Philanthropy Lead

Philanthropy Lead

12 Month FTC

£50,899 - £56,950pa

Hybrid · London 2 days a week in our London Office

Job Description

Please note this is a hybrid role based on the successful candidate working at least two days a week in our London office. Remote contracts would not be considered for this role.

Comic Relief reserves the right to close the role early if a large number of applications are received.

Purpose of job: 

As our Philanthropy Lead, you will continue to develop and implement our strategy for growth in this area. Collaborating with a spectrum of colleagues including those from our funding team,  you will create compelling funding propositions, and secure gifts spanning figures in the six and seven digits. We are at the beginning of a new 5 year strategy and this role will work towards ambitious growth targets at an important time of development for the organisation.

Key responsibilities:  

To develop, deliver and monitor Comic Relief’s strategy for engagement of ultra-high net worth and high net worth individuals in line with our mission 

To develop a robust prospect pipeline, effectively cultivate prospects and manage and steward relationships with existing donors

To deliver and/or support with engagement events for prospects and donors, working with the Life Presidents, Trustees and other teams at Comic Relief as needed

To work closely with the Funding Team to create compelling propositions for high net worth individuals

To secure new supporters for our major giving product (launched earlier this year)

To line manage the Philanthropy Manager and Prospect & Partnership Intelligence Manager 

To represent Comic Relief in relevant philanthropic circles, specifically targeting next generation donors, wealth advisers, intermediaries and talent ecosystems

To be results oriented while creatively develop new ways of reaching and communicating with our target audience of philanthropists, driving income against an agreed target and documenting learning to seek constant improvement 

To work closely with Talent to identify artists and their ecosystems who have the capacity and propensity to give financially and leverage support through networks

Drive accountability for annual revenue generation exceeding £2million, with a focus on consistent year-on-year growth and pipeline development

Person specification 

Essential criteria 

·         Solid experience of developing and delivering a philanthropy strategy which contributes to the organisations overall strategic aims on income and relationships.

·         Solid experience of securing 5 and 6 figure gifts from philanthropists and/or family foundations

·         Solid experience of high-level relationship management and support which enables senior stakeholder to grow income and networks

·         Exceptional communication, networking, influencing, negotiating and persuading skills.

·         Strategic Thinker – able to evaluate decisions in the short, medium and long term.

·         Building and sustaining effective working relationships both internally and externally.

Desirable criteria 

·         Experience of securing 7 figure gifts and working with leading philanthropist

·         Strong sector knowledge and a familiarity with the charitable/funding sector 

·         Experience with innovative outreach and creativity in developing new methods to reach and engage target audiences of philanthropists, along with a knack for driving income growth and leveraging insights for continuous improvement.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Comic Relief we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Why work at Comic Relief 

There are lots of good reasons to join us at Comic Relief. You can read more about ouremployee benefits, such as our commitment to flexible and hybrid working. We ask staff to come to the office twice a week, normally on agreed team days, so that we can do all those things that are difficult to do online. Our office is based in Whitechapel, London, There are lots of opportunities to develop your skills and experience at Comic Relief, including opportunities to become a Mental Health First Aider or to participate in our Employee Network Groups that focus on making Comic Relief a more inclusive place to work 

Perks and benefits

·         Flexible working hours

·         Work from home option

·         Life Insurance

·         Wellness programs

·         Employee Assistance Programme

·         Additional parental leave

·         Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

·         Paid emergency leave

·         Sabbatical Opportunities

·         Professional development

·         Paid volunteer days

·         Salary sacrifice

·         Team social events

·         Extracurricular clubs

·         Cycle to work scheme

·         Free fruit

·         Free soft drinks

Disability Confident employer 

As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we take positive action by providing first-round interviews to candidates who have a registered disability, provided they meet the minimum criteria for the role, as demonstrated on their CV or application scores. We ask that candidates that wish to be considered for this scheme email us via our website. Please do not email CV's/cover letters.

To apply please visit our website via the link.

Closing: 12:00pm, 23rd Nov 2026 GMT

Equal opportunity

We recognise diversity and inclusion are a source of strength in achieving our mission. We therefore welcome everyone, trusting what makes us different brings creativity, styles and experiences to help us collectively do our best work. That’s regardless of your gender, race, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and cultural identity. We especially welcome those from under-represented groups in modern grant-making and fundraising. We are on a journey, but if you join our team you will be part of a community that is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where we want you to: Be valued for being yourself Do your best work, and be supported to break down barriers so you can succeed Be heard, respected, and treated as an equal, whatever your level, experience or background Be part of a team that is committed to making this happen – with our colleagues, partners, and contributors.