At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead major donor relationships and develop impactful engagement strategies.
- Company: Mission 44, dedicated to building a fairer future for young people.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, professional development budget, and flexible working hours.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to equity and social justice.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people through strategic donor engagement.
- Qualifications: Experience in major donor management and exceptional relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 68000 £ per year.
Work Pattern: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week with the opportunity for flexible working hours
Reporting To: Chief Engagement Officer
ABOUT THE ROLE
Mission 44 exists to drive change and build a fairer, more inclusive future for young people around the world.
As our work and partnerships continue to grow, so does our ambition to tell powerful stories that shine a light on the barriers young people face, champion solutions, and inspire meaningful action.
The Head of Major Donors will play a critical role in strengthening and stewarding Mission 44’s relationships with high-value donors, philanthropists, and strategic supporters.
This role will work alongside the Chief Engagement Officer to lead the development and delivery of a thoughtful, personalised and impactful Major Donors programme that deepens donor pipeline and engagement, increases contributions, strengthens long-term relationships, and inspires continued investment in Mission 44’s mission and impact.
The successful candidate will combine exceptional relationship management skills, a solid network of donors, strong project coordination and communications, with strategic thinking.
They will work closely across fundraising, communications, programmes and leadership teams to ensure donors experience meaningful engagement with Mission 44’s work, values and community.
- MAJOR DONOR CULTIVATION AND RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT (70%)
- Lead the organisation’s cultivation of new donors and deepening of the major donor pipeline.
- Personally lead the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major donors and prospects for six/seven-figure gifts.
- Lead the implementation of Mission 44’s global major donor stewardship strategy, ensuring all major donors feel engaged in and inspired.
- Manage and coordinate stewardship plans for high-value donors and philanthropic partners
- Build trusted, long-term relationships with major supporters through thoughtful and personalised engagement
- Develop tailored donor journeys that reflect supporter interests, motivations and impact priorities
- Identify opportunities to deepen donor engagement and increase long-term support
- Provide administrative support for the Global Growth Committee
- Work with Head of Engagement and Events to plan and deliver donor engagement opportunities at events, briefings, roundtables and programme visits to bring donors closer to our work
- Support leadership engagement with major donors and key stakeholders
- Coordinate donor experiences linked to Mission 44 campaigns, partnerships and strategic moments
- Help create meaningful opportunities for supporters to connect with Mission 44’s mission, young people and impact
- DONOR COMMUNICATIONS AND IMPACT REPORTING (20%)
- Ensure donors receive timely, high-quality communication and reporting
- Coordinate the creation of bespoke donor updates, reports and impact communications
- Work collaboratively with programme and communications teams to translate impact into compelling donor narratives
- Work with the communications team to ensure stewardship materials are high quality, aligned to brand and reflective of Mission 44’s values
- Support the development of case studies, impact stories and donor-facing content
- SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT AND COLLABORATION (10%)
- Maintain accurate donor records, engagement tracking and stewardship activity within CRM systems
- Monitor stewardship activity, timelines and reporting commitments
- Contribute to donor analysis, segmentation and fundraising insights
- Work closely with wider fundraising colleagues, communications and impact teams to deliver integrated supporter engagement
- Support senior leadership and ambassadors with donor preparation, briefing materials and relationship management
- Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing fundraising culture
ABOUT YOU: SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL
- Significant experience in major donor cultivation, stewardship, philanthropy or high-value relationship management
- Proven track record of managing relationships with high-net-worth individuals, philanthropists or strategic supporters
- Experience developing and delivering donor stewardship plans and engagement strategies
- Proven success in the direct solicitation and stewardship of six- and seven-figure philanthropic contributions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience producing high-quality donor reports and communications
- Strong project management and organisational skills
- Experience working with CRM systems and donor databases
- Some travel, particularly to the US
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders effectively
DESIRABLE
- Experience of major donor management at a global level
- Experience of Fundraising for a grant-making / campaigning organisation
- Experience with Principal Gifts processes
- Experience supporting fundraising campaigns or major gifts programmes
- Understanding of education equity, youth opportunity or systems change work
- Experience working within high-profile or fast-paced organisations
- Event management and donor engagement experience
- PERSONAL QUALITIES
- Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail
- Emotionally intelligent and discreet
- Strategic and proactive thinker
- Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to communicate impact in a compelling and authentic way
- Passion for equity, inclusion and social justice
- Commitment to Mission 44’s values and mission
- Resilient with demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Enjoy 28 days annual leave, plus a day for your birthday
- Use our cycle-to-work scheme and free gym access
- Save for retirement with our generous pension package
- We finish every Friday at noon in August
- Optional health insurance and access to an EAP
- Professional development budget of £1k
- Unlimited volunteering leave, as agreed with your manager
- Wellbeing allowance to spend in whatever way works for you
- Competitive parental leave package
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Contact Details:
Dangote Industries Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Major Donors in London
✨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 Dangote Industries Limited.
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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 Dangote Industries Limited.
✨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 Dangote Industries Limited.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Major Donors in London
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 Dangote Industries Limited. 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 Major Donors, 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 Dangote Industries Limited
✨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 Dangote Industries Limited. 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!