Major donor fundraising manager jobs in Manchester, greater manchester
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Smart Works is a dynamic, high profile and fast-growing UK charity that dresses and coaches unemployed women for success at their job interview. We empower each woman by giving her the clothes and the confidence she needs to succeed.
After visiting Smart Works, 68% of clients secure a job, gaining financial independence and transforming their lives.
The Smart Works service is delivered in London, Greater Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Newcastle, Reading, Bristol and Leeds. Over the past ten years, Smart Works has helped over 50,000 women, and last year alone we reached 10,600 women. It is our mission that any woman who needs our service should be able to find her way to a Smart Works centre.
In 2025 we launched our new 5 year strategy- we are aiming to build a future where every woman, at any stage of her career, can access trusted, personalised support to secure employment. We aspire to be local in feel, national in reach, shaped by the voices of women, valuing every story and every success.
More information about who we are can be found on our Smart Works website.
About the Role
The Partnerships & Philanthropy Manager will lead all fundraising activity, including stakeholder partnerships and grant/trust income, overseeing a six figure annual income portfolio. They will work with the Head of Smart Works Greater Manchester, the Events & Comms Lead, and the Board of Trustees to deliver the fundraising strategy, activity plan, manage the budget, and support the organisation’s long term sustainability.
Therefore, we are looking for an energetic, creative and forward thinking individual to join our dynamic team and help secure the long term future of Smart Works Greater Manchester (SWGM). The role requires a self starting and proactive approach, excellent communication and networking skills, strong organisational abilities, experience in generating income, and a strong commitment to stewarding relationships with donors, partners and supporters.
The role will be based at our Smart Works centre in Manchester city. As part of the wider SWGM team, working as one team alongside our Stockport centre, where occasional flexibility to work from will be required, the successful candidate will take part in key Smart Works Greater Manchester events and networking activity, which will include some evening and weekend work.
Smart Works Greater Manchester is part of Smart Works Charity, with centres across the UK. As part of this network, the role will work alongside peers from across the charity through established peer working groups.
We are a community that shares a passion to empower women to thrive in work and life, determined to meet our aim of helping as many women as we can back into work. If you’re passionate about supporting women, then this is an ideal opportunity for you.
How to Apply
Please head to our website to view the full job description and to apply via our recruitment system. Applications close at Midnight on Sunday 8th February.
Smart Works is committed to best practice employment practices, including reducing the burden for those seeking work. Smart Works will therefore reimburse reasonable costs of travel to interviews if required.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are thrilled to be working in partnership with Spurgeons, who believe in creating brighter futures for children, young people, and families. As one of the UK's leading children's charities, firmly supported by Christian beliefs and values, Spurgeons helps vulnerable children and their families by delivering projects that support them and their communities to find long-lasting solutions to the challenges they face.
We are seeking a Senior Philanthropy Manager to secure transformational income through high-value giving strategies across major donors, legacies, trusts, foundations, and corporate partnerships. By building meaningful relationships and inspiring generosity, you'll create long-term partnerships that deliver life-changing support for children, young people, and families.
As a member of the fundraising management team contributing to shaping and delivering the overall Fundraising & Engagement strategy, you'll provide supportive line management to two direct reports. You'll develop and implement high-value donor giving strategies to drive sustainable year-on-year income growth, while building and nurturing meaningful relationships with high-value donors and managing your own portfolio with robust cultivation and stewardship plans.
Working with the Director of Fundraising & Engagement, you'll collaborate with senior leaders and trustees to identify new income opportunities. You'll implement and drive the Legacy and In-Memory strategy, oversee stewardship programmes for legacy pledgers, lead strategic pipeline development for Trusts and Foundations, and develop and deliver a Corporate Fundraising strategy. Conducting in-depth research and wealth screening, you'll identify and evaluate prospects while monitoring KPIs, budgets, and ROI against strategic plans.
The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:
- Proven experience of line management and team leadership
- Proven experience of donor management, demonstrating the ability to build and steward high-value, income-generating relationships
- Demonstrable experience of achieving or exceeding income targets, delivering year-on-year net income growth
- Track record of developing, managing and growing high-value pipelines across major donors, trusts and foundations, legacies and corporate partners
- Proven success in major gift fundraising, including securing five or six figure gifts through face-to-face asks
By month 3, you'll have reviewed current high-value fundraising strategies and met key internal stakeholders including the Director of Fundraising, SLT, and Trustees. By month 6, you'll have launched refined Major Donor and Legacy strategies, developed a robust prospect pipeline, and initiated at least one new corporate partnership. By month 12, you'll have delivered a measurable increase in high-value income across all streams, embedded legacy messaging across all fundraising channels, and secured multi-year commitments from at least two major donors or trusts.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a team that isn't just goal-driven, but fuelled by creativity, passion, and a love for bold ideas to drive positive change! You'll be part of a team that celebrates successes and believes in fostering a positive and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and inspired to do their best work.
For more information, please contact Nick Thomas, Senior Consultant, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Your application should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.
Charisma is committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment processes. If you have any reasonable adjustments or wish to apply for this role under the Disability Confident Scheme, please confirm in your application, or contact our Operations Teams separately. Charisma will ensure all candidates who disclose that they wish to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme and that meet the minimum criteria for the role will receive an opportunity to interview with the Charisma Consultant representing the vacancy.
We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law.
Location: Home based
Closing date: Sunday 8th February 2026
Charisma vetting interviews must be completed by Tuesday 10th February 2026
1st round interviews with Spurgeons: w/c 16th February 2026
Final round interviews with Spurgeons: w/c 23rd February 2026
Registered Charity
101 - 500
We create family hubs where we’re needed most, so, when a family member needs support, turn to us.
