At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a high-performing Philanthropy team to secure major donor gifts.
- Company: Centrepoint, the UK's leading youth homelessness charity.
- Benefits: 25 days annual leave, healthcare plan, private medical insurance, and pension contributions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in ending youth homelessness while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in major gifts fundraising and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ 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 ÂŁ100k+ 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 ÂŁ100k+ 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.
Senior Philanthropy Manager employer: Centrepoint
Contact Detail:
Centrepoint Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Philanthropy Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the philanthropy sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. 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 them double their income over the next three years.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your achievements! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your past successes in securing major gifts and leading teams. Numbers speak volumes, so don’t shy away from sharing impressive stats.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Centrepoint team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Philanthropy Manager
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 will show us you’re the right fit for our mission at Centrepoint.
Showcase Your Impact: When detailing your past roles, focus on the impact you've made. Use specific examples of how you've secured major donations or developed successful fundraising strategies. We love seeing measurable results!
Be Authentic: Let your passion for ending youth homelessness shine through in your application. We want to see your genuine motivation for joining Centrepoint and how you align with our values and mission.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
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. Highlight your experience in managing high-performing teams and securing major gifts. Be ready to discuss how you motivate and develop others, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Strategy
Think about how you would approach developing and implementing a philanthropy strategy for Centrepoint. Have a few ideas in mind about how to diversify the donor pipeline and secure those six-figure donations. This will demonstrate your proactive thinking and alignment with their growth ambitions.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Since excellent communication is key for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Prepare to discuss how you’ve influenced stakeholders at a senior level and how you plan to engage with major donors. This will help you make a strong impression during the interview.