Senior philanthropy and trusts manager jobs

The University of Oxford is searching for a Development Executive (Fundraising) that will raise vital philanthropic support for priority areas of research in the Medical Sciences Division.

• Location: Oxford – hybrid working may be an option
• Salary: Grade 7: £39,424 - £47,779 per annum with possible extension to £51,983 – plus an Oxford University Weighting of £1,730 per year (pro rata).
• Contract: Full Time/Part Time (0.8 FTE minimum), Permanent

Why Medical Sciences?

Oxford is one of the world’s leading biomedical universities recognised for its outstanding quality and depth across the medical research spectrum - from genes to molecules, to big data and populations. With the honour of 12 Nobel Laureates over its long and distinguished history, the Division is consistently at the forefront of innovative and lifesaving science.

The extraordinary depth and breadth of medical skills at Oxford is devoted to identifying the causes of disease, improving diagnosis and developing effective treatments and prevention. The Division is particularly interested in the “big” diseases where millions of lives can be saved – cancer, and infectious diseases such as malaria and pandemic preparedness. It also has world-leading research programmes in cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal disorders such as arthritis and osteoporosis and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

What this role entails?

The Medical Sciences Divisional development team works collaboratively with colleagues across the Division and across the Development and Alumni Engagement team at the University of Oxford.

This is a key role within the team and the post holder will have the opportunity to work with donors and academics. Development at Oxford is well established and this role has the scope to work across a number of important and high-profile projects related to the medical sciences.

The post holder will manage a portfolio of more than 100 major gifts prospects. They will be responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of potential donors able to support projects in the Medical Sciences Division at Oxford, typically in the range of £100,000-£500,000 over time, alongside to supporting the fundraising activity of the Head of Development – Medical Sciences.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Proven fundraising experience in a complex organisation and direct involvement in securing major gifts at the £50,000 level and above
• Ability to identify new donor prospects and engage with potential donors to successfully acquire new gifts
• Ability to think both strategically and tactically about the relations between potential donors and fund-raising goals
• Ability to establish credibility, confidence and robust relationships with existing and prospective donors, and key stakeholders
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• An interest in the medical sciences
• An interest in higher education and ideally an understanding of the University of Oxford, and its goals in teaching and research

If you have experience in major gift fundraising, have excellent inter-personal skills, and are passionate about playing a role in enabling life-changing research then we would love to hear from you.

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.
• Membership to CASE
• 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.
• Training and development opportunities
• A comprehensive range of childcare services

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 18 March 2026.

Interviews will take place on 26/27 March 2026, and will be held in person.

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.

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. 

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and motivated professional interested in working in a thriving and successful Development team. We are seeking an individual who has the skills and determination to help support the University’s trust and foundation fundraising and enjoys working as part of a happy and vibrant in-house/remote team.

Working to support the Senior Development Manager, Trusts and Foundations; the Development Officer, Trusts and Foundations, will help to deliver the trust and foundation fundraising strategy. The post-holder will work alongside Development colleagues to identify funding opportunities both in the UK and internationally. The post-holder will have responsibility for securing significant new funds to support the strategic priorities of our £300 million fundraising campaign which covers a wide range of areas. This work will focus particularly on proposals for four and five figure gifts.

The post-holder will assist the Senior Development Manager, Trusts and Foundations, in cultivating currently engaged and new trusts, foundations and charities. They will work with the Senior Development Assistant (Research) to grow the pipeline of giving through research into suitable trusts and foundations whose aims are closely aligned with the strategic priorities of the University.

The post-holder will have experience of trust and foundation fundraising accompanied by a sound knowledge of university fundraising. They will be a creative and strategic thinker and possess excellent communication skills with the ability to work proactively, both internally and externally. This role will require knowledge of trust and foundation funders, excellent written communication skills and a high level of attention to detail.

Above all, the post-holder must be passionate about the role that philanthropy plays in supporting higher education for the benefit of society as a whole.

In addition to the salary on offer for this position, there are a wide range of benefits for staff working at the University of St Andrews:

•       Financial contribution to relocation

•       Membership of the S&LAS Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions

•        A hybrid working environment, including partial homeworking where appropriate and a range of family friendly policies, supporting work-life balance

•        Staff discount scheme for local and national goods and services

•       Free staff parking, employee Carshare and Cycle to Work Schemes and subsidised local bus travel

•       Subsidised sports membership, reduced tuition fees on degree programmes for staff, access to training and development opportunities including LinkedIn Learning, access to library facilities, salary sacrifice scheme

•          34 Days Annual Leave plus 5 Public Holidays.

Closing date: 11 March 2026

Interview date: 19 March 2026

In this pivotal role as Prospect Research Manager at Diabetes UK, you will lead on managing prospect research, pipeline development, and adhere to best practice across income streams with a clear strategy that focuses on sourcing prospective high value donors to fund key strategic ambitions. One in 15 of us is now living with diabetes. Together, we have the opportunity to change this for the next generation. We are looking for someone who is a strategic thinker, analytical, organised in their approach and who can demonstrate accuracy and attention to detail in their work.   Join us and be part of something truly transformational as we change the narrative around diabetes and create a more inclusive world.

Working closely with Tusk’s US Development Executive from Tusk’s UK office, the "US Philanthropy Officer" position supports a broad range of fundraising initiatives, from major gifts and annual giving to corporate partnerships, foundation grants and especially events. This is an exciting opportunity to help advance Tusk’s mission by strengthening donor relationships, driving fundraising pipelines, and enhancing our US development efforts.

The US Philanthropy Officer will help identify and research prospects, support cultivation and solicitation strategies, and ensure thoughtful, timely stewardship for all supporters. The role will manage donor records and reporting through Salesforce, prepare acknowledgment letters, assist with events, and coordinate donor communications.

The successful candidate will come to the position with a proven track record in fundraising and strong administrative and organisational skills. This is a full-time role with the possibility of some working from home following your successful probation. The role will be based in the UK and will require some travel within the UK and occasionally to the US.

The Freedom Fund

The Freedom Fund is a global non-profit dedicated to ending modern slavery. Since 2014, we’ve invested over $100 million into frontline organisations and coalitions, helping to shift power to local actors and create lasting systems change. Our new strategy doubles down on this commitment, investing in anti-slavery movements, fostering collaboration, and working as a trusted partner to the incredible people and organisations driving this work forward. 

Strategic Partnerships Officer - Maternity Leave

An exciting opportunity for an ambitious individual to cover a period of parental leave, joining us in a key role within the Freedom Fund’s Strategic Partnerships team. Based in the UK, the postholder leads the Freedom Fund’s fundraising operations, ensuring that systems, processes, and workflows run smoothly and effectively across the team. They oversee the operational backbone of the fundraising function - including Salesforce, Asana, gift processing, acknowledgements, reporting, and coordination with Finance to enable efficient, accurate, and compliant fundraising activity.

In addition, the Officer contributes to the organisation’s institutional philanthropy efforts. This includes supporting prospect research, proposal development, donor reporting, and the preparation of stewardship materials, working closely with senior colleagues across the Strategic Partnerships team.

Interview process: 2 stage interview process: week commencing  23rd March 2026
Please see the job description for all details.

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.

Prospect Research Officer
Contract type: Permanent
Full time: 34.5 hours, we are open to a conversation about how you work these hours
Location: Hybrid between home and our London office (typically 1 day per week in office)
Salary range: £37,000 - £40,000

Are you a naturally curious researcher who loves turning insight into opportunity? Do you have a talent for writing high‑quality briefs and building strong, collaborative relationships?

We’re looking for a Prospect Research Officer who can help unlock transformative income to support people living with cancer.

About us

At Macmillan you'll find talented people working together to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer. We're going all out to find even better ways to help even more people who need our support. Our values are at the heart of who we are and everything we do, inspiring our thinking and guiding our actions.

Our new organisational strategy sets out how we’ll fight even harder to make every pound raised count for even more. With your help, we’ll transform cancer care for good.

About the role

This is a pivotal role within our newly established Prospect Development and Insight function, giving you the opportunity to shape how we identify, research, and prioritise the high‑value prospects who can make transformational gifts to Macmillan.

You will be responsible for feeding high‑quality insight directly to fundraisers, supporting them to grow pipelines, prioritise approaches, and unlock opportunities across corporate partnerships, philanthropy, and trusts. You’ll use a wide range of research techniques and tools to identify prospects, evaluate their potential, support risk management through due diligence, and provide concise, high‑impact briefings for fundraisers and senior leaders.

Key responsibilities:

• Identify and qualify high‑value prospects using press scanning, wealth screening, network mapping, and research tools.
• Produce clear and concise prospect profiles, briefings and event research for fundraisers and senior stakeholders.
• Conduct due diligence on prospects and donors, assessing risks and escalating where appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with fundraisers to support pipeline development, prioritisation and movement of prospects.
• Provide market insight and trend analysis to help shape fundraising strategy and highlight new opportunities.
• Ensure all research activity complies with GDPR, the Data Protection Act, and internal policies.

About you

The successful candidate will bring:

• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to summarise complex information clearly and concisely.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative working style.
• Excellent IT, database, research, analytical and organisational skills, including the ability to manipulate data to extract insights.
• Good awareness and understanding of the current corporate and philanthropy fundraising landscape.
• An enquiring mind, with the ability to challenge conventional thinking and draw out fresh perspectives on opportunities for donor development.

The following skills are nice-to-have but can be developed in‑role:

• Experience in prospect research, including identifying and prioritising prospects, network mapping, due diligence and developing gift capacity ratings.
• Experience using relational databases, ideally Raiser’s Edge.

In return, we offer a range of benefits including:

• 25 days holiday plus flexible bank holiday options, increasing by 1 day every year of service up to 30 days
• Pension matched up to 7.5%
• 120+ learning and development offers, with access to external professional qualifications
• Flexible working patterns, such as compressed hours, flexibility to work earlier or later around our core working hours of 10am-4pm
• Holiday buying and selling scheme, life insurance, free wills, retail discounts and much more

Recruitment process

Application deadline: 23:59 on Sunday 15th March
Interviews: Virtual Interviews will be held on the week commencing 23rd March (exact dates TBC)

To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed.

So we can support you to be your best during the application or interview process, please contact Macmillan TA Team for advice and reasonable adjustments.

We welcome applications from everyone who meet the criteria and strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Macmillan. Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy along with our internal employee representation body, ‘Our Voice’ and 8 Employee Network groups help us promote fairness and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people.

Job Purpose:

EMERGENCY ONG ETS (‘EMERGENCY’) is an independent non-governmental organisation. Headquartered in Italy, it provides free, high-quality medical and surgical treatment to victims of war, landmines and poverty. At the same time, it promotes a culture of peace, solidarity and respect for human rights.

Since its founding in 1994, EMERGENCY has worked in 21 countries around the world, providing free medical care in accordance with its core principles of equality, quality and social responsibility. We do this in a sustainable way: by building healthcare facilities, training local personnel, and conducting search and rescue missions in the Mediterranean Sea.

As an affiliate, EMERGENCY UK has set out an exciting ambition to build on its success over the last three years. This includes a substantial growth in its income, with a particular focus on high value giving from philanthropists, trusts and other private donors. The aim is to implement the newly developed high value fundraising strategy, with a view to tripling current income levels from this source by securing high five and six figure gifts of both unrestricted and restricted income.

The purpose of the Development Manager is to build and maintain a portfolio of high value donors and prospects through proactive networking, identifying cultivation opportunities and thoughtful stewardship. With a focus range of £100,000 and above, the position will develop long-term, strategic partnerships with existing and potential high value supporters, where relationships and their impact will be measured from both a financial and non-financial perspective. 

The postholder must be able to work independently with minimal supervision and demonstrate a high degree of lateral thinking within a small but hard-working team.

Main activities:

1) To raise funds in the form of high value gifts (focusing on £100,000 and above) through a variety of methods, including regular face-to-face meetings, attending conferences and participating in other activities by implementing a comprehensive programme to identify, research, cultivate and solicit high value donors who have the potential for significant, multi-year giving.

In this context, the postholder will be required to spend a considerable amount of the working week out of the office travelling and meeting in person with potential donors and their representatives.   

2) To manage and develop meaningful donor relationships, including with existing donors, by utilising a wide range of methods, including stewardship events and networking amongst existing donors and their contacts.

3) To actively participate in the implementation of the current high value fundraising strategy, leading change and adjusting plans based on experience and realistic assessments in order to meet pre-agreed targets. This includes supporting the ongoing development of all aspects of the strategy, such as the case for support, prospect research, donor recognition opportunities and individual donor development plans for high value donors and prospects.

4) To contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of the team, taking a lead role in the annual planning and reporting process for high value donors, providing regular progress reports against income targets and ensuring high standards of accountability. This also includes ensuring written and electronic records of donors are maintained, in compliance with data protection legislation.

5) To represent, and act as an ambassador, for EMERGENCY UK at external events, promoting its work and values where and when possible.

Person specification:

• Senior level experience working with foundations, corporates, high and ultra-high net worth individuals, leading them from identification to giving annual and multi-year gifts at the high five and six-figure level
• Experience of working independently to identify and cultivate prospects and influencers who have the ability to make personal introductions to high and ultra-high net worth individuals
• Experience in implementing high value giving strategies and annual plans for high and ultra-high net worth individuals, including reporting on targets and KPIs
• Experience of identifying potential high value donors, qualifying prospects and managing/growing a high-level prospect pipeline
• Experience of working with restricted grant funding: submitting proposals, completing monitoring forms and reporting to donors
• Experience of working within the humanitarian and development sector is preferable
• Experience of working with multiple stakeholders in a complex, multi-cultural environment
• Experience of creating high-quality, high-level donor events and bespoke engagements
• Experience of using Salesforce or similar CRM products/fundraising databases

Essential skills:

• Excellent stakeholder and relationship management skills
• Ability to communicate complex themes and subjects in a compelling and engaging way in writing and verbally
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with an ability to motivate and engage high value donors and prospects in the work of EMERGENCY
• Strong understanding of restricted grant funding processes, including proposal development, monitoring, and reporting
• Knowledge and understanding of how to use influencers and connectors in the most effective way for the benefit of EMERGENCY UK and the wider organisation
• Ability to be flexible and work in a fast-moving environment, leading on a wide range of tasks and projects simultaneously
• A strong team player who treats colleagues with respect and courtesy at all times
• Knowledge of tax efficient giving in the UK, current data privacy legislation and other regulatory compliance issues
• Proficient in Microsoft Office. Experience using Salesforce is desirable.

Senior Development Executive - Mathematical, Physical, and Life Sciences (MPLS)

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 £65,336 (including an Oxford University Weighting of £1,730 per year, pro rata)

Have you ever wondered how the universe was first formed – or how the Earth works today, from earthquakes and volcanoes to climate systems and oceans? What about how technology and AI will change the world of the future – from healthcare diagnostics and drug discovery, to the next generations of batteries, cleaner energy, and resilient infrastructure?

The University of Oxford’s nine academic departments within MPLS span the full spectrum of the mathematical, computational, physical, engineering and life sciences, and undertake both fundamental research and cutting-edge applied work. Research in MPLS tackles major societal and technological challenges – whether developing new energy solutions or improving cancer treatments, understanding climate change processes, or helping to preserve biodiversity.

The Division is proud to be the home of some of the most creative and innovative scientific thinkers and leaders. As Senior Development Executive, you would deliver philanthropic support that helps to fund breakthroughs in this research and exploration, that will have a positive impact on the world we live in and beyond.  Oxford will shortly be embarking on the public phase of a multi-billion campaign – the most ambitious in higher education outside North America, so this opportunity comes up at a career defining moment in the UK.  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 MPLS Division and wider University, and we are seeking a talented fundraiser who is excited by the opportunity to raise money to support ground-breaking academics and research tackling the world’s hardest challenges, and enabling talented students from all backgrounds to study at Oxford.  This could be your opportunity to help the brightest students, academics and researchers develop solutions that protect and improve our lives on this planet and beyond.

Working closely with the Head of Development – MPLS, as well as some of the most inspiring scientists in the world, you will forge relationships with existing and new donors.  You will have the support of excellent colleagues across the sciences at Oxford as well as the wider Development & Alumni Engagement office – the leading higher education fundraising team outside North America.

About you
You are an accomplished philanthropic fundraiser with a proven track record of securing major gifts and a confident and collegiate approach to achieving results. Creative, strategic and relationship-driven, you bring the ability to engage, inspire and influence donors, enabling you to be successful in major gift fundraising in the £100k–£1m+ range across individuals, trusts and corporate partners.

You will play a central role in building and stewarding meaningful relationships, working closely with a diverse community of donors and collaborating with colleagues and stakeholders across the MPLS Division. Your success is underpinned by your:

• strong record of quickly establishing credibility and trust with senior internal and external stakeholders;
• intellectual curiosity and an active interest in the world around you;
• collaborative mindset, combined with an entrepreneurial and proactive approach;
• ability to work confidently in the detail while maintaining a clear focus on strategic objectives; and
• high emotional intelligence and excellent interpersonal skills, enabling you to connect with people from all backgrounds.

An interest in science is essential, but you do not need an academic or professional background in the field. Above all, we are seeking a passionate advocate for philanthropy – who believes in the impact it can have, knows and implements best practices to achieve results, AND is motivated to enable world-changing discoveries.

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

· Training and development opportunities

· Membership of CASE

· A comprehensive range of childcare services

· Family leave schemes

· Cycle loan scheme

· Membership of 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  the Richmond Associates website by following the Apply button, or contact them on +44 (0)20 3617 9240.

Closing date for applications is 12noon Thursday, 26 March 2026
Interviews with the University of Oxford are scheduled to take place from mid-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.

The Prospect Researcher plays a key role in supporting high-value fundraising efforts by identifying, analysing, and prioritising potential donors, trusts, and foundations aligned with the Charity’s mission. Through in-depth research and insight generation, the post holder will build a strong, actionable pipeline of prospects, enabling personalised engagement strategies for the Philanthropy Team. Working collaboratively across the Engagement Team, the Prospect Researcher will provide intelligence that shapes cultivation plans, provides insights that supports strategic conversations at events, monitors giving trends, and ensures all prospect activity is data-informed, ethical, and compliant. This role is vital to driving sustainable income growth and deepening the Charity’s reach within the philanthropic community.

Prospect Identification and Research 

• Conduct thorough research to identify and profile potential high-value donors, trusts, and foundations aligned with the charity’s mission and appeal goals.
• Use a range of tools, databases, and resources to gather information on prospects, including their giving capacity, interests, and philanthropic history.
• Prioritise prospects based on their potential value, affinity, and likelihood to engage with the charity.

Intelligence Gathering and Analysis

• Analyse research findings to produce detailed and actionable prospect profiles for use by the Philanthropy Team.
• Provide insights into donor motivations and interests to support personalised cultivation strategies.
• Monitor trends in philanthropy and the wider funding landscape to identify emerging opportunities.

Pipeline Management 

• Support the development and maintenance of a robust prospect pipeline, ensuring it aligns with the income targets and timelines of the capital appeal and core funding opportunities.
• Work closely with the rest of the Relationship Engagement Team to prioritise prospects and support with research required for cultivation activities.
• Track and update prospect records in the charity’s CRM system, Microsoft Dynamics, to ensure accuracy and accessibility.

Ethical Research and Compliance 

• Ensure all research is conducted ethically, legally, and in line with data protection regulations and best practices.
• Maintain confidentiality and sensitivity when handling donor and prospect information.

Collaboration and Reporting

• Collaborate with fundraising colleagues to share insights and ensure a coordinated approach to donor cultivation.
• Prepare regular reports on research activities, prospect pipeline status, and key insights to support strategic decision-making.
• Support the Relationship Engagement Team with ad hoc research needs, such as preparation for donor meetings or events.

Knowledge and Expereince 

• Proven experience in prospect research, fundraising, or a related field, preferably in the charity sector.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesise large amounts of information into clear and actionable insights.
• Proficiency in using research tools, databases, and online resources to identify and evaluate prospects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Familiarity with the fundraising process, particularly high-value donor and trust fundraising.
• Experience using CRM systems to manage prospect data and track progress.
• Knowledge of the charity sector and the principles of ethical fundraising.

Harris Hill is supporting a amazing health charity in their search for a Head of Philanthropy and Community Fundraising, starting ASAP until November. 

This role will be plugging a gap in the team, so we are looking for an experienced candidate, who has managed major donor, Trust and Foundations, Community/ Events and Individual Giving. We are looking for someone who can manage (3 direct reports), but is also happy to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty too.

This role is hybrid based, and the client expects the successful candidate to attend the office at least once per week in central London.

Essential experience:

Significant experience in a variety of fundraising income streams including major donors, trusts, individual giving and community fundraising
Strong experience of relationship fundraising
A strong track record of growing major donor income, ideally at five and six figure level
Experience of leading fundraising events
Experience of managing donor relationships
Experience of working with a CRM database
Experience engaging and stewarding high net worth individuals and senior stakeholders
Experience of leading a team

Knowledge and skills:

Excellent relationship building communication and storytelling skills
Excellent influencing and negotiation skills
Good ability to prioritise work
Good understanding of fundraising processes, e.g. due diligence procedures, fundraising code of conduct, contracting and data
Good database management skills
Strong leadership skills to motivate and drive a team
Confident public speaker and presenter

If you would like to find out more about this opportunity, please apply for further details.

We are working closely with a health charity to recruit an Interim position to start asap until the end of the year, as Head of Philanthropy & Community Fundraising you will steward existing fundraising, drive new opportunities, and deliver income growth.

The charity is at an exciting stage in its evolution, they are currently refreshing their five-year organisational strategy, this funding ground-breaking research and driving the charity to reach more women and girls through education and advocacy campaigns.

You will be joining a supportive, collaborative and fun team with a variety of skills and expertise. You will contribute to building a positive, values-based culture within the fundraising team and bring together new ideas and creative thinking, expert leadership and strong relationship building and negotiation skills to contribute to significant growth.

The charity are interviewing on a rolling basis so please apply asap.

The Company
The charity are dedicated to improving health through pioneering research and campaigns to support those who most need it. You would be joining a driven and enthusiastic work culture, offering some attractive benefits including pension, private health care, employee discount scheme and cycle to work scheme.

The Role
Lead and inspire a team of four (three direct reports), setting clear objectives and supporting professional development
Share leadership and management of the Development Advisory Group (with the Director of Fundraising).
Work closely with colleagues in fundraising, communications, and research to align activities and maximise impact.
Develop a strong pipeline of major donors
Manage relationships with a portfolio of major donors
Work with the Community Engagement Manager to ensure the growth of community fundraising and challenge events
Lead on the fundraising element of key major donor events through the year

The Candidate
Significant experience in a variety of fundraising incom streams including major donors, trusts, individual giving and community fundraising
Strong experience of relationship fundraising
A strong track record of growing major donor income, ideally at five and six figure level
Experience of leading fundraising events
Experience engaging and stewarding high net worth individuals and senior stakeholders
Experience of leading a team

IMPORTANT NOTE

Our aim is to respond to all successful applications within 5 days. If you havent been contacted within 5 days your application has been unsuccessful and your details will not be held further 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.

Our vision is of a society where everyone has the opportunity to live a rewarding and fulfilled life.

Are you our next Chief Executive?

• Are you passionate about addressing issues around poverty and inequality?
• Do you have the experience and skills needed to lead this innovative place-based funder?
• Are you a creative thinker who thrives on working collaboratively and collegiately?

If so, then you might be the right person to lead Cripplegate Foundation and Islington Giving.

About Cripplegate Foundation and Islington Giving

Established over 500 years ago, Cripplegate Foundation has become a pioneering, place-based grantmaking foundation with a reputation for innovation and making a difference. It created Islington Giving, which was the first scheme of its kind, to work with residents and a coalition of funders, businesses and voluntary organisations to create better solutions to the challenges of poverty and inequality. We make grants of over £2 million a year and we have become a major influencer in the grant-giving sector, achieving significant progress, such as:

• Raising over £12 million since 2010.
• Partnering with Islington Council to promote community development and support residents
• Developing innovative and participatory grant programmes
• Pushing forward with ambitious Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) goals

It’s an exciting (and challenging) time to join us!

Given the challenges in Islington (and beyond), the next few years promise to be pivotal in shaping our future and there are many opportunities for the new Chief Executive to make a difference, including:

• Leading on considerations around the changing political landscape
• Working creatively and innovatively to explore the strategy for the coming years
• Building on our programme of Social Impact Investing and ethical Investing
• Leading a passionate, professional and committed team

About the role and person 

The new Chief Executive could be someone with senior management experience who is ready to lead an organisation for the first time, or they may already have experience of being a Chief Executive.

Whatever your background you will need to demonstrate, amongst other things:

• Experience of leading and managing in a collaborative and collegiate style
• Skill at creating and delivering cross-sector partnerships
• An entrepreneurial style and a record of income generation
• A deep understanding of the issues arising in inner city areas, gained through lived and/or professional experience
• A pioneering, creative and innovative style and a commitment to DEI

If you feel you fit the role and are motivated by our work then we’d be excited to hear from you. Please find out more by looking at the Candidate Information Pack.