Global Head of Major Donors

Compassion in World Farming International is a global movement transforming the future of food and farming. As our Global Head of Major Donors, you’ll lead and grow a high-impact global philanthropy programme, generating significant income from high-net-worth individuals and principal donors to support our mission to end factory farming.

Role type: Full-time; Permanent

Location: Godalming, UK (hybrid working pattern 2x days in the office: Team days Tuesdays & Thursdays)   

Salary: £55,000 -£60,000 per annum (depending upon skills and experience)   

About the role 

As our Global Head of Major Donors, you’ll help shape and deliver an ambitious global major donor strategy, building a strong pipeline of five and six figure donors across key markets, including the UK, US and Europe while personally cultivating high-value relationships. Alongside this you’ll provide strategic oversight of our growing global mid-level donor programme. As part of this role you’ll work closely with senior leaders across Compassion, where you’ll help translate our work into compelling propositions that inspire meaningful, long-term support.

As our Global Head of Major Donors, you’ll be responsible for:

• Leading the global major donor and mid-level fundraising programmes to deliver sustainable income growth across the UK, US and key European Markets
• Building and executing strategies to grow five- and six-figure gifts, with a focus on £50k+ donors
• Personally cultivating, soliciting and stewarding a portfolio of high-value donor relationships
• Developing compelling donor propositions and exceptional supporter journeys
• Driving pipeline development and prospect acquisition through insight led strategies
• Leading and developing a high-performing small team of fundraisers based in the UK, US and Europe
• Overseeing income forecasting, KPIs and CRM data quality to support strategic decision-making for this programme
• Collaborating across teams to maximise donor engagement, events, and global fundraising impact. 

About you

To succeed in this role, you’ll be a strategic and relationship focused leader, with a strong track record of securing high-value gifts and growing philanthropic income streams across different markets. You’ll need to bring a blend of strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and leadership capability, where you are able to inspire donors and team members, while delivering against ambitious income targets.

Skills and experience you’ll need to bring:

• Proven success securing five and six-figure gifts from high net worth individuals
• Experience working in international fundraising contexts, ideally with experience of the US and/or European markets
• Experience designing and delivering major donor growth strategies
• Experience of leading or contributing to mid-level giving programmes 
• Strong personal track record in cultivating, soliciting and closing high-value gifts
• Experience leading and developing passionate, high-performing fundraising or philanthropy teams
• Strong financial and analytical skills, including forecasting and pipeline management
• Ability to create compelling, tailored donor journeys and propositions
• Outstanding communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with confidence to influence at senior level
• A collaborative, proactive approach with a clear commitment to our mission

If you don’t meet every requirement but believe you could thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply.

Why join us

This is a rare opportunity to shape global philanthropy and deliver lasting impact for animals worldwide. 

We offer a supportive, flexible workplace with a strong focus on wellbeing and development, including: 

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays 
• Health Cash Back Plan and 24/7 GP access 
• Employee Assistance Programme and MHFA support 
• Premium Calm App subscription 
• Electric car scheme available
• Defined contribution pension scheme 
• Enhanced discretionary sick pay 
• Hybrid working model (role and location dependent) 
• Free onsite parking and office next to mainline station 
• Cycle Benefit scheme and other savings options 
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities 

How to apply and key dates

If you’re ready to make a global impact, we’d love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining how you meet the Person Specification. To support a fair and unbiased recruitment process, we kindly ask that you do not include a photo in your CV. 

Please note that we may begin interviews on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged. 

Closing date: Friday 5 June 10am

1st Stage (Teams) Interview: Wednesday 10 June

2nd Stage (Face to Face at HQ) Interview, with task: Wednesday 17 June

“Join us in building a more compassionate future for animals, people, and the planet.”

As part of Stage 1 interviews, shortlisted candidates may receive pre‑shared, values‑based interview questions to support a positive candidate experience. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know, we’re always happy to support candidates.

About Compassion

Compassion in World Farming International is a leading global organisation working to end factory farming. Founded in 1967 by British farmer Peter Roberts, we’ve spent over 50 years driving change, successfully campaigning to ban cruel practices such as barren battery cages, veal crates, and sow stalls across the UK and Europe.

Our work combines advocacy, campaigning, and collaboration with policymakers and businesses to promote animal welfare and sustainable food systems. We envision a future where animals are treated with compassion, and farming supports both people and the planet. To learn more about our mission, culture, and opportunities, please explore our Candidate Pack, and Careers Page. 

To comply with legal requirements in the UK and internationally, all applicants must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the country where the role is based. Compassion in World Farming is absolutely committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their background.  We value diversity and live experience and acknowledge the underrepresentation of people from certain backgrounds, both within our organisation and across the sector.  We welcome applications from underrepresented groups, whether these be of ethnicity, gender, identity, religion, physical ability, sexual orientation or other.