Partnership fundraising manager jobs in Westminster, greater london

We have big ambition, and our organisation strategy reflects this. As Senior Trust Fundraising Manager, your role will focus on securing five- and six-figure gifts from grant-giving trusts and foundations. You will provide exceptional stewardship to those trusts with whom we have existing relationships, whilst researching and cultivating new prospects to maximise income, value, and influence for The Children’s Trust. This role will be key in enabling us to strengthen long term financial sustainability, through multi-year funding relationships and to drive restricted and unrestricted income to realise the strategy for 2030.

WHEN APPLYING PLEASE INCLUDE A COVERING LETTER

This role is not open for sponsorship.

Skills and Responsibilities

To develop relationships to secure gifts and grants from Corporate Foundations, Trusts and statutory grant makers to achieve income targets. Responsibilities include:

Prospect Research:

• Identify and develop a pipeline of opportunities from grant-giving trusts and foundations.
• Use internal database, online resources, desk research, and contact mapping to identify new funder opportunities.
• Review trusts’ and foundations’ funding criteria to grow the prospect pipeline.
• Develop a thorough understanding of our work and future developments to identify new funding opportunities.

Submitting grant applications:

• Create compelling and persuasive funding appeals.
• Complete grant application forms and follow application processes as required.
• Work closely with colleagues across the Directorate and the wider charity to articulate our work and build strong funding propositions.

Leadership & Relationship Management:

• Lead and manage the Trusts and Philanthropy Executive by developing skills, conducting appraisals and overseeing ongoing development.
• Lead & steward a portfolio of existing charitable trusts and foundations, and cultivate new potential donors, ensuring their support is recognised and celebrated.
• Ensure funders are thanked promptly and that grant terms and conditions are applied.
• Provide progress reports and manage all formal reporting requirements on time.
• Build relationships in person, by phone, email, or virtual meetings to secure long-term commitment.
• Identify opportunities for funders to meet key staff and attend events and site visits that strengthen their relationship with the charity.
• Implement the High Value Donor Stewardship Plan.
• Take a proactive role in developing assets such as appeals and cultivation events.
• Work with colleagues across the charity to monitor and evaluate funded projects, producing reports that demonstrate impact.

Administration and Reporting:

• Manage trust prospects and donors on the CRM database, ensuring records are accurate and compliant with fundraising regulations.
• Budget management, cost control forecasting and taking corrective action to achieve budgets.
• Use the CRM database to manage task “actions”, prioritise and evaluate opportunities, and record funder interactions.
• Manage and develop a portfolio of high value relationships.
• Liaise with colleagues to ensure grant applications are coordinated across the organisation.

Education & Qualifications:

• Educated to GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths
• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience

Experience:

• Significant experience and track record in trust fundraising.
• Experience of writing compelling proposals and appeals.
• Proven experience of working as part of a team to deliver ambitious income targets.
• Experience in undertaking prospect research and creating a pipeline of prospects through to cultivation, ask and stewardship.
• Experience of securing and managing statutory funding desirable.
• Demonstrable experience of using fundraising or relationship management databases.

Skills & Abilities:

• Exceptional skills with excellent attention to detail and proof-reading ability
• Excellent research skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills whether on the phone, virtually, in person or in writing
• Excellent relationship building skills.
• Professional, positive, and committed
• Results focussed with strong analytical skill.
• Adaptable and flexible, tenacious, and persuasive
• Financially astute, with the ability to understand project budgets and read the accounts of grant giving trusts.

To enable Operation Smile’s global surgical activities, OSUK’s Partnerships Team works to maximise high-potential income channels such as corporate partnerships, major donors, community fundraisers and trusts and foundations.

We have created an exciting new position in our team for an ambitious and confident relationship fundraiser. Working as part of the Partnership Team, the Philanthropy Manager position will secure critical income from new and existing major donors through compelling, donor-centred approaches and excellent stewardship.

The position will build on existing relationships with individuals who make significant personal donations, aiming to grow their contributions, as well as making approaches to new prospects, working closely with the Director of Partnerships.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Philanthropy Development

• Ensure achievement of annual income target for philanthropy
• Develop and implement plans for a structured philanthropy programme, for both new and existing donors, aligning their giving with our strategic priorities
• Take primary responsibility for managing the current small pool of major donors, to grow and sustain their giving – strategic development of each relationship will be essential
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of new major donor prospects, creating propositions/proposals and making approaches, working with the Director of Partnerships
• Seek peer-to-peer introductions to new prospects, from existing donors, board members and other contacts
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting to donors and internal stakeholders
• Work with the Communications team to generate media presence and content to attract philanthropic interest from new prospects
• Represent Operation Smile UK in global philanthropy discussions, applying any global strategies to develop successful fundraising plans for the UK
• Lead on development and management of any philanthropy cultivation events

Additional Responsibilities

• Create and maintain annual philanthropy budget and business plan, including activities from current supporters and forecasting new business income

Additional Information

• 2 years’ experience in a philanthropy or business development role
• We promote flexible and hybrid working, with 2 days per week in our London office in Battersea (nearest stations Clapham Junction and Wandsworth Town). There will also be some UK travel for meetings, conferences and events.
• Some overseas travel required to visit projects and partner countries, a highlight of the role!

First-round interviews are set for the week of 2nd March 2026. We strongly encourage early applications.

Disability Confident Committed Employer

We're a Disability Confident Committed employer, so we guarantee an interview to any disabled applicant who meets the minimum requirements for the job.

At Operation Smile UK, we value individuals based on their performance and potential. We're dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that supports everyone's needs. We're happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the application and employment process, and we particularly welcome applications from diverse backgrounds.

If you need this document in a different format, require any adjustments, or need help with your application, please contact us (further details contained within the job description).

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Operation Smile UK knows fundraising could better reflect the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the people the charity sector supports. If you don’t meet every requirement but believe your transferable skills align with the role, we encourage you to contact us for a conversation. 

We want our team to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, offering equal opportunities to everyone, regardless of, age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We celebrate diversity and encourage you to bring your authentic self to Operation Smile UK. We are committed to supporting all applicants and ensuring a fair hiring process. All appointments will be made solely on merit, and we are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. 

We’re looking for an ambitious and creative Business Development Manager to help Honeypot transform the lives of young carers. This is a unique opportunity to grow sustainable income while making a real, visible impact. You’ll build inspiring partnerships with corporate businesses, spotting new opportunities and turning bold ideas into meaningful support for our charity. Working closely with a passionate fundraising team, you’ll research pipelines, open new doors, and champion our mission wherever you go. If you’re an experienced fundraisier with business development experience, a natural relationship-builder who’s motivated by purpose as much as performance, we’d love to hear from you.

·

Join Us and Make an Impact

This is an exciting time to join the Centre for ADHD & Autism Support (CAAS). As part of a growing charity, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping two vital functions that provide information, advice, and support to neurodivergent people, their families, and professionals. Our mission is to improve quality of life and build inclusive communities – we want you to help us make that happen.

As Fundraising and Communications Manager, you’ll influence strategy while driving hands-on delivery. You will lead and develop our fundraising and communications functions, ensuring they work seamlessly together to increase income and engagement.

You’ll oversee the operational running of these two key areas, line-managing our Fundraiser and Communications Officer, and working closely with the management team to ensure our messaging reflects the impact of our work.

To apply, you need to submit a completed application form alongside a supporting statement of no more than 2 sides of A4, detailing how you meet the requirements of the role.  Deadline to apply is by 10am on Monday 23rd February 2026.

More details about the job and additional information about the person specification can be found in the job description and in our recruitment pack, but in summary the key responsibilities of the role are:

• Leadership
  • Supervise the Fundraiser and Communications Officer, supporting their development and ensuring effective use of resources.
• Fundraising
  • Develop and deliver strategies to grow income from individual giving, corporate partnerships, and community fundraising.
  • Create compelling campaigns and messaging aligned with CAAS branding and tone.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, partners, and community fundraisers, providing excellent stewardship.
  • Develop and maintain a CRM system to manage donor relationships in line with GDPR.
  • Ensure compliance with fundraising regulations and best practice.
  • Produce and submit reports to funders to demonstrate impact and accountability.
• Communications
  • Oversee the development and delivery of CAAS’s communications strategy, ensuring clear, consistent, and engaging messaging across all channels.
  • Drive storytelling initiatives by sourcing and sharing case studies and impact stories that inspire donors and the wider public.
  • Ensure all communications reflect best practice in accessibility, inclusivity, and neuro-affirmative language.
• Strategic Collaboration & Governance
  • Work closely with the CEO and management team to deliver a fundraising and communications plan that supports CAAS’s strategic objectives.
  • Prepare risk management, quality assessment, and process documents to ensure compliance and operational efficiency.
  • Monitor and evaluate output, outcome, and impact measures across fundraising and communications activities, ensuring continuous improvement.
  • Provide written reports as required by the CEO and Board.

You may be required to attend events, so occasional travel is necessary.

About You

You’ll bring experience in marketing, ideally within charity fundraising, with a proven ability to grow income and deliver successful campaigns across multiple channels. You are:

• Skilled at crafting persuasive copy and using data to drive decisions
• Confident in managing projects, analysing trends, and leveraging social media for fundraising
• Highly organised, solutions-focused, and thrive in a busy environment
• Collaborative and clear in communication
• Creative, detail-oriented, and proficient with Microsoft Office and donor databases
  A passion for our mission is essential.

CAAS values diversity, promotes equity, and challenges discrimination. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority communities, people who identify as having a disability, and LGB+, Trans and non-binary candidates.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. All staff and volunteers share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS disclosure.

How to Apply

Ready to make a difference? Visit our website to download the full job description and application form.

Are you a strategic, results-driven fundraiser ready to make a real impact?

Join the Orpheus Centre, a vibrant charity that transforms lives through the performing arts. We’re on an exciting journey, launching a £25m capital appeal to expand our facilities and grow our reach. To achieve this, we need an exceptional Deputy Head of Fundraising to help lead our income generation efforts and drive sustainable growth.

About the role

As Deputy Head of Fundraising, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering innovative fundraising strategies across multiple streams—corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, individual giving, and community fundraising. You’ll oversee donor acquisition and stewardship, inspire your team, and ensure we meet ambitious targets. This is a fantastic opportunity to influence the future of a charity that champions creativity, inclusion, and resilience.

Location: The Orpheus Centre, Surrey
Salary: £45,000 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week (flexible working considered) / 52 weeks per year
Contract: Permanent

What you’ll do

• Lead revenue fundraising strategies and secure income through personal efforts.
• Manage and develop a talented fundraising team.
• Build strong relationships with donors, partners, and stakeholders.
• Design compelling campaigns and optimise performance using data insights.
• Deputise for the Head of Income and Growth when required.

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience in managing multiple fundraising streams and meeting income targets.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Strategic thinker with a track record of delivering results.
• Knowledge of fundraising compliance and best practices.

Why join us?

• Be part of a passionate team that celebrates creativity and makes a tangible impact on people’s lives.
• Work on a high-profile capital appeal and exciting projects.
• A supportive, inclusive workplace where your ideas matter.
• Join us in making a lasting difference in the lives of young disabled people through the power of the arts.

Orpheus is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. All posts are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and satisfactory references. This post is classed as having a high degree of contact with vulnerable adults and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

As part of our safer recruitment process and in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025, online searches may be undertaken as part of due diligence.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

In order to be considered you must be eligible to work in the UK.

The Orpheus Centre is proud to be a disability confident employer.

We have made a positive commitment to employing disabled people. Reasonable adjustments will be made to the recruitment procedure as required in consultation with the applicant to ensure no-one is disadvantaged because of their disability. If a disabled person is selected for a position, reasonable adjustments will be made to the workplace, including premises and equipment, work duties and practices or policies, as appropriate. All disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role as set out in the role profile and person specification will be considered for interview.

 As a Disability Confident Employer, we are:

• Challenging attitudes towards disability
• Increasing understanding of disability
• Removing barriers to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions
• Ensuring that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspiration

No agencies please.

Do you want to be part of the team leading a charity that has a 135-year history of combating the challenges arising from deprivation and social exclusion in East London?

Our mission at St. Hilda’s East is to equip our service users with the resilience to navigate modern life. We welcome everyone into our spaces and work together to deliver engaging activities, promote social contact and ultimately enrich lives. 

Located in Tower Hamlets, we welcome people of all ages to our large, friendly community centre in Shoreditch where we offer a wide range of activities promoting wellbeing and social connections. Our services include sensory play for Under-5’s, youth programmes, wellbeing activities for those experiencing mental health issues, bilingual advice, and activities to reduce social isolation and enhance physical and mental wellbeing for older people. We also run a day centre in Shadwell, where we care for elders from the Bangladeshi and other communities. 

We have a unique relationship with our founders, the Guild (alumnae) of Cheltenham Ladies’ College, we are located on the fringes of the City, and we generate income from hiring out space in our community centre. These opportunities make the Marketing & Fundraising Manager position varied and interesting, with plenty of possibility to grow and develop in the role. 

Job Purpose:

The Marketing & Fundraising Manager will play a key role in developing and implementing St Hilda’s East’s marketing strategy and will take the lead in organising fundraising events and securing funds from individual donations, and rental and room hire income.

They will lead on communications with external stakeholders through the development and implementation of SHE’s marketing plans and social media strategy. There will be a particular focus on strengthening our unique link with the Guild (alumnae) of Cheltenham Ladies’ College, as well as with parents and pupils of the school – to raise awareness of the impact of St. Hilda’s East and to organise joint events. The postholder will work alongside freelance fundraisers who focus on maximising grant income.

It is not essential to have experience in the non-profit sector; we would love to hear from you if you have experience in sales and marketing in a commercial environment and are looking to bring your talents to the charity sector.

This job is for you, if you:

• possess excellent writing skills and a passion for communicating our charitable mission, possibly moving into the charity sector for the first time
• have the ability to develop and mantain positive relationships with a diverse range of people including high net worth individuals, partners, colleagues, and service users 
• have a proactive and creative approach to solving problems and researching and developing new sources of income 
• have the ability to manage multiple priorities, effectively balancing operational and strategic expectations.

Benefits

Benefits include flexible working arrangements including the option to split some of your time between our office and home, 25 days annual leave, Learning & Development Support, and access to an Employee Assistance Programme.

Closing date for applications: 22nd February 2026 at 23:59

Our Recruitment Policy: St Hilda's is committed to racial justice and wider inclusion and diversity. We are working towards a goal where our team fully reflects the diversity and difference in lived experiences of our local community.

#fundraising  #marketing    #fundraisingmanager    #marketingmanager

Our Senior Trusts & Foundations Manager is primarily responsible for managing and generating income from our Trusts & Foundations portfolio (including Corporate Foundations). They identify new prospects, write compelling and persuasive proposals to secure significant gifts, actively develop relationships with key internal and external stakeholders and provide brilliant stewardship.

We are looking for someone who has a sound understanding of T&F fundraising. You’ll have a strong track record of nurturing relationships, securing multi-year and five-figure+ gifts, and a genuine passion for youth development. You are a creative problem solver with the ability to work independently and take ownership of projects – ensuring they run smoothly and effectively.

Want your fundraising to change lives, not just balance sheets?

The Friendly Food Club is looking for an ambitious, values-driven Fundraising & Partnerships Manager to grow income, build powerful partnerships, and help create healthier futures for families across Dorset and BCP.

The Friendly Food Club supports people from vulnerable groups and communities by building their cooking skills, confidence and resilience, to help break the cycle of food insecurity and low wellbeing.

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of an established and growing charity and deliver real-world impact every day.

This role is perfect for someone who:

• Is aligned with our values of care, good health, inclusion and community
• Brings empathy, energy and a people-first approach
• Has a friendly, creative, resilient and solutions-focused mindset
• It happy to get stuck in and involved at all levels of development and delivery
• Lives in Dorset or BCP areas who likes a mix of working from home and getting out and about.

The role will:

• Develop and deliver Friendly Food Club’s fundraising strategy to align with the charity’s priorities.
• Identify, build and steward strong, values-aligned long-term funding and partnership relationships.
• Write compelling and effective funding applications, proposals and impact reports
• Monitor income performance and report to the CEO and Board
• Represent Friendly Food Club externally as an ambassador for its mission and values

Apply now and help cook up healthier futures for thousands across Dorset.

If you want your work to truly matter — and to be part of a supportive, mission-led team — we’d love to hear from you.

Deadline 28 February 2026 | In person interviews mid-March 2026 | Start date: Flexible for the right person

This is a demanding role where you will support the Fundraising Director in effective management of the fundraising teams across our UK centres and the central expertise in Trusts, Major Gifts and Partnerships.

You will assist the Fundraising Director to plan and organise a broad range of fundraising activities; formulating and adjusting plans as required.  Additionally, the Fundraising Director will depend on you to lead or assist on specific projects.   
 

You will act as gatekeeper regarding access for fundraising teams to the Fundraising Director which will involve utilising strong understanding and sound judgement skills across a number of activities.

LGBT Foundation is an impactful, vibrant charity with a wide portfolio of well-established services and rapidly developing new initiatives aimed at meeting the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people.  The Fundraising & Marketing Team at LGBT Foundation is a small yet collaborative group of professionals. They are dedicated to advancing the visibility and impact of the UK’s leading health and wellbeing charity. The team is responsible for implementing wide-ranging fundraising, communication, and marketing strategies. By leveraging various channels such as email marketing, the organisation’s website, video, social media, OOH advertising and traditional media, the team strives to support the national visibility, brand awareness, impact storytelling and income generation of the charity by attracting, engaging and stewarding a growing supporter base.   LGBT Foundation’s Partnerships & Philanthropy Advisor will work with fundraising & marketing colleagues to deliver against strategic objectives and achieve in-year financial targets, significantly increasing income and support, specifically from corporates, individual giving (donations), legacies and fundraising events. In this role as a Partnerships & Philanthropy Advisor, corporate partnerships (attraction, engagement, and retention) will be a priority, ensuring members see the value in our offer.   

You will also work with the Director of Fundraising & Marketing to shape four individual giving campaigns a year and two legacy awareness campaigns a year. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with the Marketing Manager to keep fundraising information on webpages and social channels active, ensuring regular promotion of charity challenges and shaping digital mobilisation efforts which will build the charity’s supporter base, attracting more new donors.   

You will support regular reporting on performance towards financial targets, working closely with colleagues to reconcile income, ensure Salesforce records and reports are up-to-date and that integrations support automated data flows.

We are taking positive action to encourage applications from people of colour (PoC) and other racially minoritised communities, trans*, non-binary, and/or older people (aged 50+), to improve the representation of colleagues from these communities in our staff team.

*Trans is an umbrella & inclusive term used to describe people whose gender identity differs from that which they were assigned at birth; including non-binary people, and those who partially or incompletely identify with their sex assigned at birth.

The Bikeability Trust is entering a new exciting phase of our strategy to 2035 to ensure more children can cycle with confidence. A year into our strategy we have reviewed Executive Team roles and responsibilities and are now looking for a creative Communications and Fundraising Director to lead our mission driven communications, income generation and impact reporting functions.

You will be an experience senior leader in communications, who has the drive to take our strategy to the next level. A key member of the Executive Team, working across the home based diverse staff team to bring together the impact of our work through corporate communications and influencing. We recommend reading our annual reviews on the Bikeability website to see a flavour of the work you could be leading.

Our income generation work is focussed on small impactful corporate partnerships, we have tested some individual giving and are planning to host a fundraising Ball in 2026. Experience in fundraising is desirable, with communications experience as essential as this role will ensure strong relationships with Government. 

If you would like to have a short discussion with the CEO before applying please contact Emily Cherry CEO. We are looking to interview shortlisted candidates on the 23rd or 25th February. We are looking for a candidate to start from 1st April or sooner. 

The Fundraising Officer will oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of all fundraising activities and events. This role involves developing and implementing strategies to maximise donations and enhance donor relationships, in line with the Central London Samaritans' fundraising strategy. Responsibilities include engaging with individual donors, businesses, and community partners to secure financial support.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with the Head of Branch Operations and Branch Director: Identify specific programs and funding priorities and organise targeted fundraising campaigns and events.
• Plan and Coordinate Fundraising Events and Campaigns: Oversee the planning and coordination of fundraising campaigns, events, and initiatives.
• Track and Process Pledges: Monitor, track, and process pledges made at events, ensuring records are regularly updated.
• Manage Online Donations: Oversee online donation activities, maintaining up-to-date records and ensuring relevant departments and donors are informed.
• Identify Funding Opportunities: Seek local and national funding opportunities and contribute to the development of the organisation's fundraising strategy.
• Manage Fundraising Income: Maintain reports, track donations, handle donor correspondence, and evaluate the success of fundraising activities.
• Identify Partnership Opportunities: Look for partnership opportunities for joint fundraising campaigns to expand the donor base.
• Represent Central London Samaritans: Positively represent the organisation in all aspects of work, adhering to its values.
• Additional Duties: Perform any other duties assigned by your line manager that are appropriate to your role.

ATTRIBUTES

Candidates should demonstrate:

• · Fundraising Experience: A demonstrable track record of fundraising or related activities
• · Communication Skills: High standard of verbal and written communication skills.
• · Organisational Skills: Ability to multi-task, stay organised, and prioritise workload.
• · Independence and Teamwork: Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• · Flexibility: Adaptable and flexible in working style, as this role will require evening and weekend work to attend events and meet deadlines.
• · Relationship Building: Ability to communicate and develop relationships with volunteers, members of the public, and organisations.

The summary of responsibilities is neither exclusive nor exhaustive and responsibilities may vary from time-to-time in the light of changing circumstances and in conjunction with the post holder.

Hours of work:

The basic hours are 21 hours per week spread over Three working days. Within these hours there may be need to work some evenings and weekend days, so flexibility is essential. The core responsibilities should be carried out during weekdays. The amount of out of hours work will be agreed on an ongoing basis.

Time off in lieu will be allowed in agreement with the Head of Branch Operations and in line with the staff handbook and the European Working Time Directive.

Limitations:

The post holder will be required to work within the rules and regulations of Samaritans and accept the authority of the Director and the Chair of the branch’s Board of Trustees, who have discretion to delegate authority to the post holder and to withdraw it.

Equal Opportunities Policy:

Central London Samaritans is committed to eliminating any discrimination and promoting diversity and equality of opportunity in all it does. It is therefore Central London Samaritans' commitment to provide equal opportunities in employment and we will not unlawfully discriminate against job applicants, employees of the Company, volunteers, workers, or contract workers on the grounds of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

We are seeking an experienced Fundraising Manager to work with management and trustees to lead delivery of a set of practical fundraising priorities while helping to build stronger systems and confidence for the future.

This is a hands-on role suited to an experienced charity fundraiser who is comfortable working in a maturing fundraising function, where tools and ways of working are being developed and income needs stabilising rather than rapidly expanded.

This interesting and varied role will focus primarily on trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, and alumni support, with a strong emphasis on retention, stewardship and proposition clarity.

Director of Fundraising
Salary: £70,000 to £75,000 per annum
Location: Hybrid – London EC1Y/Home

Join MQ and help transform mental health research.

At MQ, we champion and fund world-class research to transform the lives of everyone affected by a mental health condition. We strive to create a world where mental illness is better understood, diagnosed, treated and, hopefully someday, prevented. We believe research is the first step towards making that a reality.

We connect scientists with supporters, people with lived experience of mental health illnesses, policymakers, and practitioners, so together we can strive to understand mental health, improve treatments and prevent mental illnesses.

Supported by our world-class Science Council, MQ funds research globally and works in partnership with leading organisations in the field including Wellcome Trust, the Mental Health Mission, DATAMIND, University of Oxford, Glasgow University and Kings College. In the US, we work through our sister charity the MQ Foundation.

What you'll be doing:

The Director of Fundraising is a senior, strategic leadership role responsible for driving significant and sustainable growth in income for MQ, with a target of achieving £10 million annual turnover over the next five years.

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the postholder will set and deliver an ambitious, data-led fundraising strategy across philanthropy, trusts and foundations, partnerships and other income streams. They will personally steward high-value relationships while building a high-performing, commercially minded fundraising function capable of supporting MQ’s long-term mission.

Key Responsibilities:

Fundraising Strategy & Income Growth

• Develop and deliver MQ’s overall fundraising and income generation strategy, aligned to organisational priorities
• Set clear income targets and KPIs across all fundraising streams
• Personally lead and secure six- and seven-figure gifts, grants and contracts
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with major donors, funders and partners
• Ensure excellent stewardship, reporting and donor experience across all income streams

Pipeline, Performance & Data Oversight

• Provide strategic oversight of the fundraising pipeline, ensuring a healthy balance of prospecting, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship
• Use data, insight and CRM reporting to track performance, forecast income and manage risk
• Identify income concentration risks and develop mitigation strategies
• Drive continuous improvement in fundraising processes, systems and ways of working

Financial Management & Reporting

• Own the Fundraising budget, including income forecasting, expenditure control and cost-of-fundraising oversight
• Work closely with the Finance team to ensure accurate income phasing, reporting and financial planning
• Produce regular reports for the CEO, Executive Team and Board on income performance, pipeline health and risks
• Ensure all funding is managed in line with grant conditions, donor expectations and regulatory requirements

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide strategic leadership and line management to the team
• Build, develop and retain a high-performing, motivated fundraising team
• Foster a collaborative, ambitious and accountable fundraising culture
• Support succession planning and talent development within the Fundraising function

External Profile, Partnerships & Thought Leadership

• Represent MQ at high-level events, conferences and networking opportunities
• Strengthen MQ’s profile with funders, corporates, policymakers and partners
• Work closely with the Board and Science Council to maximise fundraising and partnership opportunities
• Undertake speaking engagements where appropriate to generate visibility & awareness

Executive Leadership & Governance

• Act as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to organisational strategy and decision-making
• Support the CEO with Board engagement, particularly around fundraising strategy and performance
• Ensure fundraising activity complies with all relevant legislation, regulation and best practice
• Uphold MQ’s values, reputation and commitment to ethical fundraising

Person Specification:

We'd love to hear from you, if you have:

• Significant senior leadership experience in fundraising or income generation, ideally within the charity, research or mission-driven sector
• Proven track record of delivering substantial income growth and securing high-value gifts
• Experience leading and developing high-performing fundraising teams
• Strong commercial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting and performance management
• Demonstrable experience of managing complex stakeholder relationships
• Strategic, analytical and data-driven approach to decision-making
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, including at Board and senior stakeholder level
• Strong understanding of the UK research funding or philanthropic landscape
• Clear alignment with MQ’s mission and values

The following is highly desirable

• Knowledge of mental health research and lived-experience-led approaches
• Experience of US philanthropy or international fundraising
• Experience working with Boards, trustees or scientific advisory groups
• Familiarity with modern CRM systems and fundraising analytics

Why Join MQ?

We offer a great working experience within a friendly team. Hybrid working (in the London office Mondays and Tuesdays, with the remaining days from home). We are located near Barbican Tube.

Plus, we offer lots of generous benefits and training opportunities.

We're a Sunday Times Top Company to work for.

Benefits

• Flexible working: As a mental health charity, staff wellbeing is of paramount importance. We operate a core hours policy (10-4) to encourage flexible working and staff are mainly home based with the requirement to come into the office two days per week. A standard full-time working week is 35 hours, plus an hour for lunch breaks.
• Holidays: Annual holiday entitlement of 31 days (inc. office closure between Xmas and New Year) plus bank holidays.
• Wellbeing Allowance: MQ provides an allowance of up to £1200 per annum for each employee to spend on activities that increase their wellbeing. This is paid through payroll and is taxable.
• Virtual GP & Other wellbeing services - Get quick GP appointments and support with cancer and caring responsibilities through our Zurich benefits scheme.
• Cycle to work scheme: An interest-free loan is available to enable employees to purchase a bike and accessories, repaid via equal deductions from the employee’s salary over 12 months.
• Employee Assistance Programme: All employees and their families have access to a 24-hour confidential advice and support line.
• Counselling: Employees have access to a number of free face-to-face sessions, via the EAP scheme.
• Pension: MQ makes contributions of 5% and employees make contributions of 3%.
• Life Assurance - Up to 4 x your salary in the event of death in service.
• Season Ticket Loan: An interest free season ticket loan is available, repaid via equal deductions from the employee’s salary over 12 months.
• Personal Development: We value employee development and review individual training needs through our performance management system. HR also runs internal management development sessions for all staff.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Closing date: 22nd February 2026
Please note, we typically start interviewing within two weeks of the job advert going live. We reserve the right to close the job before the deadline based on the volume of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We believe in equality and inclusion and we welcome job applications from everyone, provided you meet the criteria for the job.

Safer recruitment is important to us and the successful applicant will be asked to provide two references. They will also be required to complete a safeguarding self-declaration and undertake a DBS check.

No agencies please.