Major gift officer jobs in southampton, hampshire
You will be joining us at a time that holds the greatest potential for fundraising in our history, following the launch of the UK Government’s Delivery Plan for ME and initial findings of the DecodeME genetics study (co-led by Action for ME) in Summer 2025.
Building on our charity’s already established level of support from major donors, you will provide exceptional relationship management to existing donors alongside growing our network of high value supporters.
Working closely with the CEO, alongside managing a portfolio of donors and prospects ensuring excellent stewardship, you will support our Breakthrough-ME Group (a group of high net worth and highly networked individuals). There is an established level of support from major donors at Action for ME so this is a role that will require exceptional relationship management to retain our current valued supporters while growing this crucial area of fundraising.
This would be an ideal role for an experienced philanthropy professional seeking to work for a small but ambitious charity, helping us to achieve our mission to improve the lives of all people affected by ME – better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.
Key duties
Major Donor Fundraising
• Successfully develop and implement the philanthropy strategy to secure and maximise funds from high value individuals for Action for ME achieving annual income of £250k+
• Set plans and budgets which will deliver income through major gift fundraising and philanthropic giving through family trusts and foundations, including quarterly forecasting.
• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors at the £5k to £100k level, to develop and maintain strong and long-standing partnerships
• Work closely with the Director of Fundraising and Development and other colleagues to ensure that plans and activities for fundraising from high value individuals are integrated into the overall fundraising strategy and plan for significant growth.
• Be responsible for our Breakthrough-ME Group with high quality proposition development. Contribution to Group fundraising activities with a specific focus on ensuring their networks support pipeline growth for future fundraising.
• Lead the delivery of our biennial fundraising gala dinner, maximising income and new opportunities from attendees.
• Develop engaging and inspiring opportunities to steward and cultivate support creating a calendar of activities including events, presentations, approaches, networking and meetings.
• Utilise the CRM database (Raisers Edge) to provide the data required to strategise your approach to philanthropy, monitor progress and provide a high-quality donor experience.
• Ensure utilisation of insight & data, producing management information data to inform planning and strategy development.
• With the Director of Fundraising & Development, create inspiring cases for support and resulting propositions with clear budgets and outcomes.
• Create adequate systems and processes to support the major donor programme.
• Undertake and manage research into prospects and major donors, preparing for approaches and presentations and briefing senior leadership and trustees for donor meetings and events.
• Develop and maintain relationships with donors, a wide range of staff and volunteers from trustee level down.
• Provide regular feedback and internal reporting to line management.
• Work with other fundraisers to ensure that all fundraising opportunities and leads are followed up – particularly in corporate, community and trust fundraising.
• Work with Trustees, the Chief Executive and members of the Leadership Team to develop relationships with major donors.
• Self-administrate including managing your own diary and meetings, keeping accurate and up to date records of activity
• Occasional travel to London, Bristol & events
Other duties
• To positively promote the work and activities of Action for M.E. at all times.
• To contribute to the team’s overall, ongoing and annual planning and budgeting.
• To undertake any other reasonable activity in line with the responsibilities of the post as requested by the Director of Fundraising and Development, Chief Executive or any other senior Action for ME management.
• Act as an advocate for the Charity and its work.
• To work in accordance with Action for ME’s values of collaboration, equity and empathy.
Our mission is to improve the lives of people affected by ME. Better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.
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!
The Talent Set are delighted to partner with The Talent Foundry in their search for a Head of Fundraising role. The Talent Foundry is dedicated to helping young people from under-served communities unlock their potential and prepare for the world of work or higher education.They are looking to increase unrestricted income from fundraising outside of corporate partnerships. This senior position involves leading strategic fundraising efforts to secure vital income, leading a small team across fundraising and marketing.
Key Responsibilities
- Responsible for all of fundraising income and to develop structure of fundraising to diversify income streams
- Design and implement effective fundraising strategies
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with current and prospective donors and partners
- Lead and support fundraising and marketing teams, fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment
- Plan, coordinate, and deliver fundraising campaigns and events
- Track, analyse, and report on fundraising performance metrics
- Identify new funding opportunities and stay updated on sector trends
- Represent the organisation at external engagements to build awareness and support
Person Specification
- Experience in leading successful fundraising programmes within the charity sector with experience from one of the following areas: Trust and Foundations, Major Gifts, Corporate Partnership
- Ability to be strategic and also hands as fundraising on to meet the needs of a smaller charity
- Would suit an ambitious experienced manager looking to develop their career
- Strong relationship-building skills with diverse stakeholder groups
- Strategic thinker with excellent organisational abilities
- Effective communicator capable of engaging a wide audience
- Leadership qualities to motivate teams and volunteers
- Analytical and results-focused with attention to detail
- Budget management and resource allocation skills
What’s on Offer
Salary: £45,000
Role is home based but with commitment to travel to London for meetings 1-3 times a month.
Part time options available
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the 'apply now' button (please do not apply via email). We aim to get back to all successful candidates within 48 working hours.
Interviews to be held via teams on the 22nd/23rd September with 2nd stage in person on the 6th October.
Commitment to Diversity
The Talent Set are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, sexual orientation, disability, age, or gender. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.
Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not. The Talent Foundry, a UK education charity, bridges this gap and improves social mobility for young people.





Partnerships Manager
Location: Fully Remote
Salary: £27,992 per annum
Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time
Closing Date: 24th September 2025
We have an exciting opportunity for a Partnerships Manager to join our team and grow income from high-net-worth individuals and corporate supporters. You will identify, engage, and steward prospects to secure funding, while developing and implementing long-term relationship and stewardship plans.
You’ll be joining a passionate, fun, and target-driven team in a motivating environment, with the chance to make a real impact on the services we provide.
Key responsibilities include:
- Researching and identifying potential major donors, determining appropriate stewardship pathways, and involving Trustees or staff as needed.
- Implementing stewardship plans for major donors to secure five-figure gifts and above.
- Developing and supporting external fundraising committees to raise funds for local Forward Trust services.
- Researching and approaching potential corporate supporters, cultivating relationships, and securing funding.
- Collaborating across the organisation to develop engagement packages, partnership proposals, and progress reports.
- Managing the Fundraising Officer, providing support, motivation, and guidance.
- Representing Forward Trust at meetings, networking events, and conferences.
- Supporting the Head of Fundraising to develop strategies to maximise income from high-net-worth individuals and corporates.
- Ensuring data in the CRM is accurate, compliant with GDPR, and used effectively to inform fundraising activities.
- Managing and reporting on income and expenditure budgets, liaising with Finance, and contributing to reports for Senior Management and Trustees.
- Collaborating with other fundraising team members and participating in team meetings, supervision, and training.
What We’re Looking For
Essential Skills & Experience:
- Proven track record of major donor fundraising, securing five-figure sums and managing effective stewardship pathways.
- Proven experience in identifying, managing, and growing corporate supporter accounts of at least five figures.
- Experience managing at least one member of staff.
- Skilled at managing high-level relationships internally (Trustees) and externally (high-net-worth individuals).
- Experience managing budgets related to your area of work.
- Proficient in using a CRM or other database to manage contacts.
- Understanding of GDPR principles and their impact on fundraising.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex issues clearly and compellingly.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to understand departmental income and expenditure projections.
- Willingness to attend fundraising events, which may be out-of-hours or away from home.
About Us
We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often-interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.
We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important. Joining us an employee, we will offer you the following benefits:
- Flexible working
- Training and development opportunities
- Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
- Season Ticket Loan Scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Crisis Loan Scheme
- Electric Car Scheme
- 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
- Access to Blue Light Card
- 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
- Contributory Pension Scheme – Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years’ service and up to 9% thereafter
- Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
- Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for the Forward Trust, please click apply to be redirected to their website to complete your application.