Head of principal gifts jobs
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Salary: £65,000-£68,000 per year
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: UK (minimum 2 days per week in the London office)
Work Pattern: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week with the opportunity for flexible working hours
Reporting To: Chief Engagement Officer
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit an anonymised CV and covering letter (please remove any identifying details such as name, address, or photos) by midnight on 1st July via the Workable link.
In your covering letter, please demonstrate your motivations for applying for the role, how the position aligns with your career plans, and the experience (professional, voluntary, or lived) that makes you a strong fit for the role in line with our values and the criteria outlined in the job description.
We encourage candidates to ensure their responses reflect their own skills, experiences, and personal voice. If AI tools are used, candidates should also explain how and why they used them.
Please use see our AI guidance for Job Applicants.
INTERVIEW STAGES
The selection process will consist of three stages (dates will be confirmed with shortlisted candidates):
- First-round interview w/c 13th July
- Second-round interview w/c 20th July
Candidates will be asked to prepare a presentation (10–12 minutes maximum) on a major donor stewardship communications plan. Candidates should allocate no more than 3 hours to prepare this task.
- Final interview with the CEO w/c 27th July
ABOUT THE ROLE
Mission 44 exists to drive change and build a fairer, more inclusive future for young people around the world. As our work and partnerships continue to grow, so does our ambition to tell powerful stories that shine a light on the barriers young people face, champion solutions, and inspire meaningful action.
The Head of Major Donors will play a critical role in strengthening and stewarding Mission 44’s relationships with high-value donors, philanthropists, and strategic supporters.
This role will work alongside the Chief Engagement Officer to lead the development and delivery of a thoughtful, personalised and impactful Major Donors programme that deepens donor pipeline and engagement, increases contributions, strengthens long-term relationships, and inspires continued investment in Mission 44’s mission and impact.
The successful candidate will combine exceptional relationship management skills, a solid network of donors, strong project coordination and communications, with strategic thinking.
They will work closely across fundraising, communications, programmes and leadership teams to ensure donors experience meaningful engagement with Mission 44’s work, values and community.
Requirements
MAJOR DONOR CULTIVATION AND RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT (70%)
- Lead the organisation’s cultivation of new donors and deepening of the major donor pipeline.
- Personally lead the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major donors and prospects for six/seven-figure gifts.
- Lead the implementation of Mission 44’s global major donor stewardship strategy, ensuring all major donors feel engaged in and inspired.
- Manage and coordinate stewardship plans for high-value donors and philanthropic partners
- Build trusted, long-term relationships with major supporters through thoughtful and personalised engagement
- Develop tailored donor journeys that reflect supporter interests, motivations and impact priorities
- Identify opportunities to deepen donor engagement and increase long-term support
- Provide administrative support for the Global Growth Committee
- Work with Head of Engagement and Events to plan and deliver donor engagement opportunities at events, briefings, roundtables and programme visits to bring donors closer to our work
- Support leadership engagement with major donors and key stakeholders
- Coordinate donor experiences linked to Mission 44 campaigns, partnerships and strategic moments
- Help create meaningful opportunities for supporters to connect with Mission 44’s mission, young people and impact
DONOR COMMUNICATIONS AND IMPACT REPORTING (20%)
- Ensure donors receive timely, high-quality communication and reporting
- Coordinate the creation of bespoke donor updates, reports and impact communications
- Work collaboratively with programme and communications teams to translate impact into compelling donor narratives
- Work with the communications team to ensure stewardship materials are high quality, aligned to brand and reflective of Mission 44’s values
- Support the development of case studies, impact stories and donor-facing content
SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT AND COLLABORATION (10%)
- Maintain accurate donor records, engagement tracking and stewardship activity within CRM systems
- Monitor stewardship activity, timelines and reporting commitments
- Contribute to donor analysis, segmentation and fundraising insights
- Work closely with wider fundraising colleagues, communications and impact teams to deliver integrated supporter engagement
- Support senior leadership and ambassadors with donor preparation, briefing materials and relationship management
- Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing fundraising culture
ABOUT YOU: SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL
- Significant experience in major donor cultivation, stewardship, philanthropy or high-value relationship management
- Proven track record of managing relationships with high-net-worth individuals, philanthropists or strategic supporters
- Experience developing and delivering donor stewardship plans and engagement strategies
- Proven success in the direct solicitation and stewardship of six- and seven-figure philanthropic contributions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience producing high-quality donor reports and communications
- Strong project management and organisational skills
- Experience working with CRM systems and donor databases
- Some travel, particularly to the US
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders effectively
DESIRABLE
- Experience of major donor management at a global level
- Experience of Fundraising for a grant-making / campaigning organisation
- Experience with Principal Gifts processes
- Experience supporting fundraising campaigns or major gifts programmes
- Understanding of education equity, youth opportunity or systems change work
- Experience working within high-profile or fast-paced organisations
- Event management and donor engagement experience
PERSONAL QUALITIES
- Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail
- Emotionally intelligent and discreet
- Strategic and proactive thinker
- Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to communicate impact in a compelling and authentic way
- Passion for equity, inclusion and social justice
- Commitment to Mission 44’s values and mission
- Resilient with demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Benefits
- Enjoy 28 days annual leave, plus a day for your birthday
- Use our cycle-to-work scheme and free gym access
- Save for retirement with our generous pension package
- We finish every Friday at noon in August
- Optional health insurance and acccess to an EAP
- Professional development budget of £1k
- Unlimited volunteering leave, as agreed with your manager
- Wellbeing allowance to spend in whatever way works for you
- Competitive parental leave package
Registered Charity
21 - 50
Mission 44 is a charity launched by Lewis Hamilton to drive change so that every young person can thrive in school and access great careers in STEM.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
The Sandhurst Trust - an extraordinary community.
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst has shaped leaders since 1802. Spanning heads of state, generals, ministers, diplomats and captains of industry – the Sandhurst alumni community is remarkable.
The Sandhurst Trust is the Academy’s independent charitable foundation and is responsible for securing philanthropic support for the Academy and its community, supporting expansion, innovation and initiatives that government funding alone cannot sustain.
The Trust is at an inflection point. With new leadership and momentum, we are looking for exceptional development leaders to help build a once-in-a-generation philanthropic programme for an institution whose purpose has never felt more urgent.
Director of Alumni Engagement and Regular Giving
£80,000 - £90,000 (depending on experience)
Old College, The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) GU15, Hybrid
As Director of Alumni Engagement and Regular Giving and the CEO’s Deputy, you will have the chance to build and lead a best-in-class programme that will form the future foundation of the Trust’s philanthropic strategy, engaging, igniting and transforming the alumni community into a powerful and sustainable source of long-term support.
Head of Major and Principal Giving
£80,000 - £90,000 (depending on experience)
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) GU15, Hybrid
The Head of Major and Principal Giving will cultivate and secure major and principal gifts from a highly receptive and loyal constituency in the UK and internationally. With a portfolio that is rich in potential and ready for discovery, this is an outstanding opportunity for an entrepreneurial fundraiser.
Head of Operations
£50,000 - £55,000 (depending on experience with scope to go beyond for an exceptional candidate)
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) GU15, Hybrid
As Head of Operations and a member of the senior leadership team, you will play a key role in shaping the systems, governance, and operational infrastructure that will support the Trust’s long-term success. You will also play a critical role in shaping a high-performing and collaborative operational culture.
These leadership roles offer something that is genuinely rare in the fundraising profession: the opportunity to build something exceptional from the ground up, at a cornerstone British institution whose story, community and moment in time combine to make the case for philanthropy almost uniquely compelling. The Sandhurst Trust is looking to build a team full of passion and ambition so if this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.
The Trust operates a hybrid working model with two days onsite (Old College, RMAS, Camberley, GU15 4PQ).
Closing date: Midnight on 30 June 2026
Interested?
Please familiarise yourself with the attached Candidate Packs.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter clearly staing which role you are applying for.
The Sandhurst Trust is partnering with Erin Hall-Westfall and Joanna Logan of Constellate Global Talent on this search.
No agencies please.
Please familiarise yourself with the attached Candidate Pack.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter clearly staing which role you are applying for by midnight on 30 June 2026.
Thank you!
Are you an ambitious senior major gifts fundraiser inspired by the power of medical research to transform lives?
Charity People is delighted to be partnering once again with the University of Oxford - one of the world's leading biomedical research institutions - to recruit a Senior Philanthropy specialist into its high-performing Medical Sciences Development team.
This is an extraordinary opportunity to join a collaborative, internationally respected fundraising team at the forefront of global medical advancement, securing philanthropic investment that accelerates discoveries from lab to patient. You'll join at a pivotal moment as Oxford prepares for their landmark campaign, Oxford Excellence, with a major strategic focus on improving health so that we can all live longer, healthier lives.
As a truly global institution, Oxford actively welcomes applications from candidates around the world and particularly encourages applications from the global majority. There is potential for visa sponsorship and relocation support, where required.
Location: Oxford, with hybrid working (typically 2-3 days per week working from home)
Contract: Permanent, full-time or reduced hours considered.
Salary: Grade 8 - £49,119 to £58,265, with potential progression to £63,336, including an Oxford University Weighting of £1,730 (pro-rata)
About the role
With 12 Nobel Laureates across its long and distinguished history, Oxford's Medical Sciences Division is internationally recognised for excellence across the full spectrum of medical research - from molecular science and genetics to population health, policy and global health initiatives.
Philanthropy plays a critical role in enabling this work, helping researchers push forward life-changing discoveries and translating innovation into real-world impact.
Working closely with the Head of Development, you'll lead on a portfolio of major and principal gift relationships, securing transformational philanthropic support for pioneering medical research. As well as building long-term partnerships with high-value donors, you'll also closely collaborate with senior academics and researchers to shape compelling philanthropic opportunities, inspired by world-class science.
This is a role offering real autonomy, influence and intellectual breadth, with a rare opportunity to help shape the future of medicine and health at a world-leading institution.
About you
You're a confident, relationship-led fundraiser with a track record of securing complex, high-value philanthropic support, already having secured six-figure gifts and possibly beyond.
We're looking for someone with:
- Significant experience in major gifts fundraising, with the ability to lead sophisticated donor relationships with confidence and credibility.
- Strategic thinking coupled with precise delivery skills - organised, proactive and outcome-focused.
- Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders.
- Curiosity, adaptability and the intellectual agility to work across diverse medical research themes and priorities.
Experience within higher education, healthcare, medical research, life sciences or global health would be highly beneficial, but not essential if you have the appetite and ability to learn. Above all, you're inspired by Oxford's unique potential to transform philanthropic gifts into breakthroughs in medicine and health.
What's on offer
Your wellbeing matters, and the University of Oxford offers a comprehensive and generous benefits package, including:
- Flexible hybrid working
- An excellent contributory pension scheme
- 38 days annual leave
- Membership of CASE
- Ongoing training and development opportunities
- A comprehensive range of childcare services
- Family leave schemes
- Cycle loan scheme
- Membership of a variety of social and sports clubs
- Discounted bus travel and season ticket travel loan
To find out more or to apply, please get in touch with Amelia Lee at Charity People with a copy of your CV or professional profile. If your experience matches what we're looking for, then we'll be in touch with more details.
Deadline: 9am on Monday 22nd June
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.
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