Major gifts fundraising director jobs

Join us in the ambitious ‘Birmingham In Action’ campaign, which commits to raising over £600 million of charitable funding and 1.25 million volunteer hours, positioning the University as one of the world leaders in university development. To help fulfil our exciting campaign ambitions, we are seeking to recruit a ‘Charitable Funding Manager’ (CFM) to maximise philanthropic funding across the University. The role will involve working to achieve a financial target by proactively identifying and securing income from Trusts, Foundations, and other charities. 

A key member of the Development and Alumni Relations Office’s (DARO) Charitable Funding team, you will navigate the university, working closely with academics and Professional Services colleagues to identify some key areas where there are funding needs. The role will bring to life some of our ground-breaking, sector leading work in a compelling and succinct way, inspiring support from new and existing funders. 

DARO exists to support this academic and student community by engaging, inspiring, and celebrating alumni, individuals, and charitable funders who give their money, time, and networks to support the University’s strategic priorities. The Office, which is comprised of five teams, is focused on fundraising and volunteering from alumni, organisations and individuals who are passionate about changing lives, through funding various research projects, supporting student bursaries, mentoring students, and providing internships, as well as providing a versatile programme of engagement opportunities for our global alumni community.

You will have experience of delivering against financial targets, along with the ability to translate complex information into a compelling ask in both verbal and written form. As a Charitable Funding Manager in DARO, you will be innovative, self-motivated, and take ownership of fundraising opportunities in this area. You will generate significant gifts for amazing philanthropic projects and encourage new donors to make long-term, sustainable gifts. You will have an enthusiasm for building relationships and the skill to interact with high-level donors and supporters. 

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. 

Trusts Manager

Royal Academy of Dramatic Art

Salary in the region of £40,000 - £45,000

38 days’ holiday |Defined contribution pension scheme | Hybrid working

For over 120 years, RADA has stood at the forefront of dramatic arts training, nurturing generations of actors, directors, writers, producers and technical artists who have gone on to shape the worlds of theatre, film and television. Access and diversity are at the heart of who we are, and we are deeply committed to ensuring talented students from all backgrounds can experience our training, uplifting the greatest range of voices and perspectives.

This is an exciting time to join us. Our vision and strategy focus on sustainability and inclusion, foregrounding excellence, equitable practice and wellbeing, and empowering artists. Alongside developing our growth strategy, estates strategy, industry partnerships and international offer, we are addressing two urgent priorities: investment in our estate and in bursaries to ensure all talented students can thrive. This is in addition to raising unrestricted funding for RADA’s core activity. At the same time, we are building a renewed alumni strategy, creating opportunities for graduates to connect, collaborate and shape the future of our industry.

We are seeking an experienced trusts fundraiser to join our Development team at a pivotal point in our journey. As Trusts Manager, you will play a key role in supporting the delivery of RADA’s future fundraising growth by developing and stewarding long-term relationships with a portfolio of Trusts and Foundations to unlock transformational support for RADA’s mission and future. Reporting to and working closely with the Head of Grants & Fundraising Services, you will support with the creation of the Trusts and Foundations annual strategy, and will confidently seek out and secure new mid-level gifts.

The ideal candidate will be a confident and proactive fundraiser from an arts/cultural or higher education context and with a track record of gifts at the five-figure level. Your persuasive communication skills, attention to detail, and willingness to take initiative will be important drivers in this role. In addition, your ability to build relationships and inspire trust with RADA’s leadership and senior volunteers will be key to your success.

If you are excited by the opportunity to shape the future of dramatic arts training, and to make a lasting difference through life-changing work, we would be delighted to hear from you.

For a confidential conversation about this exceptional opportunity, please contact our recruitment partners at Richmond Associates. For further information, key dates, and how to apply, please visit the Richmond Associates website and download a detailed candidate pack.

Please tell us if there are any reasonable adjustments we can make to help you in your application or with our recruitment process.

We are taking positive action by guaranteeing an interview to any applicant who self-identifies as being from a Black, Asian or Global Majority background, and/or who self-identifies as D/deaf or disabled, and has experience as a development department lead or deputy lead in the cultural and Higher Education sectors. If you regard yourself as having these characteristics, please state so clearly on your supporting statement.

Closing date for applications: 09:00 on Monday 12th January 2026

#trusts #trustsfundraiser #trustsmanager

About us

King’s Maudsley Partnership

The King’s Maudsley Partnership for Children and Young People will transform understanding and treatment of young people’s mental health through a unique collaboration between specialist clinicians from the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and leading academics at King’s College London. These experts lead the world in approaches to mental health – with the largest group of mental health scientists and clinical academics in Europe. There is no other collaboration in the world with this breadth of skills and ambition. Through this unique partnership, clinicians and researchers will collaborate even more closely to find new ways to predict, prevent and treat mental health disorders. This will benefit children locally, nationally, and across the globe. This role will sit within the Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement team within King’s College London.

Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement (P&A) provides a fundraising and alumni engagement function in support of King’s College London. We are proud to work with colleagues across the university and its health partners to help them serve society through world-leading education, research and healthcare.  Our work also includes a partnership with the Maudsley Charity in support of children’s mental health initiatives between the university’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience and the South London & Maudsley NHS Trust.

We are a committed team that brings together fundraisers working across different channels, alongside colleagues who promote King’s College London’s engagement with its worldwide alumni community. Our work is underpinned and enhanced by a range of dedicated professionals in supporting areas covering proposition development, supporter engagement, supporter operations and business operations.

We have an impressive, well-established track record of success in securing support that allows the university and partners to deliver on their missions. This includes our global, award-winning World Questions: King’s Answers campaign, which set the standard in the sector and enabled us to raise substantial funds to help tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. Ambitious and innovative, the team has won awards such as a CASE Platinum Award for Fundraising and a CASE Gold Award for Donor Relations and Stewardship. We are strongly values-driven with a focus on sustaining an excellent and supportive culture, which we see as key to creating a successful team that can support the university and its partners in making a real and positive difference to the world we live in.

More on King’s College London 

King’s College London is an internationally renowned university delivering exceptional education and world-leading research. The university is dedicated to driving positive and sustainable change in society and realising our vision of making the world a better place.  Through its commitment to exceptional education, impactful research and genuine service to society, King’s College London is creating positive change in its communities, both in London and on the world stage. The Strategic Vision 2029 looks forward to King’s College London’s 200th anniversary in 2029 and sets out ambitious plans in five key areas: 

• Educating the next generation of change-makers;
• Challenging ideas and driving change through research;
• Giving back to society through meaningful service;
• Working with our local communities in London;
• Fostering global citizens with an international perspective. 

About The Role

We are looking for an exceptional Senior Philanthropy manager for Trusts and Foundations to join the King’s Maudsley Partnership (KMP) fundraising team and secure significant long-term philanthropic investment for children and adolescent mental health research and treatment.

The King’s Maudsley Partnership will have its home at Pears Maudsley Centre for Children and Young People in south London, opening in early 2026. The partnership brings together clinical and academic excellence in a unique collaboration between the UK’s largest NHS provider of specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, South London and Maudsley NHS Trust (the Trust), and King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), the leading child and adolescent mental health research team in Europe – with Maudsley Charity as its charity partner alongside other leading philanthropists.

The Centre has been partly funded by philanthropy via a successful capital campaign secured in excess of £30m, and this role will work with the new Director of King's Maudsley Partnership, Professor Philip Shaw, and colleagues across the Trust, IoPPN, Maudsley Charity and KCL fundraising department to ensure philanthropic income continues to be a significant driver of change.

The partnership is local, national and international in scale and ambition. Serving a local population which is among the most ethnically, socially and economically diverse in the world, our mission is to find new ways to predict, prevent and treat mental health disorders for Children and Young People (CYP) and then maximise translation of research and evidence into improved services locally, nationally, and globally. The ambition of the partnership and quality of partners attracts leading clinicians, scientists, allied professionals and students from all over the world.

As Senior Philanthropy Manager for Trusts and Foundations, you will lead on cultivating and stewarding high‑value relationships with charitable trusts and foundations to secure six and seven-figure gifts. The role will focus on developing compelling proposals grounded in evidence and impact, managing a robust pipeline of donors and prospects, and ensuring timely reporting that builds long‑term confidence in our work. You will take a leading role in navigating and maximising the value of a complex institutional and multifaceted partnership, managing multiple stakeholder relationships with professionalism and strategic insight. By aligning funder priorities with our mission to transform children and young people’s mental health, you will drive significant philanthropic income that fuels innovation and accelerates change.

The role is employed by King’s College London and reports to the Associate Director, KMP and will work across the partnership where necessary. We operate a unique and powerful model, which brings together fundraising for our partnership across major and principal gifts, and trusts & foundations, with a developing portfolio of mid-level and corporate supporters.

Our Director leads the team and represents fundraising at the highest levels including reporting at various boards and committees.

This is a hybrid role. However, postholders will be expected to spend at least two days per week onsite at King’s or Maudsley Campus/Pears Maudsley Centre when the Centre opens in 2026,

This is a full-time post (35 Hours per week but candidates wishing to work a 28hr week will be considered). You will be offered an indefinite contract.

About You

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

• Demonstrable experience in fundraising from trusts, foundations and statutory funders, ideally in the Higher Education or health/research sector, with a focus on six and seven figure donations.
• Experience of growing a fundraising pipeline, with an emphasis on building new relationships with previously ‘cold’ prospects and managing a cultivation through to solicitation and stewardship.
• A proven track record of using initiative to secure major grants and donations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong powers of persuasion.
• Experience in preparing budgets, monitoring project expenditure and delivering clear impact reports

Desirable criteria

• Experience managing complex institutional partnerships
• Knowledge of the UK children’s mental health landscape

Further Information

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community. In P&A we want to build a diverse team, which represents the communities served by the organisations we support. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented.

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's. We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements, including part-time, compressed hours and/or job shares, as appropriate and in the context of the business needs associated with the role.

As part of this commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and through this appointment process, it is our aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities.

Closing date: 11 January 2026.

We offer the opportunity of an “Ask Us Anything” Teams call on the 6th January at 12pm.

​This roles with have two interview stages, a standard skills-based interview  and test followed (for up to two appointable candidates) by a Core Values interview.

​First stage interviews are due to be held on 23 January 2026. Core Values interviews are due to be held on the 27 January 2026’

Derbyshire Cricket Foundation (DCF) is the Governing Body for recreational cricket in Derbyshire, delivering services in support of the cricket community across the county.  It is one of 39 County Cricket Boards/Foundations in England & Wales and works in partnership with a number of key stakeholders to develop the recreational game locally in line with the strategy developed by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB). We have an ambition to inspire a generation to say, “Cricket is a game for me”.  The DCF is also a registered charity that aims to improve well-being and provide opportunities for diverse communities across the County through cricket. The Business Development Manager will develop and leverage local partnerships with sponsors, stakeholders, and funding bodies to support these aims.

The primary work location for the Business Development Manager will be at the County Ground, Nottingham Road, Derby, but the role will require travel on a regular basis as the role will be proactive in engaging stakeholders across Derbyshire in support of the DCF strategy and business plan. The position provides an opportunity, for Business Development Manager to work flexibly, and this is likely to include the occasional requirement to participate in some evening and weekend commitments.

Purpose and Focus of the Role

We are seeking an experienced Business Development Manager with excellent relationship management skills to help develop and sustainably grow the impact of our business by identifying and securing new investment to support the delivery of DCF programmes and activity. This will include working with existing corporate and charity partners, and establishing new relationships with Corporate sponsors, individual donors, and Trusts & Foundations.

You will develop and use stewardship tools to guide donors and partnerships through their giving journey, including cultivation plans, proposals, and reports. You will be involved in sourcing and presenting tailored information, making appropriate financial and non-financial requests. The responsibilities of the Business Development Manager will include:

• Fundraising Strategy & Implementation
• High Value Relationship Management
• Corporate Partnerships
• Trusts & Foundations
• Profile & Impact
• Leadership & Management
• Governance & Compliance

Job Profile

Reporting to the Managing Director, you will lead on the recruitment, retention, and value growth of Afghanaid’s supporter base by directing and implementing communications, fundraising and engagement strategies, aligned with broader organisation goals. Designing and managing a tight budget, you will direct the Communication and Giving unit to maximise their success.

You will provide strategic and supervisory oversight of fundraising income from individual giving, regular giving, major donors, trusts and foundations, corporates, community and student fundraising and events, managing annual fundraising appeals and driving organisational unrestricted income growth. 

You will lead on communications for Afghanaid, overseeing print, digital, and paid marketing activities and the growth of communications channels. You will execute Afghanaid’s organisational brand strategy which ensures the integrity of the brand and maximises awareness. You will manage all public relations including crisis communications, as well as the growth of strategic media placements and high profile relationships. You will drive the success of organisational impact storytelling and communications for both internal and external stakeholders. As a member of the executive department, you will collaborate and synergise with other departments to promote organisational success.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive organisational strategy, culture and cross-department collaboration to advance Afghanaid’s mission and objectives.

• Lead development and delivery of Communications, Engagement and Fundraising strategies and work plans.

• Line manage and develop a high-performing team, including staff, volunteers and interns.

• Build and maintain relationships with consultants, agencies and pro bono partners.

• Oversee budgets, reporting and data-driven performance management to ensure efficiency and impact.

• Promote a positive and cohesive London team environment, coordinating hybrid working, inductions and HR support.

• Oversee public fundraising strategy across multiple income streams.

• Lead design and delivery of internal and external appeals, campaigns and donor stewardship.

• Identify new funding opportunities, partnerships and innovation in engagement.

• Oversee the full range of Afghanaid’s event portfolio, and attend relevant events to represent Afghanaid;

• Ensure effective CRM management, data integrity and financial reconciliation.

• Serve as brand guardian, ensuring consistency and evolution of Afghanaid’s identity.

• Oversee creation and execution of integrated communications and marketing plans.

• Direct production of engaging digital and print content, including newsletters, social media, and fundraising collateral.

• Manage website optimisation, SEO and analytics to drive engagement and conversions.

• Lead innovation in digital marketing, email campaigns and supporter journeys.

• Advise leadership on reputation management and crisis communications.

• Develop media policies and act as spokesperson when required.

• Manage proactive and reactive media relations, building relationships with journalists, influencers and advocates.

• Promote Afghanaid’s thought leadership through strategic storytelling and public commentary.

• Commission and direct multimedia content to strengthen organisational storytelling.

• Lead content planning, production and performance analysis.

• Champion participatory storytelling approaches and creative innovation.

Undertake any other duties as and when required by the line director.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

You will be an experienced and dynamic communicator with significant demonstrable experience in fundraising and/or communications at a senior level, coupled with an awareness and up to date knowledge and experience of the tools that would maximise the success of our communications and fundraising activities. In addition, you will have excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to confidently build and maintain strong relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders. Possessing strong management skills, you will have experience of managing small multi-disciplinary teams, providing direction and leadership to enable development and high performance, and the ability to role-model a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion.

Education/ Training

Master’s Degree in communications, marketing, public fundraising or another relevant field (or at least 5-years’ experience).

Work Experience

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, supporter engagement or communications, with at least 2 years’ experience directly managing staff.

• Experience developing and leading integrated multi-channel and multi-stakeholder communications, engagement and/or fundraising strategies.

• Experience in growing audiences, engagement and/or income streams.

• Experience communicating about and/or fundraising for and/or maintaining engagement with Afghanistan or a similar context.

• Experience using KPIs and data to make data-driven decisions to improve efficacy and efficiency.

• Experience managing and monitoring a tight budget.

• Experience conceptualising, producing and commissioning multimedia content, from marketing and fundraising collateral to audiovisual content.

• Experience running full-funnel, multi-channel marketing strategies including paid advertising.

• Understanding of risks associated with communications, public fundraising, and NGO operating contexts, and experience in mitigating those risks.

• Experience supervising, organising, motivating and developing staff.

• In depth knowledge of trends in storytelling, brand, PR, marketing and fundraising.

Professional Skills, Competencies, Values and Attitudes

Afghanaid’s core values are creativity, fairness and honesty. Our staff is passionate about and proud of Afghanaid. Teamwork is fundamental to our standards and demonstrated by taking initiative, assisting others and taking on additional responsibilities and tasks if necessary. We are results driven, committed and motivated to achieve targets and take accountability for our own actions.

Specifically, the holder of this position should also demonstrate the following:

Essential

• Fluent in spoken and written English. 

• Track record of increasing audiences, fundraising totals and engagement metrics from multiple different sources, with a strong business development mindset.

• Experience securing five or six figure gifts from funders;

• Solutions and results orientated; energised by thinking outside the box, and by finding and pursuing novel or innovative approaches and solutions.

• Experience using Salesforce CRM and Marketing Cloud

• Skilled at spotting and prioritising opportunities and synergies, and effective in securing wide-ranging forms of engagement and partnership.

• Excellent listening, speaking and writing skills; strong capabilities of persuasion and a proven track record of uniting people around a common goal.

• Multimedia skills, with knowledge, experience and enthusiasm in driving digital innovation.

• Highly organised with strong leadership and project management skills, able to collaboratively manage competing priorities with senior and junior colleagues.

• Demonstrably skilled brand custodian, able to mitigate risks, anticipate and capitalise upon opportunities, and strengthen reputation.

• Capable of working independently as well as collaboratively, both in leading a team and as part of the team.

• Passionate about driving change, and inspiring individuals and groups to support a cause to deliver that change.

Desirable

• Experience working within an international development or humanitarian context, particularly with causes related to Afghanistan

• Strategic understanding of UK and global fundraising landscapes and emerging giving trends.

• Proven ability to represent an organisation publicly with confidence, professionalism and credibility.

• Experience guiding senior leaders or trustees on media, communications and reputational matters.

• Skilled in crisis communications and reputation management.

• Understanding of inclusive and ethical storytelling practices, with sensitivity to safeguarding considerations.

• Experience developing high-value corporate or media partnerships.

• Comfortable working in a fast-moving, resource-limited environment and adapting to changing external circumstances.

The Organisation

Afghanaid is a British humanitarian and development organisation. For over forty years, our dedicated personnel have worked with millions of families in some of the poorest and most remote communities in Afghanistan. We build basic services, improve livelihoods, strengthen the rights of women and children, help communities protect against natural disasters and adapt to climate change, and respond to humanitarian emergencies. We are headquartered in Kabul, and operate provincial and district offices across Afghanistan, as well as a Marketing and Fundraising office in London. We employ around 500 personnel, 97% of whom are Afghans.

Other Information

Afghanaid’s core values are creativity, fairness and honesty. Our staff are passionate about and proud to work at Afghanaid. Teamwork is fundamental to our standards and demonstrated by taking initiative, assisting others and taking on additional responsibilities and tasks if necessary. We are results driven, committed and motivated to achieve targets and take accountability for our own actions.

Our remuneration and benefits package is competitive with other similar organisations. 

This position presents an excellent opportunity for someone who has the ambition and determination to move up in their career.

This is your chance to lead a growing and high-profile team at the heart of ARU’s future – building lifelong relationships and a culture of giving that makes a lasting difference.

Applications close at9 a.m. Tuesday 6th January 2026 

Who we are

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) is a modern, inclusive and globally engaged university that transforms lives through innovative, entrepreneurial and socially impactful education and research. Named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023 and rated Gold in the UK’s Teaching Excellence Framework, we are recognised for excellence in teaching, research and enterprise. With students from more than 185 countries, our community is driven by curiosity, collaboration and the desire to make a difference. Our research spans health, sustainability, creativity and technology, and we are the largest provider of Nursing, Midwifery, Health and Social Care students in the East of England. We are also one of the UK’s leading universities for degree apprenticeships, working with hundreds of employers to equip students for meaningful careers.

The opportunity

This is an exciting and pivotal moment for ARU’s Development and Alumni function. Now three and a half years old, the team has already established early strengths in major donor, trust and foundation fundraising, and plays an important role in advancing ARU’s mission around participation and social mobility. We are looking for an inspiring and strategic leader to shape the next phase of our Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Strategy. You will build on strong foundations to develop an integrated and creative approach across fundraising and alumni relations, creating a clearer narrative and a consistent, values-led experience for supporters.

Working closely with the Director of Marketing, Communications and Recruitment, the Vice Chancellor and the Chief Operating Officer, you will have the opportunity to influence at a senior level and help shape a visible culture of philanthropy across the university. You will lead a growing team, foster innovation, and harness digital and AI tools to enhance donor and alumni engagement. This role will also connect with our expanding international development remit, opening new opportunities to engage ARU’s global alumni community and build relationships that have both regional and worldwide impact.

About you

You will bring a strong track record in major gift fundraising and strategic relationship management, with experience across multiple income streams including individuals, trusts and corporates. A confident and inclusive leader, you will inspire your team and colleagues to achieve shared success, building collaboration and creativity across the function.

You will be skilled at developing compelling cases for support and using insight, data and storytelling to connect people to purpose. Experience in higher education or a large, complex, mission-driven organisation would be an advantage, as would familiarity with CRM systems such as Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge and the use of digital and AI-driven approaches to engagement.

Above all, you will share our belief in the transformative power of education and the importance of philanthropy in unlocking opportunity, driving inclusion and changing lives.

At ARU, you will join a values-led institution where ambition, integrity and community shape everything we do. You will be part of a supportive environment that encourages innovation, nurtures potential and celebrates success.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the job description and register your interest to apply. 

This advert will come down before the role closes, so please be aware that the closing date is 9 a.m. Tuesday 6th January 2026 and to visit Peridot Partners for the full details and the job pack.