Philanthropy trusts executive jobs

At Bookmark, we have a simple vision: we want every child to read. We have seen significant growth over the past few years and have built a network of engaged supporters.  As we approach the halfway mark of our three-year strategy, we are recruiting an experienced major donor fundraiser to play a key role in the growth of our philanthropy programme, securing and developing relationships with high-net-worth individuals that change the story for children. 

This individual will join a successful team and work closely alongside another Philanthropy Manager to steward and cultivate existing supporters as well as manage a pipeline of prospects through their giving journey. You will work directly with the Head of Fundraising and be responsible for your own portfolio of major donors, trusts and family foundations. By August 2027 Bookmark aim to have reached 500,000 children with our literacy programmes, you could be part of that incredible goal.

Job Description

Delivering the Philanthropy plan

• Work with the Head of Fundraising and existing Philanthropy Manager to grow the major donor portfolio within the wider strategy 
• Build and maintain a portfolio of existing and new major donors who give or can give £15,000 or more, ensuring a first-class cultivation and stewardship journey
• Line manage the Philanthropy Executive and support their professional development, providing direction, support and guidance
• Work with our Fundraising Research & Administration Intern to identify new potential Bookmark major donors, working with Trustees, senior stakeholders, and our wonderfully supportive Partnerships Board to secure introductions and make asks of prospective supporters
• Design and deliver creative events and activities to generate income, cultivate and steward donors
• Create compelling, relevant and tailored funding proposals, reports and collateral to inspire and inform donors, reflecting Bookmark’s strong brand. The could include Trust and Foundation applications.
• Use Salesforce to manage the accurate recording, progression and forecasting of major donor relationships, enabling efficient reporting and KPI management 

Work with the rest of the Fundraising team

• Work closely with the rest of the Fundraising team to ensure opportunities to maximise income for the fundraising team
• Devise and deliver annual plans, together with associated budgets, in line with the charity’s strategic objectives
• Work with the Senior Leadership Team, Chair of Trustees and colleagues across the charity to ensure major donor fundraising activity is aligned with the charity’s wider plans and objectives
• Ensure that all activity helps to build Bookmark’s brand and is always brand compliant
• Ensure Bookmark’s ethical fundraising policy is adhered to

Person specification

Essential

• A successful track record in high value fundraising and acquisition, including a proven track record of securing five figure gifts
• Experience working towards and meeting, or exceeding, fundraising targets
• Experience developing relationships with high-net-worth individuals through all stages of the donor cycle 
• A demonstrable ability to build internal relationships and use senior stakeholders (CEO, Trustees, Senior Leadership Team) to help progress major donor relationships
• Experience working on successful charity events that meet fundraising targets
• Great verbal communication skills, demonstrated by strong relationships with donors and colleagues. You will have the skills to influence, motivate and persuade people to donate
• Demonstrable experience of writing successful, inspiring, emotive, and technically accurate cases for support and proposals tailored to a major donor audience
• Experience growing and managing a pipeline, planning for your portfolio and increasing income
• An understanding and ability to build budgets and work with financials
• Experience using of Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Experience using Salesforce, or another fundraising database

Desirable

• Line management experience
• Experience working with a fundraising board or high value committee
• Experience managing and developing a high value giving circle
• Experience running matching campaigns or large mailings

Contract type: Permanent, Full Time. Part-time (0.8/4 days) will be considered.

Salary: £40,000 to £42,000

Reporting to: Head of Fundraising 

Location: Bookmark Reading Charity, Charles House, 5-11 Regent Street Saint James's, London SW1Y 4LR. Minimum two days per week based at the Bookmark office 

Application deadline: 22nd February

Shortlisting: w/c 23rd February, with shortlisted candidates informed by 25th February 2026

1st Round interviews to be held in person in central London: Wednesday 4th March 2026

2nd Round interviews to be held online: Monday 9th March

Potential for discussion with senior stakeholder after 2nd round

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. 

This is a new role to sit in a fast paced and growing fundraising team.  Reporting to the Senior Philanthropy and Major Gifts Manager, this role will be responsible for managing a portfolio of mid-level funders, develop compelling funding applications, support the stewardship of high-value funders, and ensure accurate reporting and data compliance.

The role supports the Senior Philanthropy and Major Gifts Manager in delivering the Trusts & Foundations strategy, maintaining fundraising processes, and identifying new funding opportunities, while contributing to the overall success of the fundraising department.

The post holder will work closely with colleagues across Fundraising, Marketing, Care Teams, Finance, Senior Management, Trustees and the Director of Fundraising and Hospice Development.

This is a hybrid role however due to its collaborative nature and the need to regularly meet donors, team members and hospice colleagues on-site we ask that applicants are able to commute to St John’s Wood at least three days per week, with a preference for four.

What would be my responsibilities as a Senior Philanthropy and Gifts Executive?

• Support delivery of the Trusts & Foundations strategy, including prospect research and pipeline development.
• Lead on mid‑level funding applications (£5k–£50k) and contribute to high‑value bids.
• Produce accurate impact and financial reports, coordinating information across care, finance and service teams.
• Manage and steward a portfolio of funders, ensuring personalised communication and strong relationships
• Support high‑level donor engagement, including meetings, presentations and site visits.
• Maintain accurate CRM records and ensure compliance with GDPR and fundraising standards.
• Contribute to donor profiles, solicitation plans and stewardship schedules, working collaboratively across income streams.
• Provide guidance to junior staff and deputise for the Senior Philanthropy & Major Gifts Manager when required.

Am I the right person for this role?

• 2+ years in Trust & Foundation fundraising or equivalent bid‑writing role
• Proven experience in Trusts & Foundations fundraising, bid‑writing, and securing 4‑figure+ grants.
• Strong relationship‑management skills with internal and external stakeholders, including donors.
• Excellent written communication and analytical ability, with confidence interpreting financial information.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, work independently, and contribute effectively to a team.
• Knowledge of the UK Trusts & Foundations sector and experience using CRM systems (ideally Salesforce).
• Collaborative and values‑driven approach, with willingness to support colleagues, mentor junior staff, and work flexibly (incl. occasional evenings/weekends).
• Comfortable leading meetings and building strong working relationships across hospice, fundraising, and external partners.

 Why apply for this role? 

At our organisation we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our employees a wide range of benefits; 

When you become part of the HJE Family, these are some of the benefits you will receive:

• Private healthcare scheme worth up to £20,000 per year
• 27 days annual leave
• Blue Light Card discounts
• Interest-free season ticket loans
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free eye check-up vouchers with contribution towards lenses
• Free newspaper and media subscriptions
• Local Business discounts
• Discount in our Hospice Charity shop
• Refer a Friend scheme
• Free Cinema Society Membership offering discounted tickets
• Personal development and training courses
• Annual events and recognition awards
• Career progression and increments
• For employees joining us from the NHS, we can provide continuation of your NHS pension

If you are ready for a new challenge and relish the chance to become part of a successful, forward thinking organisation then we would love to hear from you.

The Philanthropy Manager will develop a philanthropy strategy, building on the partnerships and resources already in place. You will develop a pipeline backed up by robust prospect research (some administrative assistance will be provided), and instigate a cultivation and stewardship programme, typically adopting a staged approach to major asks.

You will be accountable for the acquisition, development, and stewardship of high value supporters for CUF, both individual philanthropists and non-statutory grant-making bodies. You will develop and strengthen relationships with existing donors, as well as identifying warm prospects currently not supporting CUF financially. A key part of your role will be meeting and engaging major donor prospects to grow the pool.

You will engage with Trustees and senior leaders, to identify and nurture Christian philanthropists and grant body decision-makers within their spheres of influence.

You will lead on developing cases for support and writing grant applications, helped by the wider staff team.

The successful candidate will be a self-starter with high levels of motivation, and the ability to both develop and operationalise strategy as a member of a small team. You will have a track record of successfully initiating, managing and developing relationships with High-Net-Worth individuals and grantmaking bodies, and securing donations and grants, via proposals or through face-to-face meetings, as required. 

How to apply

To apply, please email an up-to-date CV and covering letter (please note that only CV’s accompanied with a covering letter will be considered for shortlisting) outlining your relevant skills and experience, relating to the listed responsibilities and person specification to:

Closing date: 17:00 Monday 2nd March 26, with interviews to be held on 10th March 26 online.

Are you passionate about bringing art to everyone? Do you believe in the power of digital to engage people with the arts? We’re looking for an enthusiastic Philanthropy Manager to join our friendly and dedicated team.

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented in the creative industries, particularly individuals who experience physical, mental or social barriers to accessing the arts.

About Art UK

Art UK is an art education charity and the online home for every public collection of art in the United Kingdom. It is making the UK’s national collection of art accessible to everyone online – for enjoyment, learning and research. Art UK brings together art from almost 3,500 British institutions in one of the UK's largest ever arts partnerships and showcases this art to a global audience of 5.5m users per annum. Approaching 60% of this audience is overseas.

Art UK provides significant support to museums and galleries in the UK, by providing them with a shared digital platform to showcase their art collections, reach new audiences, and generate income. Most of these collections would not be able to show their art online without Art UK. The Art UK platform is rich in story content, learning resources for teachers and students, and public engagement opportunities. A shared e-commerce infrastructure helps collections generate much needed commercial income. 

About You

As the Philanthropy Manager, you will be a confident and persuasive communicator, comfortable engaging with supporters and stakeholders at all levels. You will have a solid knowledge of philanthropic giving and a deep appreciation of the value of high-quality donor stewardship. Highly organised and detail-focused, you will enjoy working with data and be skilled at producing compelling content both on and offline. You will bring initiative, creativity and the ability to work independently, while also being a collaborative team player.

The Philanthropy Manager is a new donor-facing role, which will focus on expanding and strengthening a major donor portfolio to increase five and six figure income from individual donors and family trusts for Art UK. You will lead on managing and growing Art UK’s philanthropic giving programme, which includes the Patrons and supporter events programme and our major donor activity. Working within an ambitious team, you will have the support of a freelance Prospect Researcher to identify new prospects, and the Development Manager and CRM Officer to develop donor journeys and relationship management systems. You will report to the Head of Development, work closely with the CEO and Chair of the Philanthropy Board, and collaborate with colleagues across the organisation.

You will actively promote equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in all aspects of your work, reflecting your commitment to our organisational values and contributing to a positive workplace culture.

Key Responsibilities

- Build and maintain a robust prospect pipeline through identification, research, cultivation and relationship-building to secure five-figure gifts and long-term support

- Manage a portfolio of mid-level individual donors, converting one-off supporters into deeper donor relationships

- Manage and grow Art UK’s mid-level regular giving programme, strengthening donor relationships through face-to face meetings, events and personalised communication

- Develop donor development strategies, using CRM to analysis and identify higher gift prospects from existing donor pool and maximise giving potential

- Lead on major gifts for annual Big Give campaigns, identifying and securing keystone pledge donors, and leveraging networks to reach giving targets

- Create and implement, effectively and in a timely manner, development plans for each donor to retain and upgrade donors and document all activities in CRM Beacon

- Prepare and personalise correspondence and fundraising materials, including donor stewardship and reports, funding proposals and acknowledgement letters as appropriate

- Work closely with the Marketing team and other colleagues to showcase Art UK’s work and enhance donor engagement

- Organise and deliver events for major donors and prospects (with support from the Development team), including attending events where appropriate

- Support management of the American Friends of Art UK (launching 2026), including donor stewarding and events programming

- Support senior leadership and board members in the preparation and delivery of high-quality donor pitches to secure new philanthropic gifts

- Monitor progress against targets and maintain accurate reporting, including updates to Art UK’s Board of Trustees and the Philanthropy Board

- Ensure pledges and donations are processed efficiently and that donors are thanked promptly and personally

- Work closely with all members of the Development team to ensure prospecting and cultivation activity is aligned and complementary

- Ensure all philanthropic fundraising activity is conducted in line with legal, regulatory and ethical best practice e.g. GDPR and the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Code of Practice

Necessary Skills

- Essential: Experience managing a pipeline of philanthropic supporter prospects, including researching and devising bespoke cultivation plans

- Essential: Proven experience as a major donor fundraiser with a track record of securing five-figure gifts.

- Essential: Proven experience creating, implementing and evaluating philanthropic fundraising strategies

- Essential: Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to identify and shape innovative partnership opportunities

- Essential: Outstanding relationship-building and networking skills, including digital engagement

- Essential: In-depth understanding of the philanthropic fundraising environment

- Essential: First-class written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to engage with a wide range of stakeholders

- Essential: Experience analysing and using supporter data to inform campaigns

- Essential: Strong copywriting, proofing and editing skills

- Essential: Experience using CRM databases with a high level of accuracy

- Essential: Thorough knowledge of fundraising best practice and legislation

- Essential: Self-motivated, reliable and exceptionally organized

- Desirable: Experience planning and managing fundraising events

- Desirable: Experience in donor acquisition through online giving platforms, direct marketing by email and social media campaigns

- Desirable: Active interest in the visual arts and awareness of UK art collections

- Desirable: Experience working with a diverse range of audiences

- Desirable: Experience working on projects with a broad range of partners

- Desirable: Experience of US fundraising and philanthropic giving

Contract terms

- Full-time

- Permanent contract

- Salary £38,000 per annum

- Three-month probationary period

- One-month termination clause

- Work from home, within 2-hour travel time to central London (once monthly travel to London for evening events and meetings required)

Benefits

- 25 days annual leave plus regional Bank Holidays

- Paid Christmas closure period (Christmas Day to New Year’s Day)

- Flexible working hours

- Workplace pension scheme

- Training and development opportunities

- Mental health and wellbeing support

- Above statutory paid sick leave

- Enhanced paid parental leave

- Employee Assistance Programme

- Monthly wellbeing hour

- Trained Mental Health First Aider’s

- Regular staff socials, both virtual and in-person

- Eye tests paid for up to £35, glasses subsidised up to £30

Join our Philanthropy Team and play a vital role in supporting some of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity's most generous supporters. Working as part of a high‑performing Philanthropy & Partnerships Directorate, you will help deliver exceptional donor experiences, create compelling fundraising materials, and contribute to life‑saving cancer research and care.

If you’re proactive, relationship‑focused and ready to grow your fundraising career, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Managing a small portfolio of mid‑level donors, providing excellent stewardship and supporting income growth.
• Supporting the identification, research and cultivation of new high‑value prospects, ensuring effective approaches are made.
• Preparing compelling proposals, presentations and bespoke donor materials to inspire philanthropic giving.
• Coordinating donor tours, cultivation events and bespoke visits for supporters and prospects.
• Producing high‑quality thank‑you letters, reports, and email updates that strengthen donor relationships.
• Providing essential administrative and coordination support to colleagues across the Philanthropy team.
• Maintaining accurate donor records on Raiser’s Edge, helping improve systems and insight.

What We’re Looking For:

We’re looking for someone who is:

A relationship builder
With experience in donor or customer‑focused environments and the confidence to engage supporters sensitively and professionally.

A strong communicator
With excellent written and verbal skills—capable of producing reports, emails, donor materials and briefings with clarity and impact.

Highly organised and detail‑driven
Able to manage multiple deadlines, juggle priorities and support the team to deliver high‑quality work.

A proactive team player
Flexible, adaptable and enthusiastic, with a willingness to learn and contribute in a fast‑paced, ambitious environment.

Tech‑confident
Comfortable managing data, using spreadsheets, and ideally familiar with fundraising databases such as Raiser’s Edge (desirable).

Why Join Us?

We’re a values-driven charity committed to saving lives by funding world-leading research, treatment, and care at The Royal Marsden. You’ll be part of a collaborative, ambitious, and kind team, with plenty of opportunities for learning and development.

What we offer

• Hybrid working between home and Chelsea with occasional travel to Sutton.
• Flexible working around our core hours of 10am to 4pm
• 27 days annual leave rising with length of service
• Up to 6% employer contributions subject to matched contribution from you (increasing with length of service)
• Training, support and development opportunities
• Access to the blue light discount scheme and other discounts opportunities
• Access to subsidised staff restaurants, on-site yoga and wellbeing classes, staff choir and much more
• Range of wellbeing initiatives including access to an employee assistance programme designed to save money and improve your physical, financial and mental health and wellbeing, access to free online GP appointments and free eye tests and contribution towards any glasses required for work purposes
• Opportunities for training and career development

Inclusion Matters

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Applications from all backgrounds are warmly welcomed

Please note: To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.

How to Apply:

Use CharityJob ATS

Senior Philanthropy and Major Gifts Executive
Salary: £39,000–£42,000 per year
Location: St John’s Wood, London – hybrid (at least 3 days a week on-site, ideally 4)
Contract: Permanent

St John’s Hospice, part of the Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth, provides free, specialist care for people living with life-limiting illness and their families across North London. This new role is a great opportunity to grow our income from trusts, foundations and major gifts so we can reach even more people.

The role
As Senior Philanthropy and Major Gifts Executive, you will:

• Manage a portfolio of mid-level trusts, foundations and other funders.
• Lead on drafting and submitting compelling funding applications.
• Support the stewardship of high-value funders, including visits and meetings.
• Research and qualify new funding prospects to grow the pipeline.
• Produce clear, timely impact and financial reports with colleagues across care, finance and services.
• Maintain accurate records and pipelines on the CRM, ensuring full compliance with GDPR and charity standards.
• Work closely with the Senior Philanthropy and Major Gifts Manager and wider fundraising team, with scope to develop towards major donors and other income streams.

This is a collaborative role based at St John’s Wood, with hybrid working and regular contact with colleagues, senior management and trustees.

What we’re looking for

• Experience in trusts and foundations fundraising.
• A record of securing four-figure and above grants.
• Confident prospect research and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage a busy workload and competing deadlines accurately.
• Experience using CRM systems.
• Ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.

This is an exciting and engaging role, managing a small, well-established Philanthropy Team, where you will have the opportunity to work directly with our top supporters, develop interesting cultivation events and help us reach new supporters across Dorset and Wiltshire.

The Philanthropy Team incorporates major donor, mid-value, trust and legacy fundraising. It works closely with public fundraising and events teams. The CEO, Deputy CEO and specific trustees are also actively engaged in managing key relationships.

The role

The role is full time (35 hours per week) with hybrid working between home and the office in Wimborne in Dorset. There will be a requirement to travel across both Dorset and Wiltshire for internal meetings, donor meetings and events, with occasional out of hours working.

About you

We are looking for a talented, strategic, individual who can hit the ground running, be innovative, ambitious and bring exciting new ideas, ready to make a real difference to the growing number of local families we support. Energetic and with a passion for this type of role, you will be a confident communicator, who can build relationships with new and existing supporters and a considerate and thoughtful people manager. You must have a proven track record of working with high-net worth individuals in order to apply. We welcome applicants from within and outside the charity sector.

About us

Julia’s House cares for babies, children and teenagers with life-shortening or life-threatening conditions across Dorset and Wiltshire. We provide support for the whole family - mums, dads, siblings and even grandparents. Our care is regular, frequent, flexible and free, with more than half of our care taking place in family’s homes.  When the worst happens, Julia’s House is there. We offer comfort and support at home, in hospital or our hospices, wherever families need us.

Join us and make a real difference in this key role

Philanthropy Manager 
Up to £44,000 FTE per annum, £35,200 actual, plus 8% pension contribution 
28 hours per week 
Permanent role  
Hybrid working – homebased working for the majority of time with a need to attend head office in Godalming on occasions

An exciting opportunity to lead relationships with some of the League’s most influential supporters and secure transformational gifts that will help end animal cruelty in the name of ‘sport’. 

What You’ll Do: 

As our Philanthropy Manager, you will lead our major donor programme and manage a growing portfolio of high-value individuals, trusts and partners. Working closely with the Director of Fundraising, Chief Executive and senior stakeholders, you will identify, cultivate and steward influential supporters, making compelling asks and demonstrating the real-world impact of their generosity. Your responsibilities will include: 

• Developing and managing relationships with major donors, high-value individuals, family trusts and corporate partners
• Delivering an ambitious philanthropy strategy, annual plan and budget
• Building and maintaining a robust prospect pipeline through research, networking and relationship-building
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to develop fundraising propositions, related income sources, such as family trusts and corporate partners, and donor updates

· Tracking performance, managing income reporting and maintain accurate records

Who You Are: 

We need a confident and inspirational relationship manager with a passion for animal welfare, who possesses: 

• Previous experience working with high-net-worth individuals, either in the charity or commercial sector
• Proven success in major gift fundraising
• A strong understanding of major donor fundraising principles

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience using CRM systems and managing donor data.

Why Join Us: 

We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance, enjoy flexible working arrangements, including options for compressed hours and remote work from day one. With 28 days (pro-rata) of annual leave, in addition to the public holidays, and a generous employer contribution of eight percent towards your pension scheme, we prioritise your well-being. Additionally, our benefits package includes discounts on shopping, electronics, hospitality and leisure. Find out more about working at the League. 

The League Against Cruel Sports is committed to inclusivity and diversity, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

We believe that together we can end animal cruelty in the name of sport. Join us in our purposeful mission to redefine what is acceptable and inspire positive change in animal welfare legislation.  

Ready to make a real difference? Don't wait - apply now! We're looking to fill this position quickly and will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis. To apply, please submit your CV along with a covering letter stating what days and hours you are available.

About the role

We are looking for an excellent and experienced relationship fundraiser, who excels at identifying and building inspiring and genuine connections with high net-worth individual donors, who have the capacity to give six- and seven- figure gifts.

This role requires a motivated, creative and confident individual, who thrives on getting out and about and meeting with supporters. The role will help shape the Business Development and Philanthropy Team’s plans to deliver outstanding donor engagement and stewardship so that our donors are inspired and proud to support us and enjoy their philanthropic giving experience. This role will make a vital contribution to delivering a step change in our philanthropic income growth to support Practical Action’s strategic ambition and mission.

About you

We are seeking a motivated, creative and confident individual, who thrives on getting out and about and meeting with supporters. You will have at least 5 years’ experience of securing gifts from high net-worth individuals making gifts privately or through family trusts, donor advised funds and corporations.

Accountabilities

• Lead the process of identifying and cultivating individual donor prospects (UK and international) capable of giving six- and seven- figure gifts, fully understanding their funding preferences, criteria and fit with Practical Action.
• Steward a portfolio of loyal and high-quality donors, giving five and six figure annual gifts and ensure our donors receive exceptional stewardship, feel valued for their support and become advocates of Practical Action to their friends, family and networks.
• Work with autonomy and represent Practical Action at one-to-one meetings and networking events with high net-worth individuals.
• Work with senior colleagues and the Board of Trustees to identify prospects, build relationships and secure gifts from high net-worth individuals.
• Distil complex information and messaging into powerful, emotive and high-quality tailored communications (including pitches, cases for support, bespoke proposals and donor reports) that demonstrate impact and inspire giving by individual donors and family trusts.

Person Specification

To be successful in the role, the ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate:

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience:

• Significant fundraising experience (5 years+) of securing gifts from high net-worth individuals making gifts privately, or through family trusts, donor advised funds and corporations.
• Excellent knowledge about philanthropy sector developments, trends and key philanthropic organisations and networks in the UK and internationally.
• A strong and proven track record of building new prospect pipelines and of managing a portfolio of donors, including demonstrable experience of securing six- and seven-figure gifts.
• An experienced and confident networker with a proven ability to build and maintain a diverse group of contacts, at all levels, both internally and externally, and represent Practical Action to inspire, secure commitment and support.
• Knowledge of data protection principles, legal requirements, and ethical fundraising practice is essential.

Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to summarise and distil complex issues in an inspiring way.
• Ability and confidence to influence and manage successful internal relationships including writing reports and donor meeting briefings for senior colleagues.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities within a fast-paced environment, ensuring our donors receive excellent stewardship throughout their relationship with Practical Action.
• Strong project management skills to lead approaches backed up by an appropriate level of research and analysis.
• Enthusiasm and willingness to trial, learn and adapt — whether building on existing major giving experience or trialling new ideas and approaches to reach new donors audiences, for example next generation or diaspora giving.
• You will contribute to a culture of kindness, collaboration, rigour and accountability.
• Effective and positive team-player with a strong preference for collaboration
• Strong administrative, time-management, IT and numeracy skills.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Why join us?

The opportunity to work for an organisation that is making a positive difference to the lives of people worldwide, a friendly and supportive culture, and working with values-driven and highly engaged colleagues are just some of the reasons we think Practical Action is a great place to work.

This role will be based in the UK.

The successful applicant must have the pre-existing right to both live and work in the UK.  The successful candidate will be expected to attend the Rugby office on regular occasions.

Additional information

Practical Action believes that having a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace culture based on respect will enable us to be an effective organisation. We seek to create an inclusive workplace in which people are accepted as individuals, regardless of their differences and where they feel their contribution is valued.  Practical Action is an equal opportunities employer, and we encourage applications from under-represented groups.

We stay committed to cultivating an inclusive and diverse working environment and believe that people from different backgrounds or cultures give us different perspectives, and the more perspectives we have, the more successful we will be. By building a culture where everyone feels heard, respected, and valued we give everyone working with us the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

Practical Action is committed to safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults and as such candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks including criminal checks and terrorist financing.

Closing date for applications: Sunday 1st March 2026.  Please note that should we recruit a suitable candidate before the closing date, we will close applications earlier than the specified date.

Interviews: It is anticipated that first round online interviews will take place week of 9th March and final interviews will take place in person at our Rugby office week commencing 16th March 2026.

If you do not hear from us within five weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion.

HOW TO APPLY

If you want to work for a charity with significant people ambitions, then we would like to hear from you. For more information, please visit our careers page. To apply please submit a copy of your CV (A MAXIMIUM OF 2 PAGES) and send us a supporting statement that includes the answers to the following question:

1.Why are you an excellent candidate for the Philanthropy Executive role at Practical Action, please provide examples from your career to evidence your answer?

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.

Neotree: The Digital Learning Health System

Neotree is an award-winning digital learning health system co-designed with frontline clinicians to end preventable newborn deaths in low-resource settings. Our open-source platform integrates real-time, knowledge-based clinical decision support (CDS), structured data capture, and visual dashboards into routine neonatal care. Currently active in 18 healthcare facilities, Neotree has supported care for 60,000 newborns and trained over 3,000 health workers to date. Neotree is the only platform of its kind with a defined pathway to embed AI-enabled decision support into routine neonatal care in sub-Saharan Africa.

Neotree: The Charity

The UK charity was established by core members of the University College London (UCL) Neotree research project to maximise the impact of their research on the quality of newborn care and newborn mortality. After five years of rapid growth and proven clinical impact, Neotree is seeking a visionary Executive Director to lead our next chapter. Having evolved from an innovative research pilot into a multi-country digital health intervention, integrated into routine neonatal care in Malawi and Zimbabwe, Neotree is poised for national-scale rollout and scale up, alongside rigorous ongoing monitoring and evaluation.

The Opportunity: Impact at Scale

By 2030 the ambition is for Neotree to be a fully integrated, sustainable standard of care across Malawi and Zimbabwe, having been handed over to, and owned by, their respective Ministries of Health. The incoming Executive Director will lead this transition, shifting the organisation from a research-led implementation partner to one able to scale up a digital public good (currently a DPGA Nominee with a full submission for DPG designation under review).

While the technological landscape, and specific delivery modules, will evolve, the Executive Director will ensure Neotree remains a safe, cost-effective, equitable, and evidence-based system that is successfully embedded within national digital health infrastructures.

The Executive Director's success will be measured collaboratively, focusing on KPIs related to impact and sustainability, and they will work alongside experienced clinical, technical, and academic leads.

Location: Remote within 2-3 hours of Central Africa Time (CAT), with approximately quarterly travel (including to Malawi, Zimbabwe and the UK).

Reports to: Board of Trustees

Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)

Key Responsibilities

1. Operations, Clinical Safety & Quality Assurance

1.1. Senior Operational Oversight: Provide high-level oversight of Neotree’s operations across 18 healthcare facilities in Malawi and Zimbabwe, ensuring that the "baby-first" mission is consistently delivered on the ground.

1.2. Clinical Safety & Ethical Governance: Lead the overarching strategy for clinical safety and ethical compliance. Ensure the platform remains a safe and effective clinical tool, and that all operations comply with international data protection and health governance best practices.

1.3. Quality & Effectiveness: Oversee the continuous improvement and optimisation of the Neotree platform based on real-world feedback from frontline clinical staff, ensuring the system remains highly acceptable and trusted by healthcare professionals.

2. Management: People, Grants & Finance

2.1. International Team Leadership: Lead, oversee and inspire a multi-disciplinary, multi-country team (UK, Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa), fostering a culture of agility, collaboration, and excellence.

2.2. Develop local leadership and support the growth of country-based teams, ensuring long-term sustainability through in-country capacity building.

2.3. Financial & Grant Management:

2.3.1. Provide robust oversight of the charity’s finances, including budget setting and cash flow.

2.3.2. Lead the management of complex institutional grants (e.g. FCDO, Gates Foundation), ensuring all milestones and reporting requirements are met.

2.3.3. Manage relationships with multiple downstream partners.

3. Governance & Accountability

3.1. Statutory Compliance: Lead Neotree’s reporting and compliance with the Charity Commission, HMRC, Companies House, donors and other relevant legislation. Oversee internal and external audits.

3.2. Board Development & Relations: Act as the primary link to the Board of Trustees, providing transparent reporting on risks, financial performance, and strategic progress. Work proactively with the Chair to strengthen the board, supporting its growth and ensuring its membership is representative of the diverse international contexts and communities Neotree serves.

3.3. Risk Management: Serve as the ultimate lead for organisational risk, identifying and mitigating risks to protect the charity’s reputation, clinical safety, and financial health.

3.4. Organisational & Innovation Governance: Responsible for the continuous review and implementation of all policies (HR, due diligence, safeguarding, clinical and data governance etc.). Ensure policies are legally compliant across international operations.

4. Strategy & Impact Scaling

4.1. Overall Strategy: Lead the development and execution of Neotree’s business model and strategy to scale impact globally, ensuring the sustainable growth and wider adoption of Neotree as a digital public good.

4.2. Evidence base: Work closely with Neotree’s academic team at University College London to identify and address evidence gaps, to support on Neotree research grants (e.g. NIHR, Gates Foundation), and to ensure academic insights are translated directly into clinical impact and national policy.

4.3. Tech Strategy & Interoperability: Lead the development and execution of Neotree's digital strategy. A key focus will be driving the roadmap for system interoperability to ensure Neotree is a future-proofed platform. This includes FHIR compatibility and integration with national systems, such as DHIS2 and national EHRs, to support seamless data exchange.

4.4. Fundraising Strategy: Design and deliver a diverse fundraising strategy that further moves the organisation toward financial resilience and reduced dependence on major academic grants.

4.5. Partnerships & External Relations: Serve as one of the primary ambassadors for Neotree, alongside our Principal Investigators and co-founder Professor Michelle Heys. Define priority stakeholders, and build and maintain relationships with those high-level strategic partners to drive adoption and raise Neotree’s profile.

Key Priorities for the First 12-18 Months

The new Executive Director will focus on the following key priorities during their initial 12-18 months:

1. Successful Project Delivery & Ministry of Health Partnerships. Ensure successful delivery of the projects currently in flight, in both Malawi and Zimbabwe. This includes partnerships with the Ministries of Health in both countries to build and hand over neonatal modules in their EHR systems based on Neotree, and support their successful rollout.

2. Strategic Plan Development. Develop a 3-5 year plan with the Board, academic partners, and wider project team to build on our existing foundation to expand Neotree – including addressing research gaps, using AI to improve clinical decision support, and finding ways to expand the adoption of the technology in Zimbabwe, Malawi, and beyond. Sustainability is a core part of that strategy.

3. Strategic Plan Execution. Execute on that plan, including securing funding, building partnerships, and further developing the Neotree team.

Person Specification

Personal attributes and skillset

• Overall: Values-driven, mission alignment, humility, and commitment to equitable partnership.
• Visionary Leadership: An inspiring leader who can balance day-to-day operations with a long-term strategic focus. You can articulate a clear future for Neotree that motivates an international team and aligns global partners toward making Neotree a national standard of care, ensuring every innovation remains underpinned by our "baby-first" mission.
• Adaptability & Flexibility: You must thrive in a landscape that is constantly shifting. You can pivot strategies as national digital health priorities evolve or as new technological partners emerge. You are comfortable with ambiguity and can steer the organisation through the "unknowns" of the next five+ years.
• Communication & Collaborative Mindset: You are a bridge-builder. You have a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across international borders and multidisciplinary partners, linking academic research, technical development, and frontline clinical delivery.

Experience

1. Education: Master’s degree (MSc, MPH, MBA) in a relevant field (e.g. Global Health, International Development, Digital Health).

2. Proven track record of overseeing delivery of health services and/or health interventions (ideally in low-resource settings).

3. Experience of working in partnership with Ministries of Health strengthening health systems.

4. Proven experience in scaling an organisation or a digital product / health intervention from a pilot phase to a national or regional standard.

5. Experience of leading multidisciplinary, multi-cultural teams, both in person and remotely.

6. Experience of monitoring and evaluating health programmes.

7. Experience managing complex grants, and diverse revenue streams (grants, philanthropy, or social enterprise models).

Desirable

• AI & Innovation: Understanding of the ethical and practical implications of integrating AI/Machine Learning into healthcare.
• Governance: Familiarity with UK charity governance, including reporting to the Charity Commission and Companies House.

Equal opportunities

Neotree values diversity and is committed to equal opportunities. All applicants for employment will receive equal treatment without discrimination on grounds of gender, race, ethnic or national origins, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation, or any other grounds. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from candidates from minority ethnic backgrounds, and the low-resource settings in which we work, to ensure we have a well-balanced and widely representative staff base.

First Give

First Give is a national charity that partners with secondary schools to inspire and equip young people with the knowledge, confidence, and skills to drive change. Through our structured programmes, students explore social issues, connect with charities, and take tangible steps to improve their community.

Empowering and equipping young people to meaningfully contribute to their community is a first step to addressing many of the challenges we face at this time of social disconnection and division. Our vision is of a more generous society where everyone is willing and able to give their time, money and skills to the causes they care about.

The Route to a Million Campaign

This is an exciting time for First Give, as we seek to expand and diversify our fundraising streams into Corporate and HNWI. To support this, we are launching the Route to A Million campaign in March, aiming to raise an additional £1.5 million over the next 3 years on top of our forecast income. The campaign is supported by a newly recruited campaign board, and the new Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships will spearhead the work required to achieve this target.

Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships

We are seeking a dynamic, strategic and entrepreneurial Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships to supercharge First Give’s next phase of income growth. This is a pivotal role at the heart of our mission, offering the opportunity to shape and deliver a multi‑year fundraising strategy that fuels real, measurable impact for young people and society as a whole. First Give is a small charity, with a growing fundraising team and big ambitions. You will therefore be someone who thrives in a start-up environment, brings new ideas to the table and is comfortable leading a brand-new team.

As the senior leader for all income streams, you will own and drive our major donor programme; unlock new philanthropic partnerships; and build a talented team across other income streams to achieve ambitious goals. Working closely with the Director and our emerging Campaign Board, you will play critical role in growing our £1m+ annual income, deepening donor engagement and building the culture, systems and relationships that will propel First Give into its next phase of expansion.

This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional fundraiser who thrives in a values‑driven, high‑ambition environment and wants to make a lasting contribution to a fast‑growing education charity.

Contract: Full time (35 hours per week), Permanent

Salary: £60K (+£2K London weighting if applicable)

Location: This is a hybrid contract. The successful candidate will be expected to work from our London office or attend in-person meetings and host donors at school Final events as required. The remainder of the week can typically be worked remotely, with flexibility as required.

The students we work with come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and so do we.  We want to foster a diverse and inclusive culture, to empower our teams to achieve our vision drawing on the broadest possible range of experiences. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates from minoritised groups currently underrepresented on our executive team, particularly black and minority ethnic and disabled candidates.

Please download the candidate pack for more details, and don't hesitate to get in touch if you'd like a chat about the role or any reasonable adjustments we can make before applying: contact details provided in the candidate pack.

About Figurative

Figurative is a new organisation, and this is a brand new role. Our mission is to bring new funding capital to the cultural and creative sectors, and to deploy it in ways that optimise for social impact and for sector sustainability.

We bring together deep expertise through Arts & Culture Finance (formerly part of Nesta) and New Philanthropy for Arts & Culture to unlock new and innovative ways of funding and supporting the UK’s arts ecosystem.

Figurative manages three investment portfolios that have supported over 60 organisations and raised more than £30 million in investment capital over the last decade.

About this role

Culture and creativity are essential to human flourishing, yet the financial models supporting them are in need of a serious reimagining. Public subsidy is declining in real terms, traditional philanthropy can't fill the gap, and commercial investment often doesn't align with how cultural and creative sector organisations work best.

Figurative exists to create a third way: impact investment that brings new capital to culture and creativity, while respecting what makes the sector special. But scaling a genuinely new funding model requires more than good intentions - it needs robust infrastructure, diversified capital sources, and deep credibility with the organisations we exist to serve.

This is a unique opportunity to join Figurative in its infancy, and to take responsibility for growing Figurative from £30m to £100m+ over the next 3-5 years. Your work will directly enable cultural organisations to access capital they couldn't reach through traditional routes - capital that allows them to take creative risks, sustain their missions, and amplify their social impact without compromising their values.

You will be joining a dynamic, inclusive, collaborative team that is committed to learning on the job, and in the open. This involves testing out new ideas, and finding partners who are keen to explore innovative ways in which their money can be used to bring about their desired outcomes through the power of culture and creativity.

Key Responsibilities

The Development Director will:

• lead our efforts to raise money into our own parent charity, from primarily new sources;
• support the CEO and investment team to raise investment capital (which may take the form of repayable grants) into our investment funds;
• lead our efforts to support organisations in the sector to raise philanthropic giving as a source of income for themselves, particularly focused around place (including the development of our existing Arts Council funded place-based philanthropy networks) and social impact (including our Big Give Arts for Impact match funding campaign);
• develop and implement our place-based strategy, which will aim to demonstrate the power of blended finance.

The Development Director will be a member of the senior leadership team and report directly to the CEO, working closely on strategy and communicating strategic priorities and progress to existing and potential grant funders (into Figurative) and investors (into our funds); whilst providing philanthropic expertise to cultural organisations and partners to optimise social impact and sector sustainability.

In this role, the successful candidate will have to be/demonstrate: 

• Strategic infrastructure builder: Proven track record designing and implementing fundraising/investor relations systems and processes in growth-stage organisations - not just using existing ones.
• Financial literacy: Comfortable with impact investment concepts, fund structures, and articulating risk/return/impact trade-offs to sophisticated investors. You can speak credibly to family offices and institutional investors, not just traditional arts funders.
• Cross-sector translator: Ability to articulate culture's value to investors whose primary focus is climate, social impact, or economic development. Fluency in making the case for why culture matters to non-arts audiences. Ability to build and manage partnerships across philanthropy, commercial creative industries, and the public sector, navigating complex stakeholder environments with diplomacy and credibility.
• Cultural sector credibility: Deep understanding of how arts organisations operate, their funding challenges, and why they might be sceptical of intermediaries. Genuine commitment to supporting sector sustainability, not extracting from it.
• Proposition development: Ability to craft compelling narratives for complex funding models. You can explain why impact investment in culture is different from traditional philanthropy and why it complements (rather than competes with) existing funding.
• Scale-up mentality: Comfortable moving from £30m to £100m+ - you understand what infrastructure and processes are needed at different stages of growth.

Core Skills

Essential:

• Strategic Philanthropic Fundraising: Demonstrated ability to design and execute philanthropic fundraising strategies aligned to mission-driven objectives, including multi-year funding pipelines and donor portfolios
• Major Donor and High Net Worth Engagement: Proven experience cultivating and stewarding relationships with, and securing gifts from high net worth individuals, family offices, and trusts and foundations, and confidence engaging sophisticated donors around arts and the creative industries.
• Foundations and Institutional Giving: Strong capability in identifying, soliciting, and managing relationships with foundations, philanthropic trusts, and institutional funders in the UK and internationally.
• Cultural and Creative Philanthropy Expertise: Demonstrated knowledge of arts and cultural fundraising ecosystems, including experience working with artists, cultural organisations, and creative industry stakeholders, to aid in the development and delivery of place-based philanthropic initiatives.
• Relationship Management and Stewardship: Advanced relationship management skills, including donor stewardship, reporting, and long-term engagement, ensuring trust, transparency, and repeat support
• Proposal Writing and Funding Submissions: Strong written communication skills, with a track record of producing high-quality funding proposals, pitches, grant applications, and tailored donor materials
• Stakeholder Engagement and Representation: Confidence representing the organisation externally at events, briefings, and convenings, including presenting to boards, donors, and advisory groups.
• Data-informed Fundraising and CRM Use: Competence in using CRM systems and fundraising data to track prospects, manage pipelines, and inform strategy, with attention to compliance and good governance
• Project Management and Delivery Strong organisational and project management skills, enabling delivery of fundraising campaigns, events, and reporting requirements on time and to a high standard.
• Judgement, Discretion and Ethical Practice: High level of professional judgement, discretion, and integrity when handling sensitive donor information, complex funding arrangements, and reputational considerations
• Leadership and Team Management: Proven ability to lead and develop teams, work effectively with Boards and senior stakeholders, and collaborate within the wider organisational structures. Experienced in managing direct reports, aligning team delivery with organisational priorities and maintaining strong internal relationships.

 

Desirable:

• Experience in impact investing, social finance, or blended finance - ideally in a growth/scale-up phas
• Existing relationships with family offices, climate investors, or foundations exploring innovative funding models
• Understanding of place-based funding partnerships and multi-stakeholder models
• Track record of investor diversification - successfully broadening an organisation's funding base

What We Offer

• Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 FTE, depending on experience
• Location: Hybrid working arrangement based at Somerset House in central London, with flexibility and some travel within the UK.
• Reports to: CEO
• Hours: 3 days/ week (0.6 FTE)
• Location: Hybrid working arrangement based at Somerset House in central London, with flexibility and some travel within the UK.
• Benefits:
  • 25 days annual leave + bank holidays + ability to buy additional holiday
  • Pension (Employer Contribution 8% + a further 4% where the employee contributes 4%
  • Life Assurance
  • Post probation - Private health and dental insurance 

Making an Application

To apply for this role, please submit your application below before midnight Sunday 22nd February 2026. Please include a one-page cover letter covering the following questions

• What are the main challenges you think Figurative will have to navigate within this phase of development
• What are the most important messages to convey to existing and potential stakeholders about Figurative’s mission and motivations?

First interviews will be held virtually on Wednesday 4th March 2026.

Second interviews will be held in person in our London offices on Thursday 12th March 2026.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage those who are underrepresented in the investment sector to apply.

Please note that we actively screen for AI-generated applications. We are looking for authentic, personal responses that reflect your own experiences and motivations.

I look forward to hearing from you

Francesa Sanderson

CEO