Senior corporate fundraising and philanthropy officer jobs
Location: Contracted to our Peterborough office with the flexibility for hybrid working
Contract Type: 12-month fixed term contract – maternity cover
Full time: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £36,000 - £42,000 depending on experience
Benefits: We want all our employees to feel valued and engaged and are committed to offering a positive working culture along with a good work-life balance. As well as ensuring we pay our employees fairly, we offer the following benefits: Flexible working, Generous annual leave, Private Medical Insurance, including dental and optical, Pension Scheme, Sick Pay, Death in Service, Employee Assistance Programme, Bike Loan Scheme, Cycle2Work Scheme, Eyecare, Discount Portal.
Closing date: Sunday 29 March 2026
Telephone interviews will be held week commencing 30 March and in-person interviews will be held in Peterborough week commencing 6 April 2026
No agencies please
Be a part of an energetic and vibrant team who are driven by the desire to improve the lives of people living with kidney disease. Our vision is the day when everyone lives free from kidney disease.
This is an exciting opportunity for anyone who thrives in a fast paced, ambitious environment. We want to prevent kidney disease from becoming a public health emergency and find better treatments for kidney patients sooner.
We are looking for a talented philanthropy manager who will be responsible for a portfolio of prospects and donors to build long lasting and highly engaged relationships. Working closely with the head of philanthropy and the major appeals manager you will play a key role in growing our income from major donors over the next 3-5 years by building a pipeline of new and existing donors and securing five and six-figure gifts.
This external facing role will manage our mid to high value prospects and donors and you will build personal relationships though understanding donor motivations, delivering tailored funding proposals and communications, and creating a bespoke donor journey with the aim of increasing their giving and connection to the cause.
We operate a hybrid, flexible working style and regular weekly office attendance is encouraged. The role is contracted to our Peterborough office. You will also be required to regularly attend external meetings and events.
If you are interested in the position, please complete the online application form and submit together with your CV.
We are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone and encourage applications from all sections of the community.
About Kidney Research UK:
Kidney Research UK is the leading charity in the UK focused on funding research into the prevention, treatment and management of kidney disease. Our vision is the day when everyone lives free from kidney disease and for more than 60 years the research, we fund has been making an impact. But kidney disease is increasing as are the factors contributing to it, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity, making our work more essential than ever.
At Kidney Research UK we work with clinicians and scientists across the UK, funding and facilitating research into all areas of kidney disease. We collaborate with partners across the public, private and third sectors to prevent kidney disease and drive innovation to transform treatments.
Over the last ten years we have invested more than £71 million into research. We lobby governments and decision makers to change policy and practice to ensure that the estimated 7.2 million people living with all stages of kidney disease in the UK have access to the most effective care and treatment, and to make kidney disease a priority.
Most importantly, we also work closely with patients, ensuring their voice is heard and is at the centre of everything we do, from deciding which research to invest in to how we plan our priorities and our work across the charity.
Those patient contributions are vital, always helping us and our partners to understand what life is like with kidney disease, always ensuring we see the patient behind the treatment and always reminding us that behind every statistic and every number is a person – the patients and the carers who inspire our mission and push us forward to make a difference and change the future of kidney disease.
You may have experience of the following: Philanthropy Manager, Partnerships Manager, Head of Philanthropy, Head of Partnerships, Fundraiser, Senior Fundraising Officer, Fundraising Manager, Head of Fundraising, Major Gifts, Corporate Partnerships, Business Development Manager, Charity, Charities, Third Sector, NFP, Not for Profit, etc.
REF-227 011
Salary: £38,000-£40,000 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: Head of Marketing and Communications
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 7th April via the Workable link.
In your covering letter, please demonstrate your motivations for applying to 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.
Candidates who applied during the previous recruitment round, and have not gained significant new experience since then, will not normally be reconsidered for this position.
INTERVIEW STAGES
The selection process will consist of three stages (dates will be confirmed with shortlisted candidates):
- First-round interview w/c 13th April
- Second-round interview w/c 20th April
Candidates will be asked to prepare a presentation (10–12 minutes maximum) on a strategic partnership communications plan. Candidates should allocate no more than 3 hours to prepare this task.
- Final interview with the CEO w/c 27th April
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 Communications Manager will be central to this mission, leading high-impact communications across brand and corporate partnerships, media, and talent to amplify Mission 44’s visibility and impact. This is a unique opportunity to collaborate with global brands like Formula 1, lululemon, Hot Wheels, and HP on bold campaigns that drive real change for young people.
The role will lead and manage communications across Mission 44’s brand and corporate partnerships, acting as the primary contact and fostering long-term, trusted relationships. The role will develop and execute integrated communications plans, deliver compelling storytelling, and collaborate with internal teams and partners - including Lewis Hamilton Ventures - to amplify impact, drive engagement, and support organisational objectives.
The role also supports media relations, managing the day-to-day delivery of our media agency partnership to secure high-quality coverage, and playing a central role in talent engagement, connecting key talent to meaningful campaigns and moments that elevate Mission 44’s mission globally.
Requirements
BRAND & FUNDRAISING COMMUNICATIONS (70%)
- Manage communications across Mission 44’s portfolio of brand and corporate partners, serving as the primary contact.
- Build and maintain trusted, long-term relationships with partners to strengthen engagement and impact.
- Develop and implement integrated communications plans (owned, earned, paid and shared) that support brand growth, income generation and organisational objectives.
- Identify and deliver compelling storytelling opportunities that highlight shared initiatives and drive visibility of the partnership.
- Collaborate closely with Events, Partnerships, and Philanthropy teams to create donor-facing materials, campaign messaging, and communications support for key activities and moments.
- Work in partnership with Lewis Hamilton Ventures to maximise strategic partnership opportunities and amplify Mission 44’s impact.
MEDIA RELATIONS (20%)
- Account manage the day-to-day relationship with Mission 44’s media agency, ensuring the delivery of high quality media coverage (reactive and proactive) to meet organisational objectives.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists and key media contacts where necessary.
- Monitor, evaluate and report on media coverage and performance, delivering regular insight and recommendations to the senior leadership team.
- Support crisis communications and reputational risk management as required.
- Work closely with the founder’s brand and communications team on joint high-profile press moments.
TALENT ENGAGEMENT (10%)
- Support talent engagement including strategy development, recruitment and ongoing engagement.
- Work cross-teams to identify and deliver opportunities for talent involvement across communications, fundraising, campaigns and partnerships.
- Support key moments where talent can meaningfully amplify Mission 44’s mission and impact.
- Monitor, evaluate and report on talent engagement activity to inform future strategy.
ABOUT YOU: SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL
- Experience in the non-profit, social impact, or corporate social responsibility sectors.
- Proven minimum 5 years experience working across communication channels (owned, earned, paid, and shared).
- Proven experience developing and delivering communications in collaboration with brands and corporate partners that support income generation, strengthen brand visibility, and advance organisational objectives.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling storytelling for diverse audiences.
- Ability to build and maintain trusted, long-term relationships with corporate partners and media.
- Strong project and stakeholder management skills, managing multiple campaigns and priorities simultaneously.
- Analytical skills to evaluate communications impact, provide recommendations, and optimise strategies.
- Confident engaging with high-profile partners, media, and talent - adapting to different situations
DESIRABLE
- Experience working with global or high-profile brands.
- Experience working with high-profile talent
- Experience supporting crisis communications and reputational risk management.
- Background in event communications, stakeholder engagement, or collaborative campaign delivery.
PERSONAL QUALITIES
- Passionate about creating a fairer, more inclusive, more compassionate future for young people around the world
- Strategic thinker with creative storytelling and problem-solving skills
- Highly organised and proactive in managing complex projects
- Collaborative, able to work effectively across teams and with stakeholders
- Solutions-oriented, with the confidence to propose bold ideas
- Committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion in all work
- 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
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.
RSPCA Little Valley Animal Shelter is seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to guide us through an exciting period of growth, transformation and renewed strategic ambition.
At Little Valley, our purpose is clear: to promote kindness, prevent cruelty, and provide outstanding welfare for the animals who rely on us. Our next Chief Executive Officer will inspire staff and volunteers, strengthen community partnerships, and lead with clarity, compassion and courage.
About the role
Our team is united by our compassion, collaboration, integrity, excellence and deep connection to our community - values that guide every decision we make. We are looking for a Chief Executive Officer who will champion these values in everything they do.
We are in a pivotal moment of investment and cultural renewal, with major developments underway - including improved facilities, modernisation of systems, strategic income growth and strengthened community engagement. This is your opportunity to lead an ambitious and much‑loved charity into its next chapter.
Key Responsibilities
(Full Job Description and Person Specification attached.)
- Lead the organisation’s strategic direction, ensuring alignment with our mission, values and long‑term goals.
- Drive high‑quality, compassionate animal welfare services across all operational areas.
- Provide visible, empathetic leadership that supports a positive culture for staff and volunteers.
- Ensure strong financial stewardship, diversifying income and securing long‑term sustainability.
- Strengthen partnerships, community profile and external relationships across the region.
- Champion innovation, operational excellence and continuous improvement at every level.
About You
You’ll bring proven senior leadership experience, exceptional communication skills, strong financial and governance capability, and the emotional intelligence needed to lead a complex and values‑driven organisation. Above all, you’ll bring a genuine passion for animal welfare and a commitment to ensuring values remain at the heart of everything we do.
Why join us?
As our Chief Executive Officer, you will lead a dedicated team, steward an organisation with strong foundations, and be at the forefront of shaping a more compassionate future for animals across Devon. This is more than a leadership role - it’s a chance to create lasting impact.
How to apply
Please submit your CV and a supporting statement (maximum two pages) outlining how your experience, leadership and values make you the right person to become our next Chief Executive Officer.
Application deadline: Tuesday 7 April, 5pm
We encourage applications from leaders who are motivated by purpose, committed to impact and inspired by the opportunity to shape the future of Little Valley Animal Shelter.
#Chief Executive Officer #Chief Executive #CEO #Chief Executive Officer
Our mission is to offer compassionate care and facilitate the rehabilitation and rehoming of animals across Devon.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Chief Executive
We are now seeking an exceptional new leader to guide City Year UK into its next phase.
Position: Chief Executive
Location: London, with regular travel to Birmingham, Manchester and other UK locations as required
Hours: Full-time
Salary: £80-90k dependent on experience
Duration: Permanent
Closing Date: 10.00am on Monday 23th March 2026.
Interviews: March 2026.
Who we are
For over 15 years, City Year UK has stood alongside children and young people across the UK, helping them to discover their potential and believe in what they can achieve. As a leading youth and education charity, we inspire and empower young people to dedicate a year of service, volunteering with us to support children in schools, reduce youth unemployment, and strengthen communities.
Our City Year mentors work in schools serving children who are often furthest from opportunity. They provide consistent and caring support that helps pupils feel valued, motivated, and capable of success. By building trusted relationships, boosting confidence, and encouraging a love of learning, our mentors make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of the children they serve.
The Role
We are now seeking an exceptional new leader to guide City Year UK into its next phase. This is an important moment for the organisation and an opportunity to shape the future of a movement that is changing lives. Building on strong foundations, the next Chief Executive will lead the organisation as we strengthen and expand our programmes, deepen our impact, and play a leading role in the development of a UK Year of Service that supports children and young people across the country.
This is a pivotal moment for the organisation. With the full support of the Board, the next Chief Executive will lead City Year UK into a focused next phase, securing financial resilience, strengthening delivery, and ensuring sustainable long term impact.
Main responsibilities include:
- Fundraising and Development
- Strategy and Leadership
- Governance
- External Engagement
- Programme Delivery
- Finance and People
About You
We are looking for an inspiring leader who is passionate about unlocking the potential of young people, championing educational equality, and driving lasting change. You’ll bring a strong track record of strategic leadership and fundraising in the charity sector, along with the vision and energy to lead City Year UK into an ambitious new chapter. Skilled at building powerful partnerships, navigating complex stakeholder environments, and championing an inclusive, purpose-driven culture, you’ll also be a dynamic fundraiser, ready to support the growth and diversification of our income so we can expand our impact even further.
Experience, Knowledge and Skills:
- A proven track record of senior leadership and management at a Chief Executive or Director level, likely in the charity or mission-driven sector
- Experience leading a complex organisation, with strong financial oversight, including managing a budget of comparable scale
- Demonstrated success in securing £1.5m+ a year of funding aligned with programme delivery; strong understanding of the connection between mission and sustainability
- Excellent leadership, management and team-building skills with a collaborative working style
- Strong political and organisational awareness, with the ability to navigate diverse stakeholder environments
- Exceptional relationship-building skills and experience working with senior stakeholders across sectors
- Outstanding communication skills—written, verbal, listening, and presenting
Please apply by uploading your CV and a supporting statement responding to the two questions set out in the Recruitment Pack. Your statement should clearly demonstrate your relevant experience, leadership capability and track record in relation to this role. Due to the high volume of CVs received, we can only respond back to the successful candidates.
Employee Benefits
- Annual leave: 25 days per annum, rising to 28 days, plus 3 Christmas Grace days
- A matched pension scheme with 4% standard employer contributions and matched up to 5%.
- An organisational culture that values its employees and places particular emphasis on fairness and transparency.
- Sector-leading training, with qualifications up to master's degree level funded under the apprenticeship levy.
- 2 Volunteering days per year - pursue a project you’re passionate about
- 2 Wellbeing days per year
- A comprehensive wellbeing service designed to support the overall wellness of employees
- Interest-free travel season ticket loans, bike loans under the “Cycle to Work Scheme” and loans to assist employees with welfare or financial hardship
- Enhanced sick pay for up to 6 weeks
Other areas of experience may include CEO, COO, Chief Exec, Chief Executive, Director, Managing Director, HR, Finance, Operations.
Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People.
Are you an operational leader who thrives on optimising the systems behind ambitious fundraising?We’re looking for a Development Manager, Operations to lead the infrastructure that powers our Development team, ensuring our systems, finances, governance and insight are robust, efficient and campaign-ready.
About the Barbican
Each year, the Centre presents hundreds of different performances, events and exhibitions that entertain and inspire millions of people, create connections, provoke debate, and reflect the world we live in.
As the Barbican approaches its 50th anniversary, the Centre stands at a pivotal moment in its history. With a new CEO in post, £191m secured for the first phase of a major capital transformation, and a renewed artistic and audience-focused vision, we are laying the foundations for the next 50 years.
As we enter this bold new chapter, we are preparing to launch a major fundraising campaign to support both our world-class arts programme and the Barbican Renewal project, which will transform our iconic building for future generations. The Development department will be at the heart of this ambition, securing the partnerships, philanthropy and long-term support that will shape the Barbican’s future.
About the Role
The Development Operations team enables all philanthropic income across the Barbican. As we prepare for a major comprehensive campaign and significant growth in activity, The Development Manager, Operations is central to strengthening the systems and infrastructure that support our fundraising.
You will lead a team spanning CRM, prospect research, events operations and audience giving, ensuring the department has the systems, insight and financial rigour to deliver sustainable income growth at scale.
In this role, you will:
• Lead and improve the systems, policies and processes that support fundraising, embedding best practice and driving efficiency.
• Oversee Development finances, including income tracking, forecasting and budgeting, working closely with Finance to ensure accuracy and insight.
• Act as strategic lead for our CRM (Spektrix) and data environment, overseeing reporting, gift processing, data integrity and compliance (GDPR, Gift Aid).
• Support the administration of the Barbican Centre Trust, ensuring statutory compliance and high-quality support to Trustees and senior stakeholders.
• Manage and develop a high-performing Operations team, setting clear priorities during a period of growth and change.
We’re looking for someone who brings:
• Significant experience in fundraising or charity operations (arts sector experience desirable).
• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting and forecasting.
• Deep CRM expertise (ideally Spektrix) and advanced Excel skills, with the ability to turn data into actionable insight.
• A solid understanding of charity regulation, Gift Aid and GDPR.
• Excellent communication skills, with confidence preparing reports and papers for senior leaders and Trustees.
• A collaborative, solutions-focused mindset and the resilience to thrive in a fast-paced environment
How to apply
To apply click on the 'Apply Online' button. Applications without a completed form will not be reviewed.
Deadline for applications is 23:59, Wednesday 25th March 2026. The advert may close ahead of this date if a sufficient number of applications is reached - apply early to avoid missing out.
Please note that we are unable to accept late applications. We regret that we are unable to provide feedback on your application.
The City of London Corporation want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive in the work that we do. The City of London Corporation is currently undergoing a programme ensure that our pay and reward practices are competitive and equitable across the whole organisation – and is committed to regularly benchmarking and reviewing pay against external sectors.
As part of our commitment to increasing the diversity of staff within the Barbican we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from groups that are currently underrepresented, including people from the Global Majority* and D/deaf and disabled people. We want to better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We are members of the Disability Confident Scheme and guarantee to interview all disabled candidates who would like to be considered under this scheme and who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role. Please contact us if you require reasonable adjustments as part of the application process.
*Global Majority is a collective term that refers to people who are Black, Asian, Brown, dual-heritage, indigenous to the global south, and or, have been racialised as 'ethnic minorities'.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Salary: £51,065
Contract: 6-month FTC
Location: London Hybrid
Closing date: ASAP
Benefits: Employee assistance programme, Life assurance, Health cash plan option
We have a great opportunity for a Head of Proposition Development, reporting to the Chief Fundraising & Marketing Officer, working for Sense, a charity that empowers people with complex disabilities, to live connected, fulfilled and independent lives.
This is an exciting chance to join a newly created directorate at a pivotal moment, as the organisation launches a bold new strategy. You will play a key role in shaping compelling, emotive and transformational propositions that inspire major supporters and enable fundraisers to secure significant income for life?changing work.
As part of this exciting role, you will work across a large and complex organisation to develop persuasive strategic narratives, build robust impact frameworks, and innovate new ways of showcasing programme delivery. You will collaborate with senior leaders, programme teams and fundraisers to create strong cases for support, embed proposition development processes, and lay solid foundations for long?term income growth.
To be successful as the Head of Proposition Development you will need:
- Proven experience developing transformational cross?organisation propositions, or significant experience in major gifts, philanthropy, trusts & foundations, or corporate fundraising.
- Outstanding communication and storytelling skills, able to craft compelling proposals and donor materials for a range of audiences.
- Strong analytical and project management skills, with the ability to interpret data, build budgets, and manage multiple high?value projects simultaneously.
If you would like to discuss this role with us please contact us and quote the reference 2914AJ.
Ashby Jenkins Recruitment are a specialist charity recruitment agency, we use our extensive sector knowledge and experience to match candidates to the most suitable charity jobs. We are passionate about improving equality across the sector, you can read more about our commitment to diversity here.
We take a relationship-led approach to recruitment in the charity sector and partner with you as the leading charity recruitment agency.
If enough applications are received the charity reserve the right to end the application period sooner.
Job Title: Assistant Director of Philanthropy & Strategic Partnership
Reporting To: Deputy CEO/Director of Fundraising and Communications
Manages: Head of Trusts and Foundations, Head of Corporate Partnerships
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time (36 hours per week, flexible)
Salary band: £58,000 - £66,000 per annum
N.B. To ensure fairness and consistency across Home-Start UK, new colleagues usually join at the first point of the pay band for their role. This helps us maintain a clear and equitable approach to pay for everyone joining our team.
Location: Remote – with regular travel to meetings with donors, for events and to our central office in Leicester for collaborative meetings and team activities.
About Home-Start UK
Home-Start is a federated charity consisting of a central national office – Home-Start UK - and over 170 geographically dispersed local Home-Start organisations, all working together under the same identity.
We recognise that being a parent has never been easy. Every Home-Start volunteer is trained to work alongside parents to overcome the challenges they are facing. We work with parents to build on their strengths and give them the support that they tell us they need. We offer no judgement – just compassionate, confidential help and expert support. This peer-to-peer support is key to the difference Home-Start makes and often our volunteers have lived experience of the challenges their families are facing themselves.
About The Role
This is an important moment for us and for the families we support. Parents of babies and young children are facing huge pressures, and strong, values-driven partnerships matter more than ever. We’re looking for a senior leader who can help us meet this moment with confidence and ambition.
As Assistant Director of Philanthropy & Strategic Partnerships, you will help shape the future of our national work and support our federation of 170+ local Home-Starts working in communities across the UK. You will lead a talented team, build long-lasting relationships, and help make sure Home-Start has the funding, partnerships, and influence it needs to give every child the best possible start in life. This role will suit someone who is motivated by purpose, who values people and relationships, and who is comfortable working across a large and varied network.
We are looking for someone with a strong track record, someone who has already delivered high-value fundraising and partnerships at a senior level and is ready to take on a role with significant national influence. With responsibility for an annual income portfolio of circa £4 Million – with strong potential to grow this over the next 3-5 years to between £6Million-£8Million plus, you will work with a supportive Leadership Team and Board, who have already engaged external philanthropy expertise to develop a strategy and roadmap that you can build on. You’ll need to be confident working with high-value supporters: able to build trust, communicate clearly, and nurture long-term relationships with people who want to invest in families and early years support. You’ll bring the skills and confidence to grow a portfolio that is already strong and take it further, along with the ability to work well with others in a fast-moving environment.
You will be joining a warm, collaborative organisation that believes in the power of community, the strength of families, and the importance of early help. If you feel excited by the chance to make a national difference, to build partnerships based on trust and shared purpose, and to help shape the next chapter of Home-Start’s impact, we would be delighted to hear from you.
The people at Home-Start are its most important resource. Home-Start UK has been accredited with Investors in People since March 2005, which recognises the commitment we give to developing our staff.
Benefits of working for Home-Start
- Flexible working
- Family friendly policy
- PayCare health cash plan
- Enhanced employer contribution pension
- Learning and development
- DAS Employee Assistance
If it sounds like your type of challenge, we would be delighted to hear from you.
The closing date for applications is Friday 27th March at 4pm.
As part of our recruitment process, shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in a full-day assessment centre at our Leicester office on Tuesday 14th April.
The assessment centre will include a mix of individual and group activities designed to understand your strategic thinking, relational approach, and leadership style.
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.
Home-Start UK is committed to Equality of Opportunity and Diversity. We wish to encourage applications from all parts of the community irrespective of gender, race, colour, age, sexual orientation or disability.
No agencies please.
This is an exceptional opportunity at one of the world's most prestigious universities at a time of extraordinary ambition and philanthropic momentum.
Associate Director of Development – Principal Gifts
Employer: University of Oxford
Salary: £65,336 - £82,255 with scope to go beyond for a leading professional with outstanding experience and track record
Location: Oxford (Hybrid)
Here at the University of Oxford, we are recruiting three Associate Directors of Development – Principal Gifts to join our incredible team. These are new positions, part of an expansion of our friendly, collaborative and successful Principal Gifts team.
As Associate Director of Development – Principal Gifts, you will operate at the highest levels of the University to secure transformational gifts at the eight-figure-plus level, advancing Oxford’s mission and global impact. Your work will help ensure that Oxford continues to attract the brightest minds, pursue world-leading research, and address the most urgent challenges facing humanity.
You will work closely with the Vice-Chancellor, Chief Development and Alumni Engagement Officer, Director of Development – Principal Gifts, and other senior leaders to align principal gift opportunities with institutional priorities and articulate a compelling case for support to some of the world’s most significant philanthropists.
Your impact will be enduring – enabling breakthrough discoveries, expanding opportunity for students, and strengthening Oxford’s position as a global leader in education and research. The Associate Director of Development role offers the chance not only to secure transformational gifts, but also to shape the future of Oxford’s philanthropic culture and leave a legacy at an institution that has been changing the world for over nine centuries.
This is a chance to join a dedicated, professional and ambitious team at a time when Oxford’s fundraising is at unprecedented levels. With strong support from the Vice-Chancellor, a proven track record of principal gift success, and an unparalleled global reputation, you will have every opportunity to make your mark, both at Oxford and in your career.
You will be passionate about what we do here, not phased by complexity and ambiguity, and comfortable orchestrating a myriad of stakeholders. We hope to hear from you!
The University of Oxford is partnering with Erin Hall-Westfall and Joanna Logan of Constellate Global Talent on this search.
Closing date: midnight on Monday, 6 April 2026.
Interested?
Please familiarise yourself with the attached Candidate Pack.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter.
Diversity and Inclusivity
The University of Oxford is committed to equal opportunity, and to being a place where everyone belongs and is supported to succeed. We recognise how the diversity of our community enriches our ability to deliver on our academic mission.
We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds, including those under-represented within higher education. No applicant or members of staff shall be unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
No agencies please
If you would like to have a confidential discussion about the role, please email info (at) weareconstellate (dot) com
Please see attached candidate pack. Applications are by CV and covering letter.
About the team
The Investment Team is responsible for selecting portfolio partners, managing our charity investments and supporting our portfolio partners to improve and scale their impact.
The Investment Team also leads the Impetus Leadership Academy, a leadership development programme to support talent from ethnic minority backgrounds in the UK youth sector to progress into senior leadership roles.
The team is made up of 19 people, including former teachers, charity chief executives, charity impact leads, management consultants, social investment portfolio managers and impact consultants.
The team is led by a Portfolio Director who sits on the Senior Management Team. The Portfolio Director has 5 direct reports: a Deputy Portfolio Director, three Sector Leads (who lead our work in School engagement, School attainment and Employment Sectors) and an Impact Lead. Sector Leads line manage 6 Investment Directors. Investment Directors line manage Investment Managers (currently 6). Investment Directors and Investment Managers tend to primarily focus on a sector but might have mixed portfolios, depending on need, experience and interest.
The Investment Team has a good track record of role progression. All four Leads and a number of our Investment Directors were promoted from within the team.
The team is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We come from a range of backgrounds and bring a broad mix of perspectives. We care deeply for our colleagues, our portfolio partners and the young people we serve.
About this role
We believe that all young people deserve to succeed in school and in work, whatever their background. We are pleased to be able to expand our team to support our growing portfolio of charity and non-profit partners, in order to reach and impact more lives. The role of Investment Manager presents an exciting opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the organisations we serve, the team itself, and the whole of Impetus.
We support a portfolio of 23 high potential charity and non-profit partners in the youth sector, helping them deliver benchmark-beating employment and education outcomes for young people, and to grow.
We believe the strength of our approach resides in three things:
1. Building deep, trust-based sustainable relationships with charity leaders by, investing time, kindness, integrity and honesty
2. Providing our charities multi-year, unrestricted funding to help them become sector-leading organisations and scale their impact
3. Offering tailored advice to charity leaders’ most pressing and strategic questions, including their mission, programme design, performance management, growth planning, and financial resilience.
Working with our portfolio partners is a privilege. The leaders we support are incredibly talented, passionate and keen for external advice, and the issues we work through with them are stimulating and stretching. Our senior management relationships are some of the most fulfilling relationships many of us have had in our careers. The growth and impact performance of our partners are testament to their commitment to disadvantaged young people and the influence we have on their development.
Partners and funders often comment on the quality of our people. Our team is analytical and data driven; we are deeply relational, low-ego and collaborative. We actively invest in our colleagues holding regular training and community of practice sessions, and use skills-based assessments to tailor development.
As an organisation we seek to embed diversity of thought, background and experience in every aspect of our work and actively challenge our assumptions to better deliver change. Over the past two years we have taken action to help reduce racial inequality in the youth sector. In 2021 we launched our Connect Fund to support diverse leaders and their robust solutions to the entrenched employment gap faced by young people from ethnic minority backgrounds compared with their white peers. We have also built a highly regarded Leadership Academy for emerging youth sector leaders from ethnic minority backgrounds, with generous from Bank of America and State Street Foundation.
If you are looking for a role combining strategic thinking, analytical insight and influencing emerging leaders, as well as the opportunity to work with a supportive team to transform young lives, I hope you will apply to work with us.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sebastien Ergas
Portfolio Director
Key responsibilities
Finding high potential charities and non-profit organisations to join our portfolio
- Supporting the annual cycle of identifying new investments - mapping the landscape of charities in thematic areas (e.g. Apprenticeships and Skills), conducting structured analysis of key impact and financial data and reviewing the current evidence base to identify high potential charities and inform options for Investment Directors.
- Contributing to due diligence of new organisations by reviewing quantitative and qualitative charity information ) and preparing clear assessments of suitability for investment; This includes considering impact and scale potential, financial stability and summarising risks and recommendations for senior review. Requires strong relationship management, in co-ordination with Investment Directors, when engaging with potential charity partners.
- Supporting Investment Directors in developing, preparing and presenting high quality investment propositions to our Investment Committee.
Supporting and managing relationships with portfolio partners
- Working closely with Investment Directors to support portfolio partners across all areas of our work - leadership, impact and sustainability – owning defined(e.g. impact management or financial analysis).
- Building trust-based relationships with portfolio partners including senior leaders and delivery staff, acting as a valued advisor on practice improvement contributing insight and support while escalating strategic issues to Investment Directors and Programme/Impact leads.
- Working with Impact teams at portfolio partners to develop and refine impact management practices; including data collection, dashboard development, performance review meetings, programme design and evaluation.
- Supporting portfolio partners functional leads (e.g. Director of Impact) to develop as leaders by contributing insights and tools to help drive and strengthen impact-led approaches within their organisations.
- Coordinating pro- bono projects leveraging our large network of corporate volunteers to provide targeted support for our portfolio partners in key areas (e.g. strategy, marketing advice, financial analysis).
- Supporting Investment Directors with the design and delivery of theory of change workshops, conducting preparatory analysis of charity impact data developing and analysing pre-workshop surveys and co-facilitating workshops.
- Supporting the coordination and delivery of Impetus’ quarterly peer learning forums for our portfolio partners, in particular the Impact Forum.
- Supporting investment governance by preparing clear and accurate reports for Investment and Steering Committees.
Support to Impetus
- Developing knowledge and expertise in Education and Youth Employment domains, staying up to date on relevant sector developments and applying this insight to support analysis and decision making.
- Working collaboratively on Impetus’ public affairs and philanthropy objectives by contributing evidence, insight and content to case studies, research, policy campaigns, donor reports and events.
- Sharing the learning from our work across the team and organisation and supporting communication of insights externally where appropriate.
- Working within Impetus strategy, policies and procedures.
Person specification
Essential
- A commitment to Impetus’ mission and values
- Able to build productive, trust-based relationships internally and with senior external stakeholders including portfolio partners and co-investors, escalating strategic issues to Investment Directors as needed
- Strong relationship building and management skills
- Highly analytical and numerate, able to draw insights from a range of data sources, with good command of Excel or similar tools
- Clear and strategic thinker; able to clearly and concisely communicate insights and key messages via a range of mediums, including PowerPoint and Word
- Proven ability to work independently, within a defined scope and escalate risks promptly
- Clear and analytical thinker; keen to work collaboratively with Investment Directors and contribute evidence based insights to team discussions and decision making
- Strong planning and time management, able to balance between priorities
- Displays tenacity and initiative in progressing work within agreed frameworks
- Growth mind-set; seeks out and acts on feedback
- A strong interest in partnering closely with organisations, supporting them to strengthen delivery and impact.
- A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in our work and our organisation
If you don't tick all these boxes, but still feel that you fit the profile, please apply anyway.
Desirable
(candidates with one or more of the following may be particularly well suited to the role)
- Experience in consulting, investment management, or other in-depth grant making and capacity building work
- Previous experience working with charities. Could be in a previous role, pro-bono volunteer or Trustee capacity
- Experience in charity impact management or monitoring, evaluation and learning
- Experience working in, or deep understanding of, UK education and youth employment sectors
- Experience facilitating workshops or presenting to larger groups
- Financial acumen – including experience supporting financial analysis and modelling, fundraising pipeline development and review of financial information e.g, annual accounts, to assess and identify financial risk
- Project Management experience
About Impetus
At Impetus, our focus is on helping young people achieve positive education and employment outcomes to increase their chance of leading fulfilling and successful lives, irrespective of their background.
We tackle the three most difficult challenges that affect a young person’s ability to succeed in life in Britain today:
- Lost learning through absence, suspensions, exclusions from school
- Stagnation in education attainment outcomes, which means many are missing out on key qualifications like GCSE English and maths
- The large numbers of young people out of education, training and employment
We use our deep expertise and high calibre networks to give the best non-profits working in these sectors the essential ingredients to have a real and lasting impact on the young people they serve.
Through a powerful combination of long-term funding, direct capacity building support from our experienced team and our pro bono partners, alongside research and policy influencing to drive lasting systems change, we work towards a society where all young people can thrive in school, pass their exams and unlock the doors to sustained employment, for a fulfilling life.
We are resolutely focused on outcomes and impact, driven by quality evidence.
You would be joining a team that is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our portfolio partners and the young people we serve.
Impetus is a registered charity and our charity number is 1152262.
Our Values
In 2022 the Impetus staff agreed the following set of Values to act as our guiding principles as an organisation and help us to remain focused on achieving our mission to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
We are brave and curious
We are bold and brave in our pursuit of better outcomes for young people. We lead with curiosity and stay open to new perspectives. We support one another to take considered risks and learn together.
We bring high trust, high challenge
We build strong, long-term relationships through honesty, kindness, integrity, and respect. We create the space for open, constructive challenge, where colleagues, partners and supporters feel safe to speak up, hold each other to account, and bring their best in pursuit of our mission.
We are evidence led and results driven for young people
We pursue excellence for the young people we work with, are wholly committed to better outcomes, unapologetically results driven, and accountable for our actions.
We thrive through diversity
We seek to embed diversity of thought, background and experience in every aspect of our work. We are open, thoughtful and proactive in better understanding and challenging our assumptions to better deliver the change we seek.
We always seek collaboration
We will not succeed alone. We seek meaningful, productive partnerships with others to achieve our mission and drive systems change for young people.
Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
We believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more open, creative and gets better results.
We want our team at Impetus to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our team to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.
We want to reach a diverse pool of candidates. We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.
We recognise the importance of a good work/life balance. We do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, working part-time job shares and other arrangements.
Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.
Impetus is an equal opportunity employer and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We value diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.
Our employee benefits
Impetus appreciates the invaluable contribution made by all employees and wishes to encourage and reward loyalty, motivation and experience. We therefore offer a range of benefits and policies which aim to assist employees during various stages of their lives and careers. For more information on these, please download the job information pack from our website.
How to apply
Please click on the "Apply for this job" button.
You will need to:
- Complete the online form (including the equal opportunities monitoring form)
- Upload a comprehensive CV and supporting statement.
The supporting statement should be no more than two sides of A4 and should address the criteria in the person specification.
You should also include the contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be approached with your express permission.
As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at interview stage.
The deadline for applications is Sunday 29th March 2026, 11:59pm.
Interviews:
1st Interviews will take place on w/c 13th April 2026.
2nd Interviews will take place on w/c 20th April 2026.
You will also be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.
Personal Data
Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.
Impetus transforms the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds by ensuring they get support to succeed in school, in work and in life.
