8 Major donor fundraising manager jobs in Manchester, Greater Manchester

Refugee Action is looking for a Senior Philanthropy Manager.

Salary: £45,529 starting salary (salary range will increase to max £48,738 via the length of service) per annum (pro rata where applicable). Plus £4,467  Inner London Weighting 

Contract: Fixed Term/Permanent basis

Hours: Full-Time 35 hours per week (excluding lunch breaks) – flexible requests will be considered

Location: Any Refugee Action office: London, Manchester, Bradford. We will consider a UK-based hybrid working option. 

About Refugee Action

Refugee Action exists to work with refugees and people seeking asylum who’ve survived some of the world’s worst regimes. We are a national charity with more than 40 years’ experience of empowering people who’ve survived some of the world’s worst regimes to secure the protection and support that they need to live with dignity and respect and build a new life in the UK. We do this by providing expert advice and casework, building the capacity of partner organisations and campaigning on the policies that affect them. 

To succeed in the role you will need to demonstrate: 

• Substantial philanthropy fundraising experience, with a proven track record of securing and managing six-figure gifts, including preparing and making compelling asks.

• Experience of developing and delivering philanthropy strategies, workplans and budgets, setting realistic but ambitious targets and monitoring and forecasting income and expenditure.

• Strong prospect research and new business skills, with the ability to build a robust pipeline and develop high-value, multi-year donor relationships.

• Excellent relationship-building and persuasive communication skills, creating tailored proposals, presentations and stewardship communications that connect donors with the impact of their support.

• The ability to lead, develop and inspire colleagues, working collaboratively across teams and with volunteers to deliver donor commitments and demonstrate impact.

• Strong knowledge of philanthropy fundraising methods and trends, with an innovative approach to donor acquisition, cultivation and stewardship, including events.

• A thorough approach to ethical fundraising, donor due diligence and data protection, maintaining accurate donor records, development plans and forecasts using Raiser’s Edge NXT.

• A commitment to anti-racist practice and removing barriers to power for people with lived experience, ensuring their voices help shape fundraising decisions and activities.

• An understanding of how the UK’s refugee protection and asylum system affects people, alongside the ability to work effectively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Those with lived experience as a refugee are particularly encouraged to apply.

Closing date: 23:59 on 1st December 2026

Interviews: w/c 7th December 2026 (on Zoom)

Refugee Action only operates in the UK, so all roles are UK-based, and you must have the right to work in the UK.

This role is not on the Shortage Occupation List.  If you have permission to work that is restricted to the Shortage Occupation List, we will be unable to appoint you to this role.

You can find out which roles are on the shortage occupation list via these two links:

• Skilled Worker visa: shortage occupations 

• Skilled Worker visa: shortage occupations for healthcare and education