Philanthropy Manager

Location: Reading, Hybrid (twice a month to Reading office)
Hours: Full time
Salary: £41,344 per annum 
Contract Type: Permanent
Campaign Closes: 10th April 2026
Interviews: First stage interviews, WC 20th April. Second Stage interviews WC ​27th April.

On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their application as early as possible. 

Core Purpose
The Philanthropy Manager will play a critical role in Make-A-Wish UK’s growing Philanthropy team. You will be responsible for building meaningful relationships with high-net-worth individuals and Trusts and Foundations, increasing income, engagement and stewardship, with a focus on developing new relationships with funders. You will also drive key growth through leadership of the Small Trust Mailing and Philanthropy Mid-Value Programmes, utilising insights and best practice to implement new strategies and streamline ways of working.

Job requirements

Essential Criteria

• Experience in working within a Philanthropy Team, with proven success in securing multiple five figure gifts from both high-net-worth individuals and Trusts and Foundations
• Strong experience cultivating cold and/or new prospects and converting them into five figure + donors
• Experience conducting targeted prospect research, identifying new funders against a set criteria or proposition
• Demonstrable track record of creating and implementing successful, data-informed plans resulting in increased income
• Excellent relationship management skills, with the ability to influence, inspire and engage both internal and external stakeholders at a wide range of levels
• Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex information in compelling ways tailored to different audiences
• Highly organised and demonstrated ability to work autonomously, manage competing priorities and deliver to deadlines within a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency in using CRM systems (preferably Salesforce) to manage pipelines, analyse data, and generate reports
• Knowledge of UK fundraising regulation, ethics and trends affecting high-net-worth individuals and Trusts and Foundations fundraising
• Strong attention to detail, numeracy and analytical skills, with experience building financial proposals, income forecasts and donor investment cases

Desirable Criteria

• Previous experience running high-value mailing programmes 
• Track-record of securing both restricted and unrestricted income 
• Previous experience recruiting and managing giving club members 
• Experience of working collaboratively with a Prospect Research function, sharing responsibilities and communicating effectively 
• Experience working in a rapidly growing team, managing organisational expectations and flexibly capitalising on emerging opportunities 

Job responsibilities

Relationship Management, Stewardship and New Business 

• Personally build and manage a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals and Trust and Foundation prospects and donors, giving between £10,000-£50,000.
• Lead personalised and effective cultivation, asks, engagement and stewardship for your portfolio.
• Contribute to the development of compelling and attractive propositions to increase giving and/or recruit new high value supporters.
• Work effectively with internal and external influencers to engage supporters and create magical moments, bringing them closer to Make-A-Wish UK’s work.
• Manage donor agreements and grant terms and conditions, ensuring compliance and best practice.
• Work collaboratively with the Prospect Development Lead to identify new prospective funders, as well as conducting your own prospect research in line with agreed key priorities, sectors or themes.
• Ensure data is accurate and up to date on our CRM to support effective pipeline management and draw insights.

Strategy, Planning and Delivery of Mid-Level Programmes 

• Build on the design and implementation of a new personalised Philanthropy Mid-Value programme for supporters giving £1-£10K, with the aims of securing, retaining and growing support.
• Lead on enhancing the existing Small Trusts Mailing programme, effectively implementing streamlined processes to increase ROI.
• Collaborate with the Philanthropy Team, and other teams where needed, to forecast income, set targets, and manage your pipeline budget.
• Work closely with the Prospect Development Lead to draw insights, and implement these across the mid-value programmes.
• Continuously review programme success and efficiency, reporting on progress, identifying successes and learnings, as well as progress against KPIs and income targets.

Collaboration & Influence

• Champion a philanthropic mindset across Make-A-Wish UK, acting as an ambassador for the power and value of Major Donor and Trusts and Foundations fundraising.
• Work closely with other teams, including Finance, wishgranting, Insight and Innovation, and Brand Communications and Engagement, to build budgets, report on impact and cultivate, engage, ask and steward your portfolio.
• Act as an ambassador for Make-A-Wish UK at external events, such as high-level fundraising networks, sector forums and conferences.

Job benefits

• 26 days annual leave with the option to buy/sell annual leave (pro rata for part time)
• Paid Birthday leave
• Flexible & Hybrid working arrangements
• Salary exchange pension scheme 
• Paid volunteering days
• Pirkx subscription - Access to wellbeing support, GP appointments, training and events, retail discount platform, and much more!
• Cycle to work initiative