Major donors fundraiser jobs

ROLDA (Romanian League in Defence of Animals) is an international animal welfare charity working to improve the lives of dogs, cats and other vulnerable animals in Romania and beyond. Since 2006, ROLDA has rescued tens of thousands of animals, built shelters, delivered large-scale neutering programmes, supported partner rescuers, and driven education initiatives to address the root causes of animal suffering.

We are now seeking an experienced UK-based fundraiser to help grow individual giving, higher value support and legacy income, while working collaboratively with our colleagues in the US and Australia

This is a hands-on fundraising role focused on developing supporter relationships and growing income from individuals. You will play a key part in strengthening donor journeys, stewarding higher value supporters, promoting legacy giving, and supporting sensitive supporter communications.

You’ll be expected to work towards agreed income targets and contribute to the growth of sustainable UK fundraising, while helping align activity internationally.

This role suits someone who enjoys developing fundraising activity from the ground up, building supporter relationships, and working independently in a small charity environment — and who is genuinely motivated by bringing in income: someone practical, action-oriented, and comfortable turning plans into results.

Key Responsibilities

Individual Giving & Supporter Engagement

• Develop and deliver individual giving activity, supporting donor acquisition, retention and engagement
• Help design and improve supporter journeys and communications
• Draft compelling donor communications, appeals and fundraising materials

Higher Value Giving & Major Donors

• Support identification, cultivation and stewardship of higher value and major donors
• Build warm, authentic relationships with supporters
• Assist with donor meetings, follow-ups and personalised communications

Legacy Fundraising

• Support and grow ROLDA’s legacy programme
• Help develop legacy messaging and supporter materials
• Respond sensitively to legacy enquiries and supporter questions

Corporate & Community Fundraising

• Support the development of corporate and community fundraising activity in the UK, working collaboratively with other UK team members.
• Help identify and progress potential corporate partnerships, employee fundraising opportunities and community-led initiatives.
•  Provide fundraising support and materials to UK volunteers and supporters running their own events or activities.
• Contribute ideas and practical support to grow these income streams over time

Income Generation & Targets

• · Work towards agreed income targets and fundraising objectives
• · Contribute to fundraising plans and pipeline development
• · Track activity and results, reporting progress regularly

Communications & Representation

• Act as a key point of contact for supporter communications
• Help guide responses to sensitive supporter or public enquiries
• Provide fundraising input into communications and media responses when needed.

​Collaboration

• Work closely with fundraising colleagues in the UK, US and Australia
• Collaborate with leadership on fundraising priorities and strategy
• Share learning and insight across teams

Skills & Experience

Essential:

• Strong experience in individual giving, including supporter engagement and retention
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly for donor communications
• Experience working towards income targets
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment
• Strong organisational and relationship-building skills
• Confidence handling sensitive supporter communications

Desirable:

• Experience with higher value or major donors
• Knowledge of legacy fundraising
• Experience working with international teams or charities.

Personal Qualities

• Highly organised and confident, with the ability to work across multiple teams and build positive relationships to gather information and move things forward.
•  Self-motivated and proactive
• Warm, professional and supporter-focused
• Comfortable working in a small, developing organisation
•  Passionate about animal welfare
•  Practical, resourceful and solutions-oriented

Contract Details

This role is offered on a freelance / consultancy basis (not PAYE employment). Initially 3 days per week, with potential to increase to full-time as fundraising grows.

Benefits

Flexible work arrangements: We offer flexible work hours and the option to work remotely to support your work-life balance.

Professional development opportunities: Access to training programmes, workshops, conferences and mentorship opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.

Meaningful work: Join a team dedicated to making a real difference to animals in need and see the direct impact of your efforts.

Opportunities for leadership: Take on this leadership role and gain valuable experience and career growth opportunities.

Performance-related incentives may be available, linked to agreed objectives and fundraising outcomes.

Inclusive culture: Be part of a diverse and inclusive team that values and respects all members.

​​We are really excited to have welcomed our new Director of Income Generation and Development to Brain Tumour Research this month, a great new start for the new year!​

This is a fantastic time to be joining our ambitious and growing charity and we are keen to share this with likeminded and talented individuals. We currently have an opening for a Community Fundraiser, to be based in the East Anglia region.​

As the Community Fundraiser covering East Anglia you will play a crucial role in helping the charity meet its strategic plans and objectives, which include campaigning to increase the national investment in brain tumour research to £35 million per year, while fundraising to create a network of seven sustainable Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence across the UK.  Your role will be to generate and grow our income through community fundraising activities, contributing to a regional team target of more than £1.5 million.​

• Do you want to make a difference in one of the most innovative and exciting medical research fundraising charities in the UK?
• Do you live in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk or Suffolk?
• Do you have at least one years' experience of working in a professional Community Fundraising position?​

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Have you answered Yes to these questions?

Does this sound like the opportunity to really get 2026 off to an amazing start? ​

If you are excited to learn more about this position, please take a read through our recruitment pack which is attached in this advert.​​

If you have the skills and ambition that we are looking for we welcome your application.  We are really looking forward to welcoming a new member to our team!

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We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.​​

​We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.​

We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

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We are seeking an experienced and collaborative fundraiser who is ready to provide exemplary account management to trusts and foundation donors, maximising the value of partnerships through providing excellent stewardship and building strategic relationships to ensure long-term support to the organisation and our projects across the globe.

Working in collaboration with other fundraising functions and the organisation’s cross-cutting and in-country teams, the role will focus on raising unrestricted and restricted income from mid- to major-level trusts and foundations across different geographies.

The ideal candidate is an experienced, results-driven fundraiser with a strong track record of securing and stewarding five- and six-figure gifts from trusts and foundations. You should be able to thrive on building long-term, strategic partnerships with funders, bring in-depth knowledge of donor development, excellent account management skills, and the ability to translate organisational strategy into compelling, funder-focused proposals, reports, and engagement plans.

We are looking for a collaborative person who is highly organised and analytical, comfortable writing high-quality materials and communications for our supporters and new prospects, and who can demonstrate strong alignment with Fauna & Flora’s values.

Please visit our website and download the job application pack for further details on how to apply

The closing date for applications is Sunday, 15 March 2026. Interviews are likely to take place during the week commencing the 23 March 2026.

This role is not eligible for sponsorship of a Skilled Worker Visa.

The Salvation Army is recruiting a Trust Fundraising Manager. (Internally known as Trust Manager) This critical role will ensure that The Salvation Army maintains and increases its impactful presence as one of the top ten charities in the UK, and as a worldwide Christian Church that puts belief into action.

As a senior member of the Trust Fundraising Unit, you will be personally responsible for securing major gifts, identifying, and initiating relationships with prospective donors, developing long-term relationships and stewarding existing supporters across the UK.

You will also line manage the Fundraising Assistant role within the team.

To be successful in this role you will have;

• Secured significant funding from charitable trusts and foundations.
• Substantial experience of portfolio management. 
• Ability to develop external and internal relationships to support the development of funder proposals, reports and project visits.

Working hours: Minimum of 35 hours per week

£37,596 - £39,438 per annumLondon based, hybrid,  meeting the requirements below

£33,568 - £35,213 per annum - If based outside London 

To be eligible for the London Salary you will be required to work a minimum of 40% across each month in the Territorial Headquarters, London, SE5 8FJ

If based outside London, there will be an expectation to work a certain number of days per month from your local Salvation Army offices or Service centres- number of days and location can be discussed during the interview process.

Closing Date: Sunday, 8 Mar 2026

Interview Date: Wednesday 18 March

For an information conversation regarding the role, please feel free to contact Claire Poad whose contact details can be found on the Salvation Army careers page. 

This is an exciting time to join The Salvation Army. If you are an ambitious and experienced Trust Fundraiser looking for your next challenge and would like to play a key role in The Salvation Army’s income growth, this could be the role you’re looking for.

In order to complete your application please download and read the job profile and any other attachments.

In the job profile you will find the criteria required for the role please make sure that you address this in your supporting statement as this forms the basis of our shortlisting.

Appointment subject to satisfactory references and proof of right to work in the UK.

For details of how to prove your right to work in the UK please click here and please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship.

Please note that any Salvation Army employees who are under notice of redundancy and apply for this position will be given priority consideration.

We reserve the right to close this advert earlier if we feel that we have received sufficient applications.

Promoting equality in the workplace and as a disability confident leader scheme employer, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet all the minimum essential criteria for the vacancy.

Benefits:
25 days annual leave + bank holidays (pro rata for part-time) a contributory pension scheme; an employee assistance programme

First Give

First Give is a national charity that partners with secondary schools to inspire and equip young people with the knowledge, confidence, and skills to drive change. Through our structured programmes, students explore social issues, connect with charities, and take tangible steps to improve their community.

Empowering and equipping young people to meaningfully contribute to their community is a first step to addressing many of the challenges we face at this time of social disconnection and division. Our vision is of a more generous society where everyone is willing and able to give their time, money and skills to the causes they care about.

The Route to a Million Campaign

This is an exciting time for First Give, as we seek to expand and diversify our fundraising streams into Corporate and HNWI. To support this, we are launching the Route to A Million campaign in March, aiming to raise an additional £1.5 million over the next 3 years on top of our forecast income. The campaign is supported by a newly recruited campaign board, and the new Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships will spearhead the work required to achieve this target.

Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships

We are seeking a dynamic, strategic and entrepreneurial Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships to supercharge First Give’s next phase of income growth. This is a pivotal role at the heart of our mission, offering the opportunity to shape and deliver a multi‑year fundraising strategy that fuels real, measurable impact for young people and society as a whole. First Give is a small charity, with a growing fundraising team and big ambitions. You will therefore be someone who thrives in a start-up environment, brings new ideas to the table and is comfortable leading a brand-new team.

As the senior leader for all income streams, you will own and drive our major donor programme; unlock new philanthropic partnerships; and build a talented team across other income streams to achieve ambitious goals. Working closely with the Director and our emerging Campaign Board, you will play critical role in growing our £1m+ annual income, deepening donor engagement and building the culture, systems and relationships that will propel First Give into its next phase of expansion.

This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional fundraiser who thrives in a values‑driven, high‑ambition environment and wants to make a lasting contribution to a fast‑growing education charity.

Contract: Full time (35 hours per week), Permanent

Salary: £60K (+£2K London weighting if applicable)

Location: This is a hybrid contract. The successful candidate will be expected to work from our London office or attend in-person meetings and host donors at school Final events as required. The remainder of the week can typically be worked remotely, with flexibility as required.

The students we work with come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and so do we.  We want to foster a diverse and inclusive culture, to empower our teams to achieve our vision drawing on the broadest possible range of experiences. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates from minoritised groups currently underrepresented on our executive team, particularly black and minority ethnic and disabled candidates.

Please download the candidate pack for more details, and don't hesitate to get in touch if you'd like a chat about the role or any reasonable adjustments we can make before applying: contact details provided in the candidate pack.

Senior Development Executive – Department of Economics

University of Oxford

Location: Oxford, UK with some hybrid working options

Permanent and full-time role

Salary: Grade 8 role with a salary range of £49,119 - £58,265 pa, with possible extension to £63,489 (including an Oxford University Weighting of £1,730 per year, pro rata)

This is an exceptional career opportunity to help deliver philanthropic support that creates knowledge, shapes policy and inspires future leaders.

The University of Oxford’s Department of Economics is home to one of the largest and most diverse groups of academic economists.  With strong policy impact, outstanding academic programmes and world-class research tackling issues from climate change and improving refugee resettlement to AI and reducing unemployment, Oxford is a global centre of excellence in economics.

As a Department we aim to produce transformative and innovative economic research; to have a sustained impact on economic policy outside academia; and to develop and train the next generation of researchers and research leaders. Our goal is always to create a stimulating, supportive and collaborative environment that allows researchers and research groups to pursue cutting-edge agendas. A priority is to achieve this within an inclusive and diverse department.

The Department sits within the University’s Social Sciences Division, which is proud to be the home of some of the most creative and innovative scientific thinkers and leaders working in academe.  You could be helping to deliver philanthropic support that helps to fund breakthroughs in research with positive global impact.  If this sounds like the kind of challenge you’ve been looking for, please read on.

The opportunity
Philanthropy has played a key role in enabling the ambitions of the Social Sciences Division and wider University, and we are seeking a talented fundraiser who is excited by the opportunity to  raise money to support the very best academics and ensure that an Oxford education in economics is accessible to exceptional students from around the world, regardless of financial means.  Oxford will shortly be embarking on the public phase of a multi-billion campaign – the most ambitious in higher education outside North America  .  This could be your opportunity to help the brightest students, academics and researchers develop interventions and solutions that protect and improve the lives of people everywhere, at a career defining moment in the higher education sector in the UK.

Working closely with the Head of Development – Social Sciences and the senior leadership of the Department of Economics, as well as some of the most inspiring academics and researchers in the world, you will forge relationships with existing and new donors to the department.  You will have the support of excellent colleagues across Oxford as well as the wider Development & Alumni Engagement office.

About you
You are a skilled major gifts specialist with a proven track record of successfully building and  managing portfolios of relationships with individual and corporate donors and prospects with the capacity to give in the £100k - £1m+ range.  Bringing creativity and a proactive and entrepreneurial spirit, you enjoy working collaboratively with colleagues to identify and design engagement opportunities, and securing philanthropic gifts.  The foundations of your success include your:

· track record of securing philanthropic gifts at the six-figure level or more

· gravitas and innate ability to establish trust and credibility with stakeholders at all levels

· highly developed interpersonal skills, diplomacy and negotiation skills

· ability to lead through ambiguity by shaping, designing, and delivering transformative initiatives

You do not need an academic or professional background in economics – we’re more interested in someone with intellectual curiosity and a passion for engaging philanthropy to drive positive change in the world.

In return
Your happiness and wellbeing at work matters to us, so we offer a range of family friendly and financial benefits including:

· Flexible hybrid working

· An excellent contributory pension scheme

· 38 days annual leave

· Membership to CASE

· Training and development opportunities

· A comprehensive range of childcare services

· Family leave schemes

· Cycle loan scheme

· Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

· Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loan

You could be helping to deliver philanthropic support that funds breakthroughs in science and improve lives around the world. If this sounds like the kind of challenge you’ve been looking for, we’d love to hear from you.

We are partnering with Richmond Associates for this search.  To request a copy of the candidate information pack and to apply, please visit their website by following the Apply button, or contact them on +44 (0)20 3617 9240.

Closing date for applications is 9AM, Monday, 6 April 2026
Interviews with the University of Oxford are scheduled to take place from late April 2026.

The University of Oxford Development and Alumni Engagement Office is committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills and experiences, and reflects the community that we serve. We encourage applicants from all sectors of the community and are especially keen to encourage candidates from under-represented groups to apply.

Global Retention Executive
Remote | Full-time | Up to £30,000/(35.000€)

Join Animals Asia at a pivotal moment in our mission to end cruelty and restore respect for animals across Asia.

Animals Asia is on a historic journey to end bear bile farming, transform the lives of captive wildlife and create lasting change for animals across Asia. None of this is possible without the compassion and commitment of our supporters – and that’s where you come in.

We’re looking for a Global Retention Executive to nurture and grow relationships with individual giving donors worldwide. In this role, you’ll help deliver inspiring, multi-channel fundraising and stewardship campaigns that show supporters the real impact of their generosity, and keep them connected to our mission for the long term.

Working closely with and reporting to the Global Retention Manager, and teams across fundraising, communications, supporter care, programs, and data, technology and insight, you’ll bring powerful stories to life through email, direct mail and digital journeys. You’ll play a hands-on role in creating meaningful supporter experiences that drive impact for animals who desperately need our help.

We’re a small but mighty global Individual Giving team, made up of exceptionally talented, passionate and dedicated individuals who care deeply about creating real, lasting change. We have the ambition to match our potential and we’re investing in the right people to help us go further, faster.

If you’re an organised, detail-oriented and supporter-focused professional with 1–2 years’ experience in donor retention, individual giving or a similar role within the charity sector, and have a genuine passion for animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you.

Closing date: 13th March 2026. All applications must be submitted before the closing date advertised. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received. Interested parties, Interviews will be conducted during the week commencing 23rd March 2026 via Zoom or Google Meet. Find out more about us on our website.

This is an exciting and challenging opportunity for a senior fundraiser / income-generation specialist with the ambition to grow and diversify our income streams sustainably. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will bring strategic planning and action to the income generation work needed to ensure that the charity can continue delivering, and increase the reach of, its life-changing support to Asylum Seeker and Refugee communities in and around Derby.

Key Skills and Attributes we’re looking for: 

• Demonstrable experience of significant income growth in a large charity through grants, tenders and/or major donors with pipeline development.
• Experience of motivating and inspiring team members to achieve high, sustainable performance in fundraising and communications.  
• Collaborative and skilled at working cross organisationally and building strong internal relationships.
• A proactive networker with the ability to work in true partnership with local organisations, including faith groups, corporate, local government and national funding partners, inclusive of major donors.
• Provides strategic leadership across the organisation, working jointly with the Chief Executive and Trustees to embed the charity’s ethos and values.

Operational responsibilities:

Income generation and external partnerships

• Hold overall accountability for income generation across trusts and foundations, statutory funding, corporate partnerships, major donors and community fundraising.
• Developer and deliver a statutory fundraising strategy to maximise income from government, NHS, lottery and public sector funders.
• Lead and write high-quality funding bids, working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and operational teams to shape compelling programme proposals.
• Oversee the management of the charity's current grant portfolio; ensuring grant applications and reports are delivered on time and in accordance with internal processes.
• Ensure that the voice, experience and dignity of refugees are meaningfully and ethically reflected in all fundraising and communication activity.

Leadership

• Provide inclusive, ambitious and supportive leadership to the Fundraising team, encouraging a culture of high performance, collaboration and learning.
• Champion strong collaboration between fundraising and other areas of the charity.
• Model Upbeat Communities values at all times, contributing to a welcoming, mission-led and entrepreneurial organisational culture.
• Actively contribute as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, supporting organisational leadership and decision-making beyond fundraising.

· Provide clear, accurate and timely reporting to the CEO, and Board of Trustees, attending meetings as required.

Strategy & Development

• Working closely with the CEO, lead the development and delivery of an integrated Fundraising Strategy that supports organisational priorities, financial sustainability and long-term partnerships.
• Contribute income generation expertise to support the execution of the charity’s strategic plan.
• Translate strategy into clear priorities, plans and performance expectations across the fundraising portfolio.
• Ensure fundraising propositions are compelling, evidence-led and clearly connected to Upbeat Communities impact, working closely with the Head of Delivery to reflect operational reality and participant need.
• Strengthen pipeline management, forecasting and scenario planning to support financial resilience and informed decision-making.

· Identify opportunities to deepen funder engagement beyond income, including learning partnerships, influence and profile-raising where appropriate.

Networking & Partnerships

• Build and maintain strong strategic partnerships across statutory, community and private sectors, strengthening the profile and reach of the charity.
• Represent the organisation at networking events, conferences generating leads and expanding income opportunities
• Support the development of a joined-up Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) offer, positioning Upbeat Communities as a key partner for corporate engagement.

Foundational Values

• Excels in emotional intelligence, building deep connections and mentoring others in emotional awareness.
• Embodies compassion in action, inspiring others to create a culture of care and community impact.
• Drives a culture of learning and excellence, mentoring others and integrating innovative ideas into practice.
• Leads with empowerment, creating opportunities and mentoring others to take ownership of their actions.

Person Specification:

Role Specific Competencies

• Significant experience leading high-value fundraising across multiple income streams, with a strong track record of income growth in a large charity.
• Demonstrable success securing and stewarding 6- and 7-figure partnerships or donations from corporate partners, trusts/foundations, statutory funders and/or major donors.
• Proven ability to operate at both strategic and delivery levels, balancing leadership with selective frontline fundraising.
• Experience managing senior fundraisers or managers with responsibility for discrete income streams.
• Strong strategic, financial and analytical skills, including budgeting, forecasting, performance management and risk assessment.
• Excellent relationship-building, influencing and negotiation skills, with credibility at senior levels internally and externally.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and compellingly to a range of audiences, including trustees.
• Experience working effectively across an organisation and with senior leadership teams.
• Strong project management skills and ability to prioritise in a fast-paced environment.
• Sound knowledge of GDPR and the Charity Code of Fundraising Practice.

Lead a once-in-a-generation capital campaign and help shape the future of wildlife rescue in Shropshire.
Cuan Wildlife Rescue is seeking an ambitious, relationship-driven Fundraising and Capital Campaign Lead to grow our income, profile and partnerships at a pivotal moment in our history. As we embark on an exciting capital build programme to create a new, purpose-built wildlife hospital, you’ll play a central role in securing major gifts, building corporate partnerships, inspiring high-value supporters and opening new doors for Cuan’s future. This is a hands-on, outward-facing role for a confident networker and storyteller who loves building relationships, spotting opportunities and turning passion into impact, working with a passionate team to make a lasting difference for wildlife.

Will you accept the challenge?

Right now, is Manchester’s time to shine. At the end of 2025 we launched our first ever fundraising and volunteering campaign, “ Challenge Accepted”. This campaign, unprecedented in Manchester’s history, will increase both reach and impact, engaging broader audiences and encouraging participation from the University community in fundraising and volunteer activities.

Manchester individuals distinguish themselves through shared values such as integrity, boldness, ambition, and collaboration. We are also united by a pioneering spirit and the determination to effect positive change. If you possess a fearless character, strong optimism, and a commitment to promoting a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable world, we encourage you to contact us.

Details of the role

Reporting to the Head of Philanthropy (Health), and working in a team of major gift fundraisers, you will be responsible for securing six-figure gifts across a range of life-changing priorities spanning students, research and innovation. This post will work closely with colleagues across the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health to deliver major gifts into priority areas including cancer, brain health and health inequalities. The post will support the Division’s efforts to develop and implement the health fundraising strategy in order to significantly increase philanthropic income.

An exceptional major gift fundraiser, you will be responsible for managing a portfolio of relationships to secure six-figure gifts. You will proactively build the pipeline, demonstrating a creative approach to reach potential new donors. You will develop creative and effective engagement, cultivation and stewardship plans that deepen prospect relationships and inspire future support.

You will have experience working within a team whilst working towards personal targets. We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are results orientated, persuasive and have exceptional negotiation skills.

You will work in collaboration with colleagues in areas including Alumni Engagement, Regular Giving and Donor Relations to identify opportunities to maximise fundraising income and give our donors the very best supporter experience possible. And you’ll work together with colleagues across the University to help embed a culture of fundraising at Manchester.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers, and more.

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here.

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please be aware that due to the number of applications we are unfortunately not able to provide individual feedback on your application.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.

Head of Individual Giving

We’re looking for an experienced and creative Head of Individual Giving to lead and grow our individual giving programme.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you’ll shape and deliver our individual giving strategy, overseeing the recruitment, retention and development of individual supporters. You’ll lead on our major appeals, including an annual national campaign to Catholic parishes across the UK.

You’ll also play a key role in developing new fundraising products, optimising donor journeys, and ensuring our CRM and data systems support excellent stewardship and insight-driven decision making. This is a senior position with significant scope to shape the programme and make your mark.

About You

We’re looking for a confident and strategic fundraiser with a strong grasp of individual giving and a collaborative approach. You’ll bring:

• Proven experience delivering successful individual giving or direct marketing campaigns in the charity sector
• Strong skills in supporter stewardship and donor retention
• Experience of managing budgets, teams and external suppliers
• A creative, data-driven approach to growing income
• Excellent communication skills

We are looking for a skilled and energetic Fundraiser to lead revenue generation at this outstanding, award-winning, international charity. Working alongside the Director, there is exceptional scope for securing the support of high net-worth individuals, regular givers and Trusts and Foundations. This is a new post and you will have an important role in shaping the future of HYT.

Please see attached the full job description below.

Fitzwilliam College is a special welcoming community with a long history of being different, from its founding in the 1860s as a non-collegiate institution for students who could not afford to be affiliated with a Cambridge college through to its movement into becoming a college rooted in the 1960s modernist designs of Denys Lasdun. Fitz combines a drive for academic excellence and enquiry with a proven commitment to widening access to a Cambridge education.  The College is located on a large seven-acre site within 10 minutes’ cycle ride of all the major faculties and departments of the University.

Fitz is looking to appoint an outstanding individual as Development Director. A senior figure within the College, the post-holder will oversee the delivery of the £40 million FutureFitz campaign in conjunction with the Master, the Bursar, and the Governing Body. They will lead on fundraising for the campaign, developing new and deepening existing donor relationships, and will manage a team of five development staff. Fitz is looking for a strategic fundraiser who is open to thinking creatively about development. They will embody the College’s ambitious, collaborative and pragmatic ethos, and will be an active and engaged member of the community.

The ideal candidate will be an outstanding major gifts fundraiser, with campaign experience and a significant track record of fundraising at a senior level. They will demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with experience of cultivating long-term relationships with donors, and a proven ability to oversee, shape and motivate a team of engaged staff. They will ideally have experience engaging comparable alumni donors. They should be committed to the College’s values and aims.

The Development Director will be elected a Fellow of the College, reflecting the seniority of the post and the importance of the role.

Fitzwilliam College values diversity and is committed to equal opportunities.  The College is committed to helping people grow and develop; to that end we actively welcome diversity in personal and professional backgrounds and aim to ensure the postholder will have access to excellent opportunities to continue to grow and progress in their professional tenure at the College.

Job Purpose

This role sits at the heart of Operation Smile UK’s five-year strategy to deliver transformational growth across all income streams. As Retention Fundraising Lead, you will be instrumental in delivering on three of the four core strategic priorities:

1. Build Regular Giving – retain and maximise value from the regular giving base

2. Drive All Donors to Legacy – ensure donors experience best-in-class stewardship, increasing their loyalty to the charity with an objective of feeding into legacy and long-term giving goals.

3. Maximise Growth Through Digital Fundraising Integration – leading the expansion and optimisation of digital growth for all existing supporters.

The Retention Lead is responsible for delivering Operation Smile UK’s strategic individual giving retention and legacy marketing programme. This role is key to driving income growth from our existing donors from the point of recruitment, maximising value and minimising attrition from the regular giving pool and generating and retaining legacy actions and prospects.

You will lead on the strategy, planning, delivery and evaluation of retention campaigns, with full accountability for managing significant budgets, agency partnerships and performance metrics.

You will support the development of the Legacy strategy, be instrumental in planning legacy activity and delivering legacy marketing for the existing supporter base across all income streams and methods of support, from Partnerships, Volunteers and public fundraisers.

This is a senior, hands-on role suited to an experienced Individual giving fundraiser with strong commercial acumen and a data-driven mindset.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Campaign Leadership

• Develop and implement the retention strategy, aligned with income targets and supporter growth objectives.
• Lead on the planning and delivery of campaigns across cash, donor stewardship, legacy prospecting and stewardship, welcome, conversion, reactivation and upgrade appeals.
• Lead on strategic development of the cultivation journey to ensure Operation Smile maximise growth through digital channels.
• Monitor and report on campaign performance, providing insight-driven recommendations to optimise results.
• Drive testing and innovation to expand existing approaches and introduce new ones within acceptable risk and return parameters.

Budget Ownership & Performance Monitoring

• Take full responsibility for retention and legacy budget management, income forecasting and cost control.
• Set, monitor, and evaluate key performance indicators (KPIs), reporting against ROI, value and response, retention and conversion metrics and long-term value across all supporter groups channels.
• Collaborate with the Senior Database Manager and the Director of Data and Technology to develop and maintain performance dashboards (e.g., Power BI) and support strategic data analysis, including both short term and long-term channel performance evaluation.

Line Management

• Provide day-to-day leadership and support to the Retention team, ensuring clarity of objectives, effective workload management, and professional development opportunities.
• Conduct regular 1:1s, annual appraisals, and performance reviews for direct reports, supporting their growth and accountability.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture, encouraging innovation, learning, and high standards of delivery.
• Provide strategic and operational direction to external agencies or freelancers working on retention projects.

Agency & Partner Management

• Manage day-to-day relationships with external fundraising and creative partners.
• Lead on the relationship with the external fulfilment agency working with multiple internal stakeholders to ensure an effective partnership is in place.
• Lead briefings, content sourcing, agent training, stakeholder approvals, and quality assurance processes.
• Negotiate contracts and hold suppliers accountable for delivery and performance.

Cross-Team and Market Integration

• Represent the retention and legacy programme in cross-functional planning meetings and contribute to a unified team culture focused on strategic delivery.
• Work closely with the Acquisition and Digital lead to deliver a seamless supporter journey from point of recruitment to donor communications.
• Work closely with the Philanthropy Manager to develop and manage the pipeline of HV/Major donors.
• Work closely with the Legacy administrator, Philanthropy Manager and Volunteer Manager to develop the legacy pipeline.
• Work closely to ensure all digital communications are aligned and support the retention strategy
• Act as a key liaison with colleagues across Operation Smile global markets, sharing insights and exploring opportunities to align strategy, co-develop creative, or pilot cross-market initiatives.

Compliance, Risk & Best Practice

• Ensure all campaigns meet legal, ethical and data protection requirements (e.g., GDPR, Fundraising Regulator).
• Act as a key contributor to organisational risk assessments relating to income performance and supplier performance.
• Keep up to date with sector trends, innovations and benchmarks to maintain best practice.

Person specification

Essential Experience

• Extensive experience (ideally 5+ years) in Individual Giving, Legacy or fundraising acquisition roles.
• Proven success delivering multi-channel (including digital) retention campaigns for both cash, legacy and regular giving donors with strong ROI.
• Experience managing external agencies and suppliers to high performance standards.
• Strong background in regular giving retention.
• Demonstrable experience managing and reporting on retention budgets.

Skills & Attributes

• Strategic thinker with excellent campaign planning and execution skills.
• Highly numerate and confident using data for decision-making and optimisation.
• Strong project and stakeholder management abilities.
• Proactive, self-starting approach with high levels of ownership and accountability.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to represent the organisation externally.

Desirable

• Understanding of retention and supporter journey optimisation.
• Familiarity with CRM, Dot digital and data system Donorfy.
• Experience with Power BI or other reporting tools.

First-round interviews are set for the week of 9th March 2026. We strongly encourage early applications.

Disability Confident Committed Employer

We're a Disability Confident Committed employer, so we guarantee an interview to any disabled applicant who meets the minimum requirements for the job.

At Operation Smile UK, we value individuals based on their performance and potential. We're dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that supports everyone's needs. We're happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the application and employment process, and we particularly welcome applications from diverse backgrounds.

If you need this document in a different format, require any adjustments, or need help with your application, please contact us (further details contained within the job description).

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Operation Smile UK knows fundraising could better reflect the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the people the charity sector supports. If you don’t meet every requirement but believe your transferable skills align with the role, we encourage you to contact us for a conversation. 

We want our team to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, offering equal opportunities to everyone, regardless of, age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We celebrate diversity and encourage you to bring your authentic self to Operation Smile UK. We are committed to supporting all applicants and ensuring a fair hiring process. All appointments will be made solely on merit, and we are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.