Senior philanthropy and events manager jobs

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

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 team. This is a new position, part of an expansion of our Advancement Division.

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. 

This is your opportunity to forge the direction of philanthropy at one of the most prestigious universities in the world, building meaningful relationships with high- net-worth individuals and stakeholders who share our vision for impactful change. You will help drive Imperial’s bold and ambitious alumni engagement and fundraising campaign.

Reporting to and working closely with the Director of Development: Principal Gifts and Global, you will have the opportunity to work on transformational gifts – interesting, complex gifts which will build your career.

This position is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to have a major impact on a world-renowned institution. You will be entrepreneurially minded, not fazed by complexity and ambiguity, and comfortable orchestrating a myriad of stakeholders.  We hope 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.

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 three exceptional opportunities to join our dynamic team. As we continue to expand our international presence, we are recruiting for the following roles:

• Head of Development, Faculty of Medicine
• Head of Global Development, North America

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

Closing date: Midnight on Wednesday 19 November 2025.

Interested?

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

Imperial is partnering with Constellate Global Talent on this search. No agencies please.

We're thrilled to be partnering with Christian charity Young Life International, a charity that believes in the power and potential of young people and helps them find hope and purpose. Their work begins with caring adults who meet young people right where they are, offering genuine friendship, a listening ear, and a heart for what really matters to them. By showing up with consistency, kindness and unconditional support, Young Life leaders help young people discover that their lives are full of worth, meaning and purpose. With fun, adventure, and authentic relationships, they create safe spaces where hope can take root. Through these trusted relationships, they gently earn the opportunity to share with young people the life-changing message of God’s love for them.

Young Life has been working with young people in communities across the UK and Ireland, and over the past five years, the London Team has grown from a few staff serving one borough to 12 staff and 63 volunteer leaders supporting over 1,000 young people across 11 boroughs.

We are seeking a passionate London Director of Development to build and develop meaningful relationships, initially with London-based high-net-worth individuals, securing significant funding to grow Young Life International's impact on young people in London and beyond. This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in expanding a mission-driven charity's capacity to transform young lives.

In this influential brand new role, you'll develop an active portfolio of major donors and potential major donors, working towards establishing new funding each fiscal year including annual and multi-year commitments. You'll cultivate relationships with high-net-worth individuals and major trusts, represent Young Life in high-level meetings and networking events, and plan impactful vision events to inspire and engage supporters. Working collaboratively with senior management and fundraising colleagues, you'll connect donor interests with different aspects of Young Life's mission, inviting supporters to experience first-hand the life-changing work being done. You'll also lead on securing grants from key UK trusts and oversee an effective stewardship process to retain and grow donor support.

With the potential for wider influence across the UK and Europe, you'll lead by example in donor stewardship, train the wider team, and play a key role in expanding Young Life International's philanthropy efforts.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:

• Proven ability to build strong relationships with major donors and secure funding in the range of £10,000+
• Experience in securing multi-year funding from trusts, foundations, and institutional donors
• Ability to organise and deliver high-quality vision events to enable prospects to hear the case for support
• Leadership experience, capable of managing a high-performing team

This is a unique opportunity for a practicing Christian to combine strategic fundraising expertise with a passion for youth mission. You'll be part of a team that believes every young person deserves to be safe, loved and supported, helping young people in London discover hope and purpose through Jesus.

DBS Requirement: Enhanced and a PVG (due to camp in Scotland)

For more information, please contact Nick Thomas, Recruitment Consultant, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Your application should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion*, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.

*In accordance with the Equality Act 2010, Part 1, Schedule 9, it is a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder is a practicing Christian and in agreement with the Young Life Statement of Faith.

Location: Hybrid – Ideally in London at least 3 days per week

Closing date: Sunday 23rd November 2025

Charisma vetting interviews must be completed by: Tuesday 25th November 2025

First stage interviews with Young Life International (Virtual): w/c 1st December 2025

Final stage interviews with Young Life International (In-person): w/c 8th December 2025

We are looking for a bold, creative, and strategic fundraising leader to work alongside the CEO to rebuild and grow our income — securing existing partnerships while opening up new streams of support. 

Like many UK charities, Opportunity International has faced a challenging few years. Shifts in government funding, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and periods of leadership transition have all affected our income since 2018. Yet, out of this challenge comes great opportunity. We are now entering an exciting phase of renewal — revitalising our brand, re-energising our supporter base, and reimagining how we engage with donors.

Historically, our private income has been driven by generous major donors, and while this will continue to be a core pillar, our strategy is focused on diversification and long-term sustainability. In the short term, we’re deepening our relationships with trusts and foundations and growing our individual giving, particularly through digital channels. Looking ahead, we plan to strengthen our legacy programme and build meaningful corporate partnerships. With our refreshed brand and vibrant new visual identity, we’re well-positioned to reach new audiences and inspire fresh support. Our Royal Patron and emerging ambassadors will help us to do this.

The successful candidate will have the exciting opportunity to help shape our organisational strategy for the next 3–5 years (to be finalised in early 2026) and to lead the design and delivery of a dynamic fundraising and communications strategy. A major appeal or capital campaign is expected to be a cornerstone of this work.

If you'd like to have an informal conversation about this role then please contact Mary Oakes, CEO, to arrange.

About the Role

The work of the Prospect Research Team drives the fundraising activities of the University, by providing insights to build relationships with new and existing high-value supporters (individuals, corporations and foundations).

We are seeking a curious and analytical person to join our dynamic team, to conduct philanthropy research and reputational due diligence research in a motivating higher education setting. Finding, evaluating, and communicating information clearly and effectively is the essence of this role.

We support a diverse set of fundraising priorities, on themes ranging from innovative medical and scientific advances, to widening access to our University, to supporting world-class museums.

The role sits in a friendly team, experienced in this work, who will provide training.

About You 

· Experience in a research- or information-focused role in a business setting or experience of research in a fundraising setting.

· Excellent research and communication skills (both written and spoken), including the ability to write in a factual, unbiased manner

· An ability to assess information rapidly and rigorously from a variety of sources

· Commitment to providing a high-quality service

· An adaptable and versatile approach

· Attention to detail

· Enjoyment of working collaboratively in a team

What We Offer

Working at the University of Oxford offers several exclusive benefits, such as: 

· 38 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) to support your wellbeing, with the option to purchase up to 10 extra days and additional leave after long service. 

· One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay maternity and adoption leave, plus 12 weeks of full-pay paternity/partner leave. 

· A commitment to hybrid and flexible working to suit your lifestyle. 

· An excellent contributory pension scheme. 

· Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans. 

· Access to a vibrant community through our social, cultural, and sports clubs. 

Application Process

To apply, please upload:

· A covering letter/supporting statement

· Your CV

· The details of two referees

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 7 November 2025.

Interviews will take place on 17 November 2025 and will be held face-to-face.

We’re excited to recruit our first Major Donors and Partnerships Coordinator to lead on securing and managing key relationships with corporate partners and major donors. This is a brilliant opportunity for someone with proven experience in corporate fundraising and major donor engagement to help shape CLAPA’s high value fundraising strategy from the ground up. If you're passionate about building meaningful partnerships and making a lasting impact, we’d love to hear from you.

You will play an active part in shaping and delivering corporate fundraising campaigns and stewardship activities, with a good level of ownership balanced by the support of an experienced income generation team. 

As Major Donors and Partnerships Coordinator, you will contribute significantly to diversifying and sustaining CLAPA’s income. With an ambitious Income Generation Strategy in place, this is a timely opportunity to help strengthen CLAPA’s profile in corporate fundraising and partnerships. Building and maintaining strong, long-term relationships with donors and partners will be a core part of your role.

Working in a small and collaborative income generation team, you will need to be organised, proactive, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. This position offers a supportive environment where you can grow your skills while making a meaningful contribution.

The Link to apply is listed in the attached Recruitment Pack or can be accessed via the Redirect to recruiter button.