Senior major gifts manager jobs in birmingham
The RSPB Philanthropy Team is looking for a dynamic Senior Philanthropy Manager to lead with the engagement and recruitment of new donors.
Senior Philanthropy Manager
Reference: JUL20256874
Location: Flexible in England, with travel for meetings
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £44,315.00 - £47,312.00 Per Annum
Benefits: Holidays, Pension and Life Assurance
Introduction
This new role will work with our Senior Leaders as well as supporting the team to pursue opportunities generated through excellent relationship building across the organisation. With the ultimate goal of increasing philanthropic income for the RSPB, the role requires an experienced and successful major gifts fundraiser who will lead the development of new relationships to help steer the team towards achieving its ambitious goals.
An energetic and confident self-starter, they will lead on developing opportunities to engage with and raise funding from the contacts of our most senior colleagues and volunteers at the RSPB. They will also manage donor relationships and solicitation strategies to achieve the best outcome for the RSPB.
What's the role about?
You will lead an exciting new area of philanthropic fundraising at the RSPB, seeking significant gifts for our work from new supporters, with a key focus on our developing Land Fund product.
You will look after your own portfolio of donors and be responsible for fundraising information to advance plans and ensure prospect and donor records are accurate, incorporating any changes, new activities, updated plans, and new information in keeping with data protection and team procedures.
You will work closely with your team and wider organisation colleagues to implement solicitation strategies, to secure financial support either by direct solicitation, preparing a written proposal, or working with senior management to make a solicitation.
You will contribute to the planning of and participate actively in events (face to face and online) to build relationships with donors and prospects for future income and to demonstrate the impact of gifts already received.
You will arrange and attend meetings with individual donors at a variety of venues, including our reserves, working closely with area and reserve colleagues to deliver an excellent experience for our supporters.
You will build effective relationships both within the RSPB and external to it that will enhance its reputation and ultimately secure funding. This includes understanding donors’ wishes and aspirations and identifying links with approved priority projects with the aim of securing substantial gifts.
Essential skills, knowledge and experience:
- Intermediate levels of fundraising as demonstrated by work successes and recognised fundraising courses.
- Experience in how to research and cultivate a prospect. And understanding of how to write a cultivation strategy.
- Ability to write funding proposals, reports and updates, and prepare briefing documents in advance of meetings and events.
- Competent in the use of a CRM system (Salesforce), the Microsoft suite, other databases, research tools and methods.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
- Ability to work collaboratively with team members, and people and teams outside of our department.
- Good judgement when working with donors and ability to recognise potentially sensitive areas between prospects and the RSPB to ensure reputational values are maintained.
- Successful management and development of donor relationships leading to substantial support (6- and 7-figure gifts).
- Experience of planning and running high level/special events.
- Experience of line management and mentoring.
Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:
- High level presentation skills and experience.
- Previous experience in the conservation sector.
- Passion for nature and wildlife.
Additional Information:
- There is a need for the successful applicant to have frequent meetings in London - therefore you will need to be easily able to access London
Closing date: 23:59, Sunday 12th October 2025
We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from w/c 20th October.
Please note: We reserve the right to close the advert early if we get sufficient response, so please don't delay in applying.
Interested?
If you would like to apply and find out more about this position, please click the apply button to be directed to our website.
We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application.
The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.
As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.
No agencies please.
The RSPB brings people together – people like you – to protect the things that matter to us all.



Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We’re looking for an experienced Senior Legacy Marketing Manager to lead a sector-leading legacy and in-memory giving programme at a major national charity on a 12 Month Contract.
Joining at an exciting time of expansion, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering a brand-new legacy proposition, inspiring thousands of supporters to leave a gift in their will and embedding legacy giving across the organisation to secure the long-term future of vital services.
You’ll be part of a high-performing fundraising and marketing team, with strong investment and senior leadership support to deliver real growth. Alongside the opportunity to innovate and make your mark, you’ll benefit from excellent development opportunities, a flexible working environment and a highly collaborative culture.
What you’ll do:
- Lead the development and delivery of a legacy marketing strategy to significantly grow legacy pledgers and intenders.
- Create and embed an inspiring stewardship programme to engage legacy audiences.
- Drive long-term growth in in-memory giving, working with internal teams and external partners.
- Oversee all legacy communications, campaigns, and collateral, ensuring excellence across supporter journeys.
- Manage significant budgets and monitor campaign performance against ambitious KPIs.
- Lead a small team and work closely with agencies, Free Will partners, and suppliers.
What we’re looking for:
- Substantial experience in legacy marketing, ideally within a large charity.
- A strong track record of planning and delivering successful legacy campaigns across multiple channels.
- Excellent leadership and people management skills.
- Proven ability to use data and insight to shape strategy and improve performance.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate at all levels.
- Deep understanding of fundraising regulations, GDPR, and best practice in legacy marketing.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the 'apply now' button (please do not apply via email). We aim to get back to all successful candidates within 48 working hours for an initial discussion on the role, prior to submitting a full application.
Commitment to Diversity
The Talent Set are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, sexual orientation, disability, age, or gender. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.
You will be joining us at a time that holds the greatest potential for fundraising in our history, following the launch of the UK Government’s Delivery Plan for ME and initial findings of the DecodeME genetics study (co-led by Action for ME) in Summer 2025.
Building on our charity’s already established level of support from major donors, you will provide exceptional relationship management to existing donors alongside growing our network of high value supporters.
Working closely with the CEO, alongside managing a portfolio of donors and prospects ensuring excellent stewardship, you will support our Breakthrough-ME Group (a group of high net worth and highly networked individuals). There is an established level of support from major donors at Action for ME so this is a role that will require exceptional relationship management to retain our current valued supporters while growing this crucial area of fundraising.
This would be an ideal role for an experienced philanthropy professional seeking to work for a small but ambitious charity, helping us to achieve our mission to improve the lives of all people affected by ME – better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.
Key duties
Major Donor Fundraising
• Successfully develop and implement the philanthropy strategy to secure and maximise funds from high value individuals for Action for ME achieving annual income of £250k+
• Set plans and budgets which will deliver income through major gift fundraising and philanthropic giving through family trusts and foundations, including quarterly forecasting.
• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors at the £5k to £100k level, to develop and maintain strong and long-standing partnerships
• Work closely with the Director of Fundraising and Development and other colleagues to ensure that plans and activities for fundraising from high value individuals are integrated into the overall fundraising strategy and plan for significant growth.
• Be responsible for our Breakthrough-ME Group with high quality proposition development. Contribution to Group fundraising activities with a specific focus on ensuring their networks support pipeline growth for future fundraising.
• Lead the delivery of our biennial fundraising gala dinner, maximising income and new opportunities from attendees.
• Develop engaging and inspiring opportunities to steward and cultivate support creating a calendar of activities including events, presentations, approaches, networking and meetings.
• Utilise the CRM database (Raisers Edge) to provide the data required to strategise your approach to philanthropy, monitor progress and provide a high-quality donor experience.
• Ensure utilisation of insight & data, producing management information data to inform planning and strategy development.
• With the Director of Fundraising & Development, create inspiring cases for support and resulting propositions with clear budgets and outcomes.
• Create adequate systems and processes to support the major donor programme.
• Undertake and manage research into prospects and major donors, preparing for approaches and presentations and briefing senior leadership and trustees for donor meetings and events.
• Develop and maintain relationships with donors, a wide range of staff and volunteers from trustee level down.
• Provide regular feedback and internal reporting to line management.
• Work with other fundraisers to ensure that all fundraising opportunities and leads are followed up – particularly in corporate, community and trust fundraising.
• Work with Trustees, the Chief Executive and members of the Leadership Team to develop relationships with major donors.
• Self-administrate including managing your own diary and meetings, keeping accurate and up to date records of activity
• Occasional travel to London, Bristol & events
Other duties
• To positively promote the work and activities of Action for M.E. at all times.
• To contribute to the team’s overall, ongoing and annual planning and budgeting.
• To undertake any other reasonable activity in line with the responsibilities of the post as requested by the Director of Fundraising and Development, Chief Executive or any other senior Action for ME management.
• Act as an advocate for the Charity and its work.
• To work in accordance with Action for ME’s values of collaboration, equity and empathy.
Our mission is to improve the lives of people affected by ME. Better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Partnerships Manager
Location: Fully Remote
Salary: £27,992 per annum
Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time
Closing Date: 24th September 2025
We have an exciting opportunity for a Partnerships Manager to join our team and grow income from high-net-worth individuals and corporate supporters. You will identify, engage, and steward prospects to secure funding, while developing and implementing long-term relationship and stewardship plans.
You’ll be joining a passionate, fun, and target-driven team in a motivating environment, with the chance to make a real impact on the services we provide.
Key responsibilities include:
- Researching and identifying potential major donors, determining appropriate stewardship pathways, and involving Trustees or staff as needed.
- Implementing stewardship plans for major donors to secure five-figure gifts and above.
- Developing and supporting external fundraising committees to raise funds for local Forward Trust services.
- Researching and approaching potential corporate supporters, cultivating relationships, and securing funding.
- Collaborating across the organisation to develop engagement packages, partnership proposals, and progress reports.
- Managing the Fundraising Officer, providing support, motivation, and guidance.
- Representing Forward Trust at meetings, networking events, and conferences.
- Supporting the Head of Fundraising to develop strategies to maximise income from high-net-worth individuals and corporates.
- Ensuring data in the CRM is accurate, compliant with GDPR, and used effectively to inform fundraising activities.
- Managing and reporting on income and expenditure budgets, liaising with Finance, and contributing to reports for Senior Management and Trustees.
- Collaborating with other fundraising team members and participating in team meetings, supervision, and training.
What We’re Looking For
Essential Skills & Experience:
- Proven track record of major donor fundraising, securing five-figure sums and managing effective stewardship pathways.
- Proven experience in identifying, managing, and growing corporate supporter accounts of at least five figures.
- Experience managing at least one member of staff.
- Skilled at managing high-level relationships internally (Trustees) and externally (high-net-worth individuals).
- Experience managing budgets related to your area of work.
- Proficient in using a CRM or other database to manage contacts.
- Understanding of GDPR principles and their impact on fundraising.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex issues clearly and compellingly.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to understand departmental income and expenditure projections.
- Willingness to attend fundraising events, which may be out-of-hours or away from home.
About Us
We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often-interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.
We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important. Joining us an employee, we will offer you the following benefits:
- Flexible working
- Training and development opportunities
- Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
- Season Ticket Loan Scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Crisis Loan Scheme
- Electric Car Scheme
- 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
- Access to Blue Light Card
- 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
- Contributory Pension Scheme – Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years’ service and up to 9% thereafter
- Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
- Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for the Forward Trust, please click apply to be redirected to their website to complete your application.
Salary: £53,000 - £55,000
Contract: Full time - Maternity cover (13 months)
Location: Home-based - must be based in the UK
Closing date: 1st October
Benefits: Flexible working, supportive leadership, opportunity to shape strategy, and lead a growing team
We have a great opportunity for a Head of High Value Fundraising to join a fantastic health charity, reporting to the Director of Fundraising. This is an exciting chance to lead a high-performing team at a time of record investment and strategic growth. With income set to double compared to three years ago, this role offers the opportunity to shape direction, secure transformational gifts, and work closely with senior leadership.
As part of this role, you will lead a team of 10, personally cultivate six-figure gifts across a mixed portfolio of corporates, trusts and major donors, and collaborate across the organisation to develop compelling donor propositions.
To be successful as the Head of High Value Fundraising, you will need:
• Extensive experience in corporate partnerships and high-value fundraising
• Proven track record of securing six-figure gifts and managing seven-figure budgets
• Strong leadership, relationship management, and strategic planning skills
If you would like to have an informal discussion, please call Heather and quote reference 2705HB
Ashby Jenkins Recruitment are a specialist charity recruitment agency. We use our extensive sector knowledge and experience to match candidates to the most suitable charity jobs. We are passionate about improving equality across the sector — you can read more about our commitment to diversity on our website.
We take a relationship-led approach to recruitment in the charity sector and partner with you as the leading charity recruitment agency.
If enough applications are received, the charity reserves the right to end the application period sooner.