83 Senior prospect development manager jobs

Philanthropy Manager

Philanthropy and Partnerships fundraising at Alzheimer's Research UK has grown significantly over

recent years. The Directorate has a strong track record of soliciting seven-figure donations and

winning significant corporate partnerships with well-known and well-loved brands such as Omaze,

Cadbury, Warburtons, Roadchef and Dobbies.

We are now building upon this success and have launched a new, significant fundraising campaign.

This campaign will help drive further transformational growth, from income across major donors,

trusts and foundations, and corporate partners. Ultimately, it will help us fund cutting-edge research

that will bring forward the day when we can diagnose, treat and prevent dementia.

The Philanthropy Manager will play a key role in the success of the Philanthropy Team. Working closely with the Head of Philanthropy and other stakeholders across ARUK, the Philanthropy Manager will drive income and deliver transformational gifts and strategic relationships with individual major donors and charitable trusts and foundations. 

Key Responsibilities:

Relationship Building and Income Generation

· Build relationships with a portfolio of high-value current and prospective major donors and charitable trusts, gauging their level of interest in our work, providing opportunities to engage with ARUK, and soliciting gifts through face-to-face meetings and events.

· Develop a thorough understanding of ARUK's projects, policies and activities to articulate the mission of our work and inspire people to join us.

· Tailor and develop cases for support to attract funding for ARUK's projects, fundraising across different areas of ARUK's work, including identified strategic priorities for the organisation.

· Present and pitch to potential supporters and donors, managing meetings where relevant and involving senior representation when needed — including supporting the Head of Philanthropy on high-value asks where required.

· Develop stewardship and engagement plans for donors, working with teams across ARUK to create bespoke and creative engagement opportunities, ensuring donors are thanked and updated and that their relationship with ARUK grows in depth and value.

· Work with the prospect development team to manage a portfolio pipeline, moving donors/trusts through the different stages to secure gifts.

· Lead on relationships with senior volunteers and senior leadership, where appropriate, empowering them to open their networks and ask for support.

· Work closely and collaborate with the Corporate Partnerships and other teams on cross-team fundraising opportunities.

Line Management

· Line manage a Philanthropy Officer, actively empowering, coaching and supporting them to develop their operational plans and deliver on key priorities. 

· Work with the Head of Philanthropy to set clear goals, objectives and KPIs for the Officer and provide them with the ongoing guidance and support they need to reach them.

· Role model and actively embed Alzheimer’s Research UK values and behaviours across all activities, and champion the principles of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

Processes

· Liaise with the Philanthropy Executive (Admin) as required on expected income and gift restrictions.

· Work closely with the Donor Relations Manager to enable them to fully support donor relationships in terms of stewardship and recognition.

· Ensure supporter and event records are kept up to date through daily use of ARUK’s CRM (Salesforce).

Events

· Play a key role in the planning and delivery of team events such as cultivation dinners, with support from the Events Team.

· Explore and develop new fundraising event opportunities, working closely with the Events Team to create engaging high-value event

· Lead on bespoke events such as online donor presentations or tailored lab tours for a small group of supporters.

· Represent ARUK at Philanthropy Team events, and at other ARUK events where major donors or the representatives of charitable trusts may be attending.

Knowledge, skills and experience needed:

· Demonstrable experience gained working in a major gifts fundraising or client relationship management role.

· Demonstrable experience of developing long-term/ strategic relationships.

· Demonstrable experience of developing relationships/ influencing through face-to-face contact.

· Demonstrable experience of working effectively without close supervision.

· Good understanding of the principles of major gifts fundraising.

· Experience working in a target-led environment.

· Excellent communicator with an ability to build strong relationships and inspire confidence and respect at all levels. 

· Very strong, versatile written communication skills, with an ability to write persuasively for a range of audiences. 

· Excellent listening skills, receptive to feedback and demonstrates flexibility, curiosity and an ability to learn.

· Strong team player who can work both independently and collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.

· Excellent planning and organisational skills, with an ability to plan and set goals, work to deadlines and reprioritise work in accordance with the organisational needs.

· Demonstrates strong negotiation, influencing and decision-making skills, particularly when there are conflicting points of views.

· Demonstrates a proactive and pragmatic approach to investigating and solving problems, strives for continuous improvement and identifies ways to deliver creative and innovative solutions.

· A good blend of strategic and analytical thinking; with an ability to see the bigger picture.

· Strong attention to detail, sets high standards and strives for excellence.

· Ability to absorb and process new information quickly, including ability to grasp complex scientific concepts to a reasonable level.

· Driven and highly proactive - adept at spotting opportunities and maximizing them.

· Adaptable and flexible with a growth mindset, with a willingness to undertake occasional work in the evening.

· Thrives within a fast-paced environment, with an ability to remain calm under pressure.

· Strong ethical standards and a high level of personal integrity.

· Excellent IT skills in Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Additional Information:

Ways of working:

As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.

Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals.  This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.

Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD. 

Salary: Circa £48,000 per annum, plus benefits

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.

The closing date for applications is the 4th October 2026, with interviews being arrange once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.  We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, particularly from those in the global majority, those with disabilities, men and those from the LGBTQIA+ community. Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

As part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer and ensuring fairness and consistency in our selection process, we will handle your CV and application with the utmost confidentiality. Should you require any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, please contact us via our website. 

How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.

About Alzheimer’s Research UK: Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure.  Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope. 

Our Client is the UK's leading learning disability charity, working to support people with a learning disability and their families, and to build a more inclusive society. With fantastic new leadership and new investment in high value fundraising, the charity is now looking to appoint a Senior Philanthropy Manager and Prospectus is leading the search.

Senior Philanthropy Manager

Permanent, 37.5 hours per week (flexible working available) 

London / Hybrid (1 day per week in the office, plus travel as needed) 

£55,000

The Senior Philanthropy Manager will play a leading role in shaping the future of philanthropy at the charity. Working alongside the High Value Relationships Lead, you'll lead the continued growth of the Philanthropy programme, developing long-term relationships with high-net-worth individuals and securing major gifts to help deliver the charity's fundraising ambitions. As well as working closely with a new Prospect Development Manager to build and manage your own portfolio and pipeline, you'll also line manage the Philanthropy Manager, providing day-to-day leadership, coaching and support, while driving strong portfolio management, income forecasting and cross-organisational collaboration to develop compelling funding propositions.

The selected candidate will have a strong track record of securing and managing five and six-figure philanthropic gifts, with demonstrable experience building trusted long-term relationships that lead to transformational support. You'll bring excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, experience developing tailored cultivation/solicitation/ stewardship plans, and confidence using a CRM to manage pipeline and forecasting. You'll also be excited about line managing (perhaps for the first time formally), and be motivated by the charity's mission and values, with the ability to work collaboratively across a complex organisation.

To apply

To apply, please submit your CV in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will arrange for a meeting to brief you on the role. You'll then have all the information you need to submit a supporting statement and formally apply. Closing date for applications (CV + supporting statement) is EOD on 4 October 2026. We are looking forward to connecting with you soon.

Our Client is a Disability Confident Leader. After you apply, you will receive an email asking whether you wish to declare a disability for this application. As part of this commitment, a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role will be offered an interview.

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy/maternity. Separately to the above scheme, if you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the process then please contact Femke Vorstman and/or Ryan Burdock.

Our role is often to act as the connector: bringing people together around shared challenges and turning ideas into practical action. Now we need someone to help us do more of it.

Compass Wellbeing CIC is looking for a Corporate Partnerships, Social Value & Events Manager, a new post at the heart of how we grow.

Working across corporate and community partnerships, our events programme, VCFSE relationships and charity partnerships, you'll help turn growing opportunities into practical activity, community benefit and income, with social value running through all of it.

Whatever sector you come from, if you can build trusted relationships and move ideas towards delivery, we'd love to hear from you.

📍 London (Hybrid) | 🕐 Full-time, permanent | 💷 £40,000–£45,000
Applications close Monday 5 October 2026 at 10:00.

The National Youth Orchestra is the UK’s leading organisation championing orchestral music as a powerful agent for teenage development.

We activate teenagers’ confidence, optimism and skills to play their part in the world today, through performing and sharing extraordinary music.

We are looking for an entrepreneurial and collaborative trusts fundraiser to play a leading role in growing the investment that supports NYO’s work with teenagers across the UK. Trusts and foundations contribute more than £600,000 annually, and this new role will help deepen existing partnerships, develop new opportunities and secure significant support for NYO’s future.

As an ambitious and growing organisation, we need to communicate new and evolving programmes with agility, articulating their potential clearly and building the support needed to make them possible. This is an opportunity to build from a position of strength, sustaining successful programmes while securing investment to create opportunities for many more teenagers.

You will manage a substantial portfolio of trust, foundation and statutory funders, leading relationships from cultivation and application through to stewardship, reporting and renewal. You will develop compelling, evidence-led proposals and reports, including significant and strategically important bids, and work closely with colleagues to bring together programme, financial and impact information. 

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced fundraiser who combines excellent writing and relationship-building skills with strategic judgement and careful delivery. You will take ownership of agreed income targets and play an active part in a collaborative Fundraising & Communications team working across Individual Giving, major donors and Trusts & Foundations to achieve shared goals. 

At the National Youth Orchestra, you'll work as part of a supportive, friendly, and adventurous staff team. Learning and personal growth are intrinsic to every role.

Our offices near Holborn in central London are a hive of activity, a space for collaboration and ideas. Hybrid working is standard for most roles, with a flexible and supportive culture. NYO offers a season ticket loan scheme, cycle-to-work scheme, health cash plan, retail and entertainment discounts, and a 24/7 counselling and support helpline.

Deadline for applications: 10am, Monday 21 September 2026

We are looking for a senior partnerships officer who will ensure our vital work to address the
environmental crisis is well funded, working to secure new partnerships and stewarding existing
funder relationships.

This multifaceted role works across teams to coordinate and deliver Green Alliance’s fundraising
activities and grant management. Collaborating with the organisation’s policy and political
experts, you support the creation of creative and impactful new project proposals that address
environmental problems and support the organisation’s strategy. You will identify funders for this
through prospecting and relationship building and will guide proposals through processes to
secure funds. You will monitor the organisation’s progress against fundraising targets and lead on
management of our funding pipeline.

Stewardship of existing funding relationships is a significant part of this role which means
ensuring we have excellent communication with our funders, making sure they receive high
quality reports on Green Alliance’s impact and supporting the team to see our funders as partners.
You will manage our Business Circle and maintain relationships with its members and support
efforts to recruit new business members into Green Alliance Task Forces.

Excellent communication skills are at the heart of this role, both written and verbal. You will be
confident, efficient, and resourceful; calm under pressure and enjoy building strong relationships
with a variety of senior stakeholders, as well as working independently. Strong skills in relation to
organisation, administration and prioritisation are essential.

You will need to understand, or be willing to learn about, the political and environmental policy
contexts we work in.

Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early and interview suitable candidates as applications are received. You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Smile Train is the world’s largest cleft-focused organisation, supporting life-changing surgery and comprehensive cleft care for children and adults globally. Through its unique local model, Smile Train has supported more than 2 million surgeries and works with medical partners across 75+ countries to deliver sustainable, high-quality care.

The UK plays a vital role within this global organisation, contributing significant income, insight and strategic input. The UK programme is performing strongly, with income expected to reach c.£14–15m this year, underpinned by a successful individual giving and legacy programme.

Smile Train is now entering its next phase of growth in the UK, with a clear opportunity to build and strengthen high-value income, particularly across major donors and mid-value giving. 

Reporting to and working closely with the Director of UK Fundraising, you will manage a portfolio of donors and prospects, with significant opportunity to deepen relationships and grow supporters into higher-value philanthropy over time. This will be a hands-on, relationship-led role focused on building meaningful engagement and delivering long-term income growth.

This role offers an ambitious, skilled relationship developer the opportunity to build and grow Smile Train UK's major donor programme as part of its new five-year strategy, with strong organisational investment in philanthropy.

Working closely with a highly experienced and collaborative Director of UK Fundraising and broader fundraising team, you will contribute to developing ways of working, testing engagement strategies, tailoring the compelling case for support and working closely with colleagues in the UK and globally.

As Philanthropy Manager, you will:

• Manage and develop a portfolio of c.120–150 donors and prospects, primarily giving at mid-value level (up to c.£5k) with significant headroom for growth
• Build strong, long-term relationships with supporters through tailored cultivation, solicitation and stewardship
• Identify and engage new prospects, developing a sustainable pipeline of future high-value donors
• Develop and deliver individual engagement plans to retain and upgrade donors over time
• Prepare high-quality proposals, reports and communications to support donor engagement
• Support the development of Smile Train’s high-value case for support and fundraising approach in the UK
• Work closely with the Director of UK Fundraising and global colleagues to align activity and maximise opportunities
• Contribute to events, donor visits and wider engagement activity
• Maintain accurate records and support effective pipeline and performance management

Essential skills and experience:

• Experience of relationship fundraising, with exposure to major donors or mid-value giving. Other relationship-driven fundraising experience will be considered, for instance with trusts and foundations or corporate partnerships, where you can evidence income generation via relationship-building with HNWIs or purse-string holders.
• A track record of generating substantial income and securing 5-figure or higher gifts
• Confidence in managing a portfolio and delivering personalised donor engagement
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop compelling proposals
• A proactive, organised and hands-on approach, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team

Desirable:

• Experience of working within a developing or growing high-value fundraising programme
• Exposure to international development, global health or a similarly mission-led environment
• Knowledge and use of Salesforce CRM
• Experience working within a global or matrix organisation

Smile Train UK offer an excellent employee benefits package, which includes:

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Private Medical Insurance
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Up to 7 days paid sick leave per year
• “Sunshine Fridays” early Friday finish across summer months

Job Summary 
As Grants and Impact Manager you will be stewarding small and large Trust and Foundation donors, researching new prospects, and writing compelling applications using detailed case studies compiled by the team. The Grants and Impact Manager will also coordinate the development of a new Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) programme, strengthening our ability to measure, understand, and communicate the impact of our work. A key part of this will be focusing on evidencing and enhancing the positive change created by Caring in Bristol, ensuring that funders and stakeholders can clearly see the difference their support makes. 
 

Key responsibilities 

• Income Generation & relationship management 
• Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning (MEL) and Impact 
• Organisational relationships & management 
• Organisational Development 

Please review the job description and person specification for full details.

Join Brightside and help transform the futures of young people facing barriers by securing the funding and partnerships that make life-changing mentoring possible. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious fundraiser to play a key role in growing our impact across the UK.

Brightside is the UK's leading online mentoring provider, connecting young people with relatable role models so they can make confident and informed decisions about the future. Since 2003, we've supported more than 178,000 young people and facilitated over three million messages between mentoring pairs on our safe and secure online mentoring platform.

We're looking for a talented Fundraising and Partnerships Manager to help deliver our growth ambitions. Working closely with the CEO and Senior Partnerships Manager, you'll play a key role in securing the funding and partnerships that enable Brightside to expand its reach and impact.

What you'll be doing

• Identifying funding opportunities from trusts and foundations
• Writing compelling grant applications, proposals and reports
• Building and managing a strong pipeline of prospective funders
• Supporting stewardship and relationship management with funders and partners
• Contributing to wider partnership and philanthropy activity, including prospect research and proposal development

What we're looking for

• A proven track record of securing grants from trusts and foundations
• Excellent bid-writing and written communication skills
• Experience managing fundraising pipelines and multiple deadlines
• Strong relationship-building and organisational skills
• A passion for creating opportunities for young people and strong alignment with Brightside's mission and values

Why join us?

• Remote working, with opportunities to connect in person
• Flexible working arrangements
• A friendly, ambitious and supportive team culture
• The opportunity to help more young people access the support, networks and confidence they need to succeed

For full details of the role, responsibilities, person specification, benefits and application process, please see the attached job description.

As we enter an exciting new phase of growth, we're looking for an ambitious and relationship-driven professional to help us build sustainable, diversified income streams that will enable us to increase our impact and reach even more families facing childhood cancer.

We are transforming the way we generate income by focusing on long-term partnerships, smarter use of data and technology, and sustainable fundraising models that maximise impact whilst protecting team capacity. This role will play a key part in helping us achieve that vision.

We're looking for someone who can spot opportunities, build meaningful partnerships, develop long-term supporter relationships and help shape the future of income generation across the charity.

The Opportunity

As our Regional Partnerships & Fundraising Manager, you will be responsible for driving sustainable income growth through:

• Corporate partnerships and sponsorship opportunities
• Payroll Giving and employee engagement programmes
• Strategic trusts and grants oversight
• Regular Giving growth and supporter development
• Regional relationship building and network development
• Pipeline management, forecasting and income planning
• Lead and develop our Charity Fundraiser, providing coaching, mentoring and support to build a high-performing fundraising function capable of delivering sustainable long-term growth.

As a member of our Senior Leadership Team, you will play an active role in the strategic leadership of the charity, helping to shape organisational priorities, champion collaboration and contribute to future growth.

About You

We would love to hear from you if you have:

• Experience in business development, account management, fundraising or partnership development
• A track record of securing income, sponsorship, partnerships or commercial opportunities
• Strong relationship-building and networking skills
• Confidence engaging with senior stakeholders and decision makers
• Experience managing pipelines and using CRM systems effectively
• A collaborative and proactive approach with a focus on finding solutions
• The ability to turn opportunities into long-term relationships

Whether your background is in charity fundraising, commercial partnerships, sales, account management or business development, we are interested in people who can build relationships, create opportunities and deliver sustainable growth.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to join a purpose-led charity at a pivotal stage in its development. You'll have the opportunity to shape and influence the future direction of fundraising, partnerships and sustainable income growth across the charity.

You'll be joining a collaborative and ambitious team that believes in:

• Working smarter, together
• Building sustainable growth
• Developing strong partnerships
• Using data and insight to make informed decisions
• Creating a positive and supportive culture
• Making a meaningful difference to children and families affected by cancer

Most importantly, you'll help ensure that no family faces childhood cancer alone.

Every partnership secured, supporter retained and income stream developed will help us reach more families affected by childhood cancer.

Are you passionate about sales with a proven track record in new business development and income generation? Do you want to use these skills to make a difference across the local community?

Northampton Town FC Community Trust is an award-winning and pioneering charity that uses the unique appeal of Northampton Town Football Club to deliver activities that connect our communities and improve people’s lives.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a passionate, enthusiastic and driven individual to join our team in the following position:

· Business Development Manager

You will play a crucial role in generating income that will positively support the delivery of existing and new community trust projects. In this role, you'll build and nurture strong relationships with schools, clients, partners, and key stakeholders including businesses.

You will lead on the sales of our high-quality schools programmes and packages that are delivered by our dedicated schools team, providing meaningful impact to a range of students. You will lead the sales process from prospecting to closing, ensuring a continuous pipeline of high-quality opportunities, and craft innovative solutions that meet client needs.

You will identify and close new opportunities with businesses, as well as schools, to meet agreed growth targets.  You’ll be able to leverage the assets of the football club and the charity, along with our stories of positive impact, to encourage more schools and businesses to engage and buy in to achieve set income generation targets. The work you do, and income you generate will enable us to make an even bigger impact across the community, helping to improve health and wellbeing, develop stronger, safer connected communities and enhance life opportunities.

About us

Royal Museums Greenwich is a collection of diverse historical sites. The sites are the National Maritime Museum, Cutty Sark, the Royal Observatory, and the Queen’s House. Each of these sites has a unique identity and a common purpose to serve our communities, through sharing our collections and expertise. We are a place to explore the sea, space, art and history, and our strategy ‘Charting Our Course’ puts people at the core of its success.

The Role

The Corporate Partnerships Officer is a pivotal role in the Museum’s Corporate Partnerships team, and is an ideal opportunity for someone looking to develop from their first fundraising role or transfer skills from a sales/agency background into Museum fundraising. As a core member of this small, but impactful team, you will hone your skills in securing and delivering corporate sponsorship and memberships, contributing to the shared team financial target, and working closely with other teams and colleagues across the Museum.

Key responsibilities will include playing an active role in developing and delivering the corporate fundraising plan, contributing towards team-wide financial targets, supporting the identification and approaches to potential new corporate supporters of the Museum, and supporting the stewardship and management of corporate supporters. The successful candidate will be responsible for administrative support and record management, ensuring web content is up to date, and updating key performance indicators.

The successful candidate will have excellent administrative, time management, and communication skills, including a proven ability to interact well and develop strong working relationships with colleagues and supporters alike. They will have the ability to assimilate information well and adopt written house style, have strong problem-solving skills and a willingness to share new ideas, and excellent attention to details. A working knowledge of the fundraising landscape and trends, as well as Raisers Edge, is desirable.

This is a full time, fixed term role for 2 years in Band 6, Management and Competent Specialists. Core hours of work will be 36 per week, Monday to Friday, between 9am-5pm, with an additional hour to be worked as agreed upon with management. Due to the nature of the work flexibility is required in meeting the demands of the role.

Salary: £31,400 per annum

We encourage you to read the attached job description/person specification before applying for this role. 

Please be aware that we are unable to sponsor visas.

Please also note that due to our commitment to internal opportunities for current staff, internal candidates will be considered first for this role.

Interviews are pencilled in w/c 12 October.

Benefits

We offer:

•    A generous pension scheme
•    22 days annual leave (rising to 25 after 1 year) plus bank holidays 
•    40% discount in our cafés, 30% in our shops
•    Interest-free loans (travel, bike, gym, learning)
•    Free Life Assurance Scheme covering you for 2 times your annual salary
•    Free entry to exhibitions at partner museums and galleries
•    Flexible and hybrid working options
•    A culture that celebrates individuality, collaboration, and innovation

EDI

Diversity and inclusion are integral to our work at Royal Museums Greenwich, as we are a museum for everyone. We want to foster a spirit of inclusion, collaborative working, innovation, and valuing people as individuals whose lives have been shaped by different experiences. Therefore, we welcome applications from everyone.

We actively work with Disability Confident scheme and ask that you let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments you need or things you would like us to know during the interview process, which may include being provided with the interview questions in advance, requiring a step free interview space, that you are eye-contact avoidant, or having the interview questions in a written format or additional time in timed tests, interviews or other assessment activities.

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.

Are you interested in playing your part in making a difference to our world? Come and join our team as a Philanthropy Manager - we are hiring here at ClientEarth!

This role offers the chance to join a high‑performing, deeply collaborative Philanthropy Team within ClientEarth’s Development Department, working closely with major donors, trusts, and foundations across multiple countries.

Important dates to note:

• Deadline to submit an initial application: 21 September 2026
• If your profile passes initial screening, you will be asked to submit additional information in the form of three additional questions. 
• The deadline to submit your answers is the 24th of September
• If we do not receive a response to these questions by the deadline we will assume you are no longer interested in the role. 
• Interviews will take place the from the 28th of September

Please also review the "Our Hiring Process" section at the bottom of this advert to learn more about the stages involved for this specific role. 

Key Responsibilities

• Build a resilient donor pipeline and manage prospects and donors through each stage of the pipeline.
• Actively solicit and manage donor relationships across assigned portfolio to achieve global philanthropy income target with a focus on building new income and unrestricted income
• Work with the Global Head of Philanthropy and Lead to implement agreed fundraising strategies across geographies
• Collaborating with the team to implement the Philanthropy strategy as part of the overall Global Fundraising strategy, liaising with leadership, programme leads, communications and finance to ensure ClientEarth maximises potential income from corporate, restricted and unrestricted income streams

See the job description for a full list of duties for this role.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Fundraising management experience working in major donor fundraising.
• Demonstrable experience of securing five (or higher) figure gifts as well as multi-year commitments including unrestricted income.
• Good knowledge of donor and pipeline management, and financial processes 
• Previous line management experience 

See the job description for a full list of duties for this role.

Job Benefits

Flexible working:  We are proud to be a Flexa accredited Employer. Visit our Flexa Employer page for more information on our approach to flexible working. Our flexible working policy allows our people the choice to decide to work from home/another location in the country where their contract of employment is issued for 80% of their month, with the other 20% of their month being office-based. See our benefits page for more: Benefits | ClientEarth Careers as well as our flexible working FAQ.
 

ClientEarth values diversity and inclusion and the benefits this brings. We aim to appoint the most suitable candidate at all times and welcome applications from people from all different backgrounds. See our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at ClientEarth | ClientEarth journey page for more.

Please note that ClientEarth is only able to employ those who have the pre-existing legal right to work in the UK or Belgium.
 

ClientEarth is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or legal services to third parties.

Role purpose and scope

The role has key responsibility for all larger fundraising activities and corporate grants at Swindon Food Collective. This includes high-profile networking with large businesses, PLC's, and corporations, processing commercial grant applications, developing, nurturing, and managing key corporate partnerships and significantly increasing corporate fundraising activities (e.g., sponsorships, developing commercial fundraising pitches, securing commercial grants, and developing a commercial income pipeline).

This exciting role involves undertaking frequent travel to large corporations and businesses (including local, regional or national head office locations) and pitching for sponsorship / presenting significant fundraising opportunities to senior stakeholders. This role will work closely with the Senior Leadership Team and Chair of our Fundraising Committee (Trustee).

Key responsibilities

Lead Corporate Grant Fundraising. Secure Funding Opportunities from Trusts and Foundations

· Develop a new corporate grant funding pipeline, building a database of corporate grant funding opportunities that ultimately helps to recure new revenue.

· Lead, prepare and write new compelling corporate grant applications to secure new funds from Foundations, Trusts, Corporations, etc., track and report organisational progress.

· Ensure timely and high-quality funder reporting and relationship management, developing lasting opportunities with funders.

· Capture and record impact evidence from new funding opportunities to strengthen charity impact reporting and data collection.

Developing New Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorship

· Identify, cultivate and secure new corporate partnerships and sponsorships to attract new revenue into the charity to help support and fund either on-going operational expenditure or crisis support packages.

· Design a corporate partnership package (including defining partner benefits, a corporate presentation pitch to senior board members of prospective funders, and a set of simplified funding options for new partners.

· Build and steward relationships with high-value supporters, ensuring excellent donor care and personalised stewardship, supporting ongoing partnership engagement.

· Produce compelling cases for support and pitch materials tailored to different audiences

Philanthropy, Major Donors and Relationship Fundraising

· Manage a prospect pipeline (research, cultivation plans, asks, stewardship and renewals).

· Establish new relationships with relevant stakeholders to encourage legacy donations (e.g., gifts in wills, giving in memory, etc.) providing relevant appreciation support and messaging.

· Support and grow corporate philanthropy opportunities to raise funds for charity projects.

Digital, Fundraising Platforms and Planning

· Build a balanced digital-led fundraising income mix (e.g., corporate, philanthropy, trusts, and community), as well as establishing and managing all digital fundraising platforms on behalf of Swindon Food Collective (e.g., Charities Aid Foundation, Crowdfunder, Fundraise Up, GoFundMe, JustGiving, WhyDonate, EasyFundraising, Spacehive, GiveTap, etc.)

· Develop and deliver an 18-month income generation plan aligned to SFC priorities and the Trustee Strategy & Fundraising Committee.

Performance Management, Systems and Compliance

· Manage income forecasting, budgeting and ROI tracking; set and monitor KPIs and provide clear reporting to CEO/Board.

· Maintain accurate records in the CRM (or agreed system), ensuring GDPR compliance and strong data quality.

· Ensure fundraising activity aligns with relevant fundraising standards and ethical practice.

· Awareness of Fundraising Regulator and accreditation process.

General

· Team player and an active supporter of Swindon Food Collective values and culture.

· Ability to work flexibly and creatively, being innovative and supporting new initiatives.

· Happy to assist when appropriate to support other areas of the organisation ad hoc such as occasional support with events, public functions, and team training (as appropriate).

Person specification

Essential

· Proven track record of corporate fundraising and understanding of corporate grant applications and process, highlight previous successes and the potential for Swindon Food Collective.

· Demonstratable experience delivering previous significant income growth for charities through fundraising, partnerships or business development.

· Experience developing and implementing an income generation strategy across multiple streams (e.g., corporate, trusts, major donors, individual giving).

· Familiarity with the majority of Digital Charitable Platforms and demonstratable previous successes.

· Commercial acumen: confident with budgets, forecasting, KPIs and ROI monitoring.

· Experience acquiring funding via Charitable and Corporate Foundations

· Strong relationship-building and influencing skills with senior stakeholders.

· Excellent written skills (cases for support, bids, grants, proposals, reports).

· Ability to work at pace in a small charity and be both strategic and hands-on.

· High integrity and commitment to ethical fundraising and data protection.

Desirable

· Experience of significant corporate funding raising gather from charities involved with addressing food poverty, social welfare or a comparable community-based charity environment.

· Experience presenting to Trustee Boards and Sub-Committees and working effectively with trustees.

Key performance indicators (KPIs)

· Income: delivery of phased substantial new corporate income over a 24-month timeline. Generation and management of corporate prospects and on-going presentation of corporate propositions to secure new commercial funding and sponsorships.

· Pipeline health: value, stage progression, conversion rate and stewardship actions completed.

· Diversification: growth across multiple funding streams and clients to reduced dependency on any single source.

· Quality: strong donor retention/renewal and positive stakeholder feedback.

· Governance: timely reporting and full compliance with GDPR and fundraising standards.

Thank you for your interest and consideration in applying for this position. If you want a challenge and to help keep a vital foodbank service in Swindon financially viable, this is the job for you!!