Location: Saint Agnes, Cornwall (Hybrid) (Ideally 2 days a week, but if this doesn't work, lets have a conversation)
Salary: £39,663 – £46,782 per year
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) is seeking a Senior Philanthropy and Partnerships Manager to lead our major gift fundraising programme, securing transformational support for our mission to protect the UK’s oceans, beaches, and marine wildlife. This is a pivotal role within our fundraising team, with responsibility for major donors alongside Trust & Foundation and corporate fundraising.
You’ll join a talented and ambitious team of fundraisers, managing a team of three, and work closely with the Director of Fundraising to develop strategies that inspire donors and secure long-term support.
What the role involves
- Lead SAS’s major gift fundraising programme, managing a portfolio with a primary focus on gifts of £100,000 .
- Develop and maintain Trust & Foundation and corporate relationships, ensuring excellent stewardship and maximising support.
- Manage, mentor, and develop a team of fundraisers, fostering talent, collaboration, and high performance.
- Work collaboratively with internal colleagues to translate SAS’s campaigns and impact into compelling proposals, donor communications, and reports.
- Oversee income and expenditure budgets, track KPIs, and report on performance.
- Thrive in a nimble campaigning organisation, adapting strategies to achieve ambitious fundraising targets.
Who we’re looking for
- Experience in major gift fundraising, with a record of securing transformational donations.
- Experience in trust & foundation and corporate fundraising.
- Great leadership and team management skills, with the ability to coach and develop a high-performing team.
- Excellent communicator and influencer, able to engage donors, colleagues, and stakeholders at all levels.
- Solutions-focused, outcomes-driven, and adaptable, thriving in a fast-moving, campaigning environment.
Hybrid working arrangements
This role is based in Saint Agnes, Cornwall, with a hybrid working model: two days a week in the office, but if this doesn't work for but you think you'd be excellent in this role lets have a chat.
Why join us?
You’ll play a central role in growing SAS’s philanthropy programme, leading a high-performing team, and making a tangible impact on the environment. We are a transparent, ambitious, and outcomes-focused organisation, where your leadership and expertise will be valued and supported.
Closing date: 20 November 2025
How to apply: Please submit your CV to express your interest and we will arrange a conversation ahead of preparing a cover letter.
We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.
The Talent Set are delighted to partner with our client on a fantastic Trusts and Foundations Manager role. This pivotal position offers an exciting opportunity to shape and lead the organisation’s trust and foundation fundraising strategies, driving growth in a dynamic and ambitious environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute strategies to expand the trust and foundations portfolio, ensuring sustainable pipeline growth
- Manage a diverse portfolio of existing funders and cultivate new relationships to secure multi-year and increasing donations.
- Steward relationships, ensuring high levels of engagement and retention
- Collaborate with internal teams to develop compelling propositions and align funding opportunities with organisational developments.
- Management and development of a Trust Officer responsible for small trusts, medium funders, and stewardship activities, offering guidance and strategic insight.
- Track and report on funding pipeline, stakeholder engagement, and relevant metrics to senior leadership.
- Manage donor communications, submission of funding applications, and reporting requirements effectively.
Person Specification
- Proven experience managing trust and foundation fundraising, ideally at a senior level, with a track record of securing six-figure contributions.
- Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to cultivate and sustain long-term partnerships.
- Excellent strategic planning and pipeline development skills, with an innovative approach to funding models
- Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop team members, with excellent communication skills.
- A results-oriented mindset with strong organisational skills and capacity to manage multiple priorities.
- Ability to adapt to evolving organisational needs and contribute to strategic growth initiatives.
What’s on Offer
Salary: circa £41,000
Remote based roles with regular meetings in London (travel paid for)
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the 'apply now' button (please do not apply via email). We aim to get back to all successful candidates within 48 working hours.
Commitment to Diversity
The Talent Set are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, or age. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.