOSH Charity’s flagship philanthropic initiatives.
• Recruit, inspire and collaborate with senior volunteers, campaign boards and influential supporters to accelerate high-value fundraising.
• Manage a portfolio of donors and prospects, using insight-led approaches to build long-term engagement and maximise impact.
• Oversee campaign events, communications and tailored proposals, ensuring activity aligns with income targets and delivers an exceptional supporter experience.
• Provide motivating line management to a small team, fostering professional development, wellbeing and high performance.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• A strong track record of securing six- and seven-figure philanthropic gifts.
• Experience partnering with senior volunteers and campaign boards on major fundraising initiatives.
• Strategic leadership skills with the ability to galvanise a team around ambitious goals.
• Exceptional relationship-building, influencing and presentation abilities.
• A creative, solutions-focused mindset with resilience under pressure.

Please refer to the full job description below for more information.

About the team
 

You’ll join our sector-leading Philanthropy team — recognised as one of the most high-performing and respected in the charity sector. We partner with some of the most generous and committed philanthropists in the UK and beyond to transform the lives of seriously ill children.

Our talented and supportive team of 20+ works closely with colleagues across fundraising, clinical, and research teams to create inspiring, high-impact opportunities for supporters. In partnership with senior volunteers and committees, we drive landmark campaigns including the £300 million Build It. Beat It. appeal and the Tick Tock Club, with exciting plans for a major new research-focused campaign on the horizon.

We are seeking an inspiring and strategic leader to drive the growth of our philanthropy programme as we deliver our most ambitious strategy yet including a new £200m Global Cancer Appeal for a major development in Chelsea. You’ll lead and motivate a high-performing team, while also managing a personal portfolio and securing large value gifts. This is a unique opportunity to make a real difference for people affected by cancer, working alongside passionate colleagues and dedicated supporters.

What you’ll be doing

• Lead the Philanthropy strategy and drive growth across all high‑value income streams
• Identify, cultivate and solicit major supporters to secure high value donations aligned to agreed targets, including the £200m Global Cancer Appeal.
• Recruit and work with Appeal Board members, senior volunteers and trustees to progress prospects and secure transformational gifts.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior clinical leaders, to shape compelling fundraising priorities and packages.
• Work with the Head of Philanthropy & Special Events and the Head of Trusts, Stewardship and Philanthropy Communications to lead, motivate and inspire our high-performing teams
• Contribute to charity‑wide leadership, governance and risk management; deputise for the Associate Director as appropriate.

About you

You bring a well‑established, highly successful career in high‑value philanthropy, with:

• A proven record of securing seven‑figure and above gifts, and developed expertise in high‑value acquisition and relationship management.
• Experience in identifying, recruiting and managing senior volunteers, and working credibly with donors, board members, VIPs and ambassadors.
• Strategic leadership of senior fundraisers and teams, driving performance, culture and process change.
• Significant budget accountability (c.£1m+), high numeracy and the ability to interpret financial reports and KPIs.
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills; confident handling complex, sensitive and confidential information.
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, embedding inclusive practice across fundraising.

What we offer:

• Hybrid working between home and Chelsea with occasional travel to Sutton.
• Flexible working around our core hours of 10am to 4pm
• 27 days annual leave rising with length of service
• Up to 6% employer contributions subject to matched contribution from you (increasing with length of service)
• Training, support and development opportunities
• Access to the blue light discount scheme and other discounts opportunities
• Access to subsidised staff restaurants, on-site yoga and wellbeing classes, staff choir and much more
• Range of wellbeing initiatives including access to an employee assistance programme designed to save money and improve your physical, financial and mental health and wellbeing, access to free online GP appointments and free eye tests and contribution towards any glasses required for work purposes

Inclusion Matters

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and walks of life.

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, we’d love to hear from you.

The Community Fundraising team supported by an incredible team of volunteers, stewards some of our most dedicated supporters, who organise events and bring their networks together to raise up to six figure sums. We build long lasting relationships with individuals as well as community groups, schools and corporate organisations to raise millions for the Charity every year.

As Senior Community Fundraising Manager you will lead a team to grow income raised through community supporters, including individuals, local groups, schools and corporate organisations. and manage our volunteering programme.

You’ll be a highly skilled relationship manager and will play a key role in strengthening stewardship within the Community Fundraising team. You will also deliver first class stewardship to some of our most dedicated community fundraising supporters and engage with new supporters to raise five and six figure sums.

You will be a high performing fundraiser with experience of delivering income growth through effective relationship management. You will be driven and dynamic and relish the opportunity to help achieve our ambitious goals.

What we offer  

• Hybrid working between home and Sutton with occasional travel to Chelsea. 

• Flexible working around our core hours of 10am to 4pm 

• 27 days annual leave rising with length of service 

• Up to 6% employer contributions subject to matched contribution from you (increasing with length of service) 

• Training, support and development opportunities 

• Access to the blue light discount scheme and other discounts opportunities 

• Access to subsidised staff restaurants, on-site yoga and wellbeing classes, staff choir and much more 

• Range of wellbeing initiatives including access to an employee assistance programme designed to save money and improve your physical, financial and mental health and wellbeing, access to free online GP appointments and free eye tests and contribution towards any glasses required for work purposes 

Inclusion matters  

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and walks of life. 

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, we’d love to hear from you. 

Please apply with a CV and cover letter of no more than two pages, setting out how you meet the criteria in the person specification. 

Please note: To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications. 

The Compassionate Friends - Head of Fundraising
£50,000 rising to £55,000 after probation | Full-time (flexible options available) | London NW6 office - 2 days per week | Permanent

The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is the UK's only national charity providing peer support to bereaved parents and adult siblings following the death of a child of any age and from any cause. With over 300 trained volunteers and a reach of more than 25,000 parents annually, our work is life-changing - offering compassion, understanding, and hope where it's needed most.

Charity People is seeking a strategic, emotionally intelligent, and driven Head of Fundraising to lead our income generation at a pivotal moment in our journey. Having grown into a half-million-pound organisation, we are ready to diversify our fundraising streams and deepen our impact.

About the Role

This is a strategic leadership role with scope to shape the future of fundraising at The Compassionate Friends. You'll develop and deliver a new fundraising strategy aligned with our organisational goals, with a particular focus on individual giving and donor diversification. You'll lead and support a small team, including our Events & Community Fundraiser and Trusts Fundraiser, and work closely with the CEO, Trustees, and wider staff to embed fundraising across the organisation.

You'll be joining a charity with a deeply personal mission and a collaborative culture. Our outgoing Head of Fundraising will remain in a part-time capacity to support your onboarding and ensure a smooth transition.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a new fundraising strategy, with clear KPIs and milestones.
• Lead on individual giving, donor acquisition, and stewardship.
• Explore new income streams including corporate partnerships and community fundraising.
• Collaborate with communications and support teams to maximise fundraising opportunities.
• Report regularly to the CEO and Board, and oversee CRM and supporter communications.

About You

We're open to both experienced fundraisers and those ready to step into a leadership role. What matters most is your passion for our cause, your strategic mindset, and your ability to inspire and deliver.

You'll bring:

• A track record of generating income across multiple streams, especially individual giving.
• Track record of growth across income streams
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills.
• Strategic thinking and financial acumen.
• A collaborative, flexible approach and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• A deep empathy for our mission and the families we support.

Why Join Us?

• Salary of £50,000, rising to £55,000 after completion of probation.
• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays).
• Personalised training and wellbeing budgets.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• A chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of bereaved families.

How to Apply

Please send your CV to to request a full job pack and to arrange a Teams call.

Key Dates

• Applications close: Wednesday 7^th January 2026
• Shortlist shared: Thursday 8^th January 2026
• First stage interviews: w/c 12^th January 2026
• Second stage interviews: TBC

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential. Please inform Kevin if you require any assistance or adjustment to help ensure the application process works for you.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week

About the job role

We have an exciting opportunity for an Events Fundraising Officer in our Fundraising team at St Joseph’s Hospice.

We are looking for an experienced Events Fundraiser to join our small but dynamic fundraising team. The role will be responsible for promoting and managing a mix of third party challenge events and bespoke events whilst providing excellent stewardship to our event fundraisers. 

Working with the Public Fundraising Manager, the post holder will implement a 5-year action plan to increase income, develop effective stewardship journeys and deliver a varied and successful events calendar.

About you

You will need:

• Experience of managing challenge events for a Charity
• Experience of managing campaign/activity budgets of approx. £40k per year
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work on own initiative and effectively manage workload to hit deadlines

Where you’ll work

St Joseph's Hospice was founded in 1905 by the Religious Sisters of Charity and, as such, it has a rich, Catholic heritage which informs our work today: to support and welcome those in need, from all different cultures, religions and backgrounds.

We provide high-quality specialist palliative care for patients with cancer and other life-threatening conditions across East and North London. We have a large team of clinical staff who work across community, in-patient and out-patient services delivering individualised, responsive and holistic support to patients and their families/carers.

Why work for us?

• 27 days holiday plus public holidays, increasing up to 33 days with service
• Subsidised café and early access to retail sale events
• Season ticket/Welfare loans
• Continuation of NHS Pension Scheme or an excellent salary-exchange pension scheme.
• Santander cycles discount and cycle to work scheme
• Health Cash Plan and access to the EAP services

Join St Joseph’s team and find out more!

We are an equal opportunities and a disability confident employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.

For further information and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button.

Closing date: 12th January 2026

Interview date: 19th January 2026

£30,305 - £33,145 | Full-time 35 hours per week (part time at four days per week will be considered) | Based at our offices in Clapham, near Settle, with a mix of office and home working.

Are you an experienced and self-motivated fundraiser who wants to make a difference to people, landscape and wildlife in the Yorkshire Dales?

We’re looking for a Development/Fundraising Officer to join our Corporate Partnerships team, helping to develop and grow our income in this vital area.

This is an exciting time to join YDMT, with a new strategy in place and ambitious vision to increase the impact of our work.

About Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust 

We are a charity doing big things to help to support people, landscape and wildlife in the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding areas.

We deliver diverse and inspirational projects, helping to plant 1.6 million trees and securing the future of more than 850 hectares of wildflower hay meadows, creating habitats for our wildlife and combatting climate change. We are passionate about inspiring disadvantaged groups and future generations to care for this special area.

About the role

The focus of this role is to develop and grow income from corporate partnerships, helping us build on our award-winning approach to this area of fundraising.

This will involve working closely with our Development Manager to ensure excellent stewardship of existing partners, helping us to develop long term strategic partnerships tailored to a company’s CSR or ESG objectives. You will also help with the planning and delivery of an exciting volunteering programme geared around hands-on habitat creation and management work in the Yorkshire Dales, Nidderdale and Forest of Bowland.

To support our growth plans, you'll play an important role in our business development activity, helping to increase corporate income. This will involve prospect research, helping with the planning and delivery of corporate engagement events and cultivating opportunities for additional funding from existing partners.

We offer a working environment where everyone is valued and empowered to make a difference. As a member of a relatively small and supportive team, there will be plenty of opportunity for you to expand your skills, supporting our wider fundraising efforts and project delivery work.  

About you

We’re looking for a self-motivated, organised and creative fundraiser or sales person with proven experience in relationship management.

You will have excellent people skills and an ability to develop strong relationships with corporate partners as well as colleagues and supporters. You will also have good written skills, with experience of creating compelling and engaging communications that inspire and engage your target audience.

Delivering exceptional volunteering events is key to the success of our corporate partnerships, so experience in the planning and execution of engaging in person events will be of real value.

A key part of the role will be to support our business development activity, which will require strong research skills and an ability to identify prospects that share our passion for delivering positive social and environmental impact. Experience using a CRM system to cultivate new business will be a key asset in this role.

Underpinning all of this is your ability to work within our culture – which means sharing our values of being creative, caring, honest and enabling.

The deadline for applications is 11.59pm, Sunday 4th Janaury 2026.

Interviews will take place w/c 12th Janauary 2026.

Salary: £32,000 - £40,000 per annum depending on experience

Location: London (Westminster) and remote (hybrid working policy in place)

About the role

We are looking for a skilled fundraiser and communicator who is passionate about stewarding supporters, so that they feel valued and connected to our mission. This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in raising income for the charity, so that we can help keep historic churches open and in use. We are looking for someone who will be able will focus on building one-to-one relationships with high-net-worth individuals, legators and prospects who have the ability to give significant donations to increase the overall income of the charity. If you’re an enthusiastic, self-motivated, team-player with experience of major donor fundraising, then this is the role for you.

About the National Churches Trust

We want to keep the UK’s wonderful collection of church buildings well maintained, valued and in use. Working on the ground in all four nations, we support churches of all denominations. Our vision is to see open churches thriving at the heart of their communities.

Our mission:

We Speak Up: churches are valued and supported

We Build Up: churches are well maintained, adaptable and in good repair

We Open Up: churches are sustainable, open and welcoming support

Our values:

Being straightforward in responding to others’ needs

Providing support that makes a difference

Joining forces to achieve greater impact

Driving change that brings our vision closer

To find out more about this role, please download the job description including person specification.

To apply, please send a covering letter (max 2 sides) detailing your interest in the role and how you meet the requirements, together with a copy of your CV. For further information, please visit our website via the apply button.

Closing date: 18 January 2026.

Interview date: w/c 26 January 2026 in Westminster, London.

As the University builds on its proud heritage, we are looking for exceptional people to help shape our future. We provide a high-quality professional environment, inspired by our distinctive ethos and Catholic mission and values. Our values of excellence, generosity of spirit, inclusiveness and respect inspire us to create an academic community in which everybody is welcomed and which puts the student at the centre of all our endeavours.

St Mary’s University’s new Development Department has a bold five‑year strategy to grow philanthropy and deliver lasting impact. At its heart is the School of Medicine, opening in 2026 as one of the UK’s first socially accountable medical schools, dedicated to tackling health inequalities and serving diverse communities. In just its first year, our campaign has already secured £3.6m towards a £20m goal, funding capital projects, scholarships, and faculty. This is an extraordinary moment to join Development at St Mary’s: you will help shape a pioneering culture of philanthropy, inspire transformational gifts, and play a defining role in building a medical school of national significance and social purpose.

Job Purpose: 

We are seeking a dynamic, results‑driven Philanthropy Manager to grow our major donor programme in partnership with the Development Director. Your primary focus will be cultivating and securing five and six‑figure gifts from high‑net‑worth individuals, building a sustainable pipeline of transformational support. At this exciting moment in St Mary’s history, you will help drive a landmark £20m campaign for the new School of Medicine, inspiring donors to shape the future of UK medical education and tackle health inequalities. Working closely with senior leadership, academics, and campaign volunteers, you will translate strategic priorities into persuasive cases for support and steward lasting donor relationships.

If you thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment and want to make a meaningful impact we would love to hear from you. 

Closing date: 21 January 2026

Interviews are likely to be held w/c 2 February

St Mary’s University is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Learn more about our EDI initiatives and work as a Disability Confident employer. 

Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. St Mary’s University is holding a work visa sponsorship licence however we will not always be able to guarantee a Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship. To avoid disappointment, please ensure you meet the requirements of the Points Based System before applying as we will not be able to provide advice on individual cases. 

The Director is the senior leader of Firefly International, responsible for driving the charity’s mission to support war-affected children through the provision of education, mental health and peacebuilding programmes delivered in genuine partnership with our overseas partners. This is a hands-on leadership role within a small, donation-dependent charity, suited to an adaptable all-rounder who is motivated to lead growth and change rather than maintain the status quo. Firefly has a good track record and a good reputation and has both the will and the capacity to do more and do better, for the children it exists to serve.  To do that, it needs to recruit the right Director.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Essential:

• Experience in fundraising from individuals, charitable trusts and foundations, and companies: developing successful grant proposals, managing implementation of grants and reporting to funders
• Experience of working in a small charity
• Experience in organisational strategy development and implementation
• Experience of management, working with Trustee boards and of managing partnerships
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including representing an organisation in public

Desirable Skills and Knowledge:

• Experience of international humanitarian relief and development
• Experience of safeguarding policies and practices
• Demonstrated ability in budget setting and in management of budgets and financial reporting
• Capacity to plan and prioritise and to manage multiple, sometimes competing demands efficiently
• Experience of event management
• Experience of using social media to build awareness and engagement and for fundraising
• Experience of developing and managing close working relationships with partners
• Understanding of the contexts in which our partners work, in Bosnia, Palestine/Cairo and in Syria, and of the contexts for fundraising in the UK for these areas
• Awareness and sensitivity to the needs of war-affected children and the concerns of the individuals and organisations who support them
  

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Director’s role is to lead Firefly International in its mission to safeguard, extend and develop the activities conducted by its overseas partners.  Within that over-arching goal, to:

• Provide strategic leadership in collaboration with the Chair of the Trustee Board
• Secure sufficient funding to sustain long-term growth
• Manage existing partnerships in overseas project areas and build new ones, overseas and in the UK, in response to any new opportunities to meet the needs of war-affected children where we have relevant experience to offer.
• Lead and support the staff team and any volunteers
• Represent Firefly International as an ambassador for the organisation, its partners and more broadly for war-affected children

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Growth

• Lead Firefly’s strategic direction in Scotland, ensuring alignment with the charity’s mission and values
• Build Firefly’s visibility, credibility, and influence with its key stakeholders.

Income Generation

• Strengthen existing funder relationships and develop new funding opportunities
• Develop a compelling case for support

Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent Firefly at events and within networks relevant to its mission and objectives
• Build our supporter base and opportunities for engagement

Communications

• Ensure production of a high quality Annual Review and newsletters
• Take prime responsibility for the website as an attractive, user-friendly communications tool and mechanism for giving
•  Extend and develop our social media presence, ensuring high quality content.

Financial Management and Compliance

• Work with the Treasurer and Finance and Admin Officer to develop budgets and manage expenditure against them, providing accurate and timely information for the Board.
• Work with the independent examiner to facilitate a smooth process of examination of the annual accounts
• Ensure that Firefly remains fully compliant with all statutory authorities such as OSCR and that statutory reports and accounts are produced and filed to time.

OTHER DETAILS

• Our office is in central Edinburgh.  If you live further afield, you may still apply.  One of our team lives and works from home in south west England.
• The role requires travel within the UK and occasionally to project areas overseas.
• Reports to: Chair of the Board of Trustees
• Manages: staff team of three/four plus ad hoc volunteers
• Contract: Permanent, 35 hours pw.
• 25 days leave plus 8 public holidays
• Time Off In Lieu (TOIL)or extra hours worked
• Pension contribution.
• Open to discussing part time or flexible working arrangements

Development Manager - Major Gifts

Location: Kingston upon Thames (Hybrid working - minimum 2-3 days on campus)
Salary: £45,025 per annum
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Closing Date: midday Friday 16 January 2026
Interviews in person: TBC 28 or 29 Jan 2026

Help to shape the future of philanthropy and alumni engagement at Kingston University.

Kingston University is an incredible place to work. For over 125 years, we've been shaping student futures through academic excellence and forward-thinking teaching. Our recent TEF Gold rating reflects our commitment to delivering outstanding education and research. Through our ambitious Town House Strategy, we're embedding a progressive new model of education and driving innovation through partnerships with businesses, communities, and organisations.

The Development, Alumni Relations and Engagement (DARE) team plays a vital role in delivering these ambitions. With a global alumni community of over 270,000, we foster meaningful relationships that drive philanthropic support, unlock partnerships, and enhance the University's reputation and reach.

The Role

As Development Manager - Major Gifts, you will be a senior member of the DARE team, responsible for generating philanthropic income to meet ambitious annual targets. Reporting to the Head of Major Gifts, you will:

• Manage a portfolio of high-value donors (individuals, trusts & foundations, corporates), personally soliciting gifts of £10,000+.
• Support the pipeline of mid-level prospects and help develop ultra-high-net-worth individuals for transformative gifts.
• Deliver against KPIs and income targets, contributing to our goal of growing major giving from £450,000 annually to £1 million within three years.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders and academic leaders, producing compelling proposals and leading donor engagement.

This is a dynamic, outward-facing role requiring excellent relationship-building skills, strategic thinking, and a passion for the impact of fundraising in higher education.

About You

You will be an experienced and driven fundraiser with:

• A proven track record of securing and stewarding four-figure and above gifts.
• Strong influencing and communication skills, with confidence engaging high-profile individuals.
• Experience managing a varied portfolio and achieving ambitious KPIs.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to work across a complex organisation.

Experience in higher education or the charity sector is desirable, but not essential.

Why Join Us?

• Hybrid working (minimum 2-3 days on campus).
• A supportive, ambitious team committed to innovation and impact.
• The opportunity to make a lasting difference to students and the University community.

We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to building an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

Apply now and bring your expertise, passion, and authentic self to Kingston University.
Please share a copy of your profile or CV with Philippa at Charity People as the first step.

Benefits include:

* Generous holiday entitlement of 35 days (from entry at all levels), in addition to bank holidays

* Three 'meeting free' weeks each year to create space for reflection and time to plan for the period ahead

* Flexible working - we can consider and accommodate various work patterns

* Family-friendly policies that support the needs of our employees

* Exceptional professional development opportunities

Key Details
- Location: Kingston upon Thames (Hybrid working, 2-3 days/week on campus)
- Closing Date: midday on Friday 16 Jan
- Interview Date: in person provisionally 28 or 29 Jan

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

Location: London Hybrid (1-2 days per week in London office)
Interview date: w/c 19th January 2026 

Change lives in a life-changing career

When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. Independence is taken and confidence is stolen. Stability no longer exists. The future suddenly feels uncertain.

The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical. And that impact can be felt by entire family. That’s why we exist. Our specialist social workers help children and young people with cancer and their families navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer.

We remove barriers, solve problems and prioritise wellbeing. And we stop at nothing to make their voices heard and their unique needs understood, so they can get the right care and support at the right time

About the role

We are excited to be looking for someone with expertise in high value fundraising communications and project management to join our growing Philanthropy and Partnerships team. This role is central to ensuring our fundraisers are equipped with the tools, assets, and information they need to fundraise efficiently and effectively through every step of the donor journey

This exciting role will play key part in helping to drive our ambitious plans to grow Young Lives vs Cancer’s high value (for us, this means income from major donors, grant-making trusts & foundations, and companies) income to £8m net by 2028.

In this role, you will work on a variety of projects from concept stage through to delivery that will help create a step change in the pace and scale at which the team can attract, engage, secure and retain support from high value audiences.

You will also lead on the delivery of  an exceptional high-value stewardship and cultivation strategy, ensuring every supporter experiences a personalised, impactful journey. This includes developing innovative engagement opportunities, showcasing the tangible difference their support makes, and building deep, trust-based relationships that inspire long-term commitment. You will champion best-in-class stewardship practices, leveraging insight and creativity to strengthen connections and unlock transformational giving.

This role is ideal for a curious, creative and collaborative individual who is committed to delivering exceptional supporter experiences. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.   

What will I be doing?

No two days are the same at Young Lives vs Cancer. So, summarising your ‘day to day’ isn’t easy. Here are some of the main things you’ll be doing, but you’ll find more details in the job description.

Main responsibilities

• Create and maintain a suite of clear and compelling written and designed communications including funding propositions, toolkits and cases for support to secure six and seven figure gifts from high value audiences.
• Coordinate stewardship moments across Philanthropy and Partnerships aligned to key calendar events throughout the year.
• Being responsible for development and overseeing an exciting stewardship and cultivation strategy and action plan for newly identified and top prospects, designed to support the delivery of targets and KPIs around high value fundraising development and income growth.
• Support the development of a culture of philanthropy across the organisation by helping colleagues understand and engage with high-value fundraising. This includes keeping internal teams informed about donor impact, sharing updates through meetings and internal channels, and responding promptly to requests for information. You will help coordinate materials, prepare briefings, and assist with internal events that showcase the importance of philanthropy, ensuring everyone feels connected to and invested in our fundraising success.
• Ensure accurate and timely updating of donor stewardship activities and communications in the fundraising CRM, supporting effective donor journey tracking and reporting.

What do I need? 

Diverse perspectives and unique skillsets are at the heart of Young Lives vs Cancer. If you're passionate about making a positive impact and eager to learn, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet the criteria and person specification fully. Your potential is what matters most to us, and we’re committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment to help you develop.

Knowledge and skills

• Strong understanding of visual design principles and highly skilled in using Canva and other similar programme to design and create engaging fundraising assets.
• Knowledge of philanthropy & partnerships fundraising including an understanding of the different high value audiences and typical motivations for giving.
• Outstanding writing skills e.g. copy writing, proofreading and editing with the ability to adapt messaging for different high value audiences.
• Strong planning and organisational skills; able to work with tight deadlines.

Demonstrable experience of:

• Writing winning bids, applications, proposals or reports for at least one of our high value audiences e.g. companies, trusts and foundations, or high net worth individuals.
• End-to-end project management.
• Developing and managing relationships with multiple internal stakeholders to deliver results.
• Experience working with fundraising CRMs, with a strong understanding of how to record, track and report on donor interactions and stewardship activities.

What will I gain?

 For people to reach their full potential, they need the right environment. As a member of Team Young Lives, you’ll be made to feel supported, valued and appreciated. Here’s how we do it:

• Flexible working: we’re open to working hours outside of 9 - 5 and we can talk through your flexibility requirements at interview stage
• Wellbeing, Thinking & Growth Days: four days a year to to step back from the day-to-day and focus on your own learning and development
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Great family/caring leave entitlements
• Enhanced pension
• Access to our employee savings scheme

To find out more about our benefits package, have a look on our website.

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their sex, ethnicity, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation. We don’t just accept difference, we value it, celebrate it, nurture it and we thrive because of it.

We’re on a journey to be reflective of the diverse children, young people and families we support. We know we aren’t there yet, and we’re passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation. This includes taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. We particularly welcome applications from members of minoritised communities. Our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy will tell you more.

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. CVs can be uploaded, but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to fully complete the work history sections of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively.

Accessibility

We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always aim to be as accommodating as possible.Please let us know in your application form of any adjustments or access requirements we could make to help you with the application process and interview.

To arrange an informal chat, please contact Liam Mills. 

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