Major donor manager jobs

Are you an experienced, skilled and passionate fundraiser, able to write compelling proposals and applications for trusts and major donors? Can you inspire and persuade both existing and potential key supporters to partner with Church Mission society and bolster our mission with significant financial support – to help people at the edges discover and follow Jesus?  

Ø  Permanent, 35 hours per week.

Ø  Hybrid working – approximately two days a week at CMS House, Oxford.

Ø  Starting salary of £35,750 1 FTE, with a generous pension contribution: up to 10 per cent employer contribution on annual salary. Incremental increases to salaries are applied annually.

Ø  CMS offers 36 days of annual leave (including bank holidays) as well as enhanced paid sickness, maternity, paternity and adoption leave

Ø  CMS supports the mental wellbeing of its employees and offers a generous rewards and wellbeing package, including:

· Access to 24/7 employee assistance programme with qualified counsellors.

· Regular wellbeing coffee mornings.

· Support on menopause for women.

· Up to three volunteer days per annum.

· Up to three family emergency leave days per annum.

· Retreats and resources for prayer life.

We welcome applications from everyone. We particularly welcome applications from individuals from minority groups as they are currently underrepresented within our organisation at this level. All appointments are made on merit of skill, experience and potential as set out in the job description and person specification.

Your role

We are looking for a proactive and talented individual who has demonstrable experience of working in trust fundraising, and who can build rapport and meaningful relationships with key trustees and major donors. Writing and submitting applications and proposals to trusts will be the core focus of your role, with a view to securing sizeable donations for the work of CMS. You will also have a small caseload of existing individual major donors and small family trusts to both retain and grow their financial giving. You will have outstanding relationship building skills and an ability to establish rapport quickly with existing and prospective trusts and major donors. You will be a confident and able communicator across a variety of media, including written correspondence, telephone, online and in-person face-to-face meetings.  You will be able to demonstrate a strong ability to cultivate existing trust and major donor relationships (or equivalent customer / sales or account management roles) as well as experience of having implemented acquisition strategies in order to grow income through significant major gifts.

The organisation you’ll be joining

Church Mission Society is comprised of people who are passionate about mission and fired up about helping people follow Jesus. For over 200 years CMS has been at the forefront of global mission, living out the gospel of Jesus, seeing lives changed and communities transformed. If you join CMS, you will find an organisation that has been reinvigorated with a fresh vision to make disciples of Jesus among people at the edges, both in the UK and around the world.

What you’ll need to succeed

We are looking for a seasoned and skilled fundraiser who has been successfully working in a trust and major donor environment or equivalent customer facing role (sales / account management), with evidence of retaining and growing an existing caseload of supporters to secure new and significant income to support the charity’s work. You will have solid experience of effectively working across multiple teams and collaborating with others. You will possess the excellent written skills needed to craft successful applications to trusts and major donors, and have a keen eye on the detail. Additionally, excellent database and administrative knowledge are essential.

It is a requirement for this post holder to be a committed and practising Christian as well as committed to CMS’s values and aims.

Further details can be found in the job description and person specification available to download on the CMS website.

Our commitment to you

Our core values of being pioneering, relational, faithful and evangelistic are integral to everything we do, and we work hard to ensure that every member of staff is valued, supported and encouraged to continually learn and develop their skills.

We are committed to the safeguarding and protection of the people we serve, our partners, our volunteers, and our staff. We believe that every child or adult we come into contact with has the right to be protected from all forms of harm and abuse. Our recruitment and selection processes are in line with our Safeguarding Policy and the SCHR Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, which CMS is a member of as part of our commitment to safeguarding.

Closing date

We must get your application by midnight on Sunday 10 May 2026.

Interviews are planned to be held on Wednesday 20 May 2026

To apply

Please send your application form and CV to via our website or by post to HR Team, Church Mission Society, Watlington Road, Oxford OX4 6BZ.  CVs will only be considered when sent with a completed application form, which is available to download from our website.

Candidates for all UK roles must already be eligible to work in the UK, with a valid visa and work permit if required.

As a member of the Inter-agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, CMS has committed to systematically check with previous employers from the last five years for any ‘SEAH’ (Sexual Exploitation, Abuse or Harassment) issues relating to all potential new hires.

Location: London-only (a minimum of three days in our South London Centre per week) 

1st stage interviews: 01/06 and 02/06

2nd stage interviews: 09/06

At The King's Trust, every relationship we build helps young people across the UK turn potential into opportunity. As a Senior Head of Collective Philanthropy, based in London, you will lead one of our most influential fundraising portfolios, shaping high-value collective giving that fuels life-changing programmes. You will oversee flagship initiatives, Women Supporting Women and the Enterprise Fellowship, working at the heart of a charity that blends entrepreneurial drive with deep social impact. 

This is a senior leadership role with real scope. You will inspire and empower a specialist team to deliver multi-million-pound income, stewarding six and seven-figure gifts while developing new networks of committed supporters. Working closely with senior volunteers, trustees, ambassadors and colleagues across the Trust, you will create compelling philanthropic opportunities that reflect both donor ambition and the realities facing young people today. Strategic thinking, disciplined financial management and first-class relationship-building sit at the centre of your work. 

Joining The King's Trust means joining an organisation defined by optimism, integrity and belief in young people. From our South London Centre, you will play a visible role during a landmark period for the charity, helping shape the future of collective philanthropy while modelling inclusive, values-led leadership. This is a rare opportunity to combine senior fundraising expertise with a clear social mission and lasting national impact. 

What happens next?  

Please submit a CV and a Cover Letter that includes your experience, transferable skills and motivation to work for The King's Trust! The Team will be in touch about the next steps shortly after the closing date. 

Why do we need a Senior Head of Collective Philanthropy? 

Last year, we helped more than 40,000 Young People, with three in four young people on our programmes moving into a positive outcome in work, education or training. The young people we help face a range of challenges, such as unemployment, mental health issues or some who have been in trouble with the law. We believe all young people should have the chance to succeed, and that young people are the key to a positive and prosperous future for all of us. We want to continue having a positive impact on young people’s lives, and we couldn’t do this without the important work of our Senior Head of Collective Philanthropy! 

Perks for working at The Trust! 

• Great holiday package! 30 days annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays. Office closure on the days between Christmas and New Year 
• Flexible working! Where operationally possible, our roles require a combination of office days and working from home (please speak to the hiring manager about this particular role)
• You can volunteer for and/or attend events – The King's Trust Awards, Pride, active events, etc. 
• In-house learning platform! Develop your skills for your career and your role 
• Benefits platform! Everything from health and financial well-being support to discounts on your favourite restaurants, shops and cinemas. 
• Personal development opportunities through our Networks – KT CAN (Cultural Awareness Network), KT GEN (Gender Equality Network), KT DAWN (Disability & Wellbeing Network), and PULSE (LGBTQIA+ Network). 
• Fantastic Family leave! Receive 13 weeks of full pay and 13 weeks of half pay for maternity and adoption leave. Receive 8 weeks of full pay for paternity leave. 
• Interest-free season ticket loans 
• The Trust will contribute 5% of your salary to the Trust Pension Scheme 
• Generous life assurance cover (4 x annual salary) 

Prospectus is excited to be supporting our client in their search for a Philanthropy Manager.

Our client is a space for creative ideas, connections and the opportunity to make change. From small beginnings in 2008, they have grown into a global network of women and allies from all walks of life who are bonded by the collective aim to live in a world where women and girls’ equal rights and equal opportunities are the norm.

The organisation are reviewing applications and interviewing on a rolling basis. Please do apply now and we will be in touch!

This is a 2-year fixed-term contract role (with view to become a permanent position), paying a salary of £40,000 to £42,000 per annum. This is primarily a homebased role; the postholder is expected to travel to London at least twice a month for meetings and events.

The Philanthropy Manager will work closely with the Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships, and the CEO to develop fundraising opportunities and drive income via major donors, corporates, global foundations and special events. You will support with cultivating and stewarding key relationships and funders, deepening relationships and maximizing their potential by creating new funding opportunities and calls to action.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced high-value fundraiser and a confident relationship manager. You will have demonstrable experience in securing 5-figure gifts from major donors and trusts and foundations and a track record of working with high profile supporters.

If you are interested in applying to this position, please submit your CV in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will send you all the information you need to formally apply. We are looking forward to connecting with you soon.

Prospectus and the organisation are invested in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds. Please let us know if we can help you with the application process in any way. We are more than happy to make any reasonable adjustments to enable all interested candidates to apply. If you have any disability and would like assistance with completing an application then please contact Ariha Semontee at Prospectus.

Martin House provides free specialist palliative care to babies, children and young people with complex and life-shortening conditions. Families from across West, North and East Yorkshire have access to our care 24/7, 365 days a year, including specialist doctors. Every year we care for more than 550 families, at the hospice, in hospital and in families’ own homes, as well as supporting around 200 bereaved family members.

We’re looking for an inspiring and strategic Special Events Team Manager to lead our Special Events team in delivering a vibrant, high‑impact calendar of fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship events. You’ll play a key role within the Major Relationships team, driving consistent year‑on‑year income growth and deepening supporter engagement through an ambitious and thoughtfully curated Special Events portfolio.

The role will involve:

1. Leading, managing and inspiring the Special Events Team through regular one-to-ones, appraisals and performance reviews, ensuring team members meet agreed SMART objectives and income targets.
2. Supporting the delivery of the Special Events Fundraising Strategy and managing the Special Events Portfolio, including philanthropy and major partnership engagement and development events.
3. Identifying opportunities for growth and ensuring strong return on investment across all activities.
4. Working closely with senior volunteers and committees to deliver a successful and sustainable Special Events programme.
5. Implementing, evaluating and continually reviewing the performance of the Special Events portfolio with the Head of Major Relationships to maximise income.
6. Delivering the Special Events programme within budget and to agreed timescales, supported by detailed work plans and accurate record-keeping  on the fundraising database
7. Collaborating with wider fundraising teams to ensure the Special Events Portfolio appeals to key stakeholders, including the development of sponsorship opportunities.
8. Leading the delivery of annual committee-led Special Events, working with committees, venues, suppliers, sponsors and volunteers to ensure events are delivered to target and achieve year-on-year growth.
9. Assisting with the recruitment, coordination and motivation of volunteers to support Special Events fundraising activities.
10. Maximising income from Special Events and existing supporters, while identifying, securing and developing new relationships with major donors and partners.
11. Building and maintaining strong internal and external relationships, representing Martin House at the highest level.
12. Working with the marketing team to developing and implement effective marketing and PR strategies to support the successful delivery of all Special Events to maximise ticket sales, income generation and relationship development.
13. Ensuring accurate and up-to-date records of supporters, projects and events using the fundraising database and relevant shared systems.
14. Researching, recommending, developing and delivering new and innovative fundraising products for the Special Events Team, in collaboration with the Philanthropy and Partnerships Team Manager.
15. Supporting the Head of Major Relationships with cultivation, development and stewardship events, working closely with the Philanthropy and Partnerships Manager.

There is an expectation that the post holder will need to travel to visit businesses, attend meetings and conferences etc. sometimes outside of working hours.

Predominantly home-based with regular travel to locations across the UK
up to £45,000 per annum
Permanent, Full Time (35 hours per week)

Office facilities are available at our Newark office at The Kiln, Waterside, Mather Road, Newark, NG24 1WT, for those within easy travelling distance. There is a requirement to attend in-person the monthly team meetings at the Newark office

Closing date for applications: 10th May 2026

First interview:  27th May 2026 (Online)

Second interview: 3rd June 2026 (Online)

About Us

The Wildlife Trusts are a grassroots movement of people from a wide range of backgrounds and all walks of life, who believe that we need nature and nature needs us. We have more than 945,000 members, over 33,000 volunteers, 4,100 staff and 600 trustees. There are 46 individual Wildlife Trusts, each of which is a place-based independent charity with its own legal identity, formed by groups of people getting together and working with others to make a positive difference to wildlife and future generations, starting where they live and work.

Every Wildlife Trust is part of The Wildlife Trusts federation and a corporate member of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, a registered charity in its own right founded in 1912 and one of the founding members of IUCN – the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Taken together this federation of 47 charities is known as The Wildlife Trusts.

The next few years will be critical in determining what kind of world we all live in. We need to urgently reverse the loss of wildlife and put nature into recovery at scale if we are to prevent climate and ecological disaster. We recognise that this will require big, bold changes in the way The Wildlife Trusts work, not least in how we mobilise others and support them to organise within their own communities.

About You

This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in securing transformational support for nature in the UK and beyond. Working with senior leaders to build and steward high-value donor relationships, we are seeking an experienced and ambitious Major Gifts Fundraiser with exceptional relationship-building, communication and storytelling skills, and a commitment to inspiring philanthropic support for nature’s recovery.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute not only to income growth but also to strengthen major donor fundraising across The Wildlife Trusts.

We are looking for an exceptional Major Gifts Fundraiser to join one of the UK’s most cherished nature charities at a pivotal moment for nature’s recovery.

In this influential role, you will be instrumental in expanding our network of high-net-worth supporters. Working closely with our Head of Major Donor Fundraising, Chief Executive, Senior Leadership Team and our Wildlife Trust colleagues, you will focus on identifying and cultivating meaningful, long-term relationships, that delivers transformational support for nature’s recovery in the UK.

You will be a confident, compelling communicator, and engaging Major Gifts Fundraiser, with the ability to express The Wildlife Trusts’ case for support in tackling the nature and climate emergencies, both through our work on nature’s restoration on the ground to driving change through policy, influencing and campaigning. You will be highly experienced in inspiring donors by connecting their values with our mission to tackle the climate and nature emergencies.

We are looking for an experienced Major Gifts Fundraiser with a track record of securing significant restricted and unrestricted income. You will be skilled at initiating and developing mutually beneficial relationships, motivated by ambitious targets and driven by the opportunity to make a genuine difference for nature.

The Wildlife Trusts value passion, respect, trust, integrity, pragmatic activism and strength in diversity. Whilst we are passionate in promoting our aims, we are not judgmental and are inclusive. We particularly encourage applications from people who are underrepresented within our sector, including people from minority backgrounds and people with disabilities. We are committed to creating a movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities.

RSWT take our Safeguarding responsibilities extremely seriously. Please click here to read our commitment statement. The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk. For applicable roles, applicants must be willing to undergo checks with past employers and Disclosure and Barring Service checks at the eligible level.

RSWT are committed to increasing the diversity of its staff through its Levelling the Field recruitment pledge and, as a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming recruitment experience for all applicants. Applicants with disabilities and from ethnic minority backgrounds, will be considered for the next stage of the selection process should they meet all the minimum criteria for the role outlined in the person specification detailed as essential criteria in the recruitment pack. As part of our Disability Confident Scheme, RSWT offers an interview to a fair and proportionate number of applicants with disabilities and therefore not all applicants with disabilities would be entitled to an interview as they must still satisfy the minimum requirements for the job. This commitment is designed to help reduce barriers and promote equal opportunity. We actively work to remove barriers throughout the recruitment journey and are dedicated to creating an accessible and supportive recruitment experience by offering reasonable adjustments at every stage of the recruitment process, as well as within the workplace. If you would benefit from any adjustments to support you during your application or interview process, please let us know and we will be pleased to put the appropriate support in place.

At RSWT, we are committed to creating a safe environment where discrimination, bullying, and harassment are not tolerated. We expect everyone to uphold, respect, and support our zero-tolerance policy. Please be aware we may not accept applications if we have reason to believe they have been wholly produced using generative AI tools.

Prisoners Abroad is a unique human rights and welfare charity providing advice and support to people affected by overseas imprisonment. We help British people during their incarceration, when they return to the UK and need resettlement services, and we also support their family throughout the trauma. It doesn’t matter to us the reasons people find themselves in need of our services – and we never judge. Our range of services make sure they survive, mentally and physically, so that they can face the future with hope.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join our fundraising and communications team in a varied role supporting our fundraising efforts to ensure an integrated approach to generating income and supporter stewardship. 

You will have some experience in an administrative or coordinator role, ideally within a fundraising or supporter‑focused environment, and a good understanding of how a busy team operates. You will be organised, detail‑oriented and keen to learn, with strong communication skills and a flexible approach to supporting evolving fundraising priorities.

With an eye for detail, you will be confident using a database and interested in developing your skills further with support from the team. You will be the first point of contact for supporter queries and will lead on the processing and reconciliation of income. You will also support our major donor fundraising and provide essential administrative support to the wider fundraising team.

We are a friendly team who work collaboratively across income streams and support each other closely in an environment where no two days are the same. There are opportunities to get involved across the team and the wider organisation depending on your interests, and we invest in our staff’s professional development. This role would suit someone at an early stage in their fundraising career who is keen to build experience across a range of income streams in a supportive setting.

We offer 30 days’ annual leave a year and a 6.5% employer contributory pension as well as a range of enhanced leave and as much tea and coffee as you can drink! We deliver our services from our purpose built, light and airy office that is located a 3-minute walk from Finsbury Park Station (zone 2) which is 10 minutes from Oxford Circus and serviced by the Overground, Victoria & Piccadilly lines. 

Looking to use your fundraising expertise to make a real global impact? This is your opportunity to join a world-leading international organisation driving change where it matters most. As a Fundraise Development Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping fundraising strategy, securing critical funding, and managing donor relationships across a global network.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop high-quality grant proposals, donor reports, and communications
• Oversee grant compliance, budgeting, and financial reporting processes
• Support fundraising strategy, forecasting, and pipeline development
• Conduct donor research and provide strategic insights to internal stakeholders
• Coordinate cross-team collaboration to deliver effective fundraising outcomes

Essential Skills & Experience
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in fundraising, donor relations, or development
• Proven track record securing funding from foundations and government donors
• Strong proposal writing, reporting, and storytelling skills
• Experience building donor pipelines and developing new partnerships
• Financial literacy, including budgeting and grant reporting

My client can offer flexible working arrangements, with 1 day a week in the office.

Applications for this role are now under review, and the deadline could well be brought forward if the suitable candidate is found. Therefore, do not delay in submitting your application!

A new role, the Finance Manager is responsible for leading all aspects of this small charity's day-to-day finances, contracts, risk management plus managing the financial aspects of a £6.7m capital project.

The postholder will ensure that the charity’s budget and out turn are closely monitored and that established financial controls, spanning the procurement to payments cycle, are firmly adhered to. They will lead budget setting, forecasting, and financial reporting (including management of the external audit and production of the annual report and accounts) and will support wider work programme-planning for the charity, setting the foundations for financial success and sustainability.

They will lead the preparation for, and presentations at the charity’s Board and related finance committees.

In addition, the postholder will act as the central finance liaison with the Inns of Court of Inner and Middle Temple – TCT’s principal funders – as well as with other stakeholders, donors and cross-departmentally.

Candidates should meet the following essential criteria:

CIMA, ACCA or ACA qualified accountant

Experience in a senior/ management financial position in a charity/ not for profit

Experience of managing cash and investments.

Effective communications skills both written and oral

Excellent IT skills including MS Office and Finance Systems

About us

Temple Church is in the Temple, City of London. Known as the “Mother Church of the Common Law”, and birthplace of Magna Carta, the Church serves the legal colleges of Inner and Middle Temple, two of the four Inns of Court responsible for calling barristers to the Bar of England and Wales.

Previous applicants need not reapply.

All appointments are subject to acceptable background checks including a basic DBS Disclosure.

About Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance
Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) exists so nobody in Scotland suffers or dies because medical help cannot get there in time. People can get sick or have accidents anywhere and anytime. But in Scotland there are places where urgent medical help cannot reach people. Or help gets there too late. And when lives are at risk every minute matters. As a charity we rely on donations from the Scottish public, companies and communities to ensure that urgent medical help gets to the patient when it is needed, wherever they are and at whatever time of day.

The Role
We are seeking an experienced fundraising professional to join us as Head of Fundraising. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering our fundraising strategy across community, events and volunteering, trusts and grants, corporate and philanthropy by crafting ambitious regional plans, nurturing high-performing teams, and driving excellence in supporter engagement and recognition. The Head of Fundraising will work collaboratively with the Individual Giving and Engagement team to drive new business pipelining and amplify fundraising campaigns, develop new fundraising products, and represent SCAA at external events and sector initiatives.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced team leader with significant experience working across a variety of fundraising disciplines and of developing and implementing fundraising strategies.

The successful candidate can be based from home, but this role will require regular travel to our bases at Perth and Aberdeen Airports and throughout Scotland. The usual hours and days of work will be Monday to Friday, 9am—5pm.

About You

Essential

• Strong background in a variety of fundraising disciplines and a track record in growing fundraising income over multiple years within a charity, non-profit or values-led organisation.

• Experience of developing and implementing fundraising strategies aligned to organisational objectives.

• Experienced team leader who can motivate, inspire and guide others to deliver results.

• Strong understanding of data protection (GDPR), confidentiality and safeguarding requirements. 

• Strong knowledge of Scottish charity regulations, governance and compliance requirements.

• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, financial processes, and procurement. 

• Experience delivering community fundraising products and scaling ideas that support donor acquisition and retention.

• Ability to use insight and ambition to shape pipeline and stewardship planning.

• Understanding of CRM systems.

Desirable

• Ability to deliver training to staff or volunteers on processes or systems. 

• Experience of community, events, volunteering and partnerships and philanthropy fundraising.

• Experience of working with Boards or Trustees in a fundraising context.

Our Benefits

• Pension: 12% employer’s & 5% employee’s contribution (after 3 months’ service)  
• Annual Leave: 36 days (incl. public holidays) + an extra day for your birthday (and additional days with long service)
• Death in Service benefit: 3 times annual salary
• Optional Private Medical Insurance plan and Cashplan
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced Maternity/Adoption/Paternity Pay
• Access to Blue Light Card
• Learning and Development Opportunities

Selection Process

First interviews will take place at our base at Perth Airport in Scone during the week commencing 25th May. Second stage interviews will be held at our Perth base the week commencing 1st June.

How to apply
Please refer to the full job pack on our website.

Application deadline is 5pm on Sunday 10th May 2026. 

Looking to use your fundraising expertise to make a real global impact? This is your opportunity to join a world-leading international organisation driving change where it matters most. As a Development Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping fundraising strategy, securing critical funding, and managing donor relationships across a global network.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop high-quality grant proposals, donor reports, and communications
• Oversee grant compliance, budgeting, and financial reporting processes
• Support fundraising strategy, forecasting, and pipeline development
• Conduct donor research and provide strategic insights to internal stakeholders
• Coordinate cross-team collaboration to deliver effective fundraising outcomes

Essential Skills & Experience
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in fundraising, donor relations, or development
• Proven track record securing funding from foundations and government donors
• Strong proposal writing, reporting, and storytelling skills
• Experience building donor pipelines and developing new partnerships
• Financial literacy, including budgeting and grant reporting

My client can offer flexible working arrangements, with 1-2 days a week in the office.

Applications for this role are now under review, and the deadline could well be brought forward if the suitable candidate is found. Therefore, do not delay in submitting your application!

An exciting new opportunity has arisen to join our Experience and Development Team on a permanent contract

Working as part of the Experience and Development Team, this varied role is instrumental in leading the planning, coordination, and delivery of Glasgow Science Centre’s fundraising activity, ensuring the effective implementation of a diversified fundraising strategy across individual giving, corporate partnerships, statutory funding, and trusts & foundations.

You will lead the development and stewardship of relationships with funders, donors, and strategic partners, ensuring long-term engagement, effective relationship management, and maximised support for organisational priorities.

The Sutton Trust is the UK’s leading social mobility charity. We believe every young person should have a fair chance in life, regardless of their family’s income, the school they go to or where they grow up. But today in Britain, the opportunity to succeed is heavily shaped by socio-economic background. Our mission is to change this. Our programmes empower young people to access life-changing opportunities, and our research influences national change to deliver a fairer future.

Each year, together with our university and employer partners, we support over 14,000 young people to reach their potential through our university, apprenticeship and career access programmes. And our support doesn’t stop there. We engage our thriving alumni community to help them to succeed in their professions and to act as advocates for social mobility.

Our rigorous and extensive research shines a light on barriers to opportunity from the early years to the workplace, and we strive to influence national policy change with evidence-based solutions to tackle educational and workplace inequality. Using insights from our programmes and research, we also test and scale new ideas in education and employment practice.

As an independent charity, our work is entirely reliant on the generous support of our community of donors. The need to support our work to tackle Britain’s low social mobility has never been greater.

Fundraising at the Sutton Trust

We are seeking a dynamic and confident Philanthropy Manager to join our high-performing fundraising team. The Sutton Trust is at an exciting point in our organisational journey, with a new Chairperson and ambitions to significantly grow our impact and fundraising as part of our 2030 strategy.

Over the past five years the impact of the Sutton Trust has increased, especially in our programme numbers, securing a relatively stable income of c.£6m over a number of years. In recent years this has grown to c.£7m, and our organisational strategy to 2030/31 will continue this fundraising trajectory to increase income to £12m. With a growing portfolio of philanthropic income from individuals – currently accounting for c.£1.2m – there is considerable enthusiasm and opportunity to build upon existing relationships and establish new ones in support of the work of The Sutton Trust.

Our fundraising approach will continue to focus on major gifts, harnessing and increasing our networks, and multi-year partnerships to leverage a range of drivers to secure philanthropic support. We anticipate utilising the structured giving schemes designed for our individual supporters to build a robust pipeline for future major gifts. This will include a focus on building out our newly refreshed Fellowship scheme and, importantly, working with the Head of Philanthropy to implement a segmented fundraising campaign with our 40,000 strong alumni community. Additionally, there is significant opportunity to build upon recent successes and further develop our approach to legacy fundraising.

Main duties

New Business

• Managing and growing the Trust’s Fellowship scheme through scoping, developing and securing new four and five-figure gifts from individual supporters, working closely with the Director of Development, Head of Philanthropy, and senior volunteers appropriately to secure and steward.

• Work with the Head of Philanthropy to identify and cultivate a prospect pool of potential donors at all levels, including utilising the CRM, current low-level donors, stakeholder network mapping through the Board and Trustees, as well as prospects research of philanthropists with an active interest in education/ social mobility.

• Undertake prospect research across the spectrum of philanthropic income in collaboration with the Head of Philanthropy – including identification, due diligence, qualification, and creating briefings and outreach plans.

• Work with the Head of Alumni Engagement to proactively identify Sutton Trust alumni with the capacity and inclination to support our work, developing meaningful relationships, identifying relevant opportunities to deepen their connection to the Trust, and influencing alums to start and continue their giving journey.

• Work with the Head of Fundraising Operations and Head of Philanthropy to design, implement, and promote a low-level online giving journey, including automated stewardship activation.

• Supporting the Head of Philanthropy to implement a compelling legacy campaign.

• Work with colleagues across the Development team to identify, qualify, cultivate and secure prospects, using resources effectively where there are links between corporates, individuals, and trusts & foundations.

Account Management and Development

• Manage and grow the Trust’s Fellowship major donor scheme, creating meaningful, mutually beneficial and long-term relationships.

• Create meaningful and personalised donor plans for your portfolio, including reporting, regular written updates and in person meetings where appropriate.

• Working with the Director of Development and Head of Philanthropy to support the stewardship and management of the Board, and other major donors.

• Be accountable for achieving individual agreed income targets, looking for opportunities to grow funding and diversify philanthropic income.

• Support the Head of Philanthropy in developing high-quality Fellowship and philanthropy collateral and communications.

• Take responsibility for all elements of event management for individual donors, including creating, planning and managing events that create meaningful experiences for donors. This may include drinks receptions, small private dinners, panel events, and programme visits.

Fundraising, Line Management, Finance and Reporting

• Effectively line manage and coach the Philanthropy Assistant, supporting their development as a fundraiser.

• Work with colleagues to deliver impactful events to cultivate prospects and steward partners, with a focus on experience for individual supporters and prospects.

• Act as an ambassador for the Trust with external audiences, delivering presentations and providing expertise as required.

• Work with colleagues across Development and Finance to ensure accurate forecasting, income tracking, donor record keeping, and reporting for philanthropic income.

• Working closely with colleagues, provide philanthropy fundraising expertise to increase awareness of viable funding opportunities and develop organisational understanding of best practice when working with individual supporters.

• Ensure you and your line report appropriately follow policies and procedures on due diligence, Salesforce and data management, account management, stewardship, and reporting.

• Stay up to date with philanthropy fundraising best practice, embedding it across the Philanthropy team’s work, and keep abreast of developments and opportunities within the wider fundraising space.

• Other duties as necessary from time to time.

Person Specification

We welcome applications from individuals who have experience in:

• Experience building and managing donor relationships with individuals giving four-figures and above per annum in a philanthropy team or other fundraising capacity, and through structured giving schemes.

• Experience of all elements of the cultivation cycle, including prospect research via multiple sources, to develop a prospect pool of individual supporters.

• Experience of working with key senior colleagues across an organisation to secure major gifts and steward relationships, including making the ask for five-figure gifts.

• Experience of managing meaningful donor events and experiences, from concept to delivery.

• First-class interpersonal skills - a natural ambassador able to represent the Sutton Trust with gravitas and confidence in a range of settings.

• Excellent verbal and written communication, including the ability to write persuasive and engaging funding collateral, and to network with Sutton Trust stakeholders and donors to inspire and encourage giving.

• Experience of building or inputting into donor strategy and planning.

• Experience of managing line reports, including effective supervision, feedback and development.

• Experience with working with membership groups such as alumni, implementing online-giving schemes and supporting legacy campaigns (desirable).

• Strong analytical skills.

• Knowledge and experience of the education and/or not-for-profit sector.

• Knowledge of the UK fundraising environment, including trends in philanthropy and the different giving mechanisms utilised by individual donors (i.e. donor-advised funds, family foundations etc).

• Experienced at using Salesforce or other fundraising CRM software to accurately record funding relationships

We are also looking for an individual who:

• Sympathetic to the aims of the Trust and our mission to increase social mobility.

• High degree of initiative and the ability to take responsibility for a range of philanthropy fundraising activity.

• Strong communicator, skilled at persuading others through writing and conversation.

• Excellent attention to detail.

• Able to multi-task and prioritise multiple funder relationships.

• Able to work independently and as part of a team.

• Is eligible to work in the UK (see here for information about right to work)

Terms of Appointment

• Contract: Full-time, Permanent

• Salary: £42,025-£48,000

• Working location: Minimum of two office days per week. Our home working policy gives staff the option to work from home for up to 60% of the time, with approval from their line manager.

• Office location: The Sutton Trust, 9th Floor, Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP

• Hours: The standard working hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. This role is likely to also be required to attend events / meetings outside of normal working hours during weekday evenings and occasionally at weekends, in line with organisational policies.

Interviews

Applications should reach us by 10am, Monday 18th May, with first round interviews held with first round interviews held on Wednesday, 27th May, and second round interviews held on Tuesday, 2nd June. Both rounds will be held in our London office.

Safeguarding statement

The Sutton Trust believes that a child, young person or vulnerable adult should never experience abuse of any kind. We all have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe. Therefore all posts undergo a safer recruitment process, including but not limited to, disclosure of criminal records where necessary and eligibility to work in the UK. We have procedures in place to promote safeguarding and a safe culture at the Trust.

Contextual recruitment

The Trust is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity and that all applicants receive equal consideration for employment. We strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds, including those underrepresented at present at the Trust, to apply for this role. As such we particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities, Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ and from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds. We are committed to being an inclusive and welcoming place to work and know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the young people we support.

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for disabled candidates throughout our recruitment process and during employment.

We also operate contextual recruitment at the Sutton Trust. Our application process gives you the option to include information about your background, such as whether you were eligible for free school meals, whether your parents went to university, or whether you attended a state school. For more examples and information on contextual recruitment, please see our website.

Looking to use your fundraising expertise to make a real global impact? This is your opportunity to join a world-leading international organisation driving change where it matters most. As a Fundraise Development Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping fundraising strategy, securing critical funding, and managing donor relationships across a global network.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop high-quality grant proposals, donor reports, and communications
• Oversee grant compliance, budgeting, and financial reporting processes
• Support fundraising strategy, forecasting, and pipeline development
• Conduct donor research and provide strategic insights to internal stakeholders
• Coordinate cross-team collaboration to deliver effective fundraising outcomes

Essential Skills & Experience
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in fundraising, donor relations, or development
• Proven track record securing funding from foundations and government donors
• Strong proposal writing, reporting, and storytelling skills
• Experience building donor pipelines and developing new partnerships
• Financial literacy, including budgeting and grant reporting

My client can offer flexible working arrangements, with 1 day a week in the office.

Applications for this role are now under review, and the deadline could well be brought forward if the suitable candidate is found. Therefore, do not delay in submitting your application!

We are WeSeeHope, a charity lifting children out of extreme poverty across sub-Saharan Africa.

We are appointing a senior relationship fundraiser to drive income growth through high net worth individuals, senior business leaders, corporates and foundations. This is a frontline role with direct responsibility for developing and securing five and six figure multi-year funding commitments.

Working closely with the Chief Executive and Trustees, the Head of Fundraising will build and convert a strong major donor pipeline, unlock new networks and position WeSeeHope as a credible investment partner.

This is a growth mandate with clear accountability for results. We are seeking someone with the gravitas, commercial judgement and confidence to lead high value conversations and secure significant support. This role will further professionalise and scale our major donor and corporate fundraising approach.

About Us

We invest in the potential of every child we work with by breaking barriers to education and opening doors to entrepreneurship. With our backing, vulnerable children and their families are building futures that are free from extreme poverty, for good.

WeSeeHope currently raises approximately £1m annually through a mix of individual, corporate and foundation support. Our next phase of growth will focus on deepening high value, long term relationships with major donors and senior business leaders. We see clear headroom to scale this relational income model over the next three years.

Main Responsibilities

Strategic Income Leadership

• Develop and execute a clear income growth strategy with defined targets, milestones, and measurable outcomes.
• Build and personally manage a portfolio of high value prospects and partners.
• Lead high level cultivation and solicitation activity in partnership with the Chief Executive and Trustees.
• Identify, qualify, and convert new high value prospects across individual, corporate, and foundation channels.
• Ensure disciplined pipeline management and forecasting, contributing to regular reporting to the Board.

Major Donor and Corporate Relationships

• Act as primary relationship lead for a defined portfolio of high net worth individuals and senior business leaders.
• Design and deliver tailored engagement plans that deepen commitment and increase lifetime value.
• Structure strategic partnerships that align donor objectives with organisational priorities.
• Confidently lead funding conversations, including direct financial asks.

Events and Networks

• Provide strategic oversight of key income generating events, ensuring they are leveraged effectively to cultivate and secure high value support.
• Work with Trustees/Board and senior volunteers in the UK and USA to unlock access to new networks and opportunities.
• Support Trustees to act as effective ambassadors and introducers.

Team and Organisational Leadership

• Lead and develop a focused, high performing fundraising team with clear objectives and accountability.
• Contribute actively to the senior management team, ensuring fundraising is embedded within wider organisational strategy and decision making.
• Champion a culture of measurable performance, professionalism, and relationship stewardship across the organisation.

Person Specification

Experience

• Proven track record of securing significant partnerships or funding commitments, typically in the five or six figure range, with senior decision makers.
• Experience building and converting a strong major donor pipeline, including multi-year commitments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high value partnership or funding conversations and personally secure significant commitments.
• Experience working closely with CEOs, founders, and Trustees to unlock networks and secure support or investment.
• Experience setting and delivering against ambitious income growth targets.

Skills and Capability

• Gravitas and confidence to operate credibly with senior decision makers in private and corporate settings.
• Strong commercial judgement with the ability to assess opportunities on a clear return on investment basis.
• Excellent strategic thinking and disciplined execution.
• Skilled negotiator, comfortable structuring complex funding relationships.
• High emotional intelligence and strong relationship management capability.
• Clear, persuasive communicator able to position WeSeeHope as a compelling investment proposition.

Personal Qualities

• A natural relationship builder, able to establish trust quickly and sustain long term partnerships with high value supporters.
• Comfortable with accountability and transparent performance measurement.
• Self-aware, pragmatic, and calm under pressure.
• Demonstrates alignment with the values of WeSeeHope and a commitment to collaborative, high-performance working.

Success in the first 12 months

By the end of year one, the Head of Fundraising will have:

• Built and qualified a clearly segmented major donor pipeline of 25 to 40 high capacity prospects, with defined engagement plans and projected value.
• Secured multiple new five figure commitments and, where strong prospects exist, at least one new six figure commitment.
• Delivered measurable growth in major donor and corporate income against agreed annual targets.
• Established and implemented a structured major donor strategy with clear segmentation and stewardship plans.
• Activated Trustees in income generation, resulting in new qualified introductions and live cultivation opportunities.
• Implemented robust forecasting and performance reporting systems providing reliable income visibility to the Board.

Salary and Package

Salary: £60,000 - £65,000 per annum, depending on experience.

WeSeeHope is currently a £1m organisation with clear ambition to grow income and impact over the coming years. This role offers significant strategic responsibility, direct access to the Chief Executive and Trustees, and the opportunity to shape and lead income growth at organisational level.

For the right candidate, this is an opportunity to step into a senior leadership position with genuine influence, autonomy and accountability for results.

Benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave plus public holidays.
• Enhanced family leave provision.
• Royal London pension scheme.
• Life insurance.
• Flexible and hybrid working - we currently work one day a week from a shared office space in Moorgate, London.
• Occasional international travel.

How to Apply

To apply, we welcome a CV and a 1-2 page covering letter detailing your interest in the role. Click the How to Apply button below for more information on how to submit your application. Please submit by 12 p.m. on Tuesday 19th May.

Accessibility is incredibly important to us here at WeSeeHope. If you would like any accessibility amendments or support throughout the application and interview stage, please don’t hesitate to let us know.