Senior Philanthropy Manager

Team: External Relations

Location: London, with hybrid working and some travel

Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week)

Salary: £41,389-£45,527

Contract: Permanent

Reports to: Head of External Relations

Who Are We?

Football Beyond Borders (FBB) is an education and youth charity supporting young people who are passionate about football but at risk of disengaging from school. Through long-term relationships with trusted adults, we help young people build the skills, confidence and sense of belonging they need to thrive in education and beyond.

Our work increasingly goes beyond the young people we support directly. Through our work with adults, schools and the Trusted Adult Guarantee, we are working towards a future where every young person has access to a trusted adult who knows them, believes in them and consistently shows up for them. Our North Star is simple: We Put Young People First.

As FBB enters the next phase of its work, we need to grow more long‑term, flexible and sustainable funding. That is where this role comes in.

Do you want to...

• Build long‑term relationships with major donors who care deeply about FBB’s work?
• Turn a strong existing network of supporters, trustees and influential people into a sustainable philanthropy income stream?
• Work closely with our CEO, Deputy CEO, Trustee Board and Development Committee on significant relationships and asks?
• Shape creative donor experiences and fundraising events across football, education and philanthropy?
• Take genuine ownership of an area of fundraising with significant room to grow?

If so, we’d love to hear from you.

The role

FBB already has strong relationships with philanthropists, football figures, business leaders, trustees and other influential supporters. We have a warm prospect pipeline, a committed Development Committee and senior leaders who are willing to open doors and support important relationships. We are looking for a Senior Philanthropy Manager who can make much more of that opportunity.

You will lead our major donor strategy, managing relationships with existing supporters while building a strong pipeline of new prospects. You’ll develop thoughtful cultivation and stewardship plans, shape significant asks, grow repeat and multi-year giving and make sure important relationships are followed through properly. You’ll also lead a small number of strategic cultivation and fundraising events each year, building on activity such as donor drinks, programme experiences and high-value fundraising dinners.

You do not need to arrive with your own network of wealthy donors. FBB already has strong networks around the organisation. What matters more is your skill, judgement, attention to detail and ability to build trusted relationships.

What you’ll own

• Major donor strategy and income: You’ll develop and deliver a clear philanthropy strategy and annual income plan, with a focus on significant personal giving, long-term relationships, repeat gifts and unrestricted and multi-year support. You’ll help us build a credible route towards an annual philanthropy income ambition of around £600,000.
• Donor and prospect relationships: You’ll take ownership of FBB’s existing major donor portfolio and warm pipeline. You’ll make sure relationships are properly handed over, identify and qualify new prospects and ensure we always know where our priority relationships stand, what the next step is and where senior involvement could make a difference.
• Cultivation, asks and stewardship: You’ll build thoughtful relationships with donors, understand what motivates them and create clear plans for cultivation, asks and stewardship. You’ll shape and make significant asks, sometimes yourself and sometimes alongside senior colleagues, and look for opportunities to renew, upgrade and deepen existing support.
• Senior relationships and the Development Committee: You’ll work closely with our CEO, Deputy CEO, Head of External Relations, trustees and Development Committee. They’ll help open doors, join meetings, support major asks and bring their networks. Your job will be to make that involvement focused and useful, with strong briefings, clear asks and excellent follow-up.
• Strategic philanthropy events: You’ll lead a small number of high-value cultivation, stewardship and fundraising events. You’ll think carefully about: who needs to be in the room, why they are there, what we want to happen next, how the event fits into the wider donor journey. You’ll work with colleagues across Communications, Operations and the wider organisation to make them happen. We want events to support the philanthropy strategy, rather than become the strategy.
• Pipeline, Salesforce and reporting: You’ll use Salesforce as the source of truth for major donor relationships and opportunities. You’ll keep pipeline stages, values, forecasts and next actions clear and accurate, and provide simple, useful reporting to the Head of External Relations, senior leadership and Development Committee. You’ll also work closely with colleagues leading Trusts & Foundations and Commercial Partnerships so relationships and income are coordinated well.
• FBB’s values and reputation: We want to grow our income ambitiously, but never at the expense of our values or responsibilities to young people. You’ll carry out appropriate donor due diligence, handle sensitive information carefully and make sure donor engagement with schools and young people is safe and appropriate. You’ll help us balance ambitious fundraising with FBB’s mission, independence and reputation.

What success looks like

After a brilliant first year in the role:

• FBB has a clear philanthropy strategy and a well-managed portfolio of donors and prospects.
• Existing donors are being retained, stewarded well and, where appropriate, giving more or committing for longer.
• New significant gifts are coming through from a healthy and realistic pipeline.
• We are making strong progress towards our annual philanthropy income ambition of around £600,000.
• Senior leaders, trustees and Development Committee members understand where they can add value and are being used well.
• A small number of strong cultivation and fundraising events are creating both income and longer‑term relationships.
• Forecasting is reliable and Salesforce gives us an accurate picture of relationships, opportunities and next steps.

Working in External Relations

You’ll join an External Relations Team spanning fundraising, partnerships, communications, policy and FBB’s wider external positioning. You’ll report to the Head of External Relations and work particularly closely with our CEO, Deputy CEO, Trustee Board and Development Committee. You will not be expected to build this income stream alone. Senior colleagues will bring relationships, organisational knowledge and influence. You’ll bring the philanthropy expertise, take ownership of the portfolio and help turn that access into a focused and sustainable approach. You’ll also work closely with Programmes and Impact so you understand FBB’s work deeply, with Communications on donor storytelling and materials, and with Finance on income reporting and gift processing.

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who understands how strong, high-value relationships are built and can take genuine ownership of the work. We’re particularly interested in someone who:

• Has experience securing significant gifts from individuals, or comparable experience developing high-value relationships.
• Has managed a portfolio of major donors, prospects or high-value clients.
• Can build and progress a pipeline rather than simply maintain existing relationships.
• Can develop thoughtful cultivation, ask and stewardship plans.
• Is confident shaping and making significant asks.
• Builds strong relationships with senior and influential people while remaining warm and grounded.
• Is highly organised, pays attention to detail and follows things through.
• Can work independently while knowing when to bring others in.
• Uses CRM systems and forecasting with discipline.
• Communicates clearly and confidently in writing and in person.
• Has good judgement, discretion and a genuine commitment to FBB’s mission.

It would be great if you also have experience securing unrestricted or multi-year funding, working with Development Committees or family offices, using Salesforce, or delivering high-value cultivation and fundraising events. You do not need to come from football or arrive with your own donor network. We’re also open to people from closely related relationship-led or commercial backgrounds who can show how their experience could translate into philanthropy at FBB.

Why join FBB?

You’ll join an organisation with a clear North Star: We Put Young People First. You’re also joining this role at an exciting point. There are already relationships, warm prospects and senior networks to work with, but there is plenty of space to shape how philanthropy develops over the next few years. You’ll have access to senior leaders who care about this work, a committed Development Committee and Trustee Board, and an organisation with strong stories, evidence and ambition. And you’ll have genuine ownership. This is not a role where you are simply handed a list of donors and asked to keep in touch. We want someone who can help us build something stronger.

Benefits & perks

Alongside your salary, you’ll have access to FBB’s wider benefits package, including:

• 40+ days annual leave: 20 flexible days plus 20+ days through organisation-wide shutdown periods.
• Personal wellbeing budget.
• Learning and development budget.
• Reflective practice and wellbeing support, alongside our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Financial wellbeing support through Mintago, alongside our pension and salary sacrifice offer.
• Access to Premier League, WSL and international football tickets when available.
• Regular team socials, staff gatherings and our annual residential.
• FBB Nike kit and uniform.
• Opportunities for coaching, mentoring and professional development.

Application process

Our recruitment process is designed to give you the chance to understand FBB as much as it allows us to understand you.

Application deadline: Sunday 4 October 2026

Stage 1: Application Submit your CV and responses to our application questions.

Stage 2: Initial conversation Screening conversations will take place during w/c 12 October

Stage 3: Interview Main interviews will take place during w/c 19 October and will focus on your experience and the real work of the role. We may arrange one additional conversation after the interview if needed.

Safeguarding at FBB

Safeguarding is at the heart of our work. Everyone at FBB has a responsibility to help create a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for young people. Any appointment will be subject to our safer recruitment requirements, including an Enhanced DBS check, appropriate references and relevant safeguarding checks and training. We expect everyone joining FBB to share our commitment to ensuring young people feel safe, supported and able to thrive.