Fundraising director jobs

Director of Fundraising & Development
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Starting salary: IRO £52,014 + excellent benefits
Contract type: Permanent
Working hours: Full time
Location: Bickley Hall Farm, Malpas, Cheshire SY14 8EF (with travel across the county). Hybrid and flexible working available

Nature in Cheshire is under pressure but together, we can turn the tide.

Cheshire Wildlife Trust is looking for an inspiring Director of Fundraising & Development to help us grow the support, income, and engagement needed to restore wildlife across the region.

About Us

Cheshire Wildlife Trust is a locally rooted, values-driven charity working to ensure wildlife has a future on land and at sea. As part of the UK-wide federation of Wildlife Trusts, we combine strong local knowledge with national influence.

Supported by more than 17,500 members and thousands of volunteers and partners, we are trusted to speak up for nature, to act boldly, and to deliver lasting change.

About You and The Role

In this senior leadership role, you will lead our fundraising, development and communications teams, shaping strategies that grow our support base so that we can do more for nature. You will build relationships with donors, funders and partners, develop compelling fundraising campaigns and propositions, and inspire a talented team to deliver ambitious goals.

We are looking for someone with a proven track record in fundraising, individual giving, supporter engagement or marketing, who can think strategically, act decisively and creatively, and lead with passion. Most importantly, you will share our belief that everyone has a part to play in creating a wilder future and will help make that possible for Cheshire.

Working with us means making a tangible difference for wildlife, people, and communities. We offer excellent benefits, flexible and hybrid working, a supportive culture, professional development, and the chance to see your work make a real impact across Cheshire’s landscapes.

Closing date: Sunday 15 February 2026

Interested?

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

We welcome applicants who share our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and who believe that nature’s recovery must involve everyone.

You may be required to carry out a DBS check for this role.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Sorry, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this position.

No agencies please.

Harris Hill is delighted to be working in partnership with Internet Matters to recruit an exceptional Strategy & Fundraising Director to lead commercial growth and help shape a safer digital world for children.

Salary: £80,000 – £85,000
Location: Hybrid – Blackfriars, London (2 days office-based per week)
Contract: Permanent, full-time

Internet Matters is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping families keep children safe online. Founded by BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media O2, and now supported by partners including TikTok, Samsung and Roblox, the organisation is a trusted voice in online safety, reaching over 10 million users globally each year.

This is a pivotal leadership role, reporting directly to the CEO and sitting on the senior management team. You will lead the organisation’s commercial and fundraising strategy, ensuring long-term financial sustainability while driving innovative partnerships and funding opportunities across corporate, grant, philanthropic and international income streams.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and leading Internet Matters’ overall commercial and fundraising strategy
• Growing and managing a high-value partnership pipeline with major commercial organisations
• Creating compelling partnership propositions aligned with mission and partner goals
• Identifying and securing grant, project and philanthropic funding opportunities
• Leading strategic initiatives from concept through to delivery
• Working closely with internal teams across Digital & Content, Research & Policy and Partnerships & Marketing

We are seeking a commercially astute and strategic leader with:

• Significant experience in strategy, planning or commercial development roles
• A strong track record of delivering material income growth or commercial impact
• Exceptional relationship-building and influencing skills at senior levels
• Experience developing propositions, business cases and pricing models
• A collaborative leadership style suited to a small, agile and mission-driven organisation

Experience in corporate fundraising or social impact partnerships is desirable but not essential. What matters most is your ability to think creatively, build meaningful partnerships and drive sustainable growth in support of a powerful social mission.

In return, you will join a respected and influential organisation at a time of growing national and global relevance, with the opportunity to work alongside some of the world’s largest consumer brands on critical issues affecting children’s wellbeing online.

For the full job pack, please send your CV to

Deadline: Wednesday 18th February at 9am

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

Job term            Permanent, Part time, three days a week (0.75FTE)

Salary                £86,400 FTE (£64,800 for 24 hours per week) plus attractive benefits

Based                Hybrid. One day in office in London SW4 and two days remote. Fully remote and international candidates will also be considered.

Reports to           Executive Director

Alliance Publishing Trust (APT) aims to facilitate the exchange of ideas among people in philanthropy working for social change. We aspire to contribute to building an effective, accountable and thriving philanthropy field by being a ‘critical friend’ to philanthropy worldwide.

To do this we produce Alliance magazine, the leading quarterly publication for philanthropy and social investment worldwide and respected in the sector for thirty years. Each issue provides a special in-depth feature on a key aspect of philanthropy and social investment, with contributors from around the world and expert guest editors as well as interviews, news and book reviews.

We also produce over 700 items of digital content per year: providing premium interviews and articles published exclusively every Tuesday; daily free-to-read news, conference reports and a space for thinking, debate and peer exchange among philanthropy practitioners worldwide; weekly coverage of climate and gender philanthropy, monthly columns and more. In addition to written content, we convene 24 events a year to discuss the latest topics in philanthropy with speakers and attendees across the globe. 

With a core staff team based in London, valued freelance support and a team of representatives around the world, we work with the leading organisations and practitioners worldwide to deliver our charitable mission. APT aims to create a culture of collective involvement where all team members can contribute to both the direction and processes of the organisation. We aim to be a fluid organisation, being able to introduce new ideas in quick time, enabling us to punch above our weight and deliver impact at a level beyond our size. We have an outstanding team in place and are in a positive period of growth as we continue to deliver our long term strategy for 2030 and begin to create plans for beyond. APT is proud to be both an accredited Living Wage Employer and 4-Day Week Employer.

Opportunity

As Alliance celebrates its 30th anniversary we are currently seeking a curious, motivated and collaborative individual to join us in the new role of Director of Philanthropy Knowledge. This externally-facing senior role would suit experienced candidates with a passionate interest in philanthropy and with a truly global mindset. Candidates should be eager to both learn about and examine philanthropic giving in all forms and in all contexts.

Building on the strong position of the organisation you will play a key role in shaping the organisational strategy and direction  in the years ahead through the knowledge and insights you will develop and maintain. To excel in this role, you will need to be able to forge positive professional relationships with senior leaders, both at large global institutions and small grassroots organisations.

Summary of main duties and responsibilities

The Director of Philanthropy Knowledge’s principal responsibilities are to keep up-to-date with the developments of the global philanthropy sector; be a proactive knowledge resource for the editorial team; build and maintain a strong network of relationships with key individuals and organisations on every continent; and to work with the Executive Director on generating philanthropic funding and support in line with APT’s strategy.

Knowledge

• Develop expansive knowledge of the global philanthropy sector, the people and organisations in that space, and to keep up with the latest trends and developments
• Maintain this knowledge through reading, research and global event attendance
• Ensure that this knowledge is built on hearing from a broad range of diverse voices and perspectives
• Share this knowledge with the in-house editorial team to help shape the editorial strategy, the publication’s understanding of the sector, and the Alliance event programme
• Share this knowledge with the sector through commentary including written contributions for Alliance and speaking at sector events

Relationship building

• Build and maintain a strong network of relationships with key individuals and organisations on every continent
• Be confident and comfortable to meet with the senior leaders of the sector to learn about their work.
• Be able to connect with leaders from a variety of cultures and contexts
• Attend relevant worldwide conferences and events to connect with key individuals and look for opportunities for how they may contribute towards Alliance’s mission. Eg; as guest editors, contributors, members of the Editorial Advisory Council, or in other forms of organisational partnership with Alliance.

Philanthropic funding & support

• Steward existing relationships with key core funders and sponsors of Alliance
• Ensure grant requirements are positively delivered in good time
• Work with the Executive Director to identify and approach potential funders – both core and project - and sponsors of Alliance
• Ensure that APT’s philanthropic support grows in line with APT’s fundraising goals to match its strategy and plans

General

• Manage a personal travel budget  to support the three core areas above
• Meet staff regularly to ensure seamless input into editorial and organisational plans
• Be an active team member, contributing ideas to the long-term development of Alliance
• Work on required tasks relating to any other APT projects

Person specification

Essential

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of the global philanthropy sector and the people and organisations active within it
• Strong existing personal network of people and organisations working within philanthropy
• Strong communication skills and a proven track record of building and maintaining positive professional relationships
• Experience of generating philanthropic support for charitable projects and stewarding the associated relationships

Desired

• High levels of organisation and ability to manage own workload
• Experience of public speaking and/or writing in a professional capacity
• Proficiency in a second language

Benefits

Alliance Publishing Trust is committed to a happy and healthy place to work. We offer extensive benefits to UK employees including but not limited to:

• Four-day work week
• Flexible working, both in terms of times and location
• Equivalent of 7 weeks of annual leave (including Bank Holidays) rising to 8 weeks depending on service
• Enhanced pension
• Life assurance
• Enhanced occupational sick pay
• Leading enhanced parental policies
• Critical illness insurance
• Health cash plan for services and items such as dental and opticians
• Monthly physical wellbeing stipend
• Mental wellbeing support app
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Interest free tenancy deposit loan
• Travel insurance
• Employee volunteering day

Application Process

Deadline for application:  Friday 06 February 2026, 17:00pm (UK time)

Please submit your CV and covering letter via the Charity Jobs portal. In your cover letter you should address your suitability for this role based on the relevant skills and experience outlined in this job description. Please also state where you saw the job vacancy.

Interviews will be held on the week beginning Monday 16 February (in-person preferred but remote options available). Shortlisted candidates will be notified and invited by email prior. We are a small organisation and only successful interview candidates will be contacted.

Anticipated start date: 11 May 2026 but open to an earlier start date should availability allow. A job offer will be subject to a right to work check and the receipt of at least two satisfactory references.

If you have a disability, a learning difficulty such as dyslexia or a medical condition which you believe may affect your performance during application process, we'll be happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to perform at your best. As part of our ongoing commitment to an accessible recruitment process, applicants are encouraged to contact APT to discuss any support or assistance they may have during the application process. Please email vanessa at vanessa@alliancemagazine dot org in the first instance.

Founded in 1927, the University of Hull has a long and proud history. Through our teaching, research and civic engagement, we are helping to shape and deliver the future prosperity of our region and far beyond. 

Leading the Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement team, the Director will drive the design and implementation of the University’s inaugural comprehensive fundraising campaign, launching it at the culmination of our centenary celebrations in summer 2028. Building on progress made to date, the Director will leverage the centenary to elevate the roles of philanthropy and alumni engagement in support of the University’s future ambitions. 

Person specification: 
- Extensive knowledge of philanthropy, preferably within higher education, including fundraising best practice
- Extensive knowledge of alumni engagement and its role in building connections and supporting wider institutional priorities
- Demonstrable track record of building relationships and working with prospects to secure gifts at the six-figure level and above
- Experience of leading philanthropic campaigns and exceeding fundraising targets
- Experience of leading and managing teams carrying out philanthropic and/or engagement activities 
- Experience of strategic and data-driven operational planning and performance management

Dixon Walter is leading the candidate search on behalf of the University. For more information and details of how to apply by 15 February, please see the candidate brief.

#Director
#DirectorPhilanthropyandAlumniEngagement
#UniversityofHull

Director of Fundraising

Location: Hammersmith, London (2 or 3 days per week in the office)
Hours: 37.5 per week
Salary: £75,000–£80,000 per annum
Reporting to: Chief Executive
Term: Permanent

Aquilas is delighted to be partnering with The Honeypot Children’s Charity to recruit a visionary Director of Fundraising to lead the organisation into its next phase of growth and impact.

About Honeypot:

For over 30 years, Honeypot has supported young carers aged 5–12 across the UK, providing respite and learning breaks alongside a holistic range of services. We create safe, nurturing environments where children facing demanding home responsibilities can thrive and reach their full potential.

Our work supports children caring for a sick or disabled parent or sibling through ongoing, tailored services including respite and educational breaks, wellbeing grants, healthy eating and nutrition support, and pastoral care. We focus on early intervention and work in partnership with more than 130 referral organisations to provide sustained support for up to eight years, depending on individual need.

About the role:

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director of Fundraising will lead and deliver ambitious fundraising strategies, grow income streams, strengthen partnerships, and secure sustainable funding to support Honeypot’s vital work. The successful candidate will bring proven fundraising leadership experience, strong relationship-building skills, and a genuine passion for improving outcomes for young carers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and deliver the fundraising strategy
• Lead, manage, and inspire the fundraising team
• Build and maintain relationships with major donors, corporates, and grant-makers
• Ensure compliance and best practice in fundraising
• Grow income through Charity of the Year partnerships

Person Specication:

• Proven track record in income generation
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Charity sector experience (desirable)

To Apply:

To receive a candidate pack or arrange a confidential conversation, please contact:

Kieran McGorrian, Head of Not for Profit Appointments, Aquilas (contact details in candidate pack)

Our client has an unparalleled history as a pioneering repertory theatre and the launchpad for some of the most exciting talent in UK theatre both past and present. Established in 1913, producing theatre is the core of the organisation's mission and it creates up to ten productions a year. Now, the team will hire a new Director of Fundraising and Prospectus is leading the search.

The Director of Fundraising is responsible for the delivery and growth of all contributed income, leading the development and management of fundraising targets and budgets, with a primary focus on trusts and foundations, alongside other fundraising routes including major donors, corporate partnerships, individual giving, membership, patrons and events. The postholder will ensure a detailed and sustainable fundraising strategy is implemented and will expand and cultivate prospective supporters across all income steams, managing a brilliant team and working closely with colleagues in Creative Learning and Talent Development departments.  

The selected candidate will have a proven track record of accomplishment in fundraising and will be able to demonstrate strategic thinking ideally within an arts fundraising setting. Capital fundraising experience and knowledge will be key too, with the postholder able to demonstrate a track record of telling compelling stories to captivate donors for revenue and capital fundraising asks.  You will have a proven track record of significant fundraising across a variety of sources and will ideally have experience of creating and implementing ambitious and credible fundraising strategies and delivery plans.

This role is offered on a hybrid basis with three days a week in the office.

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy/maternity. If you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the process then please contact Ryan Burdock at Prospectus.

If you feel you meet some of the criteria but not all, we really hope you'll enquire and learn more. Prospectus can advise and support on each part of the role and hopefully your application, so we look forward to hearing from you.      
 
 In order to apply please submit your CV in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will arrange for a meeting to brief you on the role. You'll then have all the information you need to formally apply. We are looking forward to connecting with you soon.