Principal Philanthropy Lead
The Elders
£70,000 per annum
UK-based, hybrid working
The Elders is seeking an experienced fundraiser to grow and diversify its income (traditionally dominated by large, long-term, unrestricted donations), at an exciting point in the organisation’s history.
Founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007, The Elders brings together independent global leaders who use their experience, influence and moral authority to work for peace, justice, human rights and a sustainable planet. The Elders’ 20th anniversary in 2027 is an opportunity to help shape the organisation’s next phase of philanthropic support.
This is a stand-alone, high-impact fundraising role for someone with the experience, ambition and global perspective to build trusted relationships with major donors and other philanthropic partners around the world.
The role
Reporting to the Director of Corporate Services and working closely with the Chief Executive and The Elders’ Advisory Council members, you will lead the development and implementation of The Elders’ fundraising strategy, with a particular focus on securing significant unrestricted funding alongside restricted support for specific projects.
You will:
Build strong relationships with existing donors, working closely with Advisory Council members to leverage their networks and knowledge.
Lead the full fundraising cycle from prospect identification and cultivation through to applications, stewardship and reporting.
Develop and manage a global pipeline of major donors, including individuals, foundations, donor-advised funds and family offices. (The Elders has never accepted funding from governments or the general public.)
Identify new philanthropic opportunities across different countries and stay abreast of global giving trends, with a focus on geographical diversification of The Elders’ income.
Develop compelling funding proposals and narratives that communicate the impact of The Elders’ complex international work.
Manage donor budgets and reporting across multiple currencies.
Contribute to the organisation’s long-term financial sustainability, including through exploring the possibility of setting up an endowment.
Represent The Elders at donor meetings and events internationally.
With the majority of The Elders’ income being unrestricted, you will play an important role in protecting the organisation’s independence and ability to respond to global events. The 20th anniversary in 2027 will also provide exciting opportunities to develop new philanthropic relationships and secure funding for significant initiatives.
About you
You will have extensive experience securing major gifts of $500k+, together with a sophisticated understanding of global philanthropy, and the gravitas to represent The Elders with very senior audiences.
You will bring:
Significant experience of major donor fundraising across individuals, foundations, donor-advised funds and/or family offices.
In-depth knowledge of the US philanthropic landscape and strong understanding of European and global philanthropy, including in some Global South countries.
Experience of cross-border giving and international fundraising, with the confidence and interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships across cultures and at a senior level.
A track record of developing fundraising strategies and building long-term donor relationships.
Strong financial literacy, including managing donor budgets across multiple currencies.
A flexible, hands-on and collaborative approach, with a commitment to the mission of The Elders.
Experience of working within diplomacy, advocacy or international affairs would be particularly valuable.
The opportunity
This is a rare opportunity to join a highly respected international organisation and make a direct contribution to its financial sustainability and continued ability to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
The role is based in the UK and you must have the right to work in the UK.
The Elders operate a hybrid working policy, with a high degree of flexibility. Attending the office is based on need not a quota of days, with certain activities best conducted in person. They also hold monthly “in days” when the whole UK team comes together. Aside from these obligations, you would be free to choose the balance between home and The Elders’ London office. International travel and some evening work across time zones will be required.
To apply, please submit your CV along with a Supporting Statement via the Giving Back Recruitment website.
We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds and are committed to an inclusive recruitment process.
To view the full details of the role and access the appointment brief, please visit the Giving Back Recruitment website.
Closing date: Wednesday 7 October 2026
First round interviews with Giving Back Recruitment: 13–16 October 2026
First stage interviews with The Elders: 22 October 2026
Second stage interviews with The Elders: w/c 2nd November 2026
For an informal and confidential discussion, please contact Anna Gardet, Director of Executive Search, or Erica Ritchie, Recruitment Consultant, at Giving Back Recruitment.
Placing Talent. Creating Impact. Giving Back



Using Anonymous Recruitment
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Job Title: Parliamentary and Public Affairs Manager
Reporting to: Director of Campaigns
Line reports: None
Salary: £44,350 per annum pro-rata (£ 35,480 per annum for 4 days per week)
Hours: 4 days (30 hours) or 5 days (37.5 hours) per week, with flexibility over working hours (core hours are 10.00-16.00).
Duration: 1-year contract renewable subject to funding
Start Date: As soon as possible
Location: London/Hybrid – minimum 2 days in the office (core days in the office are Tues & Weds) further office attendance is encouraged
Anti-oppressive statement
Foodrise is actively seeking to move through an anti-racist and anti-oppressive journey in every aspect of its work. We acknowledge that the environmental sector is less open to people from under-represented backgrounds, and we are strongly committed to identifying and correcting where we may be perpetuating patriarchal, white supremacist values and other forms of oppression in our organisational culture, partnerships, and community work. We especially want to hear from you if you feel that you have lived experience of power structures preventing you from accessing opportunities like this.
Read our full Equity, Justice and Anti-oppression statement.
Inclusive Recruitment
We have an opt-in Enhanced Chance Interview Scheme for candidates who declare a disability and/or are a person of colour and meet the essential criteria of the role profile. The scheme aims to provide a first-stage interview for candidates who meet the essential criteria of the role and opt in to the scheme.
If you would like to be considered under this scheme you must meet the essential minimum criteria for the role as outlined on the job description. You should take time to provide examples that you meet each of the essential criteria in your cover letter. Please ensure you select the relevant tick box on the application page ‘Enhanced Chance Interview Scheme’.
We are always happy to speak to candidates informally about the role before applying and encourage you to do so by contacting us.
About Us
Foodrise is a charity transforming the food system for climate, nature and justice.
We take bold action to uncover the root causes of injustice in our food system and expose how corporate power exploits people and the planet, while building truly just and resilient alternatives from the ground-up.
We speak truth to power. We take risks. We act where and when others won’t.
From launching legal action and producing hard-hitting research to working directly with local communities, we drive systemic change across food and farming, powered by grassroots energy and backed by the facts.
We exist to say what others won’t, do what others don’t, and never settle for “it can’t be done”. Change is possible, and we are rising to make it happen.
We are based in the UK and the Netherlands. See more about us on our website.
About the Role
The Parliamentary and Public Affairs Manager is a brand-new role for Foodrise. The successful candidate will lead on developing our first public and parliamentary affairs strategy to engage with political representatives and policymakers to advance our campaigning objectives and ensure progress towards our new strategic goals:
- Dismantling the animal industrial complex and supporting the transition to plant-rich food
- Eroding the social licence of large supermarkets and building alternative food economies
Ultimately, this role is about securing wins to meet our vision of a greener, fairer food system, where food is a commons, not a commodity.
This role is key to shaping public policy and legislative outcomes by building relationships, influencing decision-makers, and positioning Foodrise as an ambitious yet trusted voice in Westminster, Holyrood and amongst civil society across the UK. This role will work collaboratively with colleagues across campaigns, so would suit an adaptive candidate with strong communication skills, keen to advocate for Foodrise.
Job Description
Parliamentary and Public Affairs Strategy
- Develop and deliver a public affairs strategy aligned with organisational priorities and campaigns
- Identify and maximise opportunities to influence legislation, policy development, and public debate
- Monitor the UK political landscape, including Parliament, Government departments, and devolved administrations
Political Engagement & Influencing
- Build and maintain strong relationships with MPs, Peers, civil servants, special advisers, and political stakeholders
- Lead engagement with All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs), select committees, and public consultations
- Draft and coordinate parliamentary briefings, speeches, amendments, parliamentary questions and responses
- Work with lawyers to draft proposed legislation and legislative changes in support of our objectives
- Register for the UK lobbying register and keep our account up to date
- Lead high-impact advocacy moments such as parliamentary events, receptions, and policy launches
Integration of Parliamentary/Advocacy Asks into Foodrise’s Wider Work
- Work closely with campaigns and communications teams to integrate parliamentary and public affairs into campaigns
- Work closely with fundraisers and senior leadership to integrate parliamentary and policy asks in our fundraising and business development
- Ensure consistent and compelling advocacy messaging across all channels
- Provide regular updates and analysis on political developments relevant to the organisation’s work
- Track and evaluate the impact of public affairs activities
- Maintain accurate stakeholder records and engagement logs
- Work closely with our colleagues at Foodrise in the EU to support EU level advocacy where relevant to our campaigns
- Any other relevant tasks as requested by senior colleagues to support the organisation and further our objectives
Ways of Working
- Collaborative by default; independent work is balanced with regular coordination.
- Contribute to the development and embedding of anti-oppressive work across the organisation
- Flexible and adaptable in response to changing priorities.
- Present and available for colleagues, including regular in‑office presence.
- Proactive in communication, planning, and follow‑through.
Person Specification
Essential Knowledge, Experience and Network
- Extensive experience in public affairs, government relations, or political advocacy (at least 7 years’ working experience)
- Strong understanding of the UK political system, legislative processes, and policy-making
- Networks within the UK political and policy systems
- Knowledge of the key issues in food systems, environment and/or climate in the UK
Essential Skills
- Demonstrable experience of influencing political representatives, policymakers and delivering policy or campaign wins
- Excellent writing, analytical and research skills.
- Excellent organisational skills, with strong attention to detail.
- Outstanding communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.
- The ability to work collaboratively; build, maintain and develop flexible working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
What You Will Bring to Foodrise
- A can-do attitude, flexibility and adaptability, alongside a willingness to pitch in on delivery and help colleagues across the team, recognising that Foodrise is a small, nimble organisation with fast-changing priorities.
- An understanding of anti-oppressive practice and how it applies to Foodrise’s work and the role, and the ability to represent diverse perspectives through the work of the organisation.
- Sharing Foodrise’s values: audacity, collaboration, impact, celebration, solidarity.
- Willingness to undertake some limited travel domestically and abroad.
What We Offer
- Personal training and wellbeing funds
- Regular team socials
- Workplace pension
- Enhanced parental leave
- Enhanced sick leave
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Home & Tech scheme
- Flexible working hours (core hours 10am-4pm)
How to Apply
Please apply via Charity Jobs with:
- Your CV (no longer than 2 A4 pages total)
- A cover letter (no longer than 1 A4 page) explaining how you meet the criteria in the person specification with examples, and why you would like to work at Foodrise.
Deadline to apply: 10am, Tuesday 22nd September
Successful candidates for interview will be notified by Thursday 24th September.
Shortlisted candidates will be sent our new strategy ahead of the interview, along with details of an hour-long written task to be completed at home – this will be sent prior to the interview at a time convenient for you.
First round interviews will be held on Thursday 1st October.
Second round interviews will be held on Thursday 8th October.
Sign up to join our Recruitment Q&A Zoom session on Wednesday 2nd September, 12-1pm. Our HR & Operations Manager will talk through the recruitment process and answer any questions you may have. Please note that this session is focussed on the recruitment process. If you have any questions specific to the role, please contact us.
For any questions, access requirements, or if you require the job description in a different format, please contact us.
AI policy – We understand that you may use AI to help with your application, however we want to hear your authentic voice throughout your application.
Please apply via Charity Jobs with:
• Your CV (no longer than 2 A4 pages total)
• A cover letter (no longer than 1 A4 page) explaining how you meet the criteria in the person specification with examples, and why you would like to work at Foodrise.
Deadline to apply: 10am, Tuesday 22nd September
Foodrise is a charity transforming the food system for climate, nature and justice.