Major gifts manager jobs

We're looking for a Philanthropy Manager to join our ambitious fundraising team. In this role you will deliver excellent relationship management (prospecting, cultivation and stewardship) for a growing portfolio of high net worth prospects and major donors to help the team achieve ambitious and growing financial targets. You will also support our special events programme by contributing to the development of events for high value supporters.

Together we can change children’s lives. At Place2Be, we believe every child should have easy access to mental health support whenever they need it. We create a safe place in schools where children and young people can open up without pressure or stigma, allowing our highly skilled and diverse counsellors to reach children, young people and their families who need us.

For a career with purpose, this is your place.

Recruitment Process:

As part of your application you will need to answer some shortlisting questions. Please answer these as fully as you can, we recommend using the STAR model. Situation, Task, Action Result.

Closing date for applications: Midnight on Thursday 25 September 2025

1st Interview date: Thursday 2nd October 2025 (In person interview)

2nd Interview date:Tuesday 07 October 2025 (online via teams)

 

 

Our Benefits

When you work at Place2Be –whether that's in a school, supporting families, providing clinical supervision, or in IT, Finance, or Fundraising –every role can make the difference to a young person. To achieve this, we ask that you bring your best self to your role and our commitment to you, is to welcome you into our community, and help you progress. Because we know that you being at your best, means the best outcomes for the children we support.

Here’s just a few things we have on offer:

• Annual Leave that increases with service
• Comprehensive learning and development to enable you to progress your career
• 5% contributory pension scheme
• Life assurance of four times your annual salary
• A comprehensive employee assistance programme
• Mobile Phone Discounts (EE network)
• Wellbeing days to allow you some ‘you’ time
• Christmas holidays closure period in addition to your annual leave

We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented within our organization.

We are proud to be a disability confident employer and will ask you during your application If you wish to be considered for a guaranteed interview under the disability confident scheme. Under the scheme we commit to offering an interview to disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria as outlined in the job role.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Major Gifts Manager

Location: Home Based, United Kingdom

Group: Social Impact

Vacancy type: Permanent

35 hours per week

£35,000 - £40,000 per annum / pro rata (plus allowances) 

Remote

The Children's Society has been helping children and young people in this country for over 130 years. We run local services that support children when they are at their most vulnerable and in desperate need of help. We're there for children, every step of the way. 

This role sits within our Social Impact Group and you will work closely with Senior Major Gifts Manager, AD of Philanthropy (Major Gifts), Director of Philanthropy & Partnerships, Major Appeal Programme Director, Executive Director Social Impact and senior leaders at all levels to identify and access new and existing networks of wealth, opportunity and influence.

Our step-change in impact with children will be achieved by a step-change in our philanthropy & partnerships: as a Major Gifts Manager, you'll play a crucial role in this transformation through development and personal leadership of a portfolio of philanthropists and donors that contribute major gifts (over 5 figures+) and support

In order to be successful in this role, you must have: 

-Strong knowledge and successful track record delivering significant income through personal approaches, liaising with philanthropists and personally securing and building senior volunteer networks

-Expert knowledge of major donor methodology with experience of developing powerful and impactful cases for support, giving proposals and asks of major donors.

-Proven experience of personally meeting income targets and delivering against stewardship and repeat giving objectives, activities, implementation, and risk mitigation plans

-Knowledge of legal, regulatory and ethical environment of major gift fundraising

The Children's Society runs over 100 local services that help thousands of young people who desperately need our support, and we campaign to get laws and policies changed to make children's lives happier and safer. 

Every day we're changing the lives of children in this country for the better - and with your help, tomorrow we can be there for even more. 

The Children's Society is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with.  As such, all posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks.  We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across our services.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 15th September 2025.

WCCM seeks to appoint an experienced, creative, and highly motivated Grant and Major Donor Fundraising Manager to lead fundraising and grant management across a global organisation dedicated to the teaching of Christian Meditation. Working to the Executive Director, you will interact with our decentralised finance, marketing and communications staff and volunteers.  Together, you will nurture Major Donor relationships and create and manage appropriate donor stewardship schemes and rationalise our income streams. You’ll ensure grant reporting and management is kept on track whilst developing targeted proposals for new funding from sympathetic donors in the arena of Trusts and foundations.  You will work to support both our teaching and resourcing of meditation and the running of our retreat centre in Bonnevaux, near Poitiers in France. An excellent writer with excellent financial and budgeting skills, you will be adept at pulling together relevant, succinct and compelling information for our donor reports and bids. You’ll work with communications staff to develop impactful donor communications which enhance our accountability and inspire renewed major donations.  You will have a demonstrable track record in winning grants as well as in the stewardship of major donors.  Occasional trips to France. Interest in Christian Meditation/Spirituality an advantage.

Major Gifts (Trusts) Manager

Location: Home Based, United Kingdom

Group: Social Impact

Vacancy type: Permanent

35 hours per week

£35,000 - £40,000 per annum / pro rata (plus allowances) 

Remote

The Children's Society has been helping children and young people in this country for over 130 years. We run local services that support children when they are at their most vulnerable and in desperate need of help. We're there for children, every step of the way. 

This role sits within our Social Impact Group and you will work closely with Senior Major Gifts Manager, AD of Philanthropy (Major Gifts), Director of Philanthropy & Partnerships, Major Appeal Programme Director, Executive Director Social Impact and senior leaders at all levels to identify and access new and existing networks of wealth, opportunity and influence.

Our step-change in impact with children will be achieved by a step-change in our philanthropy & partnerships: as a Major Gifts (Trusts) Manager, you'll play a crucial role in this transformation through development and personal leadership of a portfolio of trusts and foundations that contribute major grants and donations (over 5 figures+) and support

In order to be successful in this role, you must have: 

-Relevant knowledge and experience gained in a role applying for significant funding with demonstrable track record of securing grants/donations valued at 5-figures+

-Strong knowledge and successful track record delivering significant income through successful funding applications with trusts and foundations

-Expert knowledge of developing compelling funding applications with experience of developing powerful and impactful cases for support and giving proposals

-Knowledge of legal, regulatory and ethical environment of trust fundraising

The Children's Society runs over 100 local services that help thousands of young people who desperately need our support, and we campaign to get laws and policies changed to make children's lives happier and safer. 

Every day we're changing the lives of children in this country for the better - and with your help, tomorrow we can be there for even more. 

The Children's Society is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with.  As such, all posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks.  We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across our services.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 15th September 2025

Prospectus is working with our client to recruit a Major Donor Manager. The charity has a trusted presence in communities across the country, offering practical and emotional support to some of the most vulnerable people in society.

​​​​​​​Their mission is to offer hope, dignity, and opportunity for all.
 
The charity is seeking an experienced Major Donor Fundraiser to help grow support from High Net Worth Individuals and build a strong pipeline of donors. This role will focus on expanding and leveraging major donor networks, cultivating long-term relationships, and securing significant income to support the organisation’s mission. You will proactively generate new leads while contributing to wider team growth.

Salary: £33,513 to £37,725 (pay band 05)
Hybrid working: 2 days in the London headquarters

The successful candidate will bring a proven track record of building strong, lasting donor relationships and of securing significant gifts. You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to make successful asks and open new networks. This is an exciting opportunity to join a top ten UK charity at a time of expansion, making a real difference to those most in need.
 
We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, or pregnancy/maternity. If you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the process, then please contact Jessica Stoddart at Prospectus.

If you feel you meet some of the criteria but not all, we really hope you'll enquire and learn more. Prospectus can advise and support on each part of the role and hopefully your application, so we look forward to hearing from you.
     
At Prospectus, we’re committed to supporting you through every step of your application. To start, please send us your CV. If your experience is a good fit, we’ll share the full job description and arrange a call to brief you before you formally apply. We look forward to hearing from you.

Role Overview:
The Talent Set is working with a leading charity to recruit a Major Donor Manager on a 12-month fixed-term contract.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced major gifts fundraiser to lead and grow a well-established programme. The successful candidate will take ownership of strategy, personally cultivate and secure high-value gifts, and provide leadership to a small team. The role also offers the chance to work closely with senior stakeholders and play a key part in driving forward long-term philanthropic support.

Key Responsibilities:

• Personally cultivate relationships with high-net-worth individuals to secure gifts of £50k+
• Lead the major donor team to prioritise new business opportunities and manage a robust prospect pipeline
• Design and deliver tailored supporter journeys through an effective moves-management process
• Collaborate with colleagues to create innovative donor engagement products and events
• Leverage existing donor networks to identify and secure new prospects
• Monitor activity and track progress using the fundraising database
• Manage and grow a personal portfolio of active major donors, ensuring multi-year commitments are secured
• Provide oversight and guidance to direct reports on their donor portfolios
• Inspire and influence donors through compelling proposals and presentations
• Deliver accurate and timely reports, impact updates, and stewardship materials
• Line-manage a small team, offering coaching, support, and clear direction
• Foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, and accountability within the team
• Work with senior leaders and Trustees to strengthen donor engagement
• Represent at high-profile meetings and events to build networks
• Support cross-team fundraising campaigns and appeals
• Organise and attend donor visits, including project-related travel where required
• Ensure data is accurately recorded and communications are logged
• Produce monthly activity, financial, and KPI reports for senior stakeholders
• Stay informed of sector trends, regulatory requirements, and developments in philanthropy
• Supervise and support volunteers as required

Person Specification:

• Proven track record of securing significant donations from new major donors
• Strong experience in stewarding and upgrading existing donor relationships
• Demonstrable success in developing innovative donor engagement approaches and pitches
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and inspire at all levels
• Skilled at working alongside senior leaders and Trustees in a leadership-led fundraising model
• Experience in managing and motivating staff, fostering innovation and achieving team objectives
• Strong financial acumen, with experience in budgeting, forecasting, and analysing performance
• Ability to problem-solve and drive improvements in working practices

What’s on Offer:

• A 12-month contract within a fantastic organisation that does amazing work.
• Hybrid working with 2 days per week in the Central London office.
• A salary of up to £47,000 for the successful candidate.

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 72 working hours. Please note you must live and have the right to work in the UK as sponsorship cannot be offered.

Commitment to Diversity:
The Talent Set and our partner organisation 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.

Role Summary

As Fundraising Manager at Caring in Bristol, you will lead the growth of unrestricted income across individual and major donor as well as overseeing our corporate, and community fundraising. You’ll create and deliver inspiring campaigns, optimise donor journeys, and ensure excellent supporter stewardship. The role includes responsibility for team leadership, and database management, with a focus on generating new income streams and maintaining compliance. Your strong communication and data skills will help drive the charity’s positive impact for Bristol’s communities

Who we are  

Caring in Bristol’s mission is to unite our city against homelessness. We work in innovative ways with people experiencing housing insecurity to help them navigate the barriers they face. We engage with the public and community partners to bring about lasting change in Bristol and beyond.    

Our services aim to reach people where they are, targeting under-served communities and proactively designing our services to be accessible and inclusive. We maximise our impact through committed and creative outreach to key groups who would not otherwise receive support.  

About the role 

This new role of Fundraising Manager at Caring in Bristol is vital to the development of unrestricted income.  As a charity we rely on the generosity of the communities of Bristol, from individuals to businesses, community organisations to educational facilities.  The postholder will create and deliver innovative fundraising campaigns and supporter communications that engage and inspire supporters, maximise donor retention, and increase lifetime value. 

The role will be responsible for the growth of income from Individual Donors and Major Donors, and oversee Community and Corporate income.  Working with the Head of Fundraising you will also scope out and help to implement potential new income generation opportunities.

Individual Giving  

You will help shape and take ownership of implementing our individual giving strategy in line with organisational fundraising goals, creating and delivering individual giving appeals, designing and optimising donor journeys, and ensuring all supporter communications are engaging and effective. By leveraging an analytical approach to data segmentation, you will deliver highly targeted and relevant donor experiences. 

The role will lead on our use of our CRM system (Donorfy) ensuring supporter’s data is collected effectively and used in compliance with data protection legislation. You will champion the use of Donorfy, making sure it is being used to its full potential. 

With this data you will manage segmentation, using a targeted approach to ensure we optimise the return on investment of our appeals and fundraising activities. 

Additionally, you will manage our Gift Aid process to ensure both compliance and maximised income and oversee meaningful engagement with individual givers - ensuring all supporters are acknowledged in a timely, personalised manner and provided with tailored marketing materials at key intervals. 

Major Donors  

A key aspect of the role is designing and executing effective cultivation and stewardship plans for both current and prospective major donors, ensuring relationships are nurtured over time. You will also work closely with the Senior Leadership Team and Board members, mobilising their involvement to foster and strengthen connections with our most significant supporters. 

You will develop and deliver tailored fundraising campaigns for major donors, manage and update the major donor database, and conduct thorough research to identify new prospects, preparing insightful briefing notes and supporting materials. 

Line Management and Reporting  

You will line-manage, support and develop the Corporate & Community Coordinator and Fundraising Assistant, providing effective leadership in the development of our proposition to organisations and supporters. 

You will support the development and effective implementation of fundraising plans, helping the Head of Fundraising to ensure that all strategies align with our organisational goals. 

You will be tasked with supporting the reporting from the department around particular income streams, these reports will be both financial and non-financial, detailing the work of the department and progress against targets.

About You 

You’ll have excellent communications skills, be an adept writer, a warm and engaging individual with solid fundraising experience and knowledge of Individual Giving and Major Donor Fundraising.  You will also have a keen eye for detail. 

You will provide our donors and supporters with ‘Wow’ moments, giving them a feeling of importance and that their support is making a difference to some of Bristol’s most vulnerable people.  Our supporters make our work possible and they should feel that! 

Z2K is a small but fearless anti-poverty charity. We combine frontline advice with bold influencing to tackle the systems that drive poverty - and we’re recruiting our first Major Donor & Corporate Lead.

You’ll lead on building and delivering our strategy for major donors and corporates, cultivating long-term partnerships rooted in shared values. Working closely with our Chief Executive, senior leadership team and trustees on major donor and corporate fundraising, and with our Communications Lead on fundraising communications and campaigns, you’ll shape compelling approaches to inspire support. You’ll also line manage our Fundraising Officer (grant funding & events), helping diversify Z2K’s income to change lives and challenge injustice. This is a hands-on role with plenty of scope to shape your approach. You’ll lead on identifying new prospects, crafting compelling proposals, and making the case for support to a wide range of external audiences. 

You’re a strategic relationship-builder who thrives on finding and forging connections that deliver lasting impact. You bring a track record of securing income from major donors and corporates, whether in the charity sector as through a business development function in the private sector. You know that successful fundraising starts with research, curiosity, and consistent cultivation. You’re confident identifying new prospects, opening doors, and developing tailored approaches that speak to both hearts and minds.

You’ll be part of a collaborative, values-led team, and your work will directly contribute to our ability to improve lives and push for systemic change.

You will benefit from 31 days annual leave + bank holidays, enhanced sick and parental leave, matched pension up to 5%, income protection, life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Programme.

We are looking for an outstanding individual to join our Development and Alumni Relations team to help guide and deliver ourregular giving and stewardship programmes. The ideal candidate will have experience of running successful major fundraising appeals to large audiences. They will have the ability to draft persuasive and accurate copy to support both fundraising and stewardship literature. They will be highly motivated and creative, driving new initiatives to boost participation, increase overall giving, while also increasing retention of donors through an outstanding, tailored stewardship programme. They will be a team-player who can work autonomously when required, but can work collaboratively, and will support other team members with aspects of their work.

The Development and Alumni Relations Office leads the process of generating long-term and consistent voluntary income for Merchant Taylors’ School, and forrunning a comprehensive alumni and parental relations programme.

The Development Manager (Fundraising and Stewardship) will be responsible for planning, managing and having an input to the strategy for a regular giving programme at Merchant Taylors’ School, with a focus on increasing the participation (giving rates) of both our alumni and parental constituencies, as well as donor retention through planning and executing a stewardship programme for benefactors of all levels. Some face-to-face fundraising may also be required, particularly relating to legacy fundraising and the post-holder will build a portfolio of mid-level donors they will manage.

Overall purpose of the role

To lead the development of a regular giving and legacy programme at the AHF, and to support the Director of Programmes/Deputy CEO in development and management of a major gifts programme during the AHF’s 50th Anniversary campaign, with possibility for continued role thereafter. The post holder will be responsible for developing systems to monitor and increase the number of regular and legacy donors to the AHF, including stewardship opportunities, and will assist in prospect research, qualifying, cultivating, and stewarding major donors.

2 Specific Duties and Responsibilities

1. Work closely with the Director of Programmes/Deputy CEO on development and delivery of the anniversary programme of activities, with particular focus on research to identify potential invitees to and engaging attendees at and after campaign launch and closure events, exhibition launches in Belfast, Glasgow, Cardiff, and London, and an industry-facing conference in London.
    
2. Develop and manage a legacy programme for the AHF including stewardship activities; develop and manage a personal portfolio of legacy donors, including making asks of existing regular supporters to consider legacies and development and drafting of legacy proposals and contracts.
    
3. Develop and manage a programme of higher-level regular giving (over £500 per annum), including stewardship activities and making asks of regular supporters to increase their giving.
    
4. Support the Director of Programmes/Deputy CEO, and CEO, with identification and management of a growing portfolio of major gift prospects, including supporting major gifts asks and helping Director of Programmes/Deputy CEO and CEO with ongoing cultivation and stewardship of major donors.
    
5. Lead on managing the AHF’s donor database, Beacon, ensuring the data is up to date with giving from Charities Aid Foundation and other external gifts, that fundraising activity is appropriately recorded on the database, and that our records are fully compliant with data protection legislation.
    
6. Work closely with the Communications Office and consultants supporting the AHF’s 50th Anniversary campaign, with an eye on developing and maximising opportunities to introduce the AHF to new potential supporters and to bolster our key messaging with those already known to us. As part of this work, sit as Secretary of the AHF Communications and Anniversary subcommittee of our Board.
    
7. Develop and maintain a reporting structure to keep AHF SMT and Board up to date with fundraising activity and opportunities.
    
8. Responsible for maintaining the AHF’s log relating to Donor Due Diligence and assisting the Director of Programmes & Deputy CEO with maintaining appropriate policies related to fundraising, including those associated with donor due diligence.
    
9. Contribute to the development and delivery of new ways of working at the AHF that will see our organisation build and maintain greater philanthropic fundraising success, including bringing examples of best practice from other charities. Assist with other tasks and activities as required, particularly those activities and processes that support the wider engagement of potential supporters with the AHF’s work.

3 Person specification

Essential

• At least five years of experience in fundraising at a charity or educational institution, including at least three years of front-line engagement with supporters;
• Knowledgeable about the processes and legislation surrounding UK fundraising, including data protection and
• A pro-active leader, with demonstrably excellent interpersonal, influencing and negotiating skills;
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to multi-task, and both verbal and written communication skills;
• Enthusiastic, self-motivated and target-orientated; able to work effectively on own initiative, set appropriate priorities, delegate where appropriate and meet deadlines;
• A confident and engaging presenter and speaker;
• Demonstrable ability in problem solving in response to challenges posed;
• Excellent stakeholder management skills and a track record of collaborative work with external partners;
• Demonstrable interest in and commitment to the AHF’s mission – to help deliver a sustainable future for historic buildings throughout the UK through community enterprise;
• Strong numeric and financial skills; and
• A commitment to achieving beneficial social outcomes through heritage.

Desirable

• Experience working in a heritage-related charity.
• Experience building or managing legacy programmes.

About the Role

In this leadership role, you will lead our Philanthropy and Partnerships Team, driving strategies across corporate partnerships, trusts & foundations, major donors, and other high-value supporters. With a focus on meeting income targets, appeal planning, and long-term forecasting, you’ll play a vital role in maximising our fundraising impact.

***Please download the job description for full details***

About You

To be successful in this role, you will bring proven experience in managing high-value relationships across corporate partnerships, major donors, trusts & foundations, and statutory bodies. You'll have a strong track record of securing and growing long-term partnerships, including successfully negotiating six or seven-figure sums with corporate partners and/or major donors. You'll bring outstanding communication and relationship-building skills, with a proven ability to engage high-value supporters and collaborate effectively across diverse stakeholders.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the corporate, trust & foundation, major donor and other high value supporter strategies.
• Manage and develop the Rapid Response Network, retaining existing partnerships whilst also identifying and securing new partnerships.
• Deliver excellent stewardship that retains and develops support.
• Take to completion and implement recommendations from strategic projects, to include the major donor review and the RRN / corporate support review.
• Continually hone “next appeal” plans that lead to successful appeal launches and maximise funds raised throughout the appeal life cycle.
• Achieve annual core cost income targets and put in place robust forecasting for future years.

About the DEC

The Disasters Emergency Committee brings together 15 of the UK’s leading humanitarian charities to raise funds and respond quickly to global disasters. Since our founding in 1963, we have raised over £2.5 billion through 79 appeals, providing life-saving assistance to millions of people around the world.

Our mission is to save, protect, and rebuild lives through effective humanitarian action. As a team, we operate with urgency, transparency, and compassion.

All roles at the DEC are based in our London office. We operate a hybrid working model, with some non-negotiable office attendance. Please note, during the two-week appeal launch period, staff are required to work long hours in a high-paced environment, with mandatory office attendance.

The DEC is an equal opportunities employer and provides opportunities to learn and grow in an inclusive, supportive, and productive environment. We encourage applications from anyone who can meet the criteria, regardless of gender, race, age, disability, sexuality, or religion.

What We Offer

• Flexible working hours (outside of appeal periods)
• Hybrid working model (some mandatory office days during appeals)
• 25 days annual leave, increasing with service
• Healthcare Cash Plan (value ~£1,660/year)
• Pension contribution (3%, rising to 8% post-probation)
• Wellbeing and mental health support
• Access to Wellhub, discounts, and ticket schemes
• Season ticket and hardship loans (post-probation)
• Cycle to Work and Car schemes (salary sacrifice)

How to Apply

If this role is of interest and meets your skills, experience, and knowledge, then please apply with your anonymised CV & cover letter by Thursday 2nd October 2025.

We are unable to support applications for our vacancies if you do not have the right to work in the UK

The DEC is committed to the safeguarding and protection of children and vulnerable adults and participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from successful applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. 

By applying, the job applicant confirms their understanding of, and consent, to these recruitment procedures.

Oxford is excited to invite applications for a newly created role that will lead fundraising for its School of Geography and the Environment (SoGE). The Head of Development will be a key member of the Social Sciences Development team within Development and Alumni Engagement (DAE), who will work closely with SoGE and DAE leadership to establish a small Geography team, and to develop a fundraising strategy that serves the School’s goals and grows its philanthropic support.

SoGE is one of the foremost geography and environment university departments in the world, internationally recognised for the quality of its research and teaching. Geography at the University of Oxford is a large, vibrant and intellectually diverse community comprising the core academic department of the School of Geography and the Environment, its three research centres: the Environmental Change Institute (ECI), the Transport Studies Unit (TSU) and the Smith School of Enterprise and Environment (SSEE) and several geographers based elsewhere in the wider university.

This is a special opportunity to work collaboratively with academic colleagues who craft robust, imaginative and forward-looking answers to pressing questions about the environment, technology, geopolitics and socio-economic change.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced major gifts fundraiser who is looking to grow their career in Higher Education through a senior role combining significant fundraising with management of a small team. You will be a collaborative fundraiser with expertise in major gifts and a strong track record of securing complex philanthropic support. Thriving in a fast-paced environment, you will be a strategic thinker and a skilled operator—communicative, adaptable, and adept at building strong, lasting relationships. Your ability to establish credibility and foster trust across a wide range of internal and external stakeholders will be key to your success, as will be a knowledge of and passion for issues relating to the School’s work, and that of the Social Sciences more broadly. Experience in Higher Education or the charitable sector, as well as of managing staff, is desirable.  Above all, you will share Oxford’s mission and be driven to create meaningful impact through strategic philanthropic partnerships.

What We Offer 

Working at the University of Oxford offers several exclusive benefits, such as: 

· 38 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) to support your wellbeing, with the option to purchase up to 10 extra days and additional leave after long service. 

· One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay maternity and adoption leave, plus 12 weeks of full-pay paternity/partner leave. 

· A commitment to hybrid and flexible working to suit your lifestyle. 

· An excellent contributory pension scheme. 

· Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans. 

· Access to a vibrant community through our social, cultural, and sports clubs. 

Sponsorship and Right To Work

This role may meet the criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa. The University will meet the cost of the Skilled Worker visa and NHS surcharge for applicants that require a visa. 

Please let us know in your application if you require sponsorship. 

 Application Process 

To apply, please upload: 

· A covering letter/supporting statement 

· Your CV 

· The details of two referees 

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Friday 26 September 2025 

Interviews will take place on Wednesday 8 October 2025 and will be held in person in central Oxford.

The University of Oxford Development and Alumni Engagement Office is committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills and experiences, and reflects the community that we serve. We encourage applicants from all sectors of the community and are especially keen to encourage candidates from under-represented groups to apply.

The Events Coordinator Role will be part of the Philanthropy & Events Team, within the Income and Engagement Directorate, and will report to our Philanthropy Events Manager.

Starlight has a strong and longstanding record of delivering successful and profitable philanthropy events. Thanks to special relationships over many years, our annual Newbury Raceday (hosted by racing guru Nicky Henderson and his Committee), and our biennial Blenheim Ball (led by Lady Alexandra Spencer-Churchill and her Committee), are recognised as sector-leading in both profile and income.

The Philanthropy & Events team was newly established in 2024 to specifically focus on maximising our existing special events calendar, developing new event concepts, and growing a tailored programme for philanthropic and major donor relationships. This is an exciting time to join the team, as we embed our Philanthropy & Events strategy, explore new ideas and work closely together, to achieve our ambitions for sustainable income growth.

The Talent Set are excited to be working with Ronald McDonald House Charities UK to find a talented Philanthropy Manager to join their newly formed team at a pivotal moment in the charity’s growth. This is a hybrid working position, with the chance to work 2 days a week in a Ronald McDonald House or office (London, Liverpool, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Manchester, Southampton or Oxford) 

At Ronald McDonald House Charities UK, keeping families close is at the heart of everything they do. Across 14 Houses nationwide, the charity provides free ‘home away from home’ accommodation and vital support for families with a child in hospital, enabling over 530 families per night to support their children when they are needed most. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to design and deliver a major donor strategy that will secure transformational gifts, support capital projects, and build a high-performing Capital Appeal Board. You’ll play a leading role in cultivating and stewarding high-net-worth individuals, shaping compelling cases for support, and driving long-term philanthropic growth.

What you’ll do:

• Develop and deliver a high-value major donor strategy to meet ambitious income targets.
• Identify, cultivate, and steward relationships with high-net-worth individuals.
• Personally solicit significant five- and six-figure gifts.
• Lead on proposals, cases for support and impactful donor reporting.
• Support and develop a Capital Appeal Board to leverage networks and unlock transformational gifts.
• Collaborate across teams to align strategy and inspire confidence at every level.

What we’re looking for:

• A proven track record of securing five- and six-figure gifts from new and existing philanthropic donors.
• Strong experience in donor identification, cultivation, and stewardship.
• Excellent relationship-building, influencing and communication skills.
• Strategic thinker with confidence engaging senior stakeholders.
• Experience supporting or developing appeal boards (desirable).

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 for an initial discussion on the role, prior to submitting a full application with the Charity.
The closing date for this role is Monday 15th September, with first stage interviews scheduled for w/c 22nd September.

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.