Major Gift Development Manager in Darlington

Are you an experienced relationship fundraiser who wants to help secure transformational gifts that change the lives of dogs in the UK? We’re looking for a Major Gifts Development Manager to build a pipeline of new and existing donors across the North of England and Midlands. This ambitious new position will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Dogs Trust’s work in the region.

What does this role do? As Major Gift Development Manager, you will:

• Build a pipeline of prospective supporters in the region, proactively arranging meetings and approaches with potential donors.
• Identify individuals who are passionate about animal welfare and may support our work.
• Create memorable experiences that bring supporters closer to Dogs Trust by delivering bespoke, creative stewardship plans, underpinned by a deep understanding of donor motivations.
• Be a key representative of Dogs Trust with high-value supporters and senior volunteers.
• Work closely with internal colleagues to create close relationships with donors, providing them with a compelling and fulfilling supporter journey.
• Identify opportunities to develop relationships with senior volunteers and influential individuals to strengthen relationships in the region.

This is a hybrid role that will combine working from home and visiting local rehoming centres for meetings with donors across the region. The role will be contractually based at one of the following rehoming centres: Darlington, Leeds, Manchester, Merseyside, Shrewsbury, Kenilworth, Loughborough or Snetterton.

To be successful in this role, you’ll be a natural connector who thrives on meeting new people and building trust. You’ll have experience of fundraising and working with High Net Worth Individuals and making five-figure asks and above, or supporting senior colleagues with making those asks. You’ll need excellent communication skills, with the ability to write compelling proposals and build strong 1-1 relationships. While you’d ideally have experience in Major Gifts, we’d welcome applications from candidates who have fundraising or relationship management experience in other disciplines and are keen to develop their skills in this area. A commitment to the work we do at Dogs Trust is essential, as this must shine through while interacting with supporters.

About Dogs Trust: We love dogs. That’s why we do whatever we can to make sure every four-legged friend gets the love they deserve. We’ll never put a healthy dog down, so our work is focused on helping dogs in need, supporting owners every step of the walk, and creating a better world for dogs in the future. It’s what we’ve been doing since 1891 and how we’ve grown to become the UK’s leading dog charity, helping 12,000 loyal friends find their forever homes every year.

To apply for this position please click the APPLY NOW button. Our application process requires you submit a personal statement explaining your interest and suitability for the role. Dogs are incredibly diverse, much like the humans that love them! At Dogs Trust we value diversity, and we're committed to fostering an inclusive culture. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, abilities, and cultures and believe that a diverse workforce helps us to achieve our mission.

If there's anything on your mind or any adjustments you may need, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're here to support you every step of the way.