At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a global philanthropy programme to end factory farming and cultivate high-value donor relationships.
- Company: Compassion in World Farming International, a leader in animal welfare and sustainable food systems.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 25 days leave, health benefits, and ongoing development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to compassion and sustainability.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global animal welfare while shaping the future of food.
- Qualifications: Proven success in securing high-value gifts and leading fundraising teams.
Compassion in World Farming International is a global movement transforming the future of food and farming. As our Global Head of Major Donors, you’ll lead and grow a high-impact global philanthropy programme, generating significant income from high-net-worth individuals and principal donors to support our mission to end factory farming.
Role type: Full-time; Permanent
Location: Godalming, UK (hybrid working pattern 2x days in the office: Team days Tuesdays & Thursdays)
Salary: £55,000 -£60,000 per annum (depending upon skills and experience)
About the role
As our Global Head of Major Donors, you’ll help shape and deliver an ambitious global major donor strategy, building a strong pipeline of five and six figure donors across key markets, including the UK, US and Europe while personally cultivating high-value relationships. Alongside this you’ll provide strategic oversight of our growing global mid-level donor programme. As part of this role you’ll work closely with senior leaders across Compassion, where you’ll help translate our work into compelling propositions that inspire meaningful, long-term support.
As our Global Head of Major Donors, you’ll be responsible for:
- Leading the global major donor and mid-level fundraising programmes to deliver sustainable income growth across the UK, US and key European Markets
- Building and executing strategies to grow five- and six-figure gifts, with a focus on £50k+ donors
- Personally cultivating, soliciting and stewarding a portfolio of high-value donor relationships
- Developing compelling donor propositions and exceptional supporter journeys
- Driving pipeline development and prospect acquisition through insight led strategies
- Leading and developing a high-performing small team of fundraisers based in the UK, US and Europe
- Overseeing income forecasting, KPIs and CRM data quality to support strategic decision-making for this programme
- Collaborating across teams to maximise donor engagement, events, and global fundraising impact.
About you
To succeed in this role, you’ll be a strategic and relationship focused leader, with a strong track record of securing high-value gifts and growing philanthropic income streams across different markets. You’ll need to bring a blend of strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and leadership capability, where you are able to inspire donors and team members, while delivering against ambitious income targets.
Skills and experience you’ll need to bring:
- Proven success securing five and six-figure gifts from high net worth individuals
- Experience working in international fundraising contexts, ideally with experience of the US and/or European markets
- Experience designing and delivering major donor growth strategies
- Experience of leading or contributing to mid-level giving programmes
- Strong personal track record in cultivating, soliciting and closing high-value gifts
- Experience leading and developing passionate, high-performing fundraising or philanthropy teams
- Strong financial and analytical skills, including forecasting and pipeline management
- Ability to create compelling, tailored donor journeys and propositions
- Outstanding communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with confidence to influence at senior level
- A collaborative, proactive approach with a clear commitment to our mission
If you don’t meet every requirement but believe you could thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply.
Why join us
This is a rare opportunity to shape global philanthropy and deliver lasting impact for animals worldwide. We offer a supportive, flexible workplace with a strong focus on wellbeing and development, including:
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
- Health Cash Back Plan and 24/7 GP access
- Employee Assistance Programme and MHFA support
- Premium Calm App subscription
- Electric car scheme available
- Defined contribution pension scheme
- Enhanced discretionary sick pay
- Hybrid working model (role and location dependent)
- Free onsite parking and office next to mainline station
- Cycle Benefit scheme and other savings options
- Ongoing learning and development opportunities
How to apply and key dates
If you’re ready to make a global impact, we’d love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining how you meet the Person Specification. To support a fair and unbiased recruitment process, we kindly ask that you do not include a photo in your CV.
Please note that we may begin interviews on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged.
Closing date: Friday 5 June 10am
1st Stage (Teams) Interview: Wednesday 10 June
2nd Stage (Face to Face at HQ) Interview, with task: Wednesday 17 June
“Join us in building a more compassionate future for animals, people, and the planet.”
As part of Stage 1 interviews, shortlisted candidates may receive pre‑shared, values‑based interview questions to support a positive candidate experience. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know, we’re always happy to support candidates.
About Compassion
Compassion in World Farming International is a leading global organisation working to end factory farming. Founded in 1967 by British farmer Peter Roberts, we’ve spent over 50 years driving change, successfully campaigning to ban cruel practices such as barren battery cages, veal crates, and sow stalls across the UK and Europe. Our work combines advocacy, campaigning, and collaboration with policymakers and businesses to promote animal welfare and sustainable food systems. We envision a future where animals are treated with compassion, and farming supports both people and the planet.
To comply with legal requirements in the UK and internationally, all applicants must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the country where the role is based. Compassion in World Farming is absolutely committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their background. We value diversity and live experience and acknowledge the underrepresentation of people from certain backgrounds, both within our organisation and across the sector.
We welcome applications from underrepresented groups, whether these be of ethnicity, gender, identity, religion, physical ability, sexual orientation or other.
Global Head of Major Donors employer: Compassion in World Farming International (CIWF)
Compassion in World Farming International is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead impactful global philanthropy efforts from our Godalming office. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing and development, we provide a supportive hybrid working environment, generous annual leave, and ongoing learning opportunities, all while championing a mission that transforms food and farming for the betterment of animals and the planet.
Contact Detail:
Compassion in World Farming International (CIWF) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Head of Major Donors
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the philanthropy world, especially those who have experience with major donors. A warm introduction can make all the difference when you're trying to secure those high-value relationships.
✨Tip Number 2
Do your homework on potential donors. Understand their interests and past giving patterns. This way, you can tailor your approach and create compelling propositions that resonate with them, making it easier to inspire long-term support.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Whether it's a casual chat or a formal meeting, being able to clearly articulate Compassion's mission and how their contributions will make an impact is key. Confidence and clarity can win over even the toughest critics.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After meetings or events, send a quick thank-you note or a personalised message. Keeping the lines of communication open shows that you value their time and interest, which can lead to stronger relationships down the line.
We think you need these skills to ace Global Head of Major Donors
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Global Head of Major Donors. Highlight your experience in securing high-value gifts and any international fundraising contexts you've worked in. We want to see how your skills align with our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain how you meet the person specification and why you're passionate about ending factory farming. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm for our cause, so let that passion come through!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading a small team, be sure to highlight your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've developed high-performing teams and cultivated strong donor relationships. We’re looking for someone who can inspire others!
Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We may start interviewing on a rolling basis, so get your CV and cover letter in as soon as you can. We can’t wait to hear from you, so apply through our website today!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compassion in World Farming International (CIWF)
✨Know Your Donors
Before the interview, research Compassion in World Farming's major donors and their philanthropic interests. Understanding who they are and what drives them will help you articulate how you can build and nurture those relationships effectively.
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Be prepared to discuss specific strategies you've implemented in previous roles to secure high-value gifts. Use concrete examples that demonstrate your ability to develop compelling donor propositions and grow fundraising programmes.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Highlight your experience working with diverse teams and stakeholders. Compassion values collaboration, so share examples of how you've successfully partnered with others to maximise donor engagement and fundraising impact.
✨Prepare for Values-Based Questions
Since Compassion may ask values-based questions, reflect on your personal alignment with their mission. Think about how your values resonate with their goals and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their vision of a more compassionate future.
