Interim Head of Trusts and Philanthropy

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Interim Head of Trusts and Philanthropy to work as part of our Philanthropy and Partnerships Team.

This is a fixed term position until 31 August 2026

Imagine being part of an organisation whose common purpose is to help those who are severely impacted by mental illness. We believe that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity – and that’s why equity is one of our core values. We draw on the expertise, unique perspectives and lived experience of our people – regardless of who they are or their background – to help us become inclusive and anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider that reflect the diverse communities we support as a mental health charity.

The Fundraising team is a dynamic group of fundraisers who are passionately committed to raising money for our life-changing work in the mental health and mental illness space. We have a diverse portfolio of income streams spanning Events, Community, Individual Giving, Legacies, In-Memoriam, Philanthropy, Trusts & Grants, and Partnerships.

Trusts & Grants have a strong track record at Rethink Mental Illness, and a growing portfolio of supporters at Mental Health UK. The team is well-positioned to develop innovative funding propositions that support the future ambitions of both charities, working to achieve both in-year cornerstone grants and long-term, transformational funding. As a newly established programme, Philanthropy demonstrates exciting potential for both Rethink and MHUK, with initiatives spanning major donor and mid-value engagement.

How you will make a difference

We are looking for an experienced Philanthropy and Trust and Foundations fundraiser to join our passionate team. This exciting maternity cover role will oversee Trusts & Grants, Philanthropy and Prospect Research during a pivotal time of growth, ensuring each area continues to develop, scale and innovate to achieve lasting results in support of our ambitious 5-year fundraising strategy. 

The successful post-holder will be a proactive charity professional who can effectively nurture the Trusts & Grants team, supporting them to reach in-year and future targets and facilitating the continued growth of this area. The role will also comprise developing the Philanthropy stream, bringing exemplary relationship management and stewardship strategies to continue establishing the programme for long-term success. The post-holder will manage their own high-value portfolio of prospects across both areas in addition to supporting the work of their team. Working across the high-value function, Prospect Research also sits under this position, with a remit to support and facilitate collaboration and maximising all opportunities between Trusts, Philanthropy and Corporate Partnerships.

As a senior leader you will take an active role in representing Philanthropy and Trusts externally and internally. You will work with stakeholders across the charities to understand and translate charitable initiatives into dynamic funding propositions, and build deep relationships with trusts, foundations and individual donors.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion 

Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer.  We recognise and support staff networks and support groups for our ethnically diverse and LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. 

We aim for our workforce to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve; for those who work for us to feel heard, valued and feel they belong; and for our work to help tackle wider mental health inequalities. We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience of mental illness, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and any other gender identity not expressed here (LGBTQIA+); people who are neurodiverse, have a health condition, or a disability or hidden disability and people from an ethnically diverse background - regardless of your age, religious or spiritual belief, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, political view or socio-economic status.

Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation 

We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement . We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrates our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation. You can read more about our progress here.