Senior Philanthropy Manager (Principal Gifts)

Are you passionate about making a lasting impact? The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is embarking on an exciting journey to significantly grow our philanthropic income over the next five years – and we’re looking for talented, driven leaders to help us achieve our vision.

As a Senior Philanthropy Manager (Principal Gifts), you will be at the heart of this mission, taking ownership of a portfolio of existing donors and prospective supporters, spanning both Major Donor and Trusts & Foundations streams. Your focus will be on securing seven-figure and above gifts, directly contributing to the BHF mission to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease through transformational funding.

You’ll also play a pivotal leadership role, line managing two Philanthropy Managers (Major Gifts) with diverse portfolios. Together, you will identify opportunities, nurture talent, and set the standard for relationship excellence within the team.

If you are a collaborative, ambitious professional ready to shape the future of heart research through transformative fundraising, we want to hear from you.

About You

As our ideal candidate, you have an impressive background in major gift fundraising, with a proven track record of securing six and seven-figure donations and exceeding ambitious targets. Able to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of philanthropic fundraising, particularly from Major Donor and Trusts & Foundations sources, you possess strong experience working with senior volunteer leaders and stakeholders such as Trustees, board members, and high-net-worth individuals.

You have the skills and experience to autonomously lead every stage of the cultivation and stewardship journey – from cold prospecting, relationship building across multiple stakeholders, developing and writing strong proposals, pitching, delivering, nurturing and uplifting relationships. A robust understanding of the charity sector, including its challenges and opportunities, is essential as are your skills and experience in building bespoke fundraising propositions, fundraising through major gift campaigns, and managing complex stakeholder relationships.

You have exceptional communication, both written and verbal, and the ability to inspire commitment and connection to our mission. Strong organisational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and proficiency with Microsoft Office and CRM systems are required. Ambitious and results‑driven you exude leadership, gravitas, and a genuine passion for the BHF’s mission. Flexibility, a proactive mindset, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively will ensure your success in this transformative, high‑impact role.

Working arrangements

This is a hybrid role, where your work will be split between your home and at least one day per week, on average, in our London Office. This may vary from time to time, so you will need to work in a flexible way to unlock your best work for our cause. On occasion you will need to attend evening events.

About Us

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. By funding research across six decades, we’ve helped keep millions of hearts beating and millions of families together. We’re investing in ground‑breaking research that will get us closer than ever to a world where everyone has a healthier heart for longer. We value and respect every individual’s unique contribution, celebrate diversity, and make inclusion part of what we do every day. Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy, Igniting Change, along with our internal EDI group, Kaleidoscope, and a growing number of employee network groups (our Affinity Groups), help us create an environment where all our colleagues and volunteers can succeed.

Benefits

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Private medical insurance, dental health cover, and money towards gym membership.
• Pension scheme with employer contribution up to 10%.
• Full pay for 12 weeks for family leave including maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
• Life assurance.
• Extra paid leave of up to 10 days to support colleagues who may need more time off work to look after themselves or others close to them.

Interview process

The interview process will consist of two stages. First stage interviews will be held virtually over MS Teams. For those successful, there will be a second stage interview in‑person at our London Office (NW1 7AW).

How to apply

It’s quick and easy to apply for a role at the BHF. Just click on the apply button below. All you’ll need is an up‑to‑date CV and a supporting statement, outlining your interest in the role and how you meet the role’s criteria. As part of our commitment to be an inclusive employer and ensure fairness and consistency in selecting the best candidate for this role, the BHF will use anonymous CV software as part of the application journey. Should you need any adjustments to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us.