Major gift fundraiser jobs
About us:
We are an international humanitarian organisation that strives for a world free from poverty, fear and oppression. We deliver lifesaving and life-changing interventions to the world's poorest and most vulnerable people. From rapid emergency response to innovative development programming, we go to the hardest to reach places to make sure that no-one is left behind. With almost 4,500 staff of more than 50 nationalities, Concern operates in 25 of the world’s poorest countries, helping people to achieve major and long-lasting improvements in their lives.
Benefits
• 25 days’ annual leave, pro-rated for part-time employees.
• Office closure between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
• Flexible hours and hybrid working
• Annual leave purchase scheme
• Enhanced parental leave pay
• Stakeholder pension
• Season ticket loan
• Cycle scheme
• Life assurance
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
About the role:
The Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships will lead a newly formed Philanthropy and Partnerships team to growth and success. Concern Worldwide UK are investing in Philanthropy and Partnerships, and the head will set the agenda for this team, own and develop the P&P strategy, build excellent internal relationships with the UK team, Republic of Ireland, US and South Korea, trustees and develop long term relationships with donors and prospects.
The Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships will lead their team in creating and implementing a strategy for high-value fundraising in the UK. This new strategy will aim to create highly impactful partnerships with philanthropists, trusts, foundations, and the private sector in support of Concern’s mission.
About You:
ESSENTIAL
• Extensive high value partnership experience in a charitable context, including 6 and 7 figure gifts.
• Proven experience of growing income and providing excellent stewardship, in at least two of the following areas, Trusts and Foundations, Corporates and Major Donors.
• Proven experience of identifying and cultivating new supporters and developing these into sustainable relationships.
• Proven experience of writing effective fundraising strategies, across a range of fundraising streams, including Major Donors, Trusts and Foundations, Corporate Partnerships, to achieve significant income growth.
• Proven experience in developing and delivering complex and diverse multi million pound annual and long-term budgets.
• Demonstrable experience of working with senior volunteers and colleagues to grow a high value program.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and stakeholder management skills and the ability to build good relationships both internally and externally.
• Excellent knowledge of the legal and regulatory environment, including ethical standards and relevant regulations.
• Strong leadership, communication, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Driven to achieve continuous improvement, highly proactive, able to work on own initiative as well as part of a team.
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
DESIRABLE
• Experience of working at a strategic level implementing organisation wide plans and procedures.
• Experience of High Value fundraising in an International Development context.
• Experience of working within a global fundraising environment.
• Experience of using a CRM database in a high value partnership programmes.
Concern Worldwide encourages all qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, ethnicity and origin, disability, political beliefs, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status to apply to become a part of the organization. Concern is against all forms of discrimination and unequal power relations and is committed to promoting equality.
TO APPLY
Please upload your CV and cover letter explaining how you match the job criteria by 9th November 2025.
All candidates who are short-listed for an interview will be notified via email.
Candidates must be legally entitled to work in the UK at the time of application.
Conditions of Appointment:
Job Location: London (Hybrid)
Salary: £59,784 - £66,427, based on full time hours (35 hours per week)
Contract Type: Fixed term Contract
Hours: Full Time
The successful post holder will be required to complete a criminal records self-declaration form and a Basic DBS check.
Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from working with Concern Worldwide. This will depend on the nature of the position, together with the circumstances and background of your offences.
You may also have experience in the following: Head of Partnerships, Partnership Management, Philanthropy Manager, Special Events Coordinator, Donor Relations Manager, Fundraising Events Manager, High-Net-Worth Donor Manager, Development Events Specialist, Charity Fundraising Manager, Major Gifts Coordinator, Special Events Fundraiser, etc
REF-224 823
Job title: Head of Development, Faculty of Medicine
Salary: £69,365 to £79,257
Location: White City (Hybrid)
Are you passionate about advancing world-changing medical research? Do you thrive on building relationships that inspire transformational philanthropy?
Here at Imperial, we are looking for our new Head of Development for the Faculty of Medicine. This is a rare opportunity to connect visionary donors, grateful patients, and world-leading academics to make a tangible difference in healthcare and patient outcomes.
At Imperial, innovation is part of who we are. Our scientists and clinicians are turning breakthroughs into real-world impact — improving lives across the globe. As we prepare to launch the university’s most ambitious fundraising and alumni engagement campaign, you will play a central role in shaping and driving its success.
As Head of Development, Faculty of Medicine, you will have the opportunity to work at the most senior levels, securing gifts at the high six-figure level and above for multi-disciplinary research such as public health, cancer and surgery, neurology, paediatrics, immunology, and infectious disease.
You might have worked with senior volunteers before, opening their networks to guide successful relationship building, or have a track record of successful medical fundraising and/or work with grateful patients.
If you’re ready to play a defining role in medical advancement at one of the world’s most influential universities, we’d love to hear from you.
About Imperial
Welcome to Imperial, a global top ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact.
Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, we navigate some of the world’s toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.
As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you’ll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network.
This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you’ll join us at Imperial.
Our culture
We work towards equality of opportunity, eliminating discrimination and creating an inclusive working environment. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities
Our values are at the heart of everything we do and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate respect, collaboration, excellence, integrity and innovation.
Further Information
This is one of three exceptional opportunities to join our dynamic team. As we continue to expand our international presence, we are recruiting for the following roles:
- Head of Global Development, North America
- Head of Principal Gifts
Each of these roles offers a unique opportunity to shape our strategic direction and build impactful partnerships.
Closing date: Midnight on Wednesday 12 November 2025.
Interested?
Please familiarise yourself with the attached Candidate Pack.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter.
Imperial is partnering with Constellate Global Talent on this search. No agencies please.
Please familiarise yourself with the attached Candidate Pack. To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter by Midnight on Wednesday 12 November 2025.
Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK, with around 300 people diagnosed every day. The Macular Society is the only charity determined to beat the fear and isolation of macular disease with world class research, and the best advice and support.
The Trusts & Philanthropy Manager role is a vital part of this vision and your excellent writing skills and relationship building will help us achieve our ambitions and make a meaningful impact.
Working closely within our passionate and results driven Trusts and
Philanthropy team, you will manage your own portfolio of charitable trusts and support the developing major donor and statutory funding relationships as required. You will be helping us beat macular disease by talking with funders and writing bespoke funding applications for support services, medical research and core costs. Diligently recording all relationship information and communications on our database.
We are looking for someone who:
• Knows their Stuff when it comes to excellent written communication skills to produce content that is inspiring, concise and informative.
• Can Make It Happen by working proactively under their own initiative.
• Shows They Care in the way they speak with our funders and the way they work and support colleagues across our teams.
Does this sound like you? If so, we would love to hear from you and chat about this role in more detail.
In return, we provide a great working culture – we do something worthwhile and are proud to work together to Beat Macular Disease – as recognised by our inclusion in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2023 list.
We offer flexible working options, 26 days annual leave, rising to 27 after one years’ service, the ability to buy or sell annual leave, supportive family policies, and 6% pension contribution.
We are passionate about treating people fairly and as equals, doing so is instinctive to us. We know that to beat macular disease we have work to do. That’s why we are keen to hear from people of all backgrounds who have the skills and experience we are looking for. We particularly encourage applications from people from under-represented groups, to help ensure what we do and how we do it is inclusive – for everyone.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Role Title: Senior Philanthropy Manager (Maternity Cover)
Salary: £48,166-£49,558
Location: London-Hybrid
Tenure: 1 Year Fixed term - Full Time
ActionAid UK is a member of the ActionAid Federation, an international charity that works with women and girls living in poverty. We work with our partners and dedicated staff in 43 countries to end violence and fight poverty so that all women, everywhere, can create the future they want
Are you a keen advocate of women and girls’ rights in emergencies?
Could you use your innovative, creative philanthropy skills and to influence for fundraising results?
Are you passionate about changing the world with women and girls?
Then we'd love to hear from you!
At ActionAid UK, we’re driven by the belief that a fairer world is possible—one where women and girls live free from poverty and violence, and where their voices shape the future. As our new Senior Philanthropy Manager, you’ll play a central role in making that vision a reality.
We’re looking for major donor fundraiser, who is a stewardship expert to build impactful relationships with prospective givers and carefully steward our dedicated donors giving 5 figure gifts. You will be empowered to represent ActionAid and to take decisions quickly. You’ll be joining a high trust team, at a really exciting time for the organisation.
This is a chance to build deep, meaningful relationships with a network of influential, high-net-worth individuals and philanthropic foundations whose generosity fuels our work. You’ll take ownership of a portfolio of major donors, engaging them with ActionAid’s mission and developing bespoke strategies that inspire sustained, transformational giving. From crafting compelling cases for support to leading personal meetings and presenting ambitious new opportunities, you’ll help turn passion into tangible impact.
Working closely with our Head of Philanthropy and senior leadership team, you’ll shape the future of ActionAid’s high-value fundraising. You’ll contribute to the growth of our philanthropy programme, identifying new partnerships, nurturing key relationships, and helping to secure five- and six-figure gifts that power our campaigns, humanitarian responses and long-term development projects. Collaboration will be key—you’ll work with programmatic experts, global partners, and research colleagues to match donor interests with the change they want to see in the world.
We’re looking for someone with proven success in securing major gifts and cultivating relationships at a senior level, whether in the charity sector or beyond. You’ll be confident, strategic, and creative, with the credibility to engage influential individuals and the storytelling skills to bring ActionAid’s mission vividly to life. A passion for feminist values and a commitment to equality, inclusion and safeguarding underpin everything you do.
This is an opportunity to join a purpose-driven team that believes in ambition, collaboration and change. If you’re ready to lead transformative partnerships that create lasting impact for women and girls worldwide, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply now and help build a world where everyone can live with dignity and freedom.
Additional information
Diversity, equality, inclusion and belonging:
Diversity, inclusion and belonging are key to our organisational culture. We are on a journey to become not only an anti-racist organisation but one that proudly celebrates the diversity of all applicants and employees. We look forward to you bringing your full self to work, proudly sharing your unique perspective and helping us to shape our combined future. We especially welcome applications from those from under-represented/marginalised communities.
AAUK is a Disability Confident Committed organisation and as such any candidate that declares a disability will be shortlisted for interview if they meet the essential criteria for the role.
Referencing and safeguarding:
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, safeguarding, criminal records and terrorism finance checks. By submitting an application the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.
ActionAid UK is committed to preventing any form of sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse (including child abuse and adult at-risk abuse) and responding robustly when these harms take place. We expect all ActionAid UK staff and ActionAid UK representatives to share this commitment. We will not tolerate our staff or other representatives carrying out any form of sexual harassment, exploitation or abuse towards anyone we come into contact with through our work.
Working practices:
ActionAid is committed to supporting flexible working. If you would like to discuss flexible working options, including the possibility of a job share for this role, there will be space to do so during the interview process.
ActionAid UK has a hybrid working policy for many of our roles. The requirement will vary from team to team and the responsibilities of individual roles. As a minimum, all colleagues are expected to attend the office 12 days per year, plus additional time for induction, training, and company connection days. Some roles may require in-office attendance on all days and if so, these will clearly be marked as in-office roles.
Please note that ActionAid UK does not offer fully remote working options. We encourage you to discuss hybrid working expectations at interview.
Recruitment processes:
Please note that ActionAid UK may review, shortlist and interview candidates prior to the closing date so we encourage all candidates to apply as soon as possible. If we receive a very high response, we may close the vacancy early and will not accept further submissions.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Contract Type: Fixed Term until 31/12/2027
Hours: Part Time, 21 hours per week
Salary: £29,290.00 to £36,612.00, (pro-rata £17,574.00 to £21,967.20.00), dependent on your skills, knowledge and experience
Location: Cardiff - with regular travel to the South West. This is a hybrid role with 40-60% of the week spent in the Cardiff office.
Interviews: 25/11 over MS Teams
Join The King’s Trust during our 50th Anniversary year and play a vital role in changing young lives. As Philanthropy Manager for Wales and the South West, you’ll build powerful relationships with philanthropists and partners who want to make a lasting impact.
You’ll lead philanthropy fundraising across the region, maximising our place-based strategy in Wales and Bristol, focusing on £25k+ gifts, and developing inspiring proposals that bring our work to life. Working closely with local and national teams, you’ll turn ambition into action by helping thousands of young people gain the skills and confidence to find work.
If you’re a relationship-builder with flair for storytelling, a strategic mindset, and a passion for social impact, this is your chance to shape our next 50 years of opportunity for young people.
What happens next?
Please submit a CV, and 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 Philanthropy Managers?
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 Philanthropy Managers!
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)
We believe that every young person should have the chance to succeed, no matter their background or the challenges they are facing.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
As we prepare to launch an ambitious £150 million philanthropic campaign, we are seeking a strategic and driven Prospect Development Manager to lead the delivery of insight-driven prospect management across the Philanthropy and Partnerships Directorate.
You will play a critical role in creating a steady pipeline of new potential supporters for the fundraising teams, as well as helping shape the data and analytics strategy that will measure the impact of our campaign.
You will ensure that business-as-usual activity—such as briefing materials, due diligence, fundraiser portfolio reviews, prospect research, and insight—is delivered to a high standard, with the understanding that over the course of the campaign, these activities will be undertaken primarily in service of the campaign itself, rather than in addition to it
This role is ideal for someone who combines strategic thinking with hands-on delivery and is passionate about understanding and engaging supporters who make transformational change possible.
Main duties and responsibilities of the role:
Strategy and Planning
· Develop and implement the prospect development strategy to support the successful delivery of a new High Value campaign and long-term income growth.
· Work closely with senior stakeholders to ensure alignment between, BAU, campaign goals and supporter engagement strategies.
· Lead on campaign data reporting, impact measurement, and forecasting to inform decision-making across the Philanthropy and Corporate Partnerships teams.
· Ensure the team are maximising the power of AI within Prospect Development.
· Own the campaign Gift Table and utilise it as a key management tool.
· Lead on the strategic planning, income pipeline modelling, and campaign progress reporting.
· Proactively identify, assess, and manage operational and strategic risks within the team, implementing appropriate mitigation strategies and ensuring compliance with organisational policies and relevant regulations.
Prospect Management and Research
· Lead the identification, qualification, and tracking of new major donor and partner prospects across individual, corporate, and foundation giving.
· Design processes to engage volunteers and donors in identifying their key contacts who might be strong major prospects
· Lead on the design and delivery of regular portfolio reviews for relationship managers, using data and insight to optimise pipelines.
· Produce and manage the delivery of high-quality biographies, briefings, and due diligence for meetings and events.
· Work collaboratively with fundraisers to proactively identify new opportunities and ensure prospects are moved through the pipeline efficiently.
· Work with our Research team on potential and current Research Partners, allowing us to be strategic across all of our high value audiences.
· Maintain and continuously improve prospect tracking systems and data quality.
Campaign Insight and Impact
· Design and oversee reporting mechanisms that track the performance and progress of the campaign.
· Provide regular insight and trend analysis to campaign leadership and fundraising teams.
· Use data and supporter intelligence to shape cultivation and solicitation strategies.
Team Management
· Manage and develop a small, high-performing team (currently two direct reports), setting clear goals, providing coaching, and supporting professional development.
· Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and supporter-centric thinking.
· Ensure a consistent and high-quality service is provided to fundraisers and stakeholders across the organisation.
What we are looking for:
· Proven experience in prospect development, prospect research, or fundraising insight in a philanthropic or partnership-focused environment.
· Strong understanding of Philanthropy and Corporate Partnerships Fundraising.
· Proficient in using CRM systems and prospect research tools.
· Excellent analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insight.
· Excellent written communication skills with the ability to produce briefings and profiles to a high standard.
· Outstanding organisational skills and attention to detail.
· Strong interpersonal skills with a collaborative and stakeholder-focused approach.
· Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work to deadlines.
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 £44,000 per annum, plus benefits.
Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.
The closing date for applications is the 16th November 2025, 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, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented. 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. While we strive to anonymise your CV where possible, there are certain sections, such as the application question, that cannot be fully anonymised. We kindly ask that you remove any personal information, including your name, when answering the application question. The hiring panel will not have access to your personal details, such as your name and address, until you are invited for an interview. 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.
There has never been a more important and exciting time in dementia research. With promising new drugs in clinical trials that slow the progression of the diseases that cause it, and revolutionary new ways to diagnose them on the horizon, we are now at a tipping point. Working with the smartest minds globally and across the UK, with industry and academia, Alzheimer’s Research UK is uniquely placed to invest in the very best research identifying barriers to a cure and knocking them down so that there are more and better treatments for everyone with dementia. For the first time in history, we can see a future where people with dementia can get a swift and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments that could slow or even stop their disease. We stand for everyone affected by dementia. We stand for a cure.
In 2024, we were incredibly proud to be awarded a 3-star accreditation by Best Companies which recognises ‘World Class’ levels of workplace engagement. This is the second consecutive time; we have been awarded a Best Companies 3-star accreditation.
We were also listed in the prestigious Best Companies lists:
· 18th in the 100 Best Large Companies to Work For in the UK.
· 10th in the 50 Best Companies to Work For in the East of England.
· 2nd in the 30 Best Companies to Work For in the Charity Sector.
ARUK really does look after its people, where you will be able to add value and make a difference.
To view further details about working for us and the benefits we offer, please visit Alzheimer’s Research UK
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Working closely with the Prior and Sub-Prior of the Community of St Paulinus, you will be responsible for integrating community organising practices into our missional approach and supporting others as they seek to do the same.
This is an exciting opportunity to bring your passion for social justice, and teamwork, organising and leadership development skills and experience to a role that will support economically deprived communities in working for the common good.
The new role of Community Organiser: Community of St Paulinus at Sheffield Cathedral plays a key role in establishing the Cathedral as a resourcing church, partnering with parishes in the inclusive catholic tradition and embedding community organising principles across our parish partnerships and the Cathedral itself. Community organising is not simply a method but a core discipline in this initiative — shaping how relationships are built, leaders are developed, and action is taken for the common good. Through this approach, the Cathedral and its partners will contribute to the founding of Sheffield Citizens and work collaboratively for justice and human flourishing across the region. At the heart of the resourcing project will be a new non-residential mission community called the Community of St Paulinus (CsP). Although based at the Cathedral, notably in the rhythm of prayer, the CsP will be deployed in contextual mission with parish partners. Working closely with the Prior and Sub-Prior, the community organiser will be responsible for integrating community organising practices into our missional approach and supporting others as they seek to do the same.
The Community Organiser will work with the CsP and the Project Resource Team - an agile group comprising a Project Manager, Fundraiser and Digital Evangelist - to provide practical and strategic support for missioners and parish partners engaged in parish revitalisation and the planting of new worshipping communities.
This is an incredibly exciting time to join a newly forming team passionate about renewal in sacramental parish life, local community building and broad-based efforts to foster justice in the neighborhood and region. This job description, together with the CsP explainer document, contains all you need to know about the role and how to apply for it.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Head of philanthropy
Location: Contracted to our Peterborough office with the flexibility for hybrid working
Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 FTE depending on experience
Full time: (37.5 hours) or part-time considered (minimum 30 hours per week)
Benefits: We want all our employees to feel valued and engaged and are committed to offering a positive working culture along with a good work-life balance. As well as ensuring we pay our employees fairly, we offer the following benefits: Flexible working, Generous annual leave, Private Medical Insurance, including dental and optical, Pension Scheme, Sick Pay, Death in Service, Employee Assistance Programme, Bike Loan Scheme, Cycle2Work Scheme, Eyecare, Discount Portal.
Closing date: Tuesday 4 November 2025
Preliminary telephone interviews will be held on Friday 7 November 2025
In-person interviews will be held in Peterborough on Friday 14 November 2025
No agencies please
Be a part of an energetic and vibrant team who are driven by the desire to improve the lives of people living with kidney disease. Our vision is the day when everyone lives free from kidney disease.
This is an exciting opportunity for anyone who thrives in a fast paced, ambitious environment. We want to prevent kidney disease from becoming a public health emergency and find better treatments for kidney patients sooner.
We are looking for a talented leader with a proven track record in high value fundraising to lead our philanthropy team, which comprises trusts, major giving and special events. You will bring a strong track record of securing significant high-value gifts from trusts and major donors, along with deep knowledge of the current philanthropic landscape. With proven experience in budget planning, income forecasting and managing long-term pipelines, you will play a key role in delivering our ambitious fundraising targets. You will have a passion for cultivating relationships and going above and beyond to develop lasting meaningful relationships with supporters.
We operate a hybrid, flexible working style and regular weekly office attendance is encouraged. The role is contracted to our Peterborough office. You will also be required to regularly attend external meetings and events.
If you are interested in the position, please complete the online application form and submit together with your CV.
We are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone and encourage applications from all sections of the community.
About Kidney Research UK:
Kidney Research UK is the leading charity in the UK focused on funding research into the prevention, treatment and management of kidney disease. Our vision is the day when everyone lives free from kidney disease and for more than 60 years the research, we fund has been making an impact. But kidney disease is increasing as are the factors contributing to it, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity, making our work more essential than ever.
At Kidney Research UK we work with clinicians and scientists across the UK, funding and facilitating research into all areas of kidney disease. We collaborate with partners across the public, private and third sectors to prevent kidney disease and drive innovation to transform treatments.
Over the last ten years we have invested more than £71 million into research. We lobby governments and decision makers to change policy and practice to ensure that the estimated 7.2 million people living with all stages of kidney disease in the UK have access to the most effective care and treatment, and to make kidney disease a priority.
Most importantly, we also work closely with patients, ensuring their voice is heard and is at the centre of everything we do, from deciding which research to invest in to how we plan our priorities and our work across the charity.
Those patient contributions are vital, always helping us and our partners to understand what life is like with kidney disease, always ensuring we see the patient behind the treatment and always reminding us that behind every statistic and every number is a person – the patients and the carers who inspire our mission and push us forward to make a difference and change the future of kidney disease.
You may also have experience in the following: Head of Partnerships, Partnership Management, Philanthropy Manager, Donor Relations Manager, Fundraising Events Manager, High-Net-Worth Donor Manager, Development Events Specialist, Charity Fundraising Manager, Special Events Fundraiser, Charity, Charities, Third Sector, Not for Profit, NFP, etc
REF-224 386
Philanthropy Lead - Translation & Innovation
Salary: £75,000 - £85,000 plus
Reports to: Associate Director of Philanthropy
Directorate: Strategy & Philanthropy
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time 35 hours per week (flexible working requests will be considered)
Location: Stratford, London Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office) There will be national and (potentially) international travel with this role.
Closing date: Sunday 2nd November 2025 23:55
Please let us know if there is anything about the recruitment process that you would like to discuss, in particular if there are any changes or adjustments that would make it easier for you to apply. Please contact or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible.
Visa sponsorship: Cancer Research UK can consider visa sponsorship for this vacancy. If this applies to you, please ensure that this is clearly marked on your application.
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.
We're a collective force, tackling cancer on all fronts to save and improve lives. We fund pioneering research, we provide reliable and accessible information, we influence policy, and we encourage positive behaviour change. We are a passionate team of professionals driven by purpose, striving to accelerate breakthroughs in cancer research and treatment. We are the world's biggest charitable funder of cancer research raising on average £640m a year.
As we expand our efforts, we're recruiting an inspiring, principal gifts fundraiser to join one of the most successful philanthropic fundraising teams in the UK. We're a dynamic, innovative team of talented professionals spearheading the ambitious £400m More Research, Less Cancer campaign. With over £230m already raised, we're making strides to revolutionise cancer research, focusing on; The Francis Crick Institute, Cancer Grand Challenges, Translation & Innovation and our Future Leaders' programme.
In this role, you'll lead the cultivation and stewardship of a portfolio of donors capable of making £1 million+ gifts, with a focus on supporting translational research that helps turn scientific discoveries into new treatments, tests and technologies that benefit people with cancer.
Areas of focus include the Centre for Drug Development - the world's only charity-funded drug development facility - and our emerging data and AI strategy, which aims to accelerate scientific discovery and improve outcomes for people affected by cancer.
What will I be doing?
Work in partnership with the Associate Director of Philanthropy to lead new philanthropic initiatives supporting the Translation and Innovation pillar of the More Research, Less Cancer campaign.
Manage a portfolio of prospects with the capacity to give £1m+, focusing on qualification, engagement, and stewardship throughout the full giving cycle. Drive consistent pipeline progress by securing donations and cultivating future support to strengthen CRUK's donor base.
Achieve agreed fundraising income and prospect cultivation targets and provide regular reporting and metrics against goals.
Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders-including academics, researchers, institutional leaders, and volunteer leaders - to develop and implement strategies for securing gifts of £1M+.
Support the recruitment, engagement, and stewardship of senior volunteer leaders and campaign board members, working closely with colleagues to leverage their networks and influence in securing transformational gifts.
Collaborate with internal teams to develop compelling, insight-led philanthropic narratives and funding propositions, translating CRUK's research priorities into opportunities that inspire philanthropic support.
Develop a strong working knowledge of CRUK's research and impact.
Contribute to team development by actively sharing best practices, insights, and learnings, fostering a collaborative culture across the Philanthropy Directorate.
Stay informed about evolving gift and data policies in the UK, ensuring compliance with all relevant fundraising regulations.
Contribute to cross-directorate initiatives, strategy development, and participate in working groups and other collaborative activities as appropriate.
What are we looking for?
Extensive experience in professional fundraising within a complex and ambitious organisation, with a proven track record of securing seven-figure gifts.
Deep knowledge of principal and major gift fundraising best practices, along with a strong understanding of the broader issues and trends shaping philanthropy today.
Demonstrated success working in fast-paced, complex environments, including involvement in significant fundraising campaigns and managing multiple, high-stakes projects.
Excellent project management and organisational skills, with strong attention to detail. Exceptional writing ability and confidence using technology, including databases, Excel, PowerPoint, and other platforms.
Comfortable navigating ambiguity and new territory, with the ability to set clear direction and establish new protocols. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Highly organised and consistently able to deliver high-quality work under pressure, managing competing deadlines and prioritising effectively to support CRUK's mission to fund world-class science.
Strategic thinker with experience developing and implementing fundraising strategies. Skilled at influencing and collaborating with others, and able to quickly grasp and lead on CRUK campaign priorities.
Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to engage professionally and effectively with a wide range of individuals-including internal colleagues, institutional leaders, external collaborators, stakeholders, and donors.
Demonstrates curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning and development-for both self and others. Motivated by science and inspired by the opportunity to contribute to the Crick and CRUK's philanthropic growth.
Willing to take on a wide variety of tasks with a proactive, "can-do" attitude. Able to anticipate challenges and respond quickly with practical solutions.
Flexible and committed to going above and beyond the role description to ensure success. Willing to perform additional tasks as needed.
Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.
Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination
Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism
Human: Act to have a positive impact on people
Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively
We're looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.
What will I gain?
We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.
You can explore our benefits by visiting our .
How do I apply?
We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
In this exciting role you will work within the small Communciations & Fundraising Team to maximise income generation from individual givers through your ability to manage outstanding supporter care, accurate database management and targeted marketing via email, post, and social media.
You will hold key responsibility for ensuring the accuracy of all our fundraising and marketing data and be responsible for ensuring the correct targeting of all marketing approaches. You will work closely with, and in support of all other members of the Fundraising and Communications teams. If you have experience of managing volunteers, all the better.
You will conduct and present excellent analysis on all marketing activity with clear recommendations for improvements to fundraising communications alongside donor/donation and database management.
Using your CRM and database knowledge, you can play a key role in the management of donor management but also the wider data support for the charity. it is an exciting time at Doctors of the World, with a diverse portfolio of projects supporting those who are excluded from health in the UK.
Benefits include:
- 28 days annual leave per annum (addtional days off for birthday, volunteering and religous festivals).
- Active Flexible Working Policy.
- Employer pension contribution scheme.
- Cycle to work scheme
- Eye testing
- Blue Light Card membership
We work tirelessly to empower excluded people to access healthcare.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.





