Major gift administrator jobs in leeds

Do you have a strong appreciation for the role of philanthropy in the arts? Do you have experience developing and delivering individual giving and philanthropy strategies? If so, you could be our new Head of Philanthropy.

The Head of Philanthropy will lead on day-to-day fundraising across individual giving, memberships, appeals and campaigns for Leeds Playhouse. This role is central to building and sustaining a robust philanthropic programme, with a particular focus on developing a strong pipeline of mid- and high-level donors, cultivating and stewarding High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI), and driving engagement through compelling communications and events.

We are seeking an excellent communicator and strategic fundraiser who is creative, resilient, and highly motivated. The Head of Philanthropy will play a key role in shaping and delivering sustainable income growth through individual giving, and major donor engagement—ensuring our work is resourced for the long term.

The post-holder will report to the Strategic Director of Fundraising & Development, deputising as required, and will line manage the Development Administrator. This role is predominantly based at Leeds Playhouse with some scope for hybrid working, complementing the Strategic Director role (a part-time role, mostly working remotely).

This is a permanent, full time contract. We would like to fill a requirement for 35 hours per week, which is full-time for this role, with some flexibility to work evenings and weekends when required. However, we are open to hearing from people interested in part-time work or job sharing. Pay for the role is £35,700 per year based on 35 hours per week.

Benefits at Leeds Playhouse include 5 weeks holiday entitlement (plus 1.6 weeks of bank holidays), that increases with length of continuous employment; 2 wellbeing days a year; and discounts across our food and drinks, free show tickets and a local gym and swimming discount. Please see our job pack for more benefits we offer.

To find out more about this role, please download our job pack on our website.

To apply, please fill in both of the forms linked on our website listing before the deadline.

The closing date for applications is 10am Wednesday 12 November 2025.

Interviews are currently scheduled for 19 November 2025.

We are recruiting for an Individual Giving Manager to drive and deliver our ambitious fundraising strategy in order to support the work of Life. The Individual Giving Manager will create, test, monitor and evaluate appeals and campaigns, lead on Legacy (and in-memoriam) giving, lottery and raffle and other income streams associated with individual giving.

About Life:

Life is a UK charity for vulnerable women and families facing unexpected pregnancy or pregnancy loss. Life’s aim is to provide housing, care and support to vulnerable pregnant women (typically aged 16-25) who are in crisis situations, such as those facing homelessness (or at risk of), escaping abuse or other traumatic circumstances. We offer supported housing, a helpline and counselling service, and other practical and emotional support. Our services are inclusive; non-judgemental; and client-centred.

Our Values:

All our work is underpinned by the following universal human values:

• Humanity – All people are special and equal.
• Solidarity – We’re with you and for you.
• Community – We’re better together.
• Charity – Doing good for one another.
• Common good – Building a better world.

About You

Reporting to the Head of Fundraising, the postholder will work closely with colleagues across the Income Generation and Marketing teams to deliver on a positive donor/ supporter experience with the aim of retention of current supporters for the long-term as well as acquisition of new donors, maximising the potential of all of our supporters. It forms a central part of the overall fundraising strategy, with the ultimate aim of growing our individual giving income to increase the impact of the charity and benefit those needing support in pregnancy, pregnancy loss or in the early years of having a baby.

Information about the role: 

For further information, please see the attached job description on our website. 

Salary: £36,000 – £40,000 per annum

Hours: 35 hours per week

Location: Home Based with occasional travel to Head Office (Leamington Spa)

Please note that this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised closing date if a suitable candidate is found.

Benefits:  

At Life we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our:  

• Generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time hours) 
• Birthday Leave  (applicable after 1 years service)
• Extra annual leave for long term service  
• Company Pension Scheme  
• Signed member of the Menopause Workplace Pledge 

Safeguarding and Equality: 

Life is committed to protecting all staff, volunteers and service users from harm of any kind. Life expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct.   

We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organisation by encouraging applications from all backgrounds.  

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. Life takes its obligation to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people very seriously; therefore, the successful candidate for this post will be also subject to extensive background checking, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) which is paid for by the Charity.  

Who we’re looking for 

We’re looking for an exceptional Director of Fundraising and Communication who will lead our fundraising and communications with vision and purpose, helping us grow our reach, deepen our impact and amplify our voice. You’ll be joining a people-centred, mission-driven team, united by a shared commitment to making a meaningful difference. At a time when vulnerable young people face increasing challenges, our work has never been more urgent. If you’re motivated by impact and driven by purpose, this is a good opportunity to contribute to lasting change. 

You will be stepping into a well-established and highly effective organisation, but one that remains energised by innovation and continuous improvement. We actively welcome fresh thinking and new approaches that help us evolve and enhance our work. 

What will you do? 

This is a pivotal moment to join JET as we build on fourteen years of impact and enter a new chapter in our journey. We have ambitious plans to expand our reach and influence, and we’re seeking someone who can help us strengthen our funding base and sharpen our message. 

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will lead and develop our fundraising team, shaping a cross-stream strategy and an integrated communications plan. You’ll be responsible for setting the strategic direction for fundraising, communications and events across the organisation. By doing so you will raise JET’s national profile, grow our supporter base and significantly increase income to support programme expansion. 

You’ll bring strong experience across multiple fundraising streams, with a proven track record of securing significant multi-year funding and building lasting relationships with funders—both individuals and organisations. Alongside leading our fundraising efforts, you’ll take ownership of our brand, ensuring clarity and consistency in our messaging, helping partners tell our story, and securing positive media coverage. 

You’ll lead the development of campaigns, fundraising and marketing activities, and digital engagement that not only enhance our national profile but also drive supporter engagement and income growth.

This is a home-based role, with travel required to and within the regions where we operate, including attendance at key events. 

About you 

You will provide strategic leadership across fundraising, communications, marketing and events. Your work will be closely aligned with JET’s five-year strategy, enabling continued growth in funding and programme delivery. 

You’ll bring a wealth of experience in leading fundraising and communications at a strategic level, with a strong understanding of the sector and a track record of securing and sustaining major gifts and partnerships. You’ll be adept at managing integrated campaigns across multiple channels and growing income through sustainable funding models. 

Your leadership style will be collaborative and empowering, with the ability to build high-performing teams and foster a culture of accountability and innovation. You’ll be a confident communicator, able to inspire and influence, with excellent relationship-building skills and a strategic mindset. 

Above all, you’ll be passionate about JET’s mission to empower young people facing adversity. You’ll be a credible ambassador, committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and driven by the desire to make a meaningful difference. 

Across the JET team we cultivate a culture of inclusion that respects individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe that our differences enable us to be a better team – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation, and delivers better outcomes for our young people. We welcome applicants whatever your background and whatever your stage in life, so if you are returning to the workforce after a period away, or even seeking a change of pace, please get in touch.  

About the Jon Egging Trust (JET)

At JET, we support vulnerable young people to get back on track and realise their potential; more than 45,000 young people right across the UK to date, and there’s so much more we can do. We’re an organisation that really values its people and we’re immensely proud that our team culture is based on caring and raising each other up.

Our benefits package includes:

• Flexible working

• Enhanced annual leave

• Homeworking allowance 

• Occupational pension scheme

• Occupational sickness scheme

• Special paid leave provision

• Enhanced family leave 

Download the Candidate Information Pack

Read our Applicant Privacy Notice 

Child and adult at risk protection policy statement 

The Jon Egging Trust is committed to providing a safe and positive environment for everyone involved in its services and activities. The Trust takes its extended moral and legal duty of care very seriously in relation to children, young people, staff and volunteers. We seek to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children and to protect them from harm or abuse when they engage in any of our activities. JET expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees or volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. 

To apply 

Please complete our online application form.

The closing date is 16th November 2025 at [23:30].

Interview Process 

• First-round interviews: Monday 24th November (online) 

• Meet the team task and fireside chat: Thursday 27th November 

• Final interview (in person, London): Monday 1st December 

Questions? 

Contact us through our website. 

Please note:

Due to our anonymised recruitment process, if your application is not shortlisted, we are unable to provide personalised feedback. 

To become an employee at JET, you must be able to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK and a satisfactory DBS check – enhanced with children's barred is required for this role. As part of our recruitment process, we want to make clear that we are not able to offer visa sponsorship for this position. 

As part of our safer recruitment process, all candidates invited to a final interview will also be required to complete a confidential self-disclosure form, which allows any relevant information to be discussed in line with our safeguarding policy. 

We also reserve the right to cancel the final stage of interview on 1st December if candidate does not meet expectations at this stage. 

Friends of Ibba Girls School (FIGS), which supports Ibba Girls’ Boarding School in South Sudan, is seeking a highly experienced Director of Fundraising and Communications to develop its fundraising strategy, secure new donors, meet ambitious fundraising targets and raise awareness of and support for FIGS through a variety of communication methods.

Friends of Ibba Girls School, South Sudan (FIGS)

Friends of Ibba Girls School, South Sudan (FIGS) was set up in 2011 in response to a specific request from local community leaders to help them translate into reality their vision to build and develop a girls’ boarding school in South Sudan in order to enable girls to complete primary and secondary education rather than drop out of school due to poverty and family pressures.

FIGS has raised over £4.9 million over the last 10 years, particularly through relational fundraising from the wide network of individuals who donate through regular giving, mainly in the UK but also internationally.  Other sources of funds include schools, churches, trusts and foundations, corporates, and business philanthropists, as well as a yearly campaign through the Big Give Christmas Challenge.

FIGS has a committed and hardworking body of trustees, chaired by Chris Trott, former British Ambassador to South Sudan, and now British Ambassador to the Holy See based in the Vatican City, Rome.  The charity currently employs 2 staff who work on fundraising, communications and administration.

In 2023 FIGS Trustees commissioned Windle Trust International (a well-managed UK charity with a long track record of effective work in South Sudan and sub-Saharan Africa) to act as FIGS managing agents in South Sudan, and to provide professional, technical and management advice and support to Ibba Girls Boarding School (IGBS). 

Ibba Girls Boarding School (IGBS)

Ibba Girls Boarding School (IGBS) now educates over 300 primary and secondary school girls from across the whole of Western Equatoria State (an area the size of Scotland but less densely populated) and employs 42 staff (teachers, matrons, cooks, grounds maintenance, night guards and other support staff). The school is on a large, 100-acre green campus and provides not only high-quality teaching in the core subjects on the national curriculum, but also a wide range of co-curriculum subjects like drama, debating, sewing, and farming.

Since its opening in 2014, IGBS has become recognised as a tried and tested visible demonstration of the benefits of boarding school education in South Sudan, where most girls drop out from school before the end of primary and very few complete their secondary qualifications.  IGBS is making a substantial impact across South Sudan, by providing good quality “all-through” integrated girls’ schooling, for both primary and secondary girls, from any background and of any faith or none.

IGBS is achieving both tangible and intangible measures of success, including reduced drop out from school; excellent exam results; a safe, stimulating, happy and nurturing culture; empowering young women who can exercise leadership locally and nationally for this new nation (independent since 2011). IGBS is now attracting widespread recognition in South Sudan for lifting standards of teaching and learning, and acting as a beacon of light and hope, whose example can gradually ripple out to other schools across South Sudan. 

The Opportunity

This is a great moment of opportunity for a highly experienced fundraising and communications professional with a strong and demonstrable track record to play a crucial role (alongside a subgroup of trustees and two paid staff) in reviewing and refreshing FIGS’ fundraising strategy for the short, medium and longer term, and in raising FIGS’ profile through strategic communications. This will support FIGS to reach ambitious fundraising targets to allow us to increase the number of girls in the school to full capacity and implement multiple capital projects on the school campus over the next 5 years. The fundraising challenge also includes deepening and expanding FIGS’ donor base, while sustaining and engaging the large network of existing supporters and loyal donors, supported by effective communications and PR. You will lead and direct the fundraising work and will use your skills across a wide range of fundraising functions, including cultivating gifts from wealthy philanthropists, and through wills and bequests. You will also lead on delivering FIGS’ communications strategy, identifying opportunities to raise its profile with target audiences using a variety of relevant communications channels. You will have experience of digital and social media campaigns, and will oversee the development and dissemination of strategic communications materials in support of FIGS’ fundraising and profile-raising objectives. You will ideally have experience working on projects in fragile or developing contexts and an interest in education and gender equity.

There is plenty to enjoy in the varied work, where one can see visible results not only in FIGS’ fundraising targets, but also in the impact it has on the school, its students and staff, parents and communities across Western Equatoria State and across the nation of South Sudan.

Key Responsibilities

• To support the design and delivery of FIGS’ fundraising strategy and action plan, achieving or exceeding targets and KPIs, both financial and non-financial, as agreed with the Chair of FIGS Trustees, Treasurer and Chair of its fundraising sub-group
• To oversee and deliver FIGS’ communications strategy, and raise its profile with existing and new audiences through strategic communications and PR
• To widen the existing network of donors, based on relationship development and management
• To maintain active engagement with existing supporters and donors
• To identify and generate new fundraising opportunities, from the corporate and philanthropic sectors, as well as from other organizations, groups and individuals
• To generate a pipeline of activities across a range of fundraising streams
• To undertake PR and communications work in order to support the fundraising strategy
• To lead the design and distribution of PR and comms materials, including website, regular newsletter, leaflets, social media.
• To line manage FIGS fundraising and comms staff
• To produce progress reports for FIGS Trustees about fundraising in relation to targets and budget and make recommendations for future workstreams
• To attend key fundraising and supporter events to generate significant income, support and profile
• To act as an ambassador for FIGS
• To ensure fundraising and comms activities are in line with FIGS’ values and policies, relevant legislation and the Fundraising Regulator Code of Practice.

The selection process and how to apply 

The post can be undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis (where part-time is at least 24 hours a week).  Hours can be flexible by arrangement. The person will work mainly from home, liaising online with FIGS and WTI Trustees, staff, and volunteers and with the Board of Governors and Head Teacher of the school in South Sudan.

Some travel to fundraising and communications events in London and elsewhere will be needed. A three-year rolling contract will be offered in the first instance, with annual review and the potential for extension, subject to achievement of agreed performance measures and targets. The salary is in the range of £45-70K (or pro rata) depending on track record and experience. 

To apply please submit your CV and a statement of up to 500 words explaining how you can contribute to FIGS’ fundraising and communications work, including evidence of your fundraising and communications experience, achievements and approach.  Please provide the names and email addresses of two referees who would only be contacted after a job offer.  Please apply by 9 am 29th October 2025 through CharityJob.

First and second round interviews will take place during November. 

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from a wide range of identities and backgrounds.