Senior philanthropy officer jobs

Our client was founded in 1984 and is dedicated to providing high-quality, modern actor training rooted in British and European classical theatre traditions. They have a rich history of alumni support and will now hire their new Head of Development and Prospectus is leading the search.

The Head of Development, reporting to the Managing Director, will lead the fundraising strategy and day-to-day operations to sustainably grown and strengthen the organisation’s fundraising activity. You will develop and own the fundraising strategy including targets and will communicate effectively donors, staff, trustees, and other stakeholders to develop a compelling plan for fundraising that includes appeals and major donor giving, of which a healthy level of activity will be inherited by the postholder.

The appointed candidate will have experience of working in a development function and will have experience of tactical philanthropy fundraising experience as well as setting strategy. You will be highly experienced in good relationship management and will enjoy working within a small team that supports a specific cause. The Head of Development will work independently and will shape new fundraising strategy, so experience of working at pace through your own momentum and ambitions will be advantageous.

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy/maternity. If you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the process then please contact Ryan Burdock at Prospectus.

If you feel you meet some of the criteria but not all, we really hope you'll enquire and learn more. Prospectus can advise and support on each part of the role and hopefully your application, so we look forward to hearing from you.      
 
In order to apply please submit your CV in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will arrange for a meeting to brief you on the role. You'll then have all the information you need to formally apply. We are looking forward to connecting with you soon.

Introduction to Reset

Reset is a bold new incubation designed to dramatically change the lives of some of the most vulnerable children in England today for the better.

Reset exists for children who are on, or at risk of being placed on Deprivation of Liberty orders due to the high risks they face from themselves or others, their complex and intersecting needs, and due to the lack of effective support available.

The children Reset will support are likely to be aged 12 to 18 and face complex challenges that often stem from the impact of traumatic childhood experiences, such as mental ill-health, self-harming, being sexually and/or criminally exploited and getting caught in harmful risk-taking behaviours including the use of harmful substances such as drugs and alcohol.

Reset is determined to ensure that, wherever possible, children are able to thrive back within their own families and/or communities.

About the role

We are looking for a highly organised, proactive and thoughtful coordinator to support the Chief Executive and founding team during this exciting early stage of Reset’s development.

Alongside executive support, this role offers exposure to the breadth of work at Reset, from operations to communications, philanthropy and wider organisational work.

To thrive in the role, you will be highly organised, proactive, detail-oriented and keen to contribute across a small and ambitious team where no two days will be the same. You will enjoy working flexibly and collaboratively, building relationships, and helping things run smoothly for the team and partners around us.

This role will play an important part in helping shape Reset’s culture, systems and ways of working during this early stage of development.

With a strong commitment to your growth, we offer support to help you excel professionally and advance your career, as well as a flexible working culture that champions both impact and balance. We provide in-office collaboration time with genuine flexibility to support your wellbeing, personal commitments, and life outside work.

Job Description

The role:

Reset’s Coordinator will provide high-quality organisational and administrative support to the Chief Executive and wider founding team, enabling them to work efficiently and to maximum effect.

You will play an important role in keeping the organisation running smoothly day-to-day while driving key projects and priorities across the organisation. As part of a small, high-impact team, you will gain broad exposure to a wide range of work, take on real responsibility and play a vital role in helping Reset establish itself successfully.

This role would suit someone who is highly organised, eager to learn and energised by a fast-moving and mission-driven environment where priorities shift and no two days are the same.

Key responsibilities

Executive Support

• Proactively manage complex diaries, scheduling and meeting coordination for the Chief Executive and senior team
• Anticipate the needs of the senior team by keeping on top of key priorities
• Coordinate travel, accommodation and logistics
• Prepare meeting agendas, papers and briefing documents
• Take notes, track and follow through on actions from meetings where required
• Draft emails, presentations and other documents
• Support preparation for external meetings, events and presentations

Coordination and Administration

• Support the delivery of organisational priorities and projects
• Maintain clear systems, records and filing processes
• Facilitate internal meetings and team logistics
• Assist with office management and operational administration
• Support governance processes, including preparing papers for board meetings

Stakeholder Support

• Act as a professional and welcoming point of contact for external partners and stakeholders
• Manage meeting logistics and support ongoing communications
• Support follow-up actions and relationship management

Wider team support

• Contribute to building a positive, organised and collaborative team culture
• Proactively contribute to improving systems, processes and ways of working across Reset
• Support ad hoc projects and tasks across the organisation
• Take initiative and help solve problems as they arise
• Support research, briefing and background preparation across organisational priorities where needed

Who we are looking for

We are looking for someone who is organised, proactive and keen to learn and who is comfortable in a small, evolving organisation where priorities may change quickly. You do not need extensive experience, but you do need strong judgement, attention to detail and a willingness to take ownership.

Essential skills, experience, and attributes

• Passionate about creating a fairer society where all young people thrive
• Previous administrative, operations or coordination experience, ideally supporting senior level staff or small teams
• Excellent organisational, time management and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to build positive working relationships at all levels
• Proactive, adaptable and solution-focused, with the willingness to take initiative in a start-up environment
• A commitment to implementing and improving systems, processes and ways of working as the organisation grows
• High level of attention to detail and accuracy in managing information, schedules and documentation
• The ability to exercise good judgement Strong IT skills, including confidence using Microsoft Office / Google Workspace
• Ability to work with discretion, professionalism and confidentiality, including working with confidential documentation and information
• Right to work in the UK

Desirable experience

• Experience working in a charity, education, public service or start-up environment
• Experience organising meetings, events or projects
• Interest in social impact, children’s services or systems change

Development Opportunity

This role offers an excellent opportunity to learn and grow within a fast-moving, mission-driven organisation. The successful candidate will work closely with experienced senior leaders and gain broad exposure across how a new organisation is built and run, including operations, partnerships and organisational development.

Over time, there will be opportunities to take on greater responsibility depending on your strengths and interests.

Incubation by Purposeful Ventures

Reset will be incubated by Purposeful Ventures.

About Purposeful Ventures

Our vision is of a fairer society where all young people thrive.

Purposeful Ventures partners with social entrepreneurs and philanthropists to improve the education and well-being of young people from their earliest years.

We define and diagnose the issues affecting children and young people, analyse evidence and explore the most promising solutions. We then select, accelerate and, where we find a gap, incubate organisations which tackle those issues. We offer more than just funding to our charitable organisations. Our expertise, operational experience and networks enable us to deliver tailored, hands-on support with a relentless commitment to system change.

We are working with a wide range of organisations across the following portfolio areas to build and strengthen outstanding organisations that deliver systemic impact.

The vision of Purposeful Ventures is for a fairer society where all young people thrive. We work with social entrepreneurs, organisations and philanthropists that share our vision. Through our work with these partners, young people are given opportunities in education and beyond, helping them reach their true potential.

To date, Purposeful has provided Reset with expertise and funding to complete an 18-month research, feasibility and development phase to enable the ground to be laid to establish the initial Reset Practice in Autumn 2026. By launching Reset as an incubation, Reset benefits from the oversight, governance, expertise, operations (HR, finance, and IT) and network of the Purposeful team while being able to focus on the delivery of creating Reset as an organisation that can have immediate impact and flourish in the future.

We are excited to begin the search for Reset’s Coordinator. We have secured initial funding and are actively securing funding for the full two-year pilot, which includes funds for these roles. We appreciate that candidates are likely to need clarity around timing, funding and transitions, and we will have open discussions with candidates about fundraising milestones during the interview process.

At Samaritans, our vision is that fewer people die by suicide. Every day, our volunteers and staff provide life-saving emotional support to people in distress, and behind that work is a culture built on compassion, inclusion, learning and human connection.

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Samaritans is seeking an experienced and ambitious Trust and Grants Manager to lead and grow a vital income stream supporting our life‑saving work. Reporting to the Head of Trusts and Statutory Income, you’ll play a central role in delivering an ambitious Trusts programme raising over £2 million annually, while inspiring and leading a talented team.

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​Contract

• £40,000-£45,000 per annum plus benefits
• Full Time (35hrs per week)
• Permanent
• Hybrid working - Meeting in person and working collaboratively are things we value. This role is linked to our Ewell (Surrey) office with a blend of home working and option to work out of our London office as required.
• In-person working - expectation of a minimum of 1 office day each week on Tuesdays in Ewell.
• We are passionate about flexible working, talk to us about your preferences

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About the role

​As Trust and Grants Manager, you’ll be responsible for developing and delivering our Trust Fundraising Strategy, ensuring strong performance, excellent funder stewardship and long‑term growth. You’ll manage high‑value relationships, lead strategy and planning, and provide inspiring line management to Trust fundraising colleagues.

Working closely with colleagues across Income Generation, Business Development and operational teams, you’ll ensure Samaritans’ work is communicated compellingly to Trust and Statutory funders, grounded in evidence, insight and lived experience.​

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What you’ll do

• Lead the development and delivery of the Trust Funding Strategy, with clear KPIs, work plans and performance analysis
• Oversee a Trusts programme raising over £2m per year, with responsibility for future growth
• Personally manage a portfolio of high‑value Trust relationships, delivering £600k–£700k annual income
• Shape and deliver donor cultivation and stewardship approaches that create inspiring funder experiences
• Line manage and develop Trust fundraising staff, supporting performance, wellbeing and professional growth
• Produce compelling, high‑quality funding applications, cases for support and reports on Samaritans programmes and projects
• Lead prospect research and pipeline development, identifying new large Trust opportunities
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Samaritans to ensure strong alignment with organisational priorities
• Contribute to senior leadership discussions, team planning, away days and cross‑departmental initiatives
• Embed learning, insight and sector best practice into team ways of working

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About you

​You’re an experienced Trust fundraiser with a strong track record of securing six‑figure grants and building effective relationships with major Trusts and Foundations. You combine strategic thinking with attention to detail, and you’re motivated by making a meaningful social impact.

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You enjoy leading and developing others, thrive in collaborative environments, and are confident working with data, budgets and complex funding requirements. Above all, you’re committed to Samaritans’ vision of fewer people dying by suicide, and to working inclusively, ethically and with compassion.

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What you will bring:

• Proven success in securing six‑figure Trust, Foundation, Lottery or public sector funding
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including persuasive storytelling
• Strong grant management, stewardship and donor care expertise
• Experience developing and managing fundraising strategies, plans and pipelines
• Confidence working with financial information, budgets and full cost recovery models
• Analytical skills and the ability to translate evidence into compelling funding cases
• Experience line managing or supporting the development of staff (desirable)
• A collaborative, curious and values‑driven approach to work
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, safeguarding and lived‑experience principles

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​Full outline in the Job description below. 

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Why Samaritans?

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At Samaritans, people matter deeply. We know that meaningful impact starts with how we support each other.

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We are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive and flexible workplace where everyone can thrive. We value diversity of thought, background and lived experience, and we actively encourage applications from people from all communities.

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Every person at Samaritans plays a role in helping fewer people die by suicide. If you are motivated by purpose, compassion and the opportunity to make a lasting difference, we would love to hear from you.

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For further information about Samaritans, including our charity structure, values, employee benefits, and application process, please read our recruitment brochure available below. You can also visit our careers website to access this.

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We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from disabled, racialised minority and LGBTQ+ candidates, as these people are under-represented at Samaritans. 

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To Apply

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Please complete the application questions including those outlined below, and submit your CV.​

Please note the following questions have a 300-word limit for each answer.​​

Q1 What interests you about Samaritans and our work? What do you think might make Samaritans compelling to Trust Funders?

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Q2 Tell us about your demonstrable experience securing six‑figure Trust or Statutory grants. What approaches did you use to build your pipeline, cultivate funders and secure large or multiyear grants?

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Q3 This role requires strong project leadership, cross‑organisational collaboration and stakeholder management. Can you share an example of how you have led a large programme application, and what your approach to collaboration and stakeholder management was in delivering a successful outcome?

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We kindly ask that you don’t rely on AI tools for your application answers, or to generate interview answers. We want to see your own unique ideas and writing skills. We want your application to stand out from the rest and showcase your own strengths.

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Applications close at midnight on Monday 25 May

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Interviews

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All applicants will receive notification of the outcome of their application, at the appropriate time.​

1st stage interviews will be online: w/c 1 June

2nd stage interviews will be held in person in our Surrey office (KT17 2AF). Date TBC.

Grade: 4

Hours: Full-time 37.5 hours per week (flexible working considered)

Position type: Permanent

Responsible to: Senior Brand Manager

Direct reports: None

Location: ShelterBox HQ, Truro, Cornwall

Travel: Ability to work away from home required. This may be UK or an in-country deployment in a content gathering role or representing ShelterBox.

ROLE PURPOSE:

As part of in an in-house brand and creative team this role will help plan, shoot, create and oversee the production of quality audience-led graphic design and multi-media content under the ShelterBox brand.

Working with the Senior Brand Manager and wider Brand and Content team, the successful candidate will deliver end-to-end projects to bring the brand alive and support our fundraising, communications and international teams to drive income, awareness and support successful user journeys.

The role will advise all ShelterBox teams to work within brand guidelines and enable teams to access and use assets and templates by maintaining accurate systems. They will also support wider development of a purpose-led brand, using insight and by building strong relationships with audience and channel owners.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

Are you looking to join an in-house Brand and Content team? This role would suit someone who's keen to work across all areas of the organisation, championing brand guidelines and managing and delivering a wide range of creative projects under the ShelterBox brand.

You must be able to edit video and have a good knowledge graphic design and brand. It is a requirement of this role to have a working knowledge of Premier Pro, After Effects, Indesign and Illustrator, with experience across Adobe Creative Suite. You'll also be able to demonstrate great copywriting skills and have excellent attention to detail. The successful candidate will have experience in practical photography and film.

You will need to be able to plan and lead a shoot and confidently pick up a camera and capture ShelterBox footage and interviews in the UK and in the countries where we work. This role will, at times, be required to deploy in both major disasters and pro-active content trips - gathering content themselves and supporting external freelancers.

MAIN ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Within this role you will be a great relationship builder working across a wide range of ShelterBox teams, external agencies, partners and freelancers.

A strategic thinker - able to work on multiple long and short project deadlines and prioritise to objectives.

Driven by audience needs - whether that's optimising creative in response to Digital Marketing data and insight or getting under the skin of key strategic funders to make the right content at the right time to drive objectives.

Experienced in working across fundraising and communications channels for both warm and cold audiences to drive income and awareness.

We are looking for a creative talent who can get to the core of ShelterBox's mission whilst remaining up to date with the detail, picking up new ideas and concepts easily. You'll understand the power of story in fundraising and communications, be self-motivated, with a can-do approach and be flexible in supporting the wider team.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

Brand:

• Support and train the wider organisation to effectively create content within ShelterBox brand guidelines

• Support the continued development of an online brand hub

• Support the development of a purpose led brand. Help to develop and implement a brand strategy.

• Help drive brand and values led storytelling across the organisation driven priority audiences

• Position ethical storytelling as a central thread of the ShelterBox brand

Creative and content development:

• Manage creative projects for key ShelterBox teams working across multi-media disciplines including video, scriptwriting and graphic design. Lead projects from creative brief stage through to asset delivery including all production. Responsible for core projects split across the team including warm and cold supporter journeys, evergreen and explainer content for digital optimisation, celebrity videos, philanthropy and partnerships, Rotary.

• Support the digital marketing strategy. Responsible for creating asset sets for Always On and time-framed campaigns. Work to tight deadlines and respond to agency and internal feedback to continually optimise creative.

• Support ShelterBox to develop our in-house creative approach. Facilitate workshops and creative exercises to ensure we create objective and audience led products.

• Support a review of design across the organisation and enable teams to design via templates.

• Support the development and re-fresh of templates for both design and video.

• Work with external agencies, freelancers and partners.

• Use audience insights to inform all plans and work with the insight team and others to measure success.

• Ensure all projects follow sign-off processes

Content gathering:

• Plan and lead shoots in the UK and in countries where ShelterBox works.

• Film a wide range of ShelterBox spokespeople including CEO, board members, programme staff, partners and high-level celebrity supporters both at an in-house studio or on location.

• Photograph and film events in the UK and overseas.

• Shoot and manage a bank of studio photography of ShelterBox aid items - responding to audience insight and channel requirements.

• Develop and deliver quality content training for ShelterBox staff

• Help to manage ShelterBox photography, sound and video equipment and studio

• Work closely with the ShelterBox operations team and partners to ensure we are gathering high-quality content across all our live deployments.

• Process and edit raw content from deployments - case studies, photos, video.

• Deploy to gather content or train partners - dependent on funding and strategic need. At times this may involve taking freelancers on agreed trips. Note: Deploying in major disasters or to partner organisations may involve operating within ERA areas so role will need to be HEAT trained.

• Interview and film communities affected by disaster

• Gather content to ShelterBox ethical guidelines.

Planning and team working

• Be an integral part of team planning

• Offer knowledge of best practice and innovations from other organisations and sectors.

• Support a measurement-based approach by contributing to monthly reporting as well as spotting trends and opportunities.

• Any other specific projects given by the Senior Brand manager.