Major gifts officer jobs in Milton keynes

Background

We are Humane World for Animals, formerly called the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International. Since 1954, we have worked to create a more humane society for animals. Working side by side as the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International, we have helped to pass thousands of landmark laws, rescue hundreds of thousands of animals, and cared for and protected millions more.

In 2025, to convey our mission and make sure that everyone understands who we are and the bold work that we do, our organisations are standing together under a new shared name: Humane World for Animals. 

We are dedicated to changing the world for animals. We drive change with human action. We help people, communities, governments, and corporations shift behaviour, providing the right support and advocating for policy change to stem the root causes of suffering and cruelty.

Purpose of role

As the Managing Director for the UK and Europe, you will develop and deliver the European fundraising strategy and plans and oversee the execution of all fundraising activities in Europe. These activities include, but are not limited to individual giving, major gifts, bequests, corporate giving, and community fundraising.

Primary responsibilities

The job holder will have the following key responsibilities: 

• Oversees fundraising activities and performance in Humane World for Animals’ EU and UK offices. Works closely with the Country Directors and the VP of International Fundraising on the execution of the fundraising programmes. Identifies opportunities to improve efficiency and facilitates collaboration efforts across European offices. (30%)
• Manages all fundraisers in the region and ensures they achieve their goals by providing guidance and advice, training, performance management and career development. Coordinates priorities and tasks and monitors progress. (25%)
• Monitors and reports on performance progress towards agreed revenue targets; efficiency and cost-effectiveness (including external fundraising contractors); and challenges or opportunities in the external fundraising environment. (20%)
• Creates and manages the budget for fundraising expenses and income targets. Sets and reviews multi-year and yearly investment and revenue targets. (10%)
• Leads research, planning, and implementation of new marketing initiatives and acquisition programmes, including but not limited to DRTV, face-to-face, telemarketing and PSMS Mobile channels. Establishes effective donor retention strategies and oversees their execution. (10%)
• Works closely with the VP of International Fundraising to develop and execute a strategic vision to grow fundraising income in the Europe region, translating the vision into an action plan, and ensuring the successful implementation and execution of the vision. (5%)

Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and experience

• An academic degree or equivalent work experience is required.
• A minimum of eight or more years of fundraising experience with a proven track record in driving significant, multi-channel revenue growth across multiple markets.
• A minimum of five years of senior management experience leading fundraising or marketing teams, including leadership responsibilities for staff, strategy development and execution, and budget accountability, preferably in the animal welfare arena, required.
• Demonstrated experience scaling high-performing international fundraising programs. International NGO experience strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to deliver multi‑million income portfolios, optimize ROI, and drive continuous improvement in donor acquisition and retention.
• Experience accurately forecasting and reporting on revenue, expenditures and delivering against agreed KPIs.
• At least five years’ experience in at least one of the following income streams: individual giving, major gifts, bequests, corporate giving, and/or community fundraising. Additionally, a strong preference for marketing experience.

Skills and qualifications

• Excellent people managerial skills: ability to coach, motivate, and manage high‑performing fundraisers across dispersed locations.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to plan workload in order to manage fundraising program priorities and meet agreed targets.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative, entrepreneurial spirit, and drive to achieve desired outcomes.
• Ability to thrive in a matrixed, fast-paced, mission‑driven environment and drive collaboration across countries and functions.
• Knowledge and understanding of GDPR and other data protection regulations.
• Excellent English verbal and written skills.
• Ability to work in a self-directed manner.
• Willing and able to travel extensively in Europe.

We are seeking a proactive, strategic and donor-centred fundraiser to lead and implement our

Individual Giving and emerging Legacy Giving programmes. This role is ideal for a fundraiser with experience in donor stewardship, campaign development and relationship-based fundraising who is ready to play a key role in growing sustainable voluntary income.

You will lead on the end-to-end delivery of supporter acquisition, retention, and stewardship plans, ensuring that every donor feels valued and understands the impact of their support. Alongside managing an established portfolio, you will proactively build a strong pipeline of new prospects, driving year‑on‑year income growth.

In addition, you will lead the development of our first Legacy Giving programme. With no formal legacy activity in place and a large, engaged volunteer network, this is a unique opportunity to establish a long-term income stream from the ground-up – raising awareness, creating accessible materials and nurturing warm supporters who may consider leaving a gift in their Will.

This role blends strategic planning with “hands-on” campaign delivery. You will use insights from supporter data to refine supporter journeys across both digital and traditional channels, managing budgets and key relationships to achieve our growth targets. We are a growing charity, and this role offers the opportunity to innovate and shape the future of our Individual Giving and Legacy Giving programmes with strong support from Head of Fundraising and the CEO.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a year‑round Individual Giving strategy to acquire new supporters and increase donor loyalty.
• Plan and deliver multi‑channel fundraising campaigns including two established annual Big Give campaigns.
• Plan and deliver legacy awareness moments throughout the year (e.g., Remember A Charity Week).
• Monitor and strengthen donor retention, reactivation and upgrade strategies through consistent, high‑quality stewardship.
• Build strong relationships through meetings, events, tailored communications and impact reporting.
• Work with Head of Fundraising, SMT and Trustees to support high-value donor engagement.
• Lead the creation and delivery of Schoolreaders first Legacy Giving strategy.
• Develop clear and accessible legacy information for supporters, volunteers and the wider public.
• Collaborate closely with the Comms Manager to develop impactful campaign assets and compelling stewardship content and legacy messages across multiple channels.
• Ensure all donations and supporter interactions are promptly and accurately recorded in the fundraising CRM (Salesforce) and ensure donors receive timely and well‑managed acknowledgements.
• Create personalised cultivation plans, stewardship strategies and donor engagement touchpoints, particularly for the charity’s 100 Club members and HNWI’s.
• Represent Schoolreaders at face-to-face meetings and events to raise the charity’s profile and secure individual support.
• Work alongside colleagues and volunteer County Teams to maximise local and national fundraising opportunities.
• Identify PR opportunities generated by fundraising activities and coordinate with the Comms Manager to optimise visibility and income.

Benefits:

As part of our commitment to making Schoolreaders a great place to work, we offer access to the following employee benefits:

• 25 days annual leave (3 of which must be taken over Christmas), 1 day paid leave for your birthday, plus public/bank holidays (pro-rated for part-time staff)
• Contributory pension scheme
• Access to a free 24/7 support service providing legal, financial, emotional, and medical advice
• A positive, supportive working environment which actively supports a healthy work-life balance
• Charity away days and social events
• Free parking and on-site facilities such as a canteen

You will be part of a small energetic and committed team supporting the delivery of Northamptonshire Community Foundation’s philanthropy and income generation ambitions. Working collaboratively with colleagues, you will help grow and steward support from individuals, corporate, charitable and statutory donors, with a lead responsibility for a defined portfolio of relationships and initiatives.

Fundraising and relationship building happen across the charity, and you will manage your own portfolio of donors and partners and work with the Chief Executive and wider team to co-ordinate activity, share insight and maximise opportunities for place based philanthropy in Northamptonshire.

You will need confidence, excellent communication skills and the ability to plan and deliver projects as part of a highly collaborative team. You will be comfortable cultivating, stewarding and sometimes soliciting charitable donations yourself, as well as creating opportunities for the Chief Executive to engage with donors and prospective supporters.

We are looking for a part time Fundraising & Development Lead to join a small, ambitious global charity and play a critical role in securing funding from Trusts and Foundations to deliver innovative development initiatives.

The ideal candidate would bring senior-level fundraising experience from a similar role at an NGO, organisation, or charity with an established network of executive relationships in major foundations.

This is a remote working role.

The charity
An ambitious, fast paced and passionate global development charity, dedicated to to collaborating world wide to make a lasting social impact. A small charity having a big impact, with an innovative start up culture with staff in the UK and Europe . This role will report into the Director and work closely with another part time highly experienced trusts and foundations fundraiser.

The Role
This is a new business focused role, where you will be required to build a high value pipeline of suitable donors and develop and deliver compelling high value bids for support.

Applications & Fundraising Development
Lead the development of high-quality grant proposals, ensuring proposals are compelling, well-written, and tailored to meet the requirements and priorities of each donor.

Relationship Management
Oversee the complete grant lifecycle, from initial lead to application to reporting and closeout.
Build and maintain relationships with current and prospective donors, program officers, and other key stakeholders.

Events and Networking and Representation
Effectively convey the charity mission, vision, and programs to potential donors, organising fundraising events while overseeing teams of volunteers and probono partners.

The Candidate
Senior-level fundraising experience from a similar role at an NGO, organisation, or charity.

Extensive existing network of senior executives with major global foundations and organisations.

Proven track record of identifying and closing deals for 6 - 7 figure gifts.

IMPORTANT NOTE

This charity is reviewing applications on a rolling basis so please get in touch ASAP to find out more. Please note the post must be based in the UK.

Our aim is to respond to all successful applications within 5 days. If you haven't been contacted within 5 days your application has been unsuccessful, but we positively encourage you to apply for any other positions that you may see in the future.

We apologise that we cannot contact everybody in person but thank you in advance for your interest.

Third Solutions encourages applications from individuals of all ages & backgrounds. Appointment will be made on merit alone but candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to work in the UK. Third Solutions acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment & an employment business for temporary recruitment as defined by the Conduct of Employment Agencies & Employment Business Regulations 2003.