Senior major gifts manager jobs

This is a rare opportunity to join the Scottish Wildlife Trust at a transformative time and play a leading role in one of our most ambitious fundraising initiatives.

For over 60 years, the Trust has championed healthy, resilient ecosystems across Scotland’s land and seas.

We are now creating the role of Major Gifts Manager. Joining our Development Team, and managing our Development Officer, you will lead philanthropic giving, with a particular focus on securing the Inverbroom Endowment – a multi-million pound campaign to safeguard the long-term future of our newest and largest wildlife reserve.

Working closely with an external fundraising agency, senior staff and volunteer leaders, you will manage and grow a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals, secure major gifts (including six-figures and above), and develop compelling cases for support that bring complex conservation challenges to life.

We are looking for a confident fundraiser with at least five years’ experience in philanthropy, ideally within the environmental NGO sector. You will have a strong track record of meeting financial targets, managing prospect pipelines, and stewarding long-term donor relationships.

If you are a confident relationship builder who acts with integrity, thrives on collaboration and wants your work to deliver real, lasting impact for nature, we would love to hear from you.

The University of Oxford aims to lead the world in research and education for the benefit of society both in the UK and globally. Philanthropy plays a critical role in enabling Oxford to maintain and build on its status as a world-class centre of learning.  The Development and Alumni Engagement Office (DAE) at the University of Oxford has been successful in raising funds from a broad, international range of donors. All support enables the University to achieve its key aims of advancing excellence in research and teaching.

Within DAE, the Foundations and Corporations team is a pan-University fundraising team focused on building and maintaining successful philanthropic relationships for the University’s priorities. Funding secured supports posts and key research areas such as the environment, health and societal challenges, as well as scholarship support for postgraduate students. We work closely with our colleagues in specialist fundraising teams as well as those in business partnerships, innovation teams and research services. 

This is an exciting time to join our Development and Alumni engagement team. The role of Senior Development Executive – Foundations and Corporations will support the University to establish and grow new philanthropic relationships with charitable trusts, foundations and corporations across a range of subject areas and themes, from global health and climate change, to civil society and the role of AI. Funding secured will support capital projects, academic posts, innovative research and enable talented students to undertake further studies at Oxford. To achieve this, you will have the support of excellent colleagues across DAE as well as wider academic, departmental and professional service staff at Oxford.

About you

You are an experienced philanthropic fundraiser with a strong track record of securing major gifts, a confident approach and the ability to think creatively. Your ability to build rapport and relationships swiftly will enable you to lead on major gift fundraising (securing donations of £500k-£1m+), working with a range of donors (corporates, trusts and foundations). Your ability to establish credibility and foster trust across a wide range of internal and external stakeholders will be key to your success. Your strong experience of building philanthropic partnerships with organisation donors will be key. Experience of work in higher education is desirable. Above all, you will share Oxford’s mission and be driven to create meaningful impact through philanthropy.

What We Offer

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 health, enables new public policy and interventions, or facilitates education for the next generation of leaders in their fields. If this sounds like the kind of challenge you’ve been looking for, we’d love to hear from you.

Application process:

· Click the link to ‘Apply’ and follow the on-screen instructions. You will be taken to our online Applicant portal.

· Applications should consist of a full CV and a letter of application in your own words, in PDF format (maximum of 2 pages; no AI-written applications, please) outlining your motivations to apply for this role, your relevant experience and how you meet the criteria of the person specification.

Only applications received before 12.00 noon on Tuesday 13 January 2026 can be considered.

Interviews are currently scheduled to take place on Wednesday 21 January 2026, in person in Oxford.

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

Job Title: Senior Philanthropy Manager

Contract: Full-Time (37.5 hours per week), Permanent
Salary: £54,000 – £60,000 per annum (DOE)
Location: London, Whitechapel
Closing Date: 5 January 2026
Interviews: w/c 12 January 2026

Centrepoint, the UK’s leading youth homelessness charity, is looking for a Senior Philanthropy Manager to join our Fundraising team based in London.

About us

We help vulnerable young people by giving them the practical and emotional support they need to find a job and live independently. Centrepoint provides homeless young people with accommodation, health support and life skills so they can move into education, training and employment. Our ambition is to end youth homelessness by 2037.

Together with our partners, we support over 16,000 young people each year.

About the role

This is a senior leadership role within Centrepoint’s Relationship Fundraising team and a key driver of our future growth.

Following four years of sustained success, our philanthropy programme now generates over £1.3m per year, with a clear ambition to double income over the next three years. This role has been created to lead that next phase of growth.

You’ll lead the Philanthropy team, developing and delivering a clear strategy to grow and diversify our high-value donor portfolio. Alongside line managing and developing a team of Philanthropy Managers, you’ll personally steward and secure transformational gifts, including six-figure donations and multi-year commitments, while working closely with senior stakeholders across the organisation.

This role plays a critical part in delivering Centrepoint’s mission to end youth homelessness by 2037.

Centrepoint operates a hybrid working model

The current requirement is a minimum of two days per week in the office, increasing to 50% of your working week from 1 July 2025. For most full-time colleagues, this means attending the office for five days over a two-week period (e.g. two days one week and three days the next). This will be adjusted accordingly for colleagues on part-time or compressed hours contracts.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading the development and implementation of Centrepoint’s philanthropy strategy, aligned to organisational growth ambitions

• Managing and developing a high-performing Philanthropy team

• Personally stewarding and soliciting major donors, securing gifts at £100k+ and multi-year commitments

• Growing and diversifying the high-value donor pipeline, including cultivation of new HNWI prospects

• Overseeing income and expenditure budgets, setting targets and monitoring performance

• Working collaboratively across Fundraising and the wider organisation to maximise donor engagement and impact

• Ensuring excellent stewardship, compliance and use of fundraising systems and data

About you

You’ll be an experienced major gifts professional with a strong track record of success, including:

• Proven experience leading or managing a major gifts / philanthropy team

• Securing major donor gifts at £100k+ and building long-term donor relationships

• Developing and delivering income growth strategies with measurable results

• Strong leadership capability, with a commitment to developing and motivating others

• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with credibility at a senior level

• A strong understanding of the philanthropic landscape and best practice

Most importantly, you’ll be motivated by Centrepoint’s mission and the impact philanthropy can have on ending youth homelessness.

Why join Centrepoint?

In return for your efforts you’ll receive a competitive salary, excellent training and development, and a wide range of benefits including:

• 25 days annual leave per year, rising to 27 with service

• Healthcare cash plan (including dental, optical and alternative therapies)

• Private medical insurance

• Income protection

• Employer pension contribution of 5%

• Cycle to Work scheme

• Interest-free travel loan

At Centrepoint we challenge the discrimination within society that contributes to youth homelessness and are equally committed to fairness and inclusion within our organisation. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, including those with lived experience of homelessness.

Senior Development Manager
Location: London (Hybrid working) 20% office, 80% remote or in donor meetings
Salary: £56,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent, full time (38.5 hours per week)

At UWC International, we believe education can be a force for peace and a sustainable future. Through our global network of schools and colleges, we bring together young people from over 150 countries and backgrounds, offering life-changing educational opportunities to those who might otherwise never access them.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Development Manager to play a central role in delivering UWC’s 2030 Strategy, securing the philanthropic support that underpins scholarships, long-term sustainability and global impact.

About the role
This is a senior, donor-facing fundraising role focused on major gifts and strategic donor engagement. You will manage a personal portfolio of high-net-worth individuals, foundations and other key supporters, securing significant gifts and building long-term relationships aligned with UWC’s mission.

You will work closely with the Director of Development and Funded Programmes, senior leadership, and colleagues across prospect research and operations. Alongside delivering against ambitious income targets, you will help shape mid-level giving activity and may deputise on key fundraising priorities.

This role offers the opportunity to combine hands-on portfolio management with strategic thinking, within an international organisation operating at scale.

About you
You will bring:

• Good experience in major gift fundraising and managing high-value donor portfolios.
• A strong record of securing significant gifts, ideally at six or seven figures.
• Confidence building trusted relationships with donors, senior leaders and volunteers.
• Experience developing compelling proposals, stewardship plans and donor communications.
• Strong judgement, organisation and ethical standards in all fundraising activity.

Experience in education, international development or complex stakeholder environments would be welcomed, but is not essential.

What we offer
UWC International offers a supportive and values-led working environment, with benefits including:

• Hybrid working with flexibility around hours and patterns
• 28 days annual leave plus public holidays
• Enhanced pension contribution
• Income protection and comprehensive wellbeing support
• Learning and development opportunities
• Paid volunteering or study leave
• The chance to work within a truly international organisation committed to equity and inclusion

If you are an experienced major gifts fundraiser looking to apply your skills to a global mission and see the direct impact of your work, we would welcome your application.

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.

The Vacancy

Senior High Value Fundraising Manager

Salary: up to £51,176 (depending on experience) 

Location: Remote with regular travel to London / Downton

Hours: 35 hours per week

Contract: 12 month fixed-term

About the Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior High Value Fundraising Manager to join our Relationship Fundraising team at Help for Heroes. This senior role will shape and lead one of our most strategically important income streams—ensuring we continue delivering life-changing support for veterans and their families.

This senior role is perfect for a confident relationship fundraiser with experience securing major gifts, running high-value campaigns, and delivering impactful special events.

You’ll lead the development and delivery of our high-value giving strategy delivering in excess of £1.2m over the next 12 months, including the £17m No One Left Behind campaign, major donor income, and a new 3-year Special Events strategy. With responsibility for a talented team, you’ll build a strong major donor pipeline, secure 5- and 6-figure gifts, and deliver exceptional supporter experiences.

You’ll collaborate across the organisation to shape compelling proposals, develop high-value communications, support our 20th anniversary plans, and ensure strong financial management and reporting.

As a senior leader, you will inspire, coach and develop your team, fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence and innovation.

About You

We’re looking for a strategic and inspirational leader with:

• Proven experience securing large (6-figure+) gifts from HNWIs
• Successful delivery of multi-million-pound campaigns or major donor programmes
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams
• Strong event leadership experience in income-generating and stewardship events
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication and relationship-building skills
• Confidence managing £1m+ targets, budgets and KPIs
• A flexible, calm and collaborative approach
• Passion for supporting veterans and their families
• Regular travel and some evening/weekend events are required.

About the Team

The Relationship Fundraising team is a key driver of sustainable long-term income for Help for Heroes securing income from Philanthropists, Businesses, Trusts and Foundations, Volunteers and Community partners. You will join a collaborative, passionate and expert team who are committed to delivering transformational support for the Armed Forces community.

In return we can offer you:

• Belonging to a team who make a difference to our community and value equality, diversity and inclusion.
• 29 days’ annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, regardless of service — plus your birthday off to celebrate!
• Opportunity to buy and sell up to 5 days annual leave per year.
• Added to our free health scheme from day one, including discounts on dental, opticians, massages, and more - with the option to upgrade.
• 3 volunteer days per year to support the Help for Heroes community.
• A generous salary sacrifice pension scheme with an 8% employer contribution and a minimum 3% employee contribution, plus life insurance up to 4× salary as an active member.
• Discounts on our branded clothing, including a free Help for Heroes hoody when you complete your induction.

Closing date: 16th January 2026

Please note: We may close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of strong applications.

Are you an exceptional fundraiser who excels at cultivating high-value relationships and securing transformational gifts? Do you enjoy working with senior volunteers and philanthropists who are deeply committed to changing children’s lives?

Step into a pivotal role within one of the UK’s leading philanthropy teams as you lead our flagship Tick Tock Club appeal — inspiring major donors and volunteers to drive extraordinary impact for seriously ill children.

Salary

The salary for this position is £52,526 per annum and we operate a hybrid working policy of a minimum of 2 days per week in the office. 

In line with our EDI strategy and Total Reward policy, we calculate our salaries based on benchmarking data across the charity sector. To ensure fairness for existing staff and new joiners, we do not offer salaries above the advertised rate.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver a personal fundraising target of £1.5m+, securing six- and seven-figure gifts and multi-year commitments from high-net-worth individuals and charitable trusts.
• Lead the £20m Tick Tock Club appeal, shaping strategy and driving one of GOSH Charity’s flagship philanthropic initiatives.
• Recruit, inspire and collaborate with senior volunteers, campaign boards and influential supporters to accelerate high-value fundraising.
• Manage a portfolio of donors and prospects, using insight-led approaches to build long-term engagement and maximise impact.
• Oversee campaign events, communications and tailored proposals, ensuring activity aligns with income targets and delivers an exceptional supporter experience.
• Provide motivating line management to a small team, fostering professional development, wellbeing and high performance.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• A strong track record of securing six- and seven-figure philanthropic gifts.
• Experience partnering with senior volunteers and campaign boards on major fundraising initiatives.
• Strategic leadership skills with the ability to galvanise a team around ambitious goals.
• Exceptional relationship-building, influencing and presentation abilities.
• A creative, solutions-focused mindset with resilience under pressure.

Please refer to the full job description below for more information.

About the team
 

You’ll join our sector-leading Philanthropy team — recognised as one of the most high-performing and respected in the charity sector. We partner with some of the most generous and committed philanthropists in the UK and beyond to transform the lives of seriously ill children.

Our talented and supportive team of 20+ works closely with colleagues across fundraising, clinical, and research teams to create inspiring, high-impact opportunities for supporters. In partnership with senior volunteers and committees, we drive landmark campaigns including the £300 million Build It. Beat It. appeal and the Tick Tock Club, with exciting plans for a major new research-focused campaign on the horizon.

Development Manager - Major Gifts

Location: Kingston upon Thames (Hybrid working - minimum 2-3 days on campus)
Salary: £45,025 per annum
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Closing Date: midday Friday 16 January 2026
Interviews in person: TBC 28 or 29 Jan 2026

Help to shape the future of philanthropy and alumni engagement at Kingston University.

Kingston University is an incredible place to work. For over 125 years, we've been shaping student futures through academic excellence and forward-thinking teaching. Our recent TEF Gold rating reflects our commitment to delivering outstanding education and research. Through our ambitious Town House Strategy, we're embedding a progressive new model of education and driving innovation through partnerships with businesses, communities, and organisations.

The Development, Alumni Relations and Engagement (DARE) team plays a vital role in delivering these ambitions. With a global alumni community of over 270,000, we foster meaningful relationships that drive philanthropic support, unlock partnerships, and enhance the University's reputation and reach.

The Role

As Development Manager - Major Gifts, you will be a senior member of the DARE team, responsible for generating philanthropic income to meet ambitious annual targets. Reporting to the Head of Major Gifts, you will:

• Manage a portfolio of high-value donors (individuals, trusts & foundations, corporates), personally soliciting gifts of £10,000+.
• Support the pipeline of mid-level prospects and help develop ultra-high-net-worth individuals for transformative gifts.
• Deliver against KPIs and income targets, contributing to our goal of growing major giving from £450,000 annually to £1 million within three years.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders and academic leaders, producing compelling proposals and leading donor engagement.

This is a dynamic, outward-facing role requiring excellent relationship-building skills, strategic thinking, and a passion for the impact of fundraising in higher education.

About You

You will be an experienced and driven fundraiser with:

• A proven track record of securing and stewarding four-figure and above gifts.
• Strong influencing and communication skills, with confidence engaging high-profile individuals.
• Experience managing a varied portfolio and achieving ambitious KPIs.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to work across a complex organisation.

Experience in higher education or the charity sector is desirable, but not essential.

Why Join Us?

• Hybrid working (minimum 2-3 days on campus).
• A supportive, ambitious team committed to innovation and impact.
• The opportunity to make a lasting difference to students and the University community.

We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to building an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

Apply now and bring your expertise, passion, and authentic self to Kingston University.
Please share a copy of your profile or CV with Philippa at Charity People as the first step.

Benefits include:

* Generous holiday entitlement of 35 days (from entry at all levels), in addition to bank holidays

* Three 'meeting free' weeks each year to create space for reflection and time to plan for the period ahead

* Flexible working - we can consider and accommodate various work patterns

* Family-friendly policies that support the needs of our employees

* Exceptional professional development opportunities

Key Details
- Location: Kingston upon Thames (Hybrid working, 2-3 days/week on campus)
- Closing Date: midday on Friday 16 Jan
- Interview Date: in person provisionally 28 or 29 Jan

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

Are you a creative relationship builder with a passion for building impactful partnerships and leading high-performing teams? Earth Trust is seeking a dynamic Senior Philanthropy & Corporate Partnerships Manager to cover maternity leave and play a pivotal role in driving fundraising growth through major gifts and corporate partnerships.

This is an exciting opportunity to combine strategic vision with hands-on relationship management. You’ll lead a talented fundraising team, secure five- and six-figure gifts, and develop mutually beneficial corporate partnerships that help nature and people thrive together.

What you’ll do

• Lead and grow high-value corporate partnerships and major donor relationships.
• Craft compelling proposals and pitches that inspire 5-6 figure gifts and multi-year partnerships.
• Lead a high performing fundraising team.
• Collaborate across departments and represent fundraising at senior leadership level.
• Set and monitor targets, budgets, and performance metrics.

What we’re looking for

• A persuasive communicator and relationship builder with proven success in securing multi-year, high value partnerships.
• Strong understanding of corporate social responsibility and partnership development.
• Experience leading fundraising teams and managing budgets.

This role is a maternity cover role, so there is flexibility on the start date. The current postholder is due to be on maternity leave from mid-April 2026 until the start of February 2027.

An exciting opportunity has arisen in our fundraising team to help us with our brand-new capital appeal. Are you looking for a new challenge? Do you want to work as part of an ambitious and inspiring team? North London Hospice might just be the place for you!

This is an exciting time to join North London Hospice, which has seen a significant growth in fundraised income over the last two years. We have just launched the private phase of the most ambitious project undertaken since the hospice was built in 1992; a major capital appeal, Building for Tomorrow. This will see us rebuild and redevelop our inpatient unit by September 2027, ensuring that we can meet the growing needs of those who rely on us for many years to come.

This role as Trusts Manager is an opportunity to work as part of a small capital appeal project team, to develop approaches to trusts and foundations and to steward supporters and take them on our capital project journey with us.

Job Title: Head of Major Giving - Trusts & Foundations and Individual Donors

Reporting to: Director of Fundraising and Development

Location of work: Home based. The post holder will be expected to travel to meet donors, travel to away days and team meetings in London. The role may involve some irregular travel throughout England and Scotland. Expenses will be paid in line with our Travel and Expenses policy. 

Contract type: Ideally full-time, 35 hours per week, 28 hours or 35 hours compressed would be considered.

Contract Length: This is a fixed term contract starting ASAP for 12 months.

Salary: £48,500 

Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Magic Breakfast is not able to offer visa sponsorship.

JOB PURPOSE    

This is a unique opportunity to step into a pivotal leadership role during an exciting period of transformation at Magic Breakfast. As Head of Major Giving (Maternity Cover), you will shape and deliver our strategy for high-value income generation across philanthropy  and trusts and foundations, while embedding a newly merged team and fostering a culture of one unified, high-performing team within Major Giving and more widely as part of Fundraising and Development.  

You will lead a team of five people, line managing and working closely with two Major Giving Leads, empowering them and co-creating a Major Giving strategy that fully seizes the opportunities presented by our refreshed organisational strategy. You will also oversee a well-established Trusts and Foundations portfolio and a group of highly engaged individual donors, maintaining and growing these important relationships whilst helping to provide strategic and targeted support across pipeline development. 

This role offers a chance to make a tangible difference by bringing together two recently merged teams, embedding new ways of working, and setting up structures for long-term success. You will have a dotted-line relationship with the Business Development Manager (Scotland), enabling you to ensure joined-up major giving approaches across the UK and unlock exciting opportunities in Scotland. 

We are looking for a natural relationship-builder with a proven track record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts, outstanding communication skills, and the ability to inspire donors, colleagues, and external stakeholders alike. As part of the Fundraising Leadership team, you will deputise for the Director of Fundraising and Development when needed and collaborate across the organisation to implement, monitor, and adapt our fundraising strategy, maximising the impact of major giving. 

This is a rare chance to leave your mark on a highly visible and strategically important function, shaping a newly merged team, influencing our major giving strategy, and contributing to the long-term success of Magic Breakfast.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver an integrated Major Giving strategy covering philanthropy and trusts & foundations with clear objectives and KPIs for income and performance and an embedded review, learn and continuously improve culture.
• Provide strong leadership across the Major Giving team, ensuring delegation and empowerment whilst also setting clear direction that helps to mitigate challenges and unlock and seize on opportunities.
• As part of the wider leadership team, play a key role in ensuring effective delivery of the fundraising strategy, organisational goals and our long-term strategic vision.

• Oversee a collaborative approach to prospect research and pipeline development to ensure a sustainable flow of opportunities, working with colleagues from across the wider department to leverage opportunities for referrals and pipeline development.

• Work across the organisation to package innovative and compelling projects for funding. Maintain a strong knowledge of the organisation strategy, business plan and opportunities for innovation, to identify and build compelling giving propositions, wish lists and a persuasive case for support including non-financial asks. 

• Prepare phased budgets and reforecasts, identifying and recognising opportunities and risks to income in line with activity plans and progress. 

• Work with finance and performance and relevant business leads to manage programme budgets and restrictions. 

• Foster strong communication and collaboration with the Business Development Manager (Scotland), ensuring effective two-way sharing of insight, alignment on donor and funder relationships, and joined-up approaches to national and devolved opportunities. 

WHAT WE OFFER

At Magic Breakfast we value our employees and work hard to develop offer a supportive, respectful culture which enables everyone to bring their whole self to work.

Please see our website for more infromation and our job pack 

APPLICATION PROCCESS

Should you wish to discuss the role before applying please email our People and Culture Team, recruitment @ magicbreakfast. com

Shortlisting - 12th - 14th January

Interview 1 - 19th OR 20th January

Interview 2 - 23rd January

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are 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.

Department

The Office of Philanthropic Partnerships and Alumni (OPPA)

Office of Philanthropic Partnerships and Alumni (OPPA) works with a community of global alumni and donors to  deepen their ties with York and each other, and encourage them to support the University through York Giving.  This role is part of the Individual Philanthropy Team, which manages major individual philanthropy and the legacy giving programme, working closely with the other OPPA teams:

Corporate and Foundation Philanthropy: developing long term, strategic partnerships with philanthropic  corporate and foundation supporters.

Fundraising Programmes: managing mass fundraising appeals, crowdfunding campaigns, community  fundraising and student projects.

Operations and Experience: providing business intelligence, information and insight, governance and  stewardship of supporter and alumni relationships, and managing all mass communications with alumni and  supporters. 

York for Life: developing alumni communities, volunteering and alumni engagement programmes in  support of the University’s strategic aims. 

OPPA is part of the University’s Directorate of External Relations, and works closely with other sections of the  directorate, which are Marketing, Recruitment, Outreach and Admissions, Communications, Public Engagement  and Events, and International Student Recruitment, Partnerships and Mobility.

About the Role

The role of Philanthropy Manager is to inspire and encourage philanthropic income from major individual donors to the University of York.  You will work to build engagement and involvement of potential major donors and colleagues across the University to develop and deliver a pipeline of significant philanthropic gifts to York Giving’s priority projects. 

You will manage a portfolio of major donor prospects and have responsibility and accountability for fund management and other priority projects for philanthropic funding, including liaising with academic theme coordinators.

This is a demanding and rewarding role that requires resilience and a long term view.  The post holder will work to individual financial cash and pledge targets and KPIs based on meetings, moves, proposals and asks made.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• Proven experience in a relationship management role, with both internal and external stakeholders.  Ease at working with people and developing personable relationships with a wide range of people.
• Experience of fundraising or role generating new business.
• Knowledge and understanding of the principles related to donor cultivation, asking and  stewardship
• Experience of organising events
• Experience of working in a high education or not for profit fundraising environment.
• Knowledge of data protection laws as they related to donor information
• Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge / NXT database or similar relationship management database

Interview date:To be confirmed

Join us in the ambitious ‘Birmingham In Action’ campaign, which commits to raising over £600 million of charitable funding and 1.25 million volunteer hours positioning the University as one of the world leaders in University development. To fulfil our exciting campaign ambitions, we are recruiting a Philanthropy Manager to help grow our philanthropic funding and to take our campaign to the next level. 

Our world has many challenges that will deeply affect our generation and the next. As a Philanthropy Manager, you will cultivate significant gifts for amazing education and charitable research projects, you will provide funding for scholarships to support students from underrepresented backgrounds and will raise philanthropic funds for priority research areas including cancer, other global health issues and climate change. You will encourage and inspire donors to make long-term, sustainable gifts.

You will be joining an established team of fundraisers made up of Senior Philanthropy Managers, Philanthropy Managers and Philanthropy Officers. You will have experience of delivering against financial targets, along with the ability to translate complex information into a compelling ask in both verbal and written form. As a Philanthropy Manager in DARO, you will be innovative, self-motivated, and take ownership of fundraising opportunities in this area and generate significant gifts for amazing philanthropic projects. You will have an enthusiasm for building relationships, the skill to interact with high-level donors and supporters, and the ability to showcase the sector-leading academic research to a range of audiences. 

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy.

The Royal Ballet and Opera continues to lead the way in opera, ballet, music and dance both live on stage and through multiple digital platforms, from live streaming to worldwide cinema screenings. Our Covent Garden theatre has been at the heart of London and British cultural life for three centuries. We are home to two world-class Companies: The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera.

The Royal Opera House describes the place we work, not who we are. The whole is always more than the sum of its parts – we may be a House, but three quarters of our audiences experience what we do outside this building. While our Covent Garden theatre is the nerve centre, the impact and influence of the organisation can be felt in every corner of the country, and around the world.

The Development and Advocacy Department are looking to appoint an experienced fundraising professional who will work closely with the senior team on strategy development, generating opportunities to increase philanthropic giving by attracting new and lasting relationships and high value donors. Individually, you will make a substantial contribution to the current targets by managing and developing a portfolio of significant relationships, working to department best practice.

The ideal candidate for this post will be a team player with excellent communication and relationship management skills. You will play an active role in mentoring and developing junior members of the team and show your potential as a future leader. You will be able to demonstrate:

• A proven track record of securing major gifts and managing high-value donor relationships.
• Experience in developing and implementing fundraising strategies, prospecting plans, proposal writing and project management.
• Strong people management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage credibly at senior levels.
• Strong understanding of fundraising compliance, tax-efficient giving, and donor stewardship best practices.
• Credibility and gravitas to engage confidently with senior stakeholders and donors.
• Strong relationship-building, networking, and influencing skills.

A background in the arts is not essential, though an interest in/the aptitude to upskill quickly in our art forms will be highly regarded. A firm understanding of the UK Philanthropic community and landscape is critical.

To submit your application, please provide a supporting statement that outlines how your skills and experience match the essential criteria listed above. Your supporting statement will be reviewed by the shortlisting panel, so please do take the time to consider your response and use this to highlight your suitability for, and interest in, the role. 

We recommend drafting your response in a separate document and then copying the final version into the application form. Please note that as part of our commitment to anonymised shortlisting, panels do not view CVs during the recruitment process. If you choose to upload your CV, our system will automatically pull information from your CV into our application form. 

The Royal Ballet and Opera is one of the UK’s leading arts organisations and our aim is to inspire imagination, ignite emotion and make the extraordinary for everyone. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion underpin all that we do. We want our people to be representative of the diversity in the UK. We understand the creativity and innovation that diversity can bring and strive to create an inclusive environment in which everyone can thrive.

We encourage applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and skills to join our teams. We particularly welcome applications from those who are from a global majority background and/or those who are disabled, as they are under-represented within our organisation.

We are a Disability Confident Employer, which means that we are actively working to ensure that candidates with disabilities and long-term health conditions feel supported, engaged and able to fulfil their potential in the workplace. We will endeavour to offer an interview to candidates who tell us they wish to participate in the scheme and who demonstrate in their application that they meet the essential criteria for the role, though sometimes due to the volume of qualified candidates with declarations this is not possible.

The RBO is also committed to safeguarding and protecting all children, young people, and adults and we implement robust safer recruitment practices. Due to our safeguarding promise, certain roles will be subject to a DBS check before commencing employment with us, which will be indicated in the advertising.

Closing date for applications: Midnight, 5th January 2026.

Interviews will be held across 2 stages - the first online via MS Teams and the second in person at the ROH Covent Garden. 

Applicants must have work authorisation for the UK.  No agencies.

Salary: £52,000 - £60,000
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Closing date: Review on a rolling basis
Location: Hybrid, based in either London or Manchester office
Benefits: 5% Employer pension contribution, Private medical insurance, Healthcare cash plan, income protection

We are thrilled to be working with an amazing national youth charity as they search for a passionate Senior Philanthropy Manager to join their incredible team. 

The Senior Philanthropy Manager will lead the Philanthropy function, driving the team forward as they embark on the cultivation of a strong new prospect pipeline. As part of the role, you will be responsible for a team bringing in income of over £1.3m per year, with a view to double income over the next 3 years.

Working closely with the Head of Relationship Fundraising, you will lead the development of team plans, ensuring that they are diversifying their high value donor portfolio, and delivers sustainable unrestricted and restricted income.

This is a great opportunity to lead a high performing team, and spearhead an exciting Philanthropy Programme with buy-in and investment from stakeholders across the organisation.

To be successful in the role of Senior Philanthropy Manager, you will need:

• Proven experience of working with high value donors as a leading professional in the area of philanthropy.
• Demonstrable experience of securing major donor gifts at £100k, with excellent writing skills to support the delivery of proposals.
• Proven experience of developing effective donor relationships and provision of excellent stewardship, with knowledge of the changing philanthropic landscape.

If you would like to have an informal discussion, please call and ask to speak to Jake. CV's are being reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Ashby Jenkins Recruitment are a specialist charity recruitment agency, we use our extensive sector knowledge and experience to match candidates to the most suitable roles. We take a relationship-led approach to recruitment, working ethically, supporting people to find their perfect role within the not-for-profit sector. 

We are passionate about improving equality across the sector, you can read more about our commitment to diversity here. 

If enough applications are received the charity reserve the right to end the application period sooner.