At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate philanthropy strategies to secure major donations for children's cancer research.
- Company: Join Children with Cancer UK, a leading charity making a real difference in young lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and the chance to inspire change.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture where your voice matters.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven fundraising experience and strong relationship-building skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are seeking an exceptional Head of Philanthropy to create and lead our major donor, Trusts and Foundations and Corporate partnerships programme and optimise the Individual Giving (IG) programme. This role is full time, based at our Holborn office in London, with hybrid working in place. The successful candidate will work 3 days per week on site and meeting (potential) donors, with the remainder available to be worked remotely.
This is a critical senior leadership role responsible for developing and delivering an ambitious philanthropy strategy that will build a sustainable pipeline of five, six and seven-figure, multi-year gifts from high-net-worth individuals - as lifetime and legacy gifts - corporates and Trusts and Foundations while also refining a long-standing £multi-million-year IG programme.
You will shape and grow a sector-leading major donor programme – strengthening stewardship, building influential networks and inspiring transformational support for children with cancer.
Children with Cancer UK is a leading children's cancer charity dedicated to raising and investing funds into vital specialist research to save the lives of children with cancer. Our mission is to improve survival rates and the quality of survival in young cancer patients and to find ways to prevent cancer in the future. What began as a small memorial charity in 1988, has evolved into a major force raising more than £300 million and investing in over 200 research projects to help fight the injustice of cancer in children.
Main Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver an ambitious philanthropy strategy
- Build and manage a sustainable, multi-year pipeline of five, six and seven-figure gifts
- Review and enhance stewardship journeys and relationship management standards
- Expand and develop mid-level giving programmes to grow supporter volume and value
- Optimise the IG programme of direct mail, lottery and raffle platforms
- Revive the legacy programme
- Deliver high-impact events that generate strong return on investment and create new leads
- Develop compelling, emotionally engaging and evidence-based proposals and presentations.
Leadership & Culture
- Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing philanthropy team
- Coach and empower managers to drive accountability and continuous improvement
- Partner with senior leaders across the charity to align strategy and propositions
- Embed collaboration and co-production across fundraising activity
- Lead by example to promote a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture
- Inspire teams and promote positive morale through supportive leadership, collaboration and clear communication
Performance & Governance
- Take full accountability for departmental budgets, KPIs and income targets
- Monitor and forecast income performance, taking corrective action where needed
- Hold teams accountable for high standards of performance, delivery and continuous improvement by setting, evaluating and addressing measurable objectives and goals
- Provide strong, decisive leadership to support effective decision-making and performance, addressing underperformance promptly and supporting development and growth
- Ensure the Salesforce CRM is updated and appropriately interrogated to find patterns and leading indicators for potential donors
- Lead cross-team strategic initiatives that strengthen capability and shared learning
- Ensure compliance with the Fundraising Regulator Code of Conduct, GDPR and data protection requirements
About You
We are looking for a strategic, relationship-led fundraising leader with a proven track record of securing significant support from high-net-worth individuals, corporates or Trusts and Foundations as well as experience of Direct Marketing. This is a new role, perfect for a fundraiser who loves building programmes and coaching and developing colleagues. You will proactively build the pipeline, demonstrating a creative approach to reach potential new donors in the UK and globally.
You will bring:
- Demonstrable experience of leading a major donor programme
- Proven success securing and stewarding multi-year, five- and six-figure gifts
- Demonstrable experience of an IG programme
- Proven strong people leadership skills with the ability to motivate, influence and build high-performing teams
- Strong financial acumen including budgeting, forecasting and performance analysis
- Confident decision-maker with a proactive, solutions-focussed approach, informed by data and a strong evidence base.
- Exceptional communication, negotiation and presentation skills with the ability to build positive working relationships.
- A values-led approach that authentically includes people with lived experience.
You will also be willing to travel within the UK and attend occasional evening and weekend events.
Person Specification
Essential skills and experience:
- Experience of leading a major donor, corporate and/or Trusts & Foundations Team
- Experience of an Individual Giving/Direct Mail team
- Setting and managing budgets
- Managing and coaching colleagues
- Building relationships with a variety of stakeholders
- Harnessing the power of a CRM to infer patterns and indicators
- Proven leadership, decision-making and people management skills
- Excellent relationship building and persuasion skills
- Ability to use evidence as well as emotion to convey important fundraising concepts and impacts
- Demonstrable success in increasing fundraising income
- Ability to manage change and drive continuous improvement
- Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines
- A self-starter who is able to work independently and uses judgement to make day to day decisions without referral
- Well organised with a systematic approach
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and contribute to a positive working environment and culture
Desirable:
- Experience using Salesforce
- Experience of governance, compliance and risk management
- Public speaking
- Understanding the intricacies of lottery and raffle mailings
- Creative and innovative
Please note: If you don't match all our essential criteria but have other relevant experiences and skills, please do apply. We would love to hear from you.
Other information
At Children with Cancer UK we value diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone is able to be themselves and to reach their full potential. The statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required for this position.
How to Apply
We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in line with our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Please submit your CV and cover letter. Applications should represent the candidate's own experience and perspective. While AI tools may be used for guidance, responses must reflect your personal experience and may be discussed in detail during the selection process. You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy.
Head Of Philanthropy employer: Children with Cancer UK
Children with Cancer UK is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children battling cancer. Located in Holborn, London, the charity offers flexible hybrid working arrangements, empowering employees to balance their professional and personal lives while contributing to a vital cause. With a strong focus on employee development and leadership opportunities, team members are encouraged to grow and thrive within a supportive environment that values diversity and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Of Philanthropy
✨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 Children with Cancer UK.
✨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 Children with Cancer UK.
✨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 Children with Cancer UK.
✨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 Children with Cancer UK. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Philanthropy
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 Children with Cancer UK. 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 Head Of Philanthropy, 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 Children with Cancer UK
✨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 Children with Cancer UK. 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!
