Senior head of philanthropy jobs

Age International's vision is a world where every older person is included and valued. Its mission is to inspire and channel UK and international support so that older people in challenging situations across the world can improve their lives.

The CEO of Age International provides leadership to a committed and dynamic charity which champions the rights, and improves the lives, of older people in low- and middle-income countries.

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead Age International at a pivotal moment for the rights and wellbeing of older people globally. As CEO you will provide inspirational leadership to an organisation with a strong reputation, deep expertise and a clear purpose: to ensure that older people everywhere can live with dignity, security and choice.

While the current strategy is defined, you will deliver this and then shape a new, ambitious strategy in years to come, working to influence policy, mobilise resources and nurture powerful partnerships that bring about lasting change.

With credibility, compassion and determination, you will champion the voices of older people internationally and lead Age International into its next chapter of impact and influence.

Please view the attached role description for full details.

Person specification:

Essential:

* Strategic vision, forward-looking, clear-thinking strategist able to read the environment and lead strategy processes.

* Passionate, values-based leader, committed to advancing the rights of older people.

* Senior leadership and governance experience in a complex organisation, preferably in the charitable / NGO sector.

* Strong experience of international development and humanitarian programme development and management, and related policy issues.

* Experienced income generator with financial acumen.

* Collaborative, relational team builder and manager committed to diversity equality and inclusion, able to use soft-power to build support.

* Partnership-builder creating impact greater than the sum of the parts.

* Confident external affairs representative, manager of stakeholder engagement and spokesperson, including for the media.

* Advocate and confident influencer able to drive policy change

* Engaging and effective communicator and campaigner, able to explain impact, inspire support and grow profile.

* Calm manager of change who is both agile and pragmatic.

* Thrives working in a small team on a big mission.

* Willing to travel internationally on programme monitoring visits and for conferences.

Desirable:

* Understanding of UN processes, health system strengthening, income security and social pensions, able to articulate the impact of gender discrimination and climate change on older people internationally.

* Experience as a CEO or of overseeing organisational management, policies and compliance.

* Technology and digital skills.

* Experience of leading public change campaigning.

* Experience as a Trustee.

What we offer in return:

• Competitive salary, 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + annual leave purchase scheme
• Excellent pension scheme, life assurance, Health cashback plan and EAP
• Car Benefit Scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme and Season Ticket Loan
• Techscheme - buy any tech from Apple or Currys, up to £1000, and spread the cost over 12 months, interest free
• Blue Light Card Scheme
• You Did It Awards - recognition awards from £100-250.

Additional Information

The closing date for applications is 14th September, 2026.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert at any time.

Anonymisation

Please submit your CV as a Word document. It will be anonymised by our recruitment system.

Please provide a supporting statement that explains how you meet the competencies in the job description. Age UK acknowledges that AI may be used to support applications, however we expect candidates to personalise their experience, knowledge and skills. Failure to do so may result in your application being rejected.

Please do not include your name, or any other personal information in your supporting statement, to assist our inclusive recruitment process.

Please do not use heavy formatting for either your CV or supporting statement, as the system is unable to anonymise these.

All equalities monitoring information is also anonymised and not shared with the hiring panel. Your name and address will only be known to us if you are invited for interview.

Equal opportunities & Disability Confident Scheme

Age UK is an Equal Opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates, regardless of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital/civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity. Age UK is a Disability Confident Scheme employer. Due to high numbers of applications received, Age UK reserves the right to limit the overall number of interviews offered, and therefore, it may not always be practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people that meet the minimum criteria for the job.

Reasonable adjustments

Disabled job seekers can access reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. All requests for reasonable adjustments are considered on a case-by-case basis, in collaboration with the disabled job seeker to best meet their needs, by contacting the Recruitment Team. Disability disclosures will be kept confidential and only shared on a need-to-know basis to support the implementation of adjustments. Disclosures will not be used to inform hiring decisions.

Safeguarding

Age UK is committed to safeguarding adults at risk, and children, from abuse and neglect. We expect everyone who works with us to share this commitment.

Age UK politely requests no contact from recruitment agencies or media sales. We do not accept speculative CVs from recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

For a full list of benefits please visit our website.

Join the RHN Fundraising Team and help make a profound difference to the lives of people living with neuro-disability.

Situated within beautiful gardens and grounds, the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability (RHN) is a leading national centre of excellence and one of the longest-running charities and independent hospitals in the UK.

Set in a stunning Grade II listed Victorian building, the RHN provides adult person-centred services across the entire care pathway—from post-acute rehabilitation to end-of-life care—for people with complex neuro-disabilities and their families. Underpinned by a strong research and education framework, the RHN is more than a hospital; it is a vibrant community where residents engage in music, art, and holistic support to achieve the best possible quality of life. 

We’re looking for an experienced Trusts & Major Gifts Manager to lead and grow a key area of fundraising at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability. This is an exciting opportunity to shape our trusts and foundations and major gifts programme, build strong relationships with funders and supporters, and secure significant income to enhance the lives of our patients and their families.

Job title: Trusts and Major Gifts Manager

Department: Fundraising

Salary: £37,094 (£47,380 FTE)

Contract: Permanent, part time (4 days per week)

Location: Putney, 1 day per week from home

Key responsiblities

• Lead income generation, driving the team to achieve an annual target of £1.25m+ and developing a strong, sustainable pipeline of trusts, foundations, statutory and lottery funding.

• Manage and develop the team, setting targets and KPIs, allocating opportunities effectively, and providing coaching, support and constructive feedback.

• Build and nurture funder relationships, identifying new prospects, developing tailored stewardship plans, and representing the RHN through meetings, visits and presentations.

• Develop compelling funding applications, working across the organisation to demonstrate impact, understand funding needs and secure multi-year and transformational grants.

• Stay ahead of the funding landscape, monitoring trends and emerging opportunities and advising on potential new sources of income.

• Oversee effective fundraising management, including budgets, reporting, CRM records, application deadlines and performance against targets.

Person specification: Essential (E) and Desirable (D)

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent) (E)

• Fundraising qualification (D)

• Working knowledge of fundraising best practice; at least 2 years’ experience of grant fundraising; proven record of securing gifts of 5/6 figures and multi-year opportunities (E)

• At least 2 years’ experience in a team management role (E)

• Experience of Raiser’s Edge (or similar fundraising database) as a tool in supporter relationship management and proficiency in Microsoft Office. Appropriate training can be provided. (E)

• Experience of using research techniques to acquire information about existing and prospective funders. (E)

• Excellent prospect research and profile creation. (E)

• Excellent interpersonal skills – strong influencing, relationship building and networking skills to develop and nurture donor relationships.  Ability to quickly establish rapport with a diverse range of people. (E)

• Ability to conceive and develop complex proposals (E)

• A flexible approach to work as this role will require some outside of normal office hours working. (E)

• Comfortable working in a hospital setting where interaction with patients, staff, and families is common place (E)

Why the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability is a great place to work:

• Generous Annual Leave entitlement

• Free counselling and therapy sessions and other mental wellbeing support through our partner CIC Wellbeing 

• Get involved in our free on-site wellbeing programs, including weekly yoga, and monthly pottery club (we are the UK’s only hospital with its own kiln)!

• Draw down a percentage of your monthly wages a few weeks early to help with unexpected costs.

• Financial support services such as low-interest loans and help with savings accounts through our partnership with London Capital Credit Union.

• Join our wellbeing networks to connect with people in our hospital; we have a Pride network, Women’s network, and our Race Equality network. We also have heritage events to celebrate the diversity of our workforce – most recently we had a South East Asian celebration.

• Free on-site parking (rare in London!)

• More benefits: Cycle2Work scheme, tech purchase support scheme, Blue Light Card discounts, and more.

Please note, to be eligible to apply for this role, you must have the Right to Work in the UK. We are unable to offer sponsorship to applicants currently.

RHN is a care provider for vulnerable patients at extreme risk. In consequence, safeguarding patients will always be our highest priority.

RHN is proud to be a diverse and inclusive employer that respects and values the differences of our people to achieve their full potential. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact our Resourcing Team

We are proud to be Disability Confident Employer and we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from disabled people and will make reasonable adjustments to support you through the recruitment process and in the workplace.

We reserve the right to close this advert earlier than the advertised closing date if a sufficient response is received.

This fixed term role will provide cover with the current position-holder is on secondment with another team. Within the Individual Giving team, the Fundraising Manager will have responsibility for the planning and delivery of activities that recruit new supporters and generate income. You will manage our supporter recruitment programme, ensuring we meet our targets, and promoting investment strategies to cost-effectively and sustainably grow our supporter base. You will focus on the delivery of existing offline communication channels, as well as the development of new products, channels and audiences with a future-focused outlook on fundraising and recruitment. Over the next 12 months the new initiatives we plan to launch include a value exchange lead generation programme, improvements to our welcome journeys including the introduction of telemarketing, and potentially a lottery scheme. Working closely with the other Fundraising Managers (especially the Digital Fundraising Manager), you will also ensure that new recruits go on to become loyal supporters, taking the lead on some projects and contributing to others, and will help to feed the pipeline of legacy pledges. You will help to improve the experience for our supporters and maximise their potential for giving. You will also work closely with the Digital Team to ensure thoughtful integration of acquisition activities to optimise spending and ensure a seamless experience for new supporters across channels.

About you

Experience / Qualifications: • Degree qualification in or c.5 years’ experience of individual giving fundraising, marketing, communications or related discipline. • Experience delivering marketing / fundraising for a charity, ideally in international development • Experience managing or leading others – ie line management or project management • Experience managing external suppliers and agency relationships Behaviours / Personal Attributes: • Highly motivated and target-driven, an enthusiastic self-starter • Collaborative and able to work across multiple teams • Excellent relationship-builder • Resilient and adaptable under pressure, capable of balancing multiple priorities simultaneously • Creative, innovative and ambitious, and able to inspire that in others 

Preferred / Desirable:

• Experience with a variety of fundraising channels, products and platforms – with a particular focus on supporter acquisition • Knowledge of the legal and compliance frameworks for charity fundraising and marketing including, but not limited to the Fundraising Regulator, Privacy and Data Protection legislation. • Passion for the charity sector, ideally in international development Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

To be successful in the role, the ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate:

Technical / Functional Skills:

• Ability to design and deliver fundraising strategies and campaigns

• Strong data analysis and reporting skills

• Familiarity with fundraising CRM software

• Budgeting and financial management for fundraising activities

Soft Skills / Competencies:

• Excellent written and verbal communication for donor engagement and presentations

• Leadership skills for managing individuals within fundraising team

• Relationship and stakeholder management

• Excellent organisational, time management and project management skills

A friendly and supportive culture, working with values driven and highly engaged colleagues, work life balance and flexible working . In the UK, our open plan offices are located in the centre of Rugby and near to Rugby train station, but we also offer free parking.

 • Full-time roles are contracted at 35 hours per week.

• It is our normal practice to operate a hybrid working policy, where flexible working hours are enabled as well as remote working. 

About the team

The Philanthropy Team raises income for Impetus and for Impetus partner charities. The team consists of 15 staff. Impetus has an annual income of c.£11 million which we are looking to grow significantly within the next few years. The team is led by two Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships. 

The Philanthropy Team works with major donors, corporates and grant making trusts, as well as collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to ensure we make a compelling case to generate new financial commitments and wider support for our work. The team also deliver a high-quality engagement programme of volunteering and pro bono for Impetus’s corporate supporters.   

Impetus is driven by a shared belief in tackling the barriers that hold back young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in education and employment. Alongside investing extensive financial and non-financial support in our charity partners through our Investment Team we also seek to influence decision makers to design and implement evidence led policy and direct new resources to get young people the support they need through our Public Affairs team. We are resolutely focused on outcomes, driven by quality evidence.

You would be joining a team that is passionate, ambitious, determined and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our charity partners and the young people we serve. 

About this role

The Development Director (New Business) provides strategic leadership for Impetus’ new business development, prospect pipeline and high-value funding opportunities. The postholder will have responsibility for identifying, cultivating and converting new corporate, trust and foundation, and high-net-worth donor relationships, as well as continued relationship management for key, established relationships.

In 25/26, the Philanthropy and Partnerships team generated £11m in philanthropic income, alongside £2.8m in probono contributions. The Development Director will play a key role in delivering Impetus' growth ambitions, helping to increase philanthropic income to £14m by 2029. 

Working closely with the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships, the role will translate the fundraising strategy into clear new business priorities, pipeline plans and prospect engagement approaches, ensuring a strong flow of qualified opportunities and sustainable growth in high-value income.

Working closely with colleagues across Philanthropy and Partnerships, the postholder will personally lead and support significant six and seven-figure prospects and strategic funding opportunities, while overseeing the stewardship and retention of current partners. 

Working collaboratively across the Philanthropy and Partnerships team and with colleagues across the organisation, the Development Director will ensure a joined-up approach to donor acquisition, pipeline development, prospect conversion and stewardship, maximising income, partnership value and long-term impact within the agreed fundraising strategy.

Key responsibilities

New Business, Pipeline & Conversion

• Personally lead on six and seven-figure level priority prospects and strategic funding opportunities, managing the full fundraising cycle from qualification to close.
• Work with trustees, senior volunteers, and networks to unlock introductions and new opportunities, providing clear support and follow-up to maximise success.
• Evolve Impetus’ new business strategy, driving the identification, cultivation, and conversion of new high-value donor and partner relationships.
• Translate Impetus’ impact, evidence base, and venture philanthropy model into compelling propositions for new audiences and sectors.

Strategic Relationship Management & Growth 

• Own and oversee select donor relationships at six and seven-figure levels within the philanthropy portfolio, ensuring high levels of retention, satisfaction, trust, income growth and long-term value.
• Ensure your donors receive timely, consistent, high-quality and relevant engagement and communications throughout their relationship with Impetus.
• Work closely with the wider team to ensure a smooth transition between new business, and long-term stewardship.
• Ensure account plans for priority donors and partners include clear renewal and growth pathways; engagement and risk-management plans.
• Act as senior relationship owner where required, modelling strong stewardship and coaching the Head of Development and other colleagues to navigate complex or sensitive relationships.

Research, Insight & Pipeline Development

• Provide strategic leadership for the Research & Insights function, ensuring prospect research, donor intelligence and market insight inform fundraising strategy, pipeline development and organisational planning.
• Lead the strategic development of fundraising pipelines, ensuring focus on opportunities with the greatest potential for long-term income growth, impact and strategic fit.
• Ensure donor intelligence and prospect research are used effectively to identify, qualify and prioritise new funding opportunities.
• Maintain oversight of gift acceptance, due diligence and fundraising compliance in relation to fundraising opportunities, ensuring adherence to relevant regulatory requirements and organisational policies.
• Identify and escalate strategic, reputational or compliance risks associated with donors and partners.

Leadership and Team Performance

• Line manage and develop the Head of Development, providing strategic direction, coaching and performance oversight.
• Establish the Head of Development as the operational lead on new business, ensuring capability, succession and high performance across the wider team.
• Set clear objectives and success measures for new business growth, aligned to Impetus’ wider income strategy.
• Build and sustain an inclusive, evidence-led and high-performing team culture that balances pace and ambition with quality, learning and collaboration.
• Build fundraising capability across your team through leadership, coaching and consistent, fair, and high-quality performance management, including objective-setting, feedback and development planning.

Pro Bono, Events, Volunteering & Partnership Value

• Ensure engagement opportunities, including volunteering, pro bono and events, strengthen strategic partnerships and support long-term income growth through strong collaboration with colleagues.

Operational Excellence, Governance & Risk

• Ensure new business activity complies with due diligence, gift acceptance and risk management requirements.
• Oversee accurate pipeline reporting, forecasting, and performance tracking, using Salesforce and other systems to ensure insights inform decision making.
• Work with Finance and Operations to ensure income is contracted, invoiced, and reported accurately and on time in line with financial controls.
• Identify and escalate strategic or reputational risks associated with prospective partnerships.

Cross-Organisational Leadership & Representation

• Act as a senior ambassador for Impetus, representing the organisation credibly with new donors, partners, and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to organisational strategy, income planning, and senior leadership discussions.
• Lead philanthropic work on Impetus funds including identifying funding opportunities and risks; shaping prospect pipelines; contributing to cases for support and donor presentations; and develop fund stewardship.
• Champion collaboration across the Philanthropy team, ensuring opportunities are shared, relationships are leveraged and expertise is used to maximise income and impact.
• Back Impetus’ values, evidence-led approach, and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion across the Philanthropy team.

Strategic leadership

• Work in partnership with the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships to contribute to the fundraising strategy.
• Translate strategic priorities into clear operational plans, objectives and delivery, ensuring new business delivers against organisational priorities, income targets and long-term growth ambitions.
• Provide strategic oversight of annual forecasting, budgeting, pipeline performance and resource planning, ensuring risks and opportunities are identified and addressed proactively.
• Maximise the contribution of trustees, committees, senior volunteers and wider networks to support strategic relationship building and new business development.
• Act as a trusted senior adviser to the Directors of Philanthropy and Partnerships, providing insight, challenge and solutions to strengthen organisational fundraising performance and capability.
• Deputise for the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships where appropriate, within agreed delegations and priorities.
• Build a positive, collaborative and high-performing culture across the Philanthropy team, modelling Impetus' values and supporting continuous improvement.

Person specification

Essential:

Fundraising & new business leadership

• Significant experience in major donor and/or corporate fundraising at six and seven-figure gift level, with a strong track record of securing new income and managing complex partnerships.
• Ability to lead and personally deliver the full fundraising cycle, from prospecting and cultivation through to solicitation, negotiation, and close.
• Proven experience of building, managing, and converting a new business pipeline, balancing ambition with delivery.
• Strong ability to leverage internal and external networks, including trustees, senior volunteers, and professional contacts.

Senior stakeholder engagement

• Experience of operating at a senior level and leading high value or complex stakeholder relationships (trustees, board members, senior external partners).
• Ability to influence and build credibility with senior audiences through clear, confident and evidence led communication.
• Excellent negotiation skills, with the ability to secure mutually beneficial outcomes while protecting organisational values and reputation.

Leadership & people management

• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing teams, including developing senior colleagues and building leadership capability.
• A strong track record as a collaborative senior team member, contributing beyond own area of responsibility and supporting wider organisational success
• Ability to build a high-trust, high-challenge culture that supports excellence, inclusion, and learning.
• Strong performance management capability and ability to handle complex people issues, giving strategic feedback, and addressing underperformance constructively.
• Ability to deputise for the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships when appropriate.

Strategic & intellectual capability

• Strong strategic thinker with the ability to translate agreed strategy and insight into clear plans and execute them effectively.
• Ability to grasp, interpret apply and communicate complex information and ideas, including Impetus’ venture philanthropy and impact-led funding models.
• Evidence of an innovative and creative approach, with the ability to adapt in changing contexts.

Financial, operational & delivery capability

• Solid financial management, with experience contributing to budget-setting, managing agreed budgets, supporting forecasting and identifying efficiencies.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to delivery, with the ability to manage multiple priorities to a high standard
• Able to use insight and data (including CRM systems such as Salesforce) to inform decisions and strengthen performance.
• Sound judgement in identifying, managing, and escalating risk, particularly in relation to donor relationships and reputation.

Communication, values & ways of working

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate clearly, persuasively, and with impact.
• Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish, maintain, and leverage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• A strong commitment to Impetus’ mission and to improving outcomes for young people.
• A clear commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, demonstrated through inclusive leadership and professional practice.

Desirable 

• Experience working within venture philanthropy, impact investing, or systems-change funding models.
• Familiarity with private equity, professional services.
• Experience contributing to income growth, donor strategy or portfolio development within an agreed organisational fundraising strategy.
• Knowledge of the UK charity or social impact sector, particularly education, employment, or youth-focused work.
• Experience using CRM systems (e.g. Salesforce) to manage pipelines, performance, and forecasting.

About Impetus

At Impetus, our focus is on helping young people achieve positive education and employment outcomes to increase their chance of leading fulfilling and successful lives, irrespective of their background.

We tackle the three most difficult challenges that affect a young person’s ability to succeed in life in Britain today:

• Lost learning through absence, suspensions, exclusions from school
• Stagnation in education attainment outcomes, which means many are missing out on key qualifications like GCSE English and maths
• The large numbers of young people out of education, training and employment

We use our deep expertise and high calibre networks to give the best non-profits working in these sectors the essential ingredients to have a real and lasting impact on the young people they serve.

Through a powerful combination of long-term funding, direct capacity building support from our experienced team and our pro bono partners, alongside research and policy influencing to drive lasting systems change, we work towards a society where all young people can thrive in school, pass their exams and unlock the doors to sustained employment, for a fulfilling life.

We are resolutely focused on outcomes and impact, driven by quality evidence.

You would be joining a team that is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our portfolio partners and the young people we serve.

Impetus is a registered charity and our charity number is 1152262.

Our Values

In 2022 the Impetus staff agreed the following set of Values to act as our guiding principles as an organisation and help us to remain focused on achieving our mission to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

We are brave and curious

We are bold and brave in our pursuit of better outcomes for young people. We lead with curiosity and stay open to new perspectives. We support one another to take considered risks and learn together.

We bring high trust, high challenge

We build strong, long-term relationships through honesty, kindness, integrity, and respect. We create the space for open, constructive challenge, where colleagues, partners and supporters feel safe to speak up, hold each other to account, and bring their best in pursuit of our mission.

We are evidence led and results driven for young people

We pursue excellence for the young people we work with, are wholly committed to better outcomes, unapologetically results driven, and accountable for our actions.

We thrive through diversity

We seek to embed diversity of thought, background and experience in every aspect of our work. We are open, thoughtful and proactive in better understanding and challenging our assumptions to better deliver the change we seek.

We always seek collaboration

We will not succeed alone. We seek meaningful, productive partnerships with others to achieve our mission and drive systems change for young people.

Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

We believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more open, creative and gets better results.

We want our team at Impetus to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our team to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.

We want to reach a diverse pool of candidates. We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.

We recognise the importance of a good work/life balance. We do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, working part-time job shares and other arrangements.

Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.

Impetus is an equal opportunity employer and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We value diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

Our employee benefits

Impetus appreciates the invaluable contribution made by all employees and wishes to encourage and reward loyalty, motivation and experience. We therefore offer a range of benefits and policies which aim to assist employees during various stages of their lives and careers. For more information on these, please download the job information pack from our website.

How to apply

Please click on the "Apply for this job" button.

You will need to:

• Complete the online form (including the equal opportunities monitoring form).
• Upload a comprehensive CV and supporting statement.

The supporting statement should be no more than two sides of A4 and should address the criteria in the person specification.

You should also include the contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be approached with your express permission.

As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at interview stage.

The deadline for applications is Sunday 20th September 2026, 11:59pm.

Interviews:

1st Interviews will take place on w/c 5th October 2026.

2nd Interviews will take place on w/c 12th October 2026.

You will also be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.

Personal Data

Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.

CAHN is seeking an ambitious, creative and experienced Head of Fundraising & Events to lead our fundraising and events portfolio and help drive the organisation’s next phase of growth.

You will lead fundraising development, identify new income opportunities, build strong relationships with funders, corporate partners and supporters, and deliver high-profile events that generate income, engagement and impact.

Working closely with senior colleagues and external stakeholders, you will combine strategic thinking with hands-on delivery to grow sustainable income, strengthen partnerships and maximise opportunities for CAHN.

We are looking for a confident and results-driven professional with a proven fundraising and events track record, excellent relationship-building skills and a passion for tackling health inequalities affecting Black Caribbean and African communities.

This is your opportunity to use your expertise, creativity and leadership to help create lasting change.

Head of Alumni Engagement & Operations with Kingston University
£60,996 (negotiable) | Full-time (37 hours) | Hybrid working | Kingston upon Thames

Charity People is delighted to be partnering with Kingston University to recruit their next Head of Alumni Engagement & Operations.

Kingston University has spent over 125 years transforming lives through education, innovation and opportunity. With TEF Gold recognition across the board, and a Town House Strategy that's rewriting what a modern education looks like, we are focused on helping students develop the skills, networks and experiences to thrive throughout their careers. Integral to this ambition is our global community of more than 280,000 alumni, who's futures have been shaped by the university.

As Head of Alumni Engagement & Operation, part of the senior leadership team of our Development, Alumni Relations and Engagement (DARE) team, you will help us build lifelong relationships with our alumni to support future growth and success.
About the role:

We have a 3-year strategy in place to develop alumni engagement, increase participation and embed philanthropy more deeply across the University, with full support of senior leadership across the board. This is a fantastic opportunity to join our growing team and work with senior stakeholders across the University, to champion the role alumni can play in student success, employability, mentoring, partnerships and philanthropy, and develop a lifelong alumni offer.

Reporting in to the Director of DARE, you'll lead a broad portfolio including alumni communications, events, volunteering, individual giving, CRM, data insight and operational delivery.

About you:

We're looking for someone who understands the power of communities and relationships.

This is a broad leadership role spanning alumni engagement, communications, volunteering, individual giving, CRM, data insight and operational delivery. While experience within alumni relations or advancement in higher education would be valuable, we're equally interested in hearing from candidates from the charity, membership, fundraising, supporter engagement or relationship management sectors. What matters most is your ability to build communities, create meaningful engagement opportunities, use insight to drive decision-making and inspire people to connect with a shared purpose.

You'll be strategic enough to shape the future direction of alumni engagement at Kingston, whilst remaining hands-on enough to build relationships, spot opportunities and bring colleagues and stakeholders with you.

You'll bring:

• Experience developing and delivering successful alumni engagement, advancement, membership, supporter engagement or relationship-management programmes.

• A track record of building communities, growing participation and creating meaningful engagement opportunities
• Strong leadership skills and experience developing high-performing teams
• Confidence using insight, data and CRM systems to inform strategy and decision-making
• Experience overseeing communications, events, volunteering, supporter engagement or related activities
• An understanding of how long-term relationships can lead to advocacy, mentoring, volunteering, partnerships and giving

Most importantly, you'll believe that alumni engagement is about much more than communications and events. You'll be excited by the opportunity to help graduates become mentors, volunteers, advocates, partners and lifelong supporters of the University.

Benefits include

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Excellent pension scheme
• Hybrid working (with a minimum of 50% of time spent on campus)
• Access to professional development opportunities
• A supportive and inclusive working environment
• The opportunity to shape a high-profile function at one of London's leading universities

Key Dates:

• Closing date: 9th September 2026 - we encourage not delaying your application.
• Interviews: 28th and 30th September 2026 (in person)

How to apply

Charity People are managing this search on behalf of Kingston University.

In the first instance, please send your CV to Glen at Charity People. If your profile matches what we're looking for, we'll be in touch with the full candidate pack and further details about the recruitment process.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. Please inform us if you require any assistance or adjustment to help ensure the application process works for you.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

We are looking for a Corporate Partnerships Executive on a fixed-term basis to join our ambitious and supportive Philanthropy & Partnerships Team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in growing income from corporate partnerships, helping to fund the vital care and support Southern Hospice Group provides to local people and their families.

Working with both existing and prospective corporate supporters, you will develop and manage a diverse portfolio of corporate partnerships, securing support through strategic partnerships, sponsorship, employee fundraising and gifts in kind. You'll combine excellent relationship management skills with a proactive approach to identifying new opportunities, building long-term partnerships that deliver meaningful impact for both the hospice and our supporters.

If you're a confident communicator who enjoys developing relationships and delivering outstanding supporter experiences, we'd love to hear from you. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews will be held on a rolling basis, so we encourage interested candidates to apply early.

The British Academy is the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences. We support outstanding research and researchers, bring new ideas into public debate and help ensure that evidence and expertise inform some of the biggest questions facing society.

We are looking for a new Director of Finance & Resources to help us build on that work and plan confidently for the future.

This is an important appointment at an exciting point in the Academy’s development. We will celebrate our 125th anniversary in 2027, following a period in which we have grown our policy work, transformed our building to create more opportunities for public engagement and developed a national network for early career researchers.

As Director of Finance & Resources, you will make sure we have the resources, systems and organisational capacity to deliver our ambitions. You will lead our finance function and have overall responsibility for HR, IT & AV, Estates & Facilities, and Venue Sales & Marketing, working with experienced Heads of Department across each area.

Finance will be central to the role. You will lead our financial strategy and planning, oversee our financial controls and reporting, and provide clear advice to the Chief Executive, Senior Management Team, Council and its committees. You will also help us think longer term about our financial sustainability, including our plans to diversify income through philanthropy and commercial activity.

But we are looking for more than a strong Finance Director. You will be part of a close-knit Senior Management Team which works collectively to lead the Academy. We want someone who is interested in the organisation as a whole, who enjoys working across boundaries and who can help colleagues make good decisions about where we put our people, money and attention.

You will also have responsibility for some important assets. These include our historic home at 10–11 Carlton House Terrace, our technology and infrastructure, and our trading subsidiary. Ultimately, your job will be to make sure these resources are working as hard as possible in support of the Academy’s purpose.

About you

You will be a CCAB-qualified accountant with substantial and senior finance experience, gained in a complex organisation. You will have led finance teams and significant budgets and be comfortable advising senior leaders, Boards or Trustees.

You will also bring broader leadership experience. You may already have responsibility beyond finance, or have worked closely with areas such as people, operations, estates or technology.

We are looking for someone who can combine sound financial judgement with a practical, collaborative approach. You will be able to deal with complexity without making things unnecessarily complicated, communicate clearly with people who are not finance specialists, and provide constructive challenge when it is needed.

You should also be someone who enjoys leading through others. There are strong Heads of Department across the Resources portfolio, so this isn't about being the expert in every area. It is about setting direction, asking good questions, supporting people to succeed and bringing the different parts of the portfolio together.

Why join us?

The British Academy has a distinctive role in national life. In 2025/26 we awarded around £63 million in research funding. Alongside funding research, we convene academics, policymakers, businesses and civil society, engage the public with new ideas and use research to inform policy.

The Director of Finance & Resources helps make all of that possible.

For someone who wants to use their financial and leadership experience in an organisation with a clear public purpose, this is an opportunity to make a real contribution to the Academy’s next chapter.

Recruitment Timetable

Application deadline: Sunday 27th September, midnight

Shortlisting:Thursday 8th October

Fireside chats with CEO: week of 12th October

Panel Interviews:20th / 23rd October

To apply, please send your CV, along with a supporting statement (no more than 2 pages) via the link by Sunday 27th September.

For an informal conversation about the role please contact our exclusive partner, Bryony Thomas via the Allen Lane agency website.

Location: Globally remote with the possibility of working out of a National or Regional office.

Location type: Remote

Reporting to: International Fundraising Director

Manages: Global Capital Campaign Director, Global Philanthropy Manager (x2), contractors.

Annual salary:Grade 18 with salary based on home country.

Contract type: 2-year initial contract with the possibility of further extension.

Working hours: Full-time

Candidate level: Manager

Closing date: Monday 14th September 2026, 9:00 am CET

Background

Greenpeace International is an independent global campaigning network, which uses peaceful, creative confrontation to expose global environmental problems and develop solutions for a green and peaceful future.

Our vision is for a greener, fairer, safer planet, one that can sustain life for generations to come. We cannot build this future alone, but we can build it together. If you are passionate about defending our natural world and creating positive change, then we want to hear from you.

The heart of Greenpeace has always been its people. Whether you are working in Campaigns, Communications, Engagement, Logistics, Fundraising, Legal, IT/Data, Finance, People & Culture, or Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Safety (JEDIS), we all have an important role to play.

Greenpeace exists because this fragile earth deserves a voice. It needs solutions. It needs change. It needs action. It needs you.

Purpose of the Fundraising Department

The International Fundraising Department within Greenpeace International (GPI) ensures a clear focus on global income opportunities and challenges in partnership with National and Regional Offices (NROs). The department manages global fundraising sources, contributes to and coordinates global fundraising work, provides strategic focus for GPI fundraising specialists, and provides senior strategic guidance and leadership across the Greenpeace Network. 

Purpose of role

The International Philanthropy Manager is accountable for designing and implementing the Global Fundraising Strategy as it relates to major giving, including strategic partnerships, institutional funders, individual major donors, legacies, and capital campaigns. This role leads the teams behind major global initiatives, including a €100 million capital campaign for a new ship and the Priority Global Funders strategy—while providing strategic leadership, support, and advice to both Greenpeace International and independent National and Regional Organisations (NROs).

Primary responsibilities

Global fundraising strategy

● Lead and manage the design and implementation of the Global Fundraising Strategy as it relates to major giving, including strategic partnerships with institutional funders and individual major donors, legacy, and capital campaigns.

● Accountable for the design and implementation of the Key Relationships area of the Global Fundraising Strategy, including tracking and monitoring the success of its implementation.

● Lead, advise, and support the work done by GPI fundraising staff and NRO leaders in the key relationships area.

● Collaborate across GPI functions and departments to ensure alignment and integration of the Key Relationships Strategy with other organisational objectives, strategies, and plans.

People management

● Lead, manage and develop a multidisciplinary team of fundraising managers and coordinators across various areas of high value fundraising.

● Provide task management and direction to staff from other areas of International Fundraising and across GPI departments who contribute to fundraising deliverables. 

● Drive team performance through objective setting, performance reviews, coaching and development to ensure fundraising objectives are met.

National and Regional Organisation (NROs) support

● Oversee strategic and operational support provided to NROs to build the fundraising capacity and expertise required to deliver ambitious fundraising strategies and goals based on the respective market potential.

● Provide strategic advice and support to NROs for the development of the philanthropy and legacy elements of their 3-Year Strategic Plans and their annual organisational development plans.

● Support NROs in recruiting and onboarding experienced fundraising directors and strategic fundraising roles.

Communities and stakeholders

● Strengthen the fundraising director’s community of practice alongside fellow Strategic Fundraising Managers and the International Fundraising Director to foster a collaborative space for addressing global fundraising challenges and opportunities.

● Facilitate regular exchanges with other key leadership communities (such as Engagement and Programme Leaders) in areas of joint interest. 

● Build strong working relationships with colleagues and internal and external stakeholders to represent Greenpeace’s interests and enable effective cooperation and knowledge-sharing across fundraising areas.

● Foster collaboration with cross-functional departments (such as Development, Technology, Finance and Programme) to co-design and implement highly engaging campaigns with strong fundraising potential and deliver robust proposals for key funders.

Financial, policy, and systems management

● Ensure the effective budgeting, management, and expenditure of internal resources.

● Oversee the budgeting and reconciliation of income from Priority Global Funders, individual major donors, and legacy gifts to GPI. 

● Serve as the product owner for the key relationships CRM.

● Hold responsibility for the development and implementation of global policies related to key relationships fundraising. 

Profile

Skills and qualifications

● Significant (7 years +) experience in a senior fundraising management role with a focus on philanthropy, of which at least four years leading international teams.

● Experience leading a capital campaign.

● Strong leadership abilities with experience building and developing exceptional teams to achieve fundraising goals.

● Strong track record of developing successful global proposals for large funders.

● Track record of leading the design and implementation of impactful global fundraising strategies.

● Track record of developing and delivering cross-functional fundraising strategies with multiple fundraising techniques.

● Track record of contributing to successful change management processes.

● Significant experience in systemic and strategic thinking.

● Significant experience of working with Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Safety principles.

● Substantial experience working in multicultural global environments, ideally with personal experience of working in multiple national contexts.

● Exceptional strategic, influencing, negotiation, communication, and facilitation skills. 

● Strong analytical skills and a clear understanding of organisational development.

● Strong financial management skills, and extensive experience managing budgets.

● Experience with co-leadership and collaborative management.

● Experience bringing together people with a wide diversity of views.

● Experience in operating strategically in fast-changing environments. 

Personal traits desired

Competencies (as per the 5 E’s Leadership Framework)

Identification with Greenpeace goals and supports its values: Understanding of and commitment to Greenpeace’s core values and a passion for delivering Greenpeace’s mission.

Energy

● Demonstrate a positive mindset and solutions-oriented attitude: Where others see problems, pitfalls, and potential for disaster, you might see opportunity and new possibilities to make a difference. You are basing your ideas on the assumption: There are solutions out there, and we just have to work on them. But if it is not worth solving, let us not waste time on it.

● Demonstrate stamina and resilience: You are dependable under pressure and strong despite adversity. You can deal with complex or difficult situations with a cool head. You do not give up when the going gets tough. You accept when mistakes are made, learn from them, and move on. You can recover quickly after failures, disappointments, or dead ends. 

Energise

● Empowering and inspiring others: An understanding of how to inspire action in others, empowering people and striving to bring out the best in them. Enables employees to translate vision into action and creates an environment in which people feel valued, motivated and challenged.

● Collaborative approach: Helps others to achieve their best and contributes to joint objectives. Develops cooperation and teamwork while participating in a group of people, working toward solutions that generally benefit all involved parties

Edge

● Ability to encourage and support risk-taking: Appreciation of risk-taking in the context of an action-oriented organisation

● Appreciation of the impact and importance of people-powered campaigning: with a commitment to drive engagement at all levels 

Expertise

● Demonstrate the ability to see a situation accurately with a broad set of perspectives: You are able to make the “right” judgement calls and decisions. You have a broad set of perspectives on familiar and unfamiliar issues: You have solid expertise in core Greenpeace subject matters as well as concepts about individuals and teams, and organisational issues such as structures and processes. You know how the organisation is structured, how decisions are made, and how information flows. Furthermore, you have a high level of understanding of the changing external context in which Greenpeace operates and the ability to make a judgement about how to respond. This is why you can “read” factual evidence as well as the environment in a meaningful manner and thus help devise a plan of action. Sometimes you “see” what others do not see.

Execute

● Being a role model for accountability and straightforwardness: High sense of personal accountability and the ability to hold others accountable.

● Knowledge sharing: Uses formal, informal and systematic methods to share information with others to increase organisational effectiveness.

Shaftesbury is a national disability charity that supports more than 4,000 children, young people and adults with a disability every year to live a life that truly adds up for them. That is at the heart of everything they do.

Their vision ‘all together better for disability’, is about working alongside the people they support so they can participate, contribute and be valued for who they are.

Their work is spearheaded by 1,500+ dedicated staff and volunteers who deliver a wide range of disability care, special education and rehabilitation services across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, around the clock. 

To achieve their vision, they are looking for an Individual Giving Manager with a focus on acquisition to work alongside the Head of Individual Giving across regular gifts, appeals, lottery, raffle and other new products.

The Individual Giving Manager drives the recruitment of new supporters and supports the stewardship of warm audience, generating sustainable income for Shaftesbury. The proportion of acquisition focus v retention focus is likely around 70/30. 

This role focuses on maximising long-term value through innovative and impactful multichannel campaigns including reactivating lapsed supporters, optimising supporter conversion and delivering engaging onboarding experiences. The Individual Giving Manager will work on growing regular giving, cash and gaming pipelines and manage exciting projects which could include digital, DRTV, face-to- face, telemarketing, direct mail and radio. The role will provide assistance to the Head of Individual Giving with all retention activity, including cash appeals and newsletters. 

Shaftesbury is happy to consider fundraiser or officer level candidates looking to step up into their first manager level role. At present this role doesn’t line manage, so management experience is not necessary. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate project or product management skills, an enthusiasm for fundraising, familiarity with supporter journeys, creative thinking and will have experience within a UK based charity in either IG and legacies, community fundraising, corporate or philanthropy.

This role is hybrid, with 4 days per month on average at either the Gateshead office or London office. The one role is being advertised twice to ensure candidates from both geographic locations see the role within their search remit and feel able to apply. 

Application notes 

Please download the Candidate Info Pack provided for further information about the role, timelines and next steps.

To express interest, please contact THINK Recruitment using the information in the Candidate Pack to organise an informal screening call. Please note, we cannot progress candidates through to longlist without speaking with them, so please ensure you leave enough time to organise a screening call before the role closes. Following your call we will share the info needed to submit a full application. 

If you need assistance with downloading the pack, please send an email to THINK and our team will support you.

Deadline for expressions of interest: Midnight Sunday 13th September

Closing date for applications: Midnight Monday 14th September

For nearly 20 years, Lively Minds has been proving that parents are the sleeping giants of early childhood development. With strong evidence and a national scale proof point in Ghana, we have shown that parent powered approaches delivered through government systems can transform children's lives at scale.

We are now at a pivotal moment. We have the evidence, the model and the momentum, and we need the funding, profile and influence to match our ambition. This is a rare opportunity to lead income generation and external voice for an award winning NGO entering an exciting new phase of growth. You will lead our fundraising strategy and direct engagement with Funders ensuring that we maximise all funding opportunities as we continue our strategic evolution. You will also shape a compelling external narrative that will help position Lively Minds as the definitive partner for governments strengthening their early childhood development systems.

If you are an exceptional fundraiser and communicator who is equally comfortable in a strategic conversation and writing a winning proposal, we would love to hear from you.

Read the full advert and apply below. Closing date: 3rd September 2026.

About Lively Minds

Lively Minds is an award-winning NGO with nearly 20 years of experience designing, testing and scaling early childhood development (ECD) solutions across the Global South. Our core idea is simple but radical: parents are the sleeping giants of ECD. Governments and donors have long overlooked parents, assuming that poverty and low literacy make them unable or unwilling to support their childrenʼs development. We have spent two decades proving otherwise. With RCT-backed evidence and a national-scale proof point in Ghana, we have demonstrated that parent-powered approaches, delivered through government systems, can achieve meaningful child development outcomes at scale.

Our 2026–2028 strategy marks a pivotal shift. Having demonstrated what is possible, we are now helping pioneer an innovative model of country-led sustainable scale. Rather than delivering programmes ourselves, we provide lean, time-limited technical advisory support to governments to help them integrate parent-powered ECD into their own systems, budgets and institutions. We are currently working with the governments of Ghana, Uganda, Oromia state (Ethiopia) and The Gambia in 2026, growing to six or more country engagements by 2028. Our ambition is to catalyse a sector-wide shift, positioning Lively Minds as the definitive partner for governments seeking to strengthen their ECD systems.

Our scale strategy rests on three interdependent pillars: fixed-term Technical Advisory partnerships with governments; the development of a modular radio model simple and affordable enough for governments to adopt and fund independently; and an advocacy and sector influence agenda designed to make parent-powered ECD the norm globally.

Purpose of the Role

Lively Minds is at a critical inflection point. We have the evidence, the model and the momentum. We now need the funding, profile and sector influence to match our ambition. The Director of Fundraising and Communications is a priority hire, created to provide the dedicated, experienced leadership that this moment demands.

The Director will own and drive Lively Mindsʼ income generation, building new funder relationships, managing and deepening existing ones, and ensuring the organisation has the pipeline, discipline and quality of engagement to meet and exceed its fundraising targets. Working in close partnership with the Founding CEO, who retains ownership of a small number of long-standing strategic relationships, the Director will take primary responsibility for securing the funding that makes the 2026–2028 strategy deliverable, and that opens the door to greater scale beyond it. We need to raise approximately £3.4m over the next 3 years to deliver our strategy. But our ambition is to exceed that target so we can support additional governments.

Alongside fundraising, the Director will provide strategic leadership to Lively Mindsʼ communications and advocacy work, ensuring that the organisationʼs external voice is compelling and that we are building credibility in the spaces where funding decisions are made. The Director will lead and provide strategic coherence to a small but outward-facing team, including Head of Partnerships and Advocacy Lead who are active on the international stage. Lively Minds is committed to thought-leadership and active external engagement, but equally committed to ensuring that communications resource is deployed with discipline and rigour. The Director will set a clear strategic filter for where the organisation shows up, what it publishes and who it engages: prioritising focus and quality over volume, and always asking whether external activity is building the relationships and reputation that ultimately drive income and/or systems change.

Lively Minds is a dispersed, remote organisation. The Directorʼs team the Advocacy Lead, Development Manager and Communications Officer - are internationally distributed. The ability to lead, develop and maintain high standards across a dispersed team is essential. The role requires regular travel to international conferences and events.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Income Generation

• Own and deliver the multi-year fundraising strategy with clear priorities, targets, income streams and a disciplined pipeline to support the 2026–2028 strategy and future scale
• Steward existing funder relationships, turning strong partnerships into long-term supporters, advocates and connectors to new funding opportunities.
• Lead the shift towards Big Bet and catalytic funding, personally cultivating and negotiating high-value, multi-year partnerships and positioning Lively Minds for system-level scale
• Maintain a high standard of fundraising quality, pipeline management and forecasting, while coaching the team to produce compelling, sophisticated fundraising materials
•  Build and continuously strengthen a diverse funding pipeline, identifying emerging opportunities, new funding markets and strategic partnerships that reduce concentration risk and support long-term financial sustainability

Communications, Brand & Advocacy

• Own and deliver Lively Mindsʼ communications and marketing strategy, balancing visibility and sector influence with the need to strengthen fundraising and systems-change objectives
• Partner closely with the CEO to shape and steward a coherent external narrative, brand and messaging framework across all audiences and channels
• Oversee high-quality core communications and fundraising materials, including cases for support, pitch decks, website content, proposals and donor reports
• Provide strategic communications expertise to Advocacy, Partnerships and MEL, ensuring evidence and learning are translated into compelling narratives and consistent external messaging
• Lead efforts to strengthen Lively Mindsʼ profile and thought leadership in the ECD sector, identifying opportunities for strategic media, events, publications and external platforms that reinforce its positioning and influence

Organizational Leadership&TeamDevelopment

• Contribute actively to SMT and organisational strategy, bringing funder intelligence, external perspective and communications expertise to strategic decision-making.
• Work closely with Finance and MEL to align fundraising targets, forecasting, budgets and evidence, ensuring proposals are credible, accurately costed and evidence-led
• Act as the organisationʼs communications subject matter expert, providing guidance and challenge to ensure high-quality, consistent external communications
• Lead and develop the Advocacy Lead, Development Manager and Communications Officer, fostering a team culture of quality, accountability, strategic clarity and continuous improvement
• Build strong cross-organisational collaboration, ensuring teams understand how fundraising, communications, advocacy and evidence work together to advance Lively Mindsʼ strategic priorities

Person Specification

Essential Experience & Skills

• 10+ years of significant senior-level fundraising experience within international development, education, philanthropy or a comparable sector
• Proven track record of securing major grants from foundations, institutional donors and high-net-worth individuals, alongside demonstrated experience securing or meaningfully progressing large-scale, catalytic funding from Big Bet philanthropy programmes such as the Audacious Project, Skoll Foundation or comparable funders. A strong understanding of what these funders look for and how to position an organisation compellingly within their processes is essential
• Exceptional fundraising writing skills, with the ability to personally develop compelling cases for support, funding proposals, award applications and pitch decks tailored to sophisticated impact funders. This is a hands-on role requiring both strong writing capability and the ability to coach others to consistently produce high-quality fundraising content
• Experienced in developing and owning a marketing and communications strategy, with a strong understanding of how to balance organisational visibility, thought leadership and sector influence with coherence, strategic focus and income generation
• Demonstrated ability to work closely with a Founding CEO to shape and steward the organisationʼs external narrative and brand. Comfortable working in a founder-led environment, providing expertise and constructive challenge while ensuring the organisation maintains a clear, consistent and coherent external voice

Desirable Experience

• Experienced fundraising for a technical advisory, systems change or government-facing organisation
• Knowledge of the ECD, education or early childhood sector and its funding landscape
• Familiarity with the Big Bang Philanthropy network or equivalent impact-focused funder communities
• Experience working alongside advocacy and partnerships teams, providing communications expertise and strategic coherence to their external activity
• Familiarity with the funding landscape for organisations operating in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Experience working remotely across multiple countries and effectively collaborating with cross-cultural teams

Behaviours & Ways of Working

• A doer, equally comfortable in strategic conversations and writing a funding proposal
• Sets a high bar for quality and clarity in all external communications and holds it consistently
• Builds a strong, trust-based partnership with the Founding CEO, provides honest challenge and operates effectively within a founder-led dynamic without losing their own voice or judgement
• Collaborative and cross-organisational. Invests in strong relationships with programme, MEL and finance colleagues, understanding that the best fundraising is grounded in organisational reality
• Calm and focused under pressure - able to manage competing priorities and maintain quality when the stakes are high

What We Offer

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• 25 days annual leave
• Health insurance
• Pension contribution
• Generous learning and development budget
• Flexible, remote working

Application Instruction

Interested candidates are encouraged to read the Job Description carefully before applying to ensure they understand the role and meet the required criteria.

To apply, please complete the pre-screening questions and submit your updated CV

PLEASE NOTE - Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Timeline

Closing Date: 3rd September 2026

Our Stance

Lively Minds operates a strict Safeguarding Policy and is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of children and vulnerable people. As part of our recruitment process, the suitability of successful candidates will be verified through appropriate background checks including professional references and police checks.

Lively Minds is fully committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and to providing equal opportunities throughout our recruitment process. We want this commitment to be reflected in the diversity of the people who work for us, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, experiences and perspectives.

We are committed to ensuring that recruitment decisions are based on merit, skills, experience and suitability for the role, and that all candidates are treated fairly and with respect throughout the recruitment process.

Harris Hill is seeking an interim Director of Fundraising for around 10 weeks, working 3 days per week, with one in the office, based in London.

The role can either be paid via the agency on a day rate of £257.69 (£67k), on contract via the charity, or potential consultancy day rate where you charge the client direct.

About the Role:
As Interim Director of Fundraising, you will provide strategic direction and hands-on leadership across all fundraising activities, ensuring income targets are met and future growth is supported. You will oversee major gifts, corporate partnerships, grants, and individual giving, using data-driven insight to optimise performance. Operating on a hybrid basis, you will maintain continuity, enhance donor relationships, and prepare the function for a smooth handover to the incoming permanent Director.

Key Responsibilities:
* Lead the development and implementation of a short-term strategic fundraising plan to maintain and grow income during the interim period.
* Oversee major gifts and philanthropy programmes, including managing key donor relationships and supporting high-value cultivation and stewardship.
* Direct corporate fundraising activity, including pipeline management, proposal development, and relationship building with corporate partners.
* Provide line management and leadership to the fundraising team, setting clear priorities, offering guidance, and ensuring accountability for targets.
* Review and optimise fundraising data, reporting, and performance dashboards to inform decision-making and improve campaign effectiveness.
* Oversee grant fundraising and management, including identifying opportunities, approving high-quality applications, and ensuring compliance with funder requirements.
* Strengthen donor relationship management processes and systems to enhance retention, upgrade opportunities, and supporter engagement.
* Prepare and deliver clear, timely income and activity reports to senior leadership, highlighting risks, opportunities, and recommended actions.

Key Requirements:
* Proven track record in senior fundraising leadership, ideally at Head of Fundraising or Director level, within the charity or non-profit sector.
* Demonstrable experience in strategic fundraising planning and delivering against ambitious income targets across multiple income streams.
* Strong expertise in major gifts and philanthropy, including managing high-value donor relationships and securing significant gifts.
* Experience in corporate fundraising, including developing and managing partnerships and sponsorships.
* Solid background in grant fundraising and management, including oversight of applications, reporting, and compliance.
* Confident user of fundraising data and CRM systems, with the ability to interpret data and produce clear, actionable reports.
* Proven team leadership and line management experience, including performance management and staff development.
* Ability to operate effectively in a hybrid working environment, with at least one day per week in the London office and two days remote.

Desirable Skills:
* Experience of leading fundraising functions through periods of transition or organisational change.
* Familiarity with UK charity fundraising regulations and best practice frameworks.
* Experience in developing or refining donor journeys and supporter engagement strategies.
* Background in integrating data insights into campaign planning and segmentation.
* Previous experience working with boards or fundraising committees.

If you are an experienced fundraising leader available to start quickly and ready to provide strategic stability and impact through to the end of November, we encourage you to apply.

Shaftesbury is a national disability charity that supports more than 4,000 children, young people and adults with a disability every year to live a life that truly adds up for them. That is at the heart of everything they do.

Their vision ‘all together better for disability’, is about working alongside the people they support so they can participate, contribute and be valued for who they are.

Their work is spearheaded by 1,500+ dedicated staff and volunteers who deliver a wide range of disability care, special education and rehabilitation services across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, around the clock. 

To achieve their vision, they are looking for an Individual Giving Manager with a focus on acquisition to work alongside the Head of Individual Giving across regular gifts, appeals, lottery, raffle and other new products.

The Individual Giving Manager drives the recruitment of new supporters and supports the stewardship of warm audience, generating sustainable income for Shaftesbury. The proportion of acquisition focus v retention focus is likely around 70/30. 

This role focuses on maximising long-term value through innovative and impactful multichannel campaigns including reactivating lapsed supporters, optimising supporter conversion and delivering engaging onboarding experiences. The Individual Giving Manager will work on growing regular giving, cash and gaming pipelines and manage exciting projects which could include digital, DRTV, face-to- face, telemarketing, direct mail and radio. The role will provide assistance to the Head of Individual Giving with all retention activity, including cash appeals and newsletters. 

Shaftesbury is happy to consider fundraiser or officer level candidates looking to step up into their first manager level role. At present this role doesn’t line manage, so management experience is not necessary. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate project or product management skills, an enthusiasm for fundraising, familiarity with supporter journeys, creative thinking and will have experience within a UK based charity in either IG and legacies, community fundraising, corporate or philanthropy.

This role is hybrid, with 4 days per month on average at either the Gateshead office or London office. The one role is being advertised twice to ensure candidates from both geographic locations see the role within their search remit and feel able to apply. 

Application notes 

Please download the Candidate Info Pack provided for further information about the role, timelines and next steps.

To express interest, please contact THINK Recruitment using the information in the Candidate Pack to organise an informal screening call. Please note, we cannot progress candidates through to longlist without speaking with them, so please ensure you leave enough time to organise a screening call before the role closes. Following your call we will share the info needed to submit a full application. 

If you need assistance with downloading the pack, please send an email to THINK and our team will support you.

Deadline for expressions of interest: Midnight Sunday 13th September

Closing date for applications: Midnight Monday 14th September

Bible Society believes the Bible is God’s gift for God’s world. We share it because we believe it changes lives for good. We want Christians to be confident in the Bible’s truthfulness and reliability, and we want to change how people talk about it in wider society and invite them to see it as a source of wisdom and joy.

We are seeking a passionate, strategic and relational individual to join our team as we expand our work with generous supporters. In this role, you will lead our engagement with mid-level donors – strengthening retention, increasing income and re-engaging supporters through tailored communications, bespoke resources and opportunities for uplift. You will play a vital role in optimising funding from both established and new supporters, ensuring alignment with Bible Society’s mission priorities.

Alongside this, you will build and nurture key relationships through the management of a portfolio of current and prospective major donors, delivering significant levels of income against agreed targets. You will help donors fulfil their philanthropic ministry by connecting their generosity with the mission of Bible Society.

An enhanced DBS check will be required for this role. 

If this sounds like you and you have the legal right to work and remain in the UK, we’d love to hear from you. Please provide your CV and a 250-word statement that sets out why you’re the best person for this position.

For the purposes of your cover letter, we ask that you do not use AI-generated content. We would like to hear your own thoughts, experiences, and motivations in your own words. 

Bible Society is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and aspire to reflect this in our workforce. We welcome applications from people representing all sections of the community.

Closing date: Sunday 6 September 2026

Interview date: First round interview date: Monday 14 September 2026 (online)

Second-round interview date: Monday 21 September 2026 (Swindon)