Major gifts officer jobs in belfast
The Woodland Trust is looking for a Funding Development Officer to lead the development and delivery, raising funds to support Woodland Trust priorities and specific projects focused within Northern Ireland.
The Role:
• You will work alongside the Northern Ireland team to create, implement and deliver an agreed Northern Ireland fundraising plan for all relevant areas including Treescapes and consideration of relevant Acquisitions.
• Create, build and nurture relationships with donors, trusts, foundations, partners and organisations, creating opportunities that inspire long-term support and blended giving, including leaving a gift in will.
• Develop and deliver compelling funding plans, proposals, grant applications and Northern Ireland focused appeals to meet fundraising targets.
• Be a key Northern Ireland advocate working with UK colleagues to ensure that they see the importance, beauty, passion and impact of Northern Ireland woodlands and projects to ensure wider UK funding secured.
• Play a key role in planning and supporting philanthropy events across Northern Ireland and on occasion the wider UK, maximising opportunities to engage supporters.
• Drive forward exciting projects, working with passionate colleagues, partners and supporters to deliver impactful fundraising campaigns.
• Bring creativity and energy to events, proposals and bespoke opportunities, all while ensuring best practice and compliance in fundraising.
• This is a home-based role, with access to WTNI office in Clandeboye Estate, with a requirement to travel throughout Northern Ireland and occasionally to GB with overnight stays.
• A company car will be provided for this role.
The Candidate:
• You have an enthusiasm for the environment and share our core values-Grow Together, Explore, Focus and Make it Count
We are looking for candidates who have the following:
• Experience working in fundraising, the third sector or within a targeted communications environment.
• Confidence in planning and developing engaging materials tailored to different audiences and objectives.
• Strong communication skills and are comfortable using both formal and informal methods to inspire and connect with a wide range of individuals.
• Exceptional planning and organisational abilities, especially in busy, target-driven environments.
• Experience in negotiation and collaboration skills, and thrive in partnership work with enthusiasm, influence, and strong networking capabilities.
• A proven track record of securing commitment from individuals at all levels, including major donors.
• Strong commercial awareness and understand the dynamics of relevant markets.
• Willingness to travel frequently for meetings, woodland visits and events across Northern Ireland and occasionally to other parts of the UK. Including overnight stays and visits to our head office in Grantham.
• IT literate, with solid experience using Microsoft Office and managing databases.
• Full clean driving licence
Benefits and Wellbeing: Joining our team means you'll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer:
• Enhanced Employer Pension
• Life Assurance
• Flexible & Hybrid Working Options
• Generous Annual Leave - 25 days + bank holidays (pro rata for part time)
• Buy and Sell Annual Leave
• Enhanced Parental Pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
About Us: The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading woodland conservation charity and is dedicated to creating a world where trees and woods thrive for both people and nature. Our mission involves engaging and inspiring individuals to contribute toward tackling the nature and climate crisis through the protection, restoration, and creation of essential woodland habitats.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees.
People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply.
Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application.
Application Advice: For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, we do not ask for your CV at application stage. Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role.
Even if you don't meet every requirement of the role, we would encourage you to apply.
Acceptable Use Policy - Artificial Intelligence (AI)
We understand that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their job applications-for example, to help structure or edit written responses. We welcome the use of AI in this way, particularly where it helps improve accessibility, such as for neurodivergent applicants. However, we ask that any information submitted reflects your own experience, skills and understanding. During interviews, candidates are expected to respond independently without the use of AI tools.
Apply Now: If you're ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it's a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete.
Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 16th December.
We are delighted to be partnering with STEM Learning to find their next Head of Fundraising.
Fundraising has developed rapidly for the organisation in recent years, with investment, board-level commitment and a growing team driving success. With strong foundations in place and a portfolio of high-value partnerships across corporate, trust, foundation, and major donor income, they are now poised to scale their strategic influence and deepen their impact.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and leading a five-strong team, the Head of Fundraising will shape and deliver the long-term fundraising strategy, strengthen the organisation's positioning as a trusted, high-impact partner, and drive sustainable, multi-year income growth that enables transformational change.
As Head of Fundraising, you will:
- Lead the development and delivery of a high-level fundraising strategy, securing multi-year six-figure+ partnerships across corporates, trusts, foundations, major donors and HNWIs
- Manage, develop and inspire a team of 5 direct reports (responsibility for 7), fostering a proactive, collaborative and high-performing culture
- Engage senior stakeholders including the CEO, Chair, Trustees and senior partners to unlock networks and open opportunities
- Represent the organisation at senior-level networking events, conferences and sector forums, influencing decision-makers and strengthening brand positioning
Essential skills and experience:
- A strategic, senior-level fundraiser with a proven track record delivering six-figure, multi-year partnerships from corporates. Experience across trusts, foundations, and/or major donors highly desirable
- A proactive new business mindset, with eagerness to meet with donors and attend events
- Strategic leadership experience, with proven ability to motivate and develop fundraising teams
- An experienced relationship-builder who has used confidence and gravitas to engage CEOs, trustees, C-suite leaders and high-net-worth individuals — and successfuly make compelling asks
STEM Learning offer a sector-leading employee benefits package, which includes 30 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays and up to 15% employer pension contributions.
This is a mostly home-based role, with travel to N.England and London for office time and meetings. There are travel-cost reimbursements available - please discuss.
Detailed briefing notes and full support with CV and cover letter will be provided for suitable applicants.
Please ensure that your CV aligns with the person spec above, or add notes to cover letter option.
Candidates meeting the essential criteria will be invited to an initial briefing and screening call. Full support will be provided with formal application, including cover letter writing.
QuarterFive and our clients know fundraising could better reflect the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the people the charity sector supports. We encourage individuals with relevant skills and experience to apply for roles regardless of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief.
Expert recruitment for fundraisers and charities.
About the role
You will be home based and will need to travel in the UK, Eire, Europe and further afield as the role develops.
You will need some storage space available for Charity materials.
If you are self-driven, motivated, and want to help others achieve something amazing in support of Histiocytosis UK, we would love to hear from you.
You are likely to be in a similar role at another charity or have the right experience and transferable skills from another sector. You’ll be confident, enthusiastic, and an exceptional influencer with great customer care and communication skills.
There will be ample opportunity to shape the role, lead on specific projects and put your ideas into action.
The role will be mainly remote working so your experience and motivation will be key in this role so that we can achieve tangible results.
Who we need?
You will be an excellent communicator, face to face, online, phone or email. You know the importance of listening, and you are the sort of person that brings focus and calm to difficult situations. Prioritising your workload is second nature. Perhaps most importantly of all, you’re energised and driven by a passion for learning and making life better for those with a long term and/or serious illness.
A degree is not essential, but a communication and fundraising skills qualification is desirable. It is important that you have a high standard of writing, and that you are on good terms with your computer, particularly MS office, email and maybe even Mailchimp, Zoom, Sage Accounting, Spreadsheets etc.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Who we’re looking for
We’re looking for an exceptional Director of Fundraising and Communication who will lead our fundraising and communications with vision and purpose, helping us grow our reach, deepen our impact and amplify our voice. You’ll be joining a people-centred, mission-driven team, united by a shared commitment to making a meaningful difference. At a time when vulnerable young people face increasing challenges, our work has never been more urgent. If you’re motivated by impact and driven by purpose, this is a good opportunity to contribute to lasting change.
You will be stepping into a well-established and highly effective organisation, but one that remains energised by innovation and continuous improvement. We actively welcome fresh thinking and new approaches that help us evolve and enhance our work.
What will you do?
This is a pivotal moment to join JET as we build on fourteen years of impact and enter a new chapter in our journey. We have ambitious plans to expand our reach and influence, and we’re seeking someone who can help us strengthen our funding base and sharpen our message.
Reporting directly to the CEO, you will lead and develop our fundraising team, shaping a cross-stream strategy and an integrated communications plan. You’ll be responsible for setting the strategic direction for fundraising, communications and events across the organisation. By doing so you will raise JET’s national profile, grow our supporter base and significantly increase income to support programme expansion.
You’ll bring strong experience across multiple fundraising streams, with a proven track record of securing significant multi-year funding and building lasting relationships with funders—both individuals and organisations. Alongside leading our fundraising efforts, you’ll take ownership of our brand, ensuring clarity and consistency in our messaging, helping partners tell our story, and securing positive media coverage.
You’ll lead the development of campaigns, fundraising and marketing activities, and digital engagement that not only enhance our national profile but also drive supporter engagement and income growth.
This is a home-based role, with travel required to and within the regions where we operate, including attendance at key events.
About you
You will provide strategic leadership across fundraising, communications, marketing and events. Your work will be closely aligned with JET’s five-year strategy, enabling continued growth in funding and programme delivery.
You’ll bring a wealth of experience in leading fundraising and communications at a strategic level, with a strong understanding of the sector and a track record of securing and sustaining major gifts and partnerships. You’ll be adept at managing integrated campaigns across multiple channels and growing income through sustainable funding models.
Your leadership style will be collaborative and empowering, with the ability to build high-performing teams and foster a culture of accountability and innovation. You’ll be a confident communicator, able to inspire and influence, with excellent relationship-building skills and a strategic mindset.
Above all, you’ll be passionate about JET’s mission to empower young people facing adversity. You’ll be a credible ambassador, committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and driven by the desire to make a meaningful difference.
Across the JET team we cultivate a culture of inclusion that respects individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe that our differences enable us to be a better team – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation, and delivers better outcomes for our young people. We welcome applicants whatever your background and whatever your stage in life, so if you are returning to the workforce after a period away, or even seeking a change of pace, please get in touch.
About the Jon Egging Trust (JET)
At JET, we support vulnerable young people to get back on track and realise their potential; more than 45,000 young people right across the UK to date, and there’s so much more we can do. We’re an organisation that really values its people and we’re immensely proud that our team culture is based on caring and raising each other up.
Our benefits package includes:
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Flexible working
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Enhanced annual leave
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Homeworking allowance
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Occupational pension scheme
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Occupational sickness scheme
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Special paid leave provision
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Enhanced family leave
Download the Candidate Information Pack
Read our Applicant Privacy Notice
Child and adult at risk protection policy statement
The Jon Egging Trust is committed to providing a safe and positive environment for everyone involved in its services and activities. The Trust takes its extended moral and legal duty of care very seriously in relation to children, young people, staff and volunteers. We seek to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children and to protect them from harm or abuse when they engage in any of our activities. JET expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees or volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment.
To apply
Please complete our online application form.
The closing date is 16th November 2025 at [23:30].
Interview Process
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First-round interviews: Monday 24th November (online)
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Meet the team task and fireside chat: Thursday 27th November
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Final interview (in person, London): Monday 1st December
Questions?
Contact us through our website.
Please note:
Due to our anonymised recruitment process, if your application is not shortlisted, we are unable to provide personalised feedback.
To become an employee at JET, you must be able to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK and a satisfactory DBS check – enhanced with children's barred is required for this role. As part of our recruitment process, we want to make clear that we are not able to offer visa sponsorship for this position.
As part of our safer recruitment process, all candidates invited to a final interview will also be required to complete a confidential self-disclosure form, which allows any relevant information to be discussed in line with our safeguarding policy.
We also reserve the right to cancel the final stage of interview on 1st December if candidate does not meet expectations at this stage.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.