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 prioritises employee growth and development. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, Centrepoint provides generous benefits such as 25 days of annual leave, private medical insurance, and a cycle to work scheme, all while fostering a collaborative environment in the heart of London. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable young people while advancing your career in philanthropy.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Philanthropy Manager in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the philanthropy sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Senior Philanthropy Manager role. You never know who might have a lead or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Centrepoint thoroughly, understand their mission, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Be ready to discuss how you can help double their income and make a real impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your success stories! When chatting with potential employers, share specific examples of how you've secured major gifts and built long-term donor relationships. Numbers speak volumes, so don’t shy away from sharing your achievements.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission to end youth homelessness.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Philanthropy Manager in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Philanthropy Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing major gifts and leading teams, as this is what we’re really looking for!
Show Your Passion:We want to see your motivation for ending youth homelessness. Share any relevant experiences or projects that demonstrate your commitment to our mission and how you can contribute to our goals.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. This helps us understand your qualifications and fit for the role quickly.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people and is considered for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Centrepoint
✨Know Your Philanthropy Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in philanthropy and major gifts. Understand Centrepoint's mission and how your role as a Senior Philanthropy Manager can directly impact youth homelessness. Being able to discuss specific strategies for growing donor relationships will show you're serious about the position.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think about times when you motivated others or developed a high-performing team. Centrepoint is looking for someone who can inspire their Philanthropy team, so be ready to share your leadership philosophy and experiences.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Major Gifts
Since this role involves securing six-figure donations, come prepared with concrete examples of major gifts you've secured in the past. Be specific about your approach, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. This will demonstrate your capability and confidence in handling high-value donors.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Remember, interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about Centrepoint’s future goals and how the philanthropy strategy aligns with them. Engaging with the interviewers shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the organisation is the right fit for you.