Principal Gifts Lead

Based: Hybrid - Saunderton, Buckinghamshire or Beilby, East Yorkshire
Contract: Permanent, Full Time

The Principal Gifts Lead, along with a second Principal Gifts Lead, will play a pivotal role in establishing and growing principal and transformational giving at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, with a focus on securing significant philanthropic gifts of £100,000 and above.

This is a senior, hands-on fundraising role with a substantial emphasis on new business development, prospect cultivation and pipeline growth. Working from a predominantly unengaged prospect base, the postholder will be responsible for identifying and qualifying opportunities, establishing new relationships with high-net-worth individuals and developing these into meaningful, long-term philanthropic partnerships.

You will be an experienced, proactive and confident relationship fundraiser who enjoys opening doors, initiating conversations and building relationships from the ground up. You will combine a strategic approach to philanthropy with the drive and persistence needed to turn prospective opportunities into significant financial support.

Working closely with the Head of Philanthropy, second Principal Gifts Lead, CEO, trustees and senior stakeholders, you will develop tailored engagement strategies, create compelling giving opportunities and lead the solicitation of significant philanthropic gifts.

The role carries individual responsibility for establishing and managing a strong pipeline of principal giving opportunities, delivering against agreed income and activity targets, and contributing to the long-term growth of Philanthropy at Hearing Dogs.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to play a central role in developing a growing area of philanthropy at Hearing Dogs.

We have identified a promising pool of prospective supporters, supported by our Prospect Research function, but many of these relationships are at an early stage or have yet to be established. A significant part of this role will therefore involve new donor acquisition, building engagement and developing a qualified pipeline of individuals with the potential to make transformational gifts.

We are looking for someone who brings a genuine new business mindset: a fundraiser who is confident approaching prospective donors, identifying opportunities for introductions, building trust and progressing relationships towards significant philanthropic investment.

This is not a role centred on inheriting an established portfolio of engaged principal donors. It is an opportunity to build something, taking ownership of developing relationships, establishing a sustainable pipeline and converting philanthropic potential into income and long-term support.

You'll be supported by a dedicated Prospect Research function, an established Philanthropy team and senior leaders who are committed to growing philanthropic support for Hearing Dogs.

Key Responsibilities

• New Business Development and Pipeline Growth
• Securing Principal and Transformational Gifts
• Strategic Donor Engagement and Relationship Management

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Programme
• Death in Service Payment
• Annual leave enhancements recognising long service 
• Day off for your birthday 
• Defined contribution group personal pension plan 
• Enhanced sick pay 
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay 
• Eye care 
• Hearing tests 
• Learning and Development opportunities 
• Discounts on merchandise at Hearing Dog gift shops 
• Pet Dog Policy

For more information and to apply, please visit our website via the ‘apply’ button.

Closing date: 6th November 2026

National charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, trains dogs to transform the lives of deaf people and provides hearing loss services – because nobody with hearing loss should feel alone.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 due to its duties involving the protection of children and/or adults at risk. Applicants are therefore required to disclose all spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands, as well as any relevant non-conviction information. The successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in accordance with the Police Act 1997 (Part V).