At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Philanthropy team to secure major donations and drive growth for youth homelessness initiatives.
- Company: Centrepoint, the UK's leading charity tackling youth homelessness.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, healthcare plan, private medical insurance, and pension contributions.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in ending youth homelessness while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in major gifts fundraising and team management.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Centrepoint, the UK’s leading youth homelessness charity, is looking for a Senior Philanthropy Manager to join our Fundraising team based in London.
About us
We help vulnerable young people by giving them the practical and emotional support they need to find a job and live independently. Centrepoint provides homeless young people with accommodation, health support and life skills so they can move into education, training and employment. Our ambition is to end youth homelessness by 2037. Together with our partners, we support over 16,000 young people each year.
About the role
This is a senior leadership role within Centrepoint’s Relationship Fundraising team and a key driver of our future growth. Following four years of sustained success, our philanthropy programme now generates over £1.3m per year, with a clear ambition to double income over the next three years. This role has been created to lead that next phase of growth.
You’ll lead the Philanthropy team, developing and delivering a clear strategy to grow and diversify our high-value donor portfolio. Alongside line managing and developing a team of Philanthropy Managers, you’ll personally steward and secure transformational gifts, including six-figure donations and multi-year commitments, while working closely with senior stakeholders across the organisation. This role plays a critical part in delivering Centrepoint’s mission to end youth homelessness by 2037.
Centrepoint operates a hybrid working model. The current requirement is a minimum of two days per week in the office, increasing to 50% of your working week from 1 July 2025. For most full-time colleagues, this means attending the office for five days over a two-week period (e.g. two days one week and three days the next). This will be adjusted accordingly for colleagues on part-time or compressed hours contracts.
What you’ll be doing
- Leading the development and implementation of Centrepoint’s philanthropy strategy, aligned to organisational growth ambitions
- Managing and developing a high-performing Philanthropy team
- Personally stewarding and soliciting major donors, securing gifts at £100k+ and multi-year commitments
- Growing and diversifying the high-value donor pipeline, including cultivation of new HNWI prospects
- Overseeing income and expenditure budgets, setting targets and monitoring performance
- Working collaboratively across Fundraising and the wider organisation to maximise donor engagement and impact
- Ensuring excellent stewardship, compliance and use of fundraising systems and data
About you
You’ll be an experienced major gifts professional with a strong track record of success, including:
- Proven experience leading or managing a major gifts / philanthropy team
- Securing major donor gifts at £100k+ and building long-term donor relationships
- Developing and delivering income growth strategies with measurable results
- Strong leadership capability, with a commitment to developing and motivating others
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with credibility at a senior level
- A strong understanding of the philanthropic landscape and best practice
Most importantly, you’ll be motivated by Centrepoint’s mission and the impact philanthropy can have on ending youth homelessness.
In return for your efforts you’ll receive:
- 25 days annual leave per year, rising to 27 with service
- Healthcare cash plan (including dental, optical and alternative therapies)
- Private medical insurance
- Income protection
- Employer pension contribution of 5%
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Interest‑free travel loan
At Centrepoint we challenge the discrimination within society that contributes to youth homelessness and are equally committed to fairness and inclusion within our organisation. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, including those with lived experience.
Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Management
Industries: Non‑profit Organizations and Philanthropic Fundraising Services
Senior Philanthropy Manager in England employer: Centrepoint
Centrepoint is an exceptional employer dedicated to ending youth homelessness, offering a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion. As a Senior Media and Celebrity Manager based in Aldgate, London, you will benefit from competitive salary packages, generous annual leave, and comprehensive healthcare plans, all while making a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable young people. With a strong commitment to employee growth and development, Centrepoint provides ample opportunities for professional advancement in a collaborative environment focused on social change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Philanthropy Manager in England
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Centrepoint.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Centrepoint.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Centrepoint.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Centrepoint. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Philanthropy Manager in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Centrepoint. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Senior Philanthropy Manager, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Centrepoint
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Centrepoint. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!