Senior major gifts fundraiser jobs

There when it matters

About the role:

This role will develop and maintain relationships with trusts, foundations and statutory funders through updates and other bespoke communications in order to maximise income.

You will create funding applications which result in significant five- and six-figure gifts in support of Sue Ryder’s vision and mission. Monitor and report progress towards income targets and other agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

About you:

• Experience of maintaining relationships with funders and designing and implementing tailored donor care and stewardship plans.
• Experience of researching new prospects and of developing pipelines of activity.
• Experience of working with Senior Managers/Directors and committee members.
• Experience of Raiser’s Edge or a similar customer relationship management system and maintaining accurate records.
• A collaborative team player with strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Essential Criteria:

• Significant experience of securing income from trusts and foundations over £50,000.
• Experience of producing high quality applications and updates for donors giving at the five and six- figure funding level.
• Experience of producing budgets suitable for five- and six- figure funding requests.
• Experience of cultivating prospects, initiating conversations and planning and hosting service visits with donors.

Sue Ryder is here to make sure everyone approaching the end of their life or living with grief can access the support they need. There is no one size fits all when it comes to how we cope and the help we need, but with our support, no one has to face dying or grief alone.

Benefits
• Company pension scheme
• 27 days holiday - rising to 33 with length of service plus bank holidays
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Enhanced sick pay
• Employee Networks - LGBTQ+, Ethnic Diversity and Equality, People with Disabilities, and Women and Non Binary Individuals
• Staff discount of 10% on new goods online
• Structured induction programme and learning and development opportunities.

We actively encourage applications from people from all backgrounds to help us to provide the best possible experience for the people who use our services and continue to make Sue Ryder a great place to work, and attract and recruit the best, most diverse workforce possible.
We are particularly interested in increasing applications from the global majority, LGBTQIA+ and people with disabilities as they are currently underrepresented in our organisation.

For more information on our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion work, please visit our website.

If you want more than just a job, we want you.
Join the team and be there when it matters.

Closing date: 27 March 2026
Interviews: CV’s reviewed as received

We reserve the right to close this advert prior to the closing date should we feel we have a sufficient number of suitable applications.

Salary: £52,000 per annum.

Location: Hybrid Work Culture. We are proud to promote a truly hybrid work culture, recognising that every role is different, and everyone has unique needs and preferences. Our Hybrid Work Arrangement empowers each team member to work with their manager to choose the most effective way to work that balances your needs and Hospice UK’s.

For this role, we expect someone to come into the office for two or more days a week. One of those days would be a Tuesday when Income Generation & Grants colleagues come into the office. You can work remotely for the rest of the time, but equally, you may prefer to work from the office full-time. You can discuss your preferences as they meet our business needs with your line manager at the start of your employment. You will also need to be available for some out of hours events in the evenings.

Contractually this role is London-based.

Contract: Permanent.  Full time role - 35 hours per week.

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days after 2 years (+ an extra 10 days on each 5th year). Pro rata for part time hours
• Matched pension scheme up to 7% of salary
• Healthcare plan
• Support for staff with caring responsibilities
• Family-friendly culture

How to apply: CV and supporting statement - using Hospice UK’s supporting statement document – available on our website to download.

Closing date for applications: 10:00am on Sunday 29 March 2026.

Job Information:

The Role

This is an exciting time to join Hospice UK!  We are growing significantly as a charity and our brand awareness and profile has never been higher. 

You will have already proven you can raise significant funds from trusts and foundations and are now looking to develop your skillset and deepen your experience in an exciting new role. This is a great opportunity if you are ambitious and have the passion to excel. Hybrid working is part of the deal too, so you will be looking to work between time in the office and home.

As our Senior Philanthropy Manager we see you maximising the capacity of our well-established portfolio of warm trusts and foundations of all sizes via bespoke proposals and relationship management. You’ll also be developing exciting new business opportunities as we continue to grow our ambitious but achievable targets, with major income already pledged for future years. 

You will have the chance to work with large funders like the National Lottery, Wolfson Foundation, Masonic Charitable Foundation and others. You’ll be writing complex applications to secure new, multi-year income for interesting and fundable projects, as well as growing our pipeline of unrestricted income for the charity.

You will also be supporting the Head of Philanthropy and Philanthropy Manager (major donors) as well as line-managing the Philanthropy Assistant.

The Team

We are a supportive and collaborative team of four, focussed on delivering over £1.5M per year from trusts and major donors. Hospice UK offers a vibrant and rewarding work environment with a great culture of sharing, learning, social activities, and regular meet-ups. We work collaboratively, support each other, commiserate our failures and celebrate our successes!

At Hospice UK you will have the structure, support and opportunities to develop a stellar track-record and work towards your career goals. We pride ourselves as one of the best in the sector for providing excellent development and training opportunities for our fundraisers.

About You

You are a positive, creative, and proactive individual who embraces the challenge of a diverse portfolio. With success in cultivating new relationships, as well as managing existing donors, you will have the drive to succeed as a self-starter with excellent written and verbal communication skills. You’ll already have great database and prospect research skills, and pride yourself on your organisation and attention to detail. 

You will be able to quickly form relationships with internal and external partners, and act as a representative for Hospice UK. You will have a track record of generating income and hitting your targets through high quality applications and excellent reporting and account management.

More information is available in the candidate information pack, which is available on our website to download.

Head of Principal Gifts
Employer: University of Manchester
Salary: £59,966 to £71,566, depending on experience with scope to go beyond for an exceptional candidate
Location: Hybrid working, Manchester

We are looking for our new Head of Principal Gifts to work with our highest level of donors, securing principal gifts in support of the University of Manchester's key priorities - gifts that are truly transformational and enable us to tackle some of the world's greatest challenges.

We're taking our big gift fundraising to the next level with the launch of a dedicated Principal Gifts programme, and we're looking for someone to play a key role in shaping that transformation, building deep, lasting relationships with top-level donors in the UK and internationally.

With our inspirational new strategy in place and our first-ever university-wide philanthropic campaign, CHALLENGE ACCEPTED, launched in November 2025, this is a pivotal moment for Manchester and for your career.

Reporting to the Deputy Director, Principal Gifts, you'll be joining a brilliant, values-driven team with a fantastic pipeline of prospects, strong existing relationships, and academics who are fully engaged in what we're building together.

Great things happen at The University of Manchester every day - from finding new treatments for cancer and discovering wonder materials like Nobel Prize-winning graphene, to providing life-changing scholarships and influencing government policy to help the world's poorest people. This is the work your fundraising will make possible.

If you're a major gifts or big gift fundraiser ready to make your mark at a world-renowned institution and take that next career-defining step, we'd love to hear from you.

Closing date: Midnight on Monday 20 April 2026

Interested?

Please familiarise yourself with the attached Candidate Pack.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter.

The University of Manchester is partnering with Constellate Global Talent on this search. No agencies please.

Job title: Head of Principal Gifts
Employer: Imperial College London
Salary: £69,365 to £79,257 per annum
Location: White City, London W12 (Hybrid)

About the role:

Are you a fundraiser looking for a new challenge at the highest levels of philanthropy? Are you looking to transition into the field of principal gifts?

Here at Imperial College, we are recruiting a Head of Principal Gifts to join our brilliant and growing team. This is a new position, part of an expansion of our Advancement Division.

What you will be doing:

As Head of Principal Gifts, you will play a transformative role in securing the philanthropic investments that drive groundbreaking discoveries, life-changing innovations and sustainable solutions. Your work will directly impact fields critical to shaping the future – from climate resilience and AI to global health and business innovation. You will have the opportunity to work with amazing colleagues driven to tackle some of the most difficult problems facing society. 

At Imperial, philanthropy has the power to change lives. In this role, you'll be at the heart of that - cultivating relationships with high-net-worth individuals and like-minded stakeholders, and helping drive our most ambitious fundraising and alumni engagement campaign to date.

Working closely with the Director of Development: Principal Gifts and Global, you'll lead on gifts that are genuinely complex and career-defining in scale.

What we are looking for:

We're looking for someone entrepreneurial and ambitious: a natural relationship-builder who thrives in complexity, navigates ambiguity with confidence, and knows how to bring the right people together at the right moment. If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you.

What we can offer you:

• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to use science for humanity.
• Benefit from a sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days’ annual leave and generous pension schemes).
• Access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy from day one, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and cycle-to-work scheme.
• Interest-free season ticket loan schemes for travel.
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

About Imperial

Welcome to Imperial, a global top ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact.

Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, we navigate some of the world’s toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.

As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you’ll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network.

This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you’ll join us at Imperial.

Our culture

We work towards equality of opportunity, eliminating discrimination and creating an inclusive working environment. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities. You can read more about our commitment on our webpages.

Our values are at the heart of everything we do and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate respect, collaboration, excellence, integrity and innovation.

Further Information

This is one of two exceptional opportunities to join our dynamic team. As we continue to expand our international presence, we are recruiting for the following role:

• Head of Global Development, Asia

Each of these roles offers a unique opportunity to shape our strategic direction and build impactful partnerships.

Closing date: Midnight on Thursday 16 April 2026.

Interested?

Please familiarise yourself with the attached Candidate Pack.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter.

Imperial is partnering with Erin Hall-Westfall and Joanna Logan of Constellate Global Talent on this search.

No agencies please.

Location: Options for role to be site-based (Buckinghamshire or East Yorkshire) or a hybrid contract with regular UK travel for donor meetings and team events.
Salary: £60,000 per annum.
Contract: Permanent, full-time hours. 

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, whose mission is to see a time when no deaf person feels alone, is seeking a Principal Gifts Manager responsible for identifying, cultivating and stewarding high-value donors to the charity giving £100,000 plus.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People has been creating life-changing partnerships between hearing dogs and deaf recipients since 1982. As well as acting as an ear to their partners and alerting them to sounds, the charity’s clever and expertly trained dogs help deaf people to live life with confidence and independence, whilst providing love, companionship and emotional support.

Following a strategic review, the charity is now looking to build a new Income Generation Directorate to enable it to transform many more lives across the UK. This role will be critical to help Hearing Dogs reach their goals to significantly grow and diversify income.

Reporting to the Head of Philanthropy, the post-holder will work closely with senior leaders, trustees and senior stakeholders to solicit high-value gifts, typically of six and seven figures, and to build and deepen long-term relationships between donors and the charity. You will be responsible for developing and managing a portfolio of potential and current principal-level donors, as well as delivering exceptional stewardship journeys that demonstrate the impact and value of donor support.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record in securing major gifts at the six-figure level or above, ideally in a principal or transformational giving context. You will be skilled at building and maintaining strong, long-term relationships with high-net-worth individuals, as well as being experienced at developing and delivering complex donor strategies and bespoke giving propositions. Finally, you must be a collaborative team player with strong project management and communication skills.

This is an exceptional opportunity to play a leading role in scaling transformational philanthropy at a charity which is changing people’s lives every day, where you have the flexibility of working remotely or spending time at Hearing Dogs’ stunning bases in Buckinghamshire or Yorkshire, with friendly and passionate staff and their four-legged friends.

If you want to lead the pack and help deaf people live well with hearing loss, please download our Candidate Pack for further information [PDF], which includes details on how to apply.

Closing date: Monday 6th April, 9.00 am. 

Senior Fundraiser – Individual Giving & Supporter Relations

Maternity Leave Cover
 

Location: Hemel Hempstead (flexible hybrid working)
Contract: Fixed term
Hours: Part-time, 22.5 hrs/week
Salary: FTE c.£35,000

 About the Role

We’re looking for an experienced Fundraiser to provide maternity cover and ensure the smooth delivery of our Individual Giving programme. In this key role, you’ll help maintain stable income and deliver essential activity across our Individual Giving strategy.

You’ll manage a broad portfolio including Individual Donations, Regular Giving, Mid‑Level Gifts and Appeals, ensuring strong stewardship and supporter engagement to maximise retention and long‑term value.

A major part of the role involves leading on appeals and campaigns - using supporter data and insight to shape activity, track performance, and apply learning to enhance supporter experience and improve ROI. This is a hands-on role suited to someone confident in campaign management, data analysis, and building meaningful donor relationships.

 About You

You’re an experienced relationship fundraiser with a strong record of meeting income targets and delivering successful Individual Giving activity. You know how to use data and insight to shape campaigns, deepen engagement, and maximise results. You excel at creating compelling appeals and supporter journeys that strengthen relationships and build long-term value.

A persuasive and collaborative communicator, you quickly build trust with colleagues, supporters, and partners. Proactive, organised, and adaptable, you thrive in a fast-paced environment and take pride in delivering excellent supporter experience and meaningful impact.

Why Join Us?

You’ll join a supportive, collaborative Fundraising Team that lives our “One Team, One Goal” ethos. Every contribution is valued, and you’ll be encouraged to grow and thrive.

At DENS, we support local people facing homelessness, poverty and social exclusion. In this role, you’ll help generate the income that makes this work possible and see the impact of your efforts in our community.

How to Apply

Please read the full Job Description & Person Specification. If you meet the criteria, we’d love to hear from you.

Fill in the DENS Application Form including your Supporting Statement. 

This role remains open until a suitable candidate has been appointed. 

No agencies please.

Senior Philanthropy & Partnerships Manager

We are seeking an experienced Senior Philanthropy & Partnerships Manager to lead high value fundraising and build transformational relationships with major donors and partners.

Position: Senior Manager, Philanthropy & Partnerships
Salary: £46,000 per annum
Location: Remote within the UK with occasional travel
Hours: Full time
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 5:00pm on Thursday 2nd April 2026. (We reserve the right to close the role early should a suitable applicant be found)
 

About the Role

This senior fundraising role leads the strategy and delivery of high value income including major donors, trusts and foundations, and corporate partnerships.

You will manage key relationships, develop compelling funding proposals and lead strategic collaborations that generate significant income and long term impact.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and delivering strategy for high value fundraising streams
• Managing and growing a portfolio of major donors, trusts and corporate partners
• Developing partnership proposals and cases for support
• Leading stewardship plans to secure long term partnerships
• Identifying and pursuing new high value funding opportunities
• Leading and developing colleagues within the fundraising team
• Working with senior leadership to support organisational income strategy
• Ensuring effective reporting, compliance and pipeline management

About You

You will be a senior fundraiser with a strong track record in securing major gifts and developing strategic partnerships.

You will bring:

• Significant experience in high value fundraising or partnerships
• Proven success securing large gifts or strategic partnerships
• Strong relationship management and influencing skills
• Experience developing fundraising strategy and income plans
• Ability to lead and develop teams
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills

About the Organisation

This organisation works in partnership with Indigenous and local communities to protect rainforests and tackle the climate crisis. By supporting community led conservation and providing practical resources, they help protect vital ecosystems while strengthening resilience against environmental threats.

Other roles you may have experience of could include; Head of Philanthropy, Major Gifts Manager, Partnerships Manager, Trusts and Foundations Manager, Head of Fundraising, Development Manager.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People.

This is an exceptional opportunity at one of the world's most prestigious universities at a time of extraordinary ambition and philanthropic momentum. 

Associate Director of Development – Principal Gifts
Employer: University of Oxford
Salary: £65,336 - £82,255 with scope to go beyond for a leading professional with outstanding experience and track record
Location: Oxford (Hybrid)

Here at the University of Oxford, we are recruiting three Associate Directors of Development – Principal Gifts to join our incredible team. These are new positions, part of an expansion of our friendly, collaborative and successful Principal Gifts team.

As Associate Director of Development – Principal Gifts, you will operate at the highest levels of the University to secure transformational gifts at the eight-figure-plus level, advancing Oxford’s mission and global impact.  Your work will help ensure that Oxford continues to attract the brightest minds, pursue world-leading research, and address the most urgent challenges facing humanity.

You will work closely with the Vice-Chancellor, Chief Development and Alumni Engagement Officer, Director of Development – Principal Gifts, and other senior leaders to align principal gift opportunities with institutional priorities and articulate a compelling case for support to some of the world’s most significant philanthropists.

Your impact will be enduring – enabling breakthrough discoveries, expanding opportunity for students, and strengthening Oxford’s position as a global leader in education and research.  The Associate Director of Development role offers the chance not only to secure transformational gifts, but also to shape the future of Oxford’s philanthropic culture and leave a legacy at an institution that has been changing the world for over nine centuries.

This is a chance to join a dedicated, professional and ambitious team at a time when Oxford’s fundraising is at unprecedented levels. With strong support from the Vice-Chancellor, a proven track record of principal gift success, and an unparalleled global reputation, you will have every opportunity to make your mark, both at Oxford and in your career.

You will be passionate about what we do here, not phased by complexity and ambiguity, and comfortable orchestrating a myriad of stakeholders.  We hope to hear from you!

The University of Oxford is partnering with Erin Hall-Westfall and Joanna Logan of Constellate Global Talent on this search.

Closing date: midnight on Monday, 6 April 2026.

Interested?

Please familiarise yourself with the attached Candidate Pack.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter.

Diversity and Inclusivity

The University of Oxford is committed to equal opportunity, and to being a place where everyone belongs and is supported to succeed. We recognise how the diversity of our community enriches our ability to deliver on our academic mission.

We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds, including those under-represented within higher education. No applicant or members of staff shall be unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

No agencies please

Senior Legacy Officer

Location: Manchester (Northern Quarter) or London
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £32967.34 - £41740.90 
Closing Date: Monday 6th April 2026
Interviews: w/c 7th April 2026

About us

Centrepoint, the UK’s leading youth homelessness charity, is looking for a Senior Legacy Officer to join our Individual Giving and Legacies team.

We support over 16,000 young people each year by providing accommodation, health support and life skills to help them move on from homelessness. Our ambition is to end youth homelessness by 2037.

Our fundraising teams play a vital role in making this happen, with legacy giving forming an increasingly important part of our long-term, sustainable income.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering Centrepoint’s growing legacy programme, helping to generate over £2.5m annually and supporting our wider fundraising ambitions.

You’ll lead on the development and delivery of impactful legacy marketing campaigns, inspiring supporters to leave a gift in their Will and helping to build meaningful, long-term relationships.

Working collaboratively across teams, you’ll create compelling supporter journeys, use insight and data to drive performance, and manage agency relationships to deliver high-quality, multi-channel campaigns.

This role can be based in either our London or Manchester office.

What you’ll be doing

• Delivering multi-channel legacy marketing campaigns (direct mail, digital, telemarketing and paid media)
• Developing and optimising supporter journeys to increase engagement and legacy pledges
• Using data, insight and a test-and-learn approach to improve campaign performance
• Managing relationships with external agencies and suppliers
• Collaborating with internal teams including Data & Insight, Communications and Supporter Care
• Monitoring budgets and ensuring campaigns deliver against KPIs
• Supporting the development of in-memory giving products and stewardship approaches

About you

We’re looking for a creative and data-driven fundraiser who understands the sensitivity and impact of legacy giving.

You will have:

• Experience in legacy, direct marketing or relationship fundraising
• Strong knowledge of supporter journeys and campaign delivery
• Experience managing external agencies and delivering campaigns end-to-end
• The ability to analyse data and translate insight into action
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• A proactive, collaborative approach with a passion for innovation

Most importantly, you’ll have a genuine commitment to supporting young people and helping to end youth homelessness.

Why join Centrepoint?

In return for your efforts, you’ll receive:

• 25 days annual leave (rising to 27 days)
• Healthcare cash plan and private medical insurance
• Employer pension contribution (5%)
• Income protection
• Cycle to Work scheme and interest-free travel loan
• Ongoing training and development opportunities

We operate a hybrid working model, with a minimum of 50% office attendance (typically 2–3 days per week).

Our commitment to inclusion

At Centrepoint, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, including those with lived experience of homelessness.

Using AI in your application

We recognise that some candidates may choose to use AI tools  to support their application. While this is fine, we encourage you to ensure your application reflects your own skills, experience and motivations. Applications that appear overly generic or not tailored to the role may not be progressed.

Apply now

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to join our team as a Senior Legacy Officer — click Apply now.

JUSTICE is looking to recruit a new Director of Development to join our friendly, outcome-focused, values-led team. This is a permanent role and provides an exciting opportunity for someone who is an experienced fundraiser who is able to provide strategic direction as well as get into the nitty gritty, when needed. 

We are looking for an individual who has an interest in the purpose of the charity (to improve the UK justice system so that it is fair and within everyone’s reach). The successful post holder will be a confident leader who has worked as a senior fundraiser in previous roles and someone who enjoys autonomy and is able to lead and empower their team. 

This role will really suit someone who thrives in a role where no two days are the same and who wants to be part of the effort to grow our small but mighty charity. 

The Director of Development will lead the organisation’s income generation strategy to support its work to advance legal reform, human rights and the rule of law. The role is responsible for diversifying, growing and achieving income through existing income streams, including: trusts and foundations, major donors, giving circles (JUSTICE60 and NextGen J60), corporate partnerships, membership as well as seeking out and creating new streams.

By working closely with the Chief Executive and senior leadership team, the Director will build long-term, strong relationships with funders and partners, strengthen the organisation’s case for support and ensure fundraising is aligned with the charity’s strategic priorities.

If this sounds like something you’d be interested in and something you would enjoy doing, please do apply!

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

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

This is a remote working role.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMPORTANT NOTE

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

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

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

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

Senior Development Executive – Department of Economics

University of Oxford

Location: Oxford, UK with some hybrid working options

Permanent and full-time role

Salary: Grade 8 role with a salary range of £49,119 - £58,265 pa, with possible extension to £63,489 (including an Oxford University Weighting of £1,730 per year, pro rata)

This is an exceptional career opportunity to help deliver philanthropic support that creates knowledge, shapes policy and inspires future leaders.

The University of Oxford’s Department of Economics is home to one of the largest and most diverse groups of academic economists.  With strong policy impact, outstanding academic programmes and world-class research tackling issues from climate change and improving refugee resettlement to AI and reducing unemployment, Oxford is a global centre of excellence in economics.

As a Department we aim to produce transformative and innovative economic research; to have a sustained impact on economic policy outside academia; and to develop and train the next generation of researchers and research leaders. Our goal is always to create a stimulating, supportive and collaborative environment that allows researchers and research groups to pursue cutting-edge agendas. A priority is to achieve this within an inclusive and diverse department.

The Department sits within the University’s Social Sciences Division, which is proud to be the home of some of the most creative and innovative scientific thinkers and leaders working in academe.  You could be helping to deliver philanthropic support that helps to fund breakthroughs in research with positive global impact.  If this sounds like the kind of challenge you’ve been looking for, please read on.

The opportunity
Philanthropy has played a key role in enabling the ambitions of the Social Sciences Division and wider University, and we are seeking a talented fundraiser who is excited by the opportunity to  raise money to support the very best academics and ensure that an Oxford education in economics is accessible to exceptional students from around the world, regardless of financial means.  Oxford will shortly be embarking on the public phase of a multi-billion campaign – the most ambitious in higher education outside North America  .  This could be your opportunity to help the brightest students, academics and researchers develop interventions and solutions that protect and improve the lives of people everywhere, at a career defining moment in the higher education sector in the UK.

Working closely with the Head of Development – Social Sciences and the senior leadership of the Department of Economics, as well as some of the most inspiring academics and researchers in the world, you will forge relationships with existing and new donors to the department.  You will have the support of excellent colleagues across Oxford as well as the wider Development & Alumni Engagement office.

About you
You are a skilled major gifts specialist with a proven track record of successfully building and  managing portfolios of relationships with individual and corporate donors and prospects with the capacity to give in the £100k - £1m+ range.  Bringing creativity and a proactive and entrepreneurial spirit, you enjoy working collaboratively with colleagues to identify and design engagement opportunities, and securing philanthropic gifts.  The foundations of your success include your:

· track record of securing philanthropic gifts at the six-figure level or more

· gravitas and innate ability to establish trust and credibility with stakeholders at all levels

· highly developed interpersonal skills, diplomacy and negotiation skills

· ability to lead through ambiguity by shaping, designing, and delivering transformative initiatives

You do not need an academic or professional background in economics – we’re more interested in someone with intellectual curiosity and a passion for engaging philanthropy to drive positive change in the world.

In return
Your happiness and wellbeing at work matters to us, so we offer a range of family friendly and financial benefits including:

· Flexible hybrid working

· An excellent contributory pension scheme

· 38 days annual leave

· Membership to CASE

· Training and development opportunities

· A comprehensive range of childcare services

· Family leave schemes

· Cycle loan scheme

· Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

· Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loan

You could be helping to deliver philanthropic support that funds breakthroughs in science and improve lives around the world. If this sounds like the kind of challenge you’ve been looking for, we’d love to hear from you.

We are partnering with Richmond Associates for this search.  To request a copy of the candidate information pack and to apply, please visit their website by following the Apply button, or contact them on +44 (0)20 3617 9240.

Closing date for applications is 9AM, Monday, 6 April 2026
Interviews with the University of Oxford are scheduled to take place from late April 2026.

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

We have created an exciting new position in our UK team for an ambitious and confident relationship fundraiser to contribute to ambitious fundraising targets and enable Human Practice Foundation’s (HPF) impactful education programmes.  Working closely with the UK Country Manager, 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, through compelling, donor-centred approaches and excellent stewardship. 

We are seeking a motivated, creative and confident individual, who thrives on getting out and about and meeting with supporters and can work proactively within a small team.You will have experience of securing gifts from high net-worth individuals making gifts privately or through family trusts, donor advised funds and corporations.

We welcome applicants from within and outside the charity sector. 

About the Human Practice Foundation

Founded in 2014 in Denmark, the Human Practice Foundation works in some of the most marginalised regions in Nepal and Kenya, where poverty and lack of opportunity keep children from reaching their potential. Our goal is simple but powerful: to empower children through education, so they can shape a better future for themselves and their communities. We take a long-term, holistic approach to this goal. Through our Child Empowerment Model, we build and upgrade school infrastructure, train teachers, support parents in creating sustainable incomes, and help students bridge the gap between education and employment. Every project is co-designed with local communities and aligned with public authorities, ensuring it meets real needs and builds lasting ownership.

Our supporters and the communities HPF works with deserve complete transparency about donations and how funds are spent. Thanks to the support of a group of Founding Partners who cover all administrative costs, 100% of project donations go directly to our programmes.

Conditions and Benefits:  

• Salary: £24,000 - £27,000 (£40,000 - £45,000 FTE) 

• Part time (3 days/week).
• 27 days holiday (pro rata) + bank holidays

• Remote working/home-based, accessible for travel to London for meetings. Occasional travel to Copenhagen.

• Flexibility to work outside of normal ‘office’ hours for events and meetings.
• Reports to UK Country Manager. 

• Works closely with other colleagues across HPF and with committed and well-connected HPF Boards. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Donor Identification, solicitation and management 

• Work with the UK Country Manager to grow the donor portfolio in the UK by identifying prospects, building relationships and secure gifts from high net-worth individuals and other philanthropic donors. 

• Identify and deliver unique stewardship and cultivation opportunities for donors.

• Manage a portfolio of major donors through various personalised approaches, including face-to-face meetings, phone calls, events and written and verbal communications. 

• Ensure excellent and timely response to enquiries and stewardship and acknowledgement of gifts. 

Events coordination 

• Work with the UK Country Manager to help shape and deliver events and other engagement opportunities to generate income, cultivate and steward donors. 

• Take responsibility for tailored and timely event follow-up to maximise relationships and using learnings and data from past events to develop donor engagement, referrals and gifts. 

Research, communications and administration  

• Research potential new donors and funding streams.

• Support the production of proposals, pitches, reports and general supporter communications. 

• Use Salesforce to manage the accurate recording of interactions and progression related to all donor relationships 

• Provide executive assistance to the UK Country Manager and senior stakeholders in relation to scheduling supporter meetings, drafting communications and provision of information to underpin successful supporter engagement. 

• Maintain strong knowledge and understanding of HPF’s programmes. 

• Carry out administrative activities and other duties, as required, to maximise fundraising. 

Skills, Qualifications and Experience 

• Experience developing relationships with and securing funding from high-net-worth individuals and other philanthropic donors. 

• Entrepreneurial approach to relationship management and creating new fundraising initiatives. 

• Experience in coordination and delivery of bespoke, high-quality events for influential audiences. 

• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills, and a proactive networker, able to act as a spokesperson and ambassador for HPF. 

• Experience of writing inspiring, emotive, and technically fundraising communications and materials tailored to a major donor audience. 

• Exceptional organisational and time management skills to prioritise and manage own workload. 

• Results driven self-starter, able to operate independently and under pressure, whilst also able to engage meaningfully in a virtual team. 

• The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues at all levels, across multiple teams and geographies. 

• Strong IT skills, including an understanding of CRM systems. 

• Strong affinity with HPF mission, values and approach.  

Desirable: 

• Experience working in an international organisation. 

• Experience working with a fundraising board or high value committee. 

• Experience of working closely with and reporting to Boards of Trustees. 

• Experience using Salesforce, or another fundraising database. 

Operation Smile is an international medical charity specialising in cleft surgery and care for babies, children and adults. Since 1982, the organisation has transformed lives through safe surgery and comprehensive cleft care, while strengthening local health systems through training, education and partnerships

Operating in more than 30 countries, Operation Smile raises around $100m globally each year. Operation Smile UK plays a vital role within this international network as a fundraising office, working closely with Operation Smile Inc. to fund programmes and support medical volunteers delivering care around the world.

The organisation is entering an exciting phase of development through its Operation 100 strategy, which focuses on strengthening surgical systems by supporting district hospitals closer to the communities they serve. This approach creates compelling opportunities for philanthropy, enabling donors to support highly tangible, life-changing interventions while helping build sustainable surgical capacity in low-resource settings.

Operation Smile UK has a strong individual giving programme and well-established relationships with corporate partners, trusts and institutional donors. Major donor fundraising, however, is still developing, presenting significant untapped potential and an exciting opportunity to help build a structured and sustainable philanthropy programme.

Operation Smile UK is now seeking a Philanthropy Manager to help grow major donor fundraising, building new philanthropic relationships and expanding support from HNWIs.

As Philanthropy Manager, you will:

• Develop and implement Operation Smile UK’s major donor strategy alongside the Director of Partnerships
• Identify and cultivate new major donor prospects through research, networking (internally and externally) and peer-to-peer introductions through supporters and board members
• Steward a small but warm portfolio of existing donors while focusing primarily on developing new prospects, delivering full lifecycle stewardship from cultivation through to long-term relationship management
• Develop compelling restricted funding propositions aligned with programmes, including geographically or thematically focused projects
• Lead cultivation activity including donor meetings, proposals, events and programme visits
• Represent Operation Smile UK confidently with major donors, prospects and senior stakeholders
• Contribute to the continued development of philanthropy fundraising within the wider Partnerships team
• Occasionally travel internationally to visit programmes and accompany donors, providing first-hand insight into Operation Smile’s impact

Essential skills and experience:

• Experience in major donor fundraising with a track record of securing five-figure+ gifts from HNWIs
• Experience managing the full lifecycle of major donor fundraising, from prospecting and cultivation through to solicitation and stewardship
• Strong prospect research and pipeline development skills, including identifying and developing new donor relationships from cold
• Experience and confidence in building rapport and trust with prospective major donors
• Experience engaging trustees, senior volunteers and colleagues in fundraising and leveraging networks for peer-to-peer introductions
• Confidence and credibility when representing an organisation to HNWIs and senior stakeholders
• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to champion major donor fundraising in a collaborative and thoughtful way across the organisation
• A proactive, self-starting approach and the ability to identify and develop opportunities within a growing fundraising programme

Desirable:

• Experience in international development or global health fundraising
• Experience helping to develop a major donor programme from a low base or early stage

We are open to receiving applications from early career major donor fundraisers for this role. The role offers an opportunity to work alongside an experienced Director of Partnerships who has previously built major donor programmes and is committed to supporting the successful candidate through coaching and mentoring.

Employee benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave, excluding bank holidays, with 1-day additional holiday each year to a maximum of 30 days annual leave
• 6.1% employer pension contribution
• Enhanced maternity package (min. 24 months service)
• Employee Assistance Programme

Operation Smile UK are 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.

Operation Smile UK are a Disability Confident Committed employer, so we guarantee an interview to any disabled applicant who meets the minimum requirements for the job.