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- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to grow major giving and drive impactful fundraising strategies.
- Company: Join Friends of the Earth, the UK's largest grassroots network for environmental protection.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 4-day work week, competitive salary, and excellent learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the fight against climate change and inequality.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in high-value fundraising and team leadership.
- Other info: Flexible working across the UK with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 49000 - 56550 £ per year.
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Regional £49,202 to £53,252 per annum, or London £52,500 to £56,550 per annum
Hours: Full time (30 hours over 4 days)
Location: Flexible across England, Wales and Northern Ireland (London salary applicable to candidates who live in London or are based in the London office a minimum of two days a week)
This is a great opportunity to join the UK's biggest grassroots network dedicated to protecting people and planet at a critical time for our world. We're looking for an experienced high value fundraiser and team leader to join Friends of the Earth as our Head of Major Giving. The role will focus on growing income and leading our passionate and well-established high net worth team, which covers Philanthropy, Trusts and Foundations and Strategic Partnerships.
You will be responsible for developing the Major Giving strategy, retaining our loyal supporters and attracting new, long-term funders by refreshing the stewardship and cultivation programme to encourage delivery on our growth plans in line as we develop a new strategy to answer the challenges in the external environment and ensure that we have the funds to respond to the crises of climate, nature and inequality.
We are developing a new organisational strategy, building on our proud history of working with communities to achieve change. We have longstanding partners and loyal supporters to bring with us as we evolve to meet the challenges and deliver the urgent action needed to deliver our mission.
Key Skills and Attributes We're Looking For:
- Experience of motivating and inspiring team members to achieve high, sustainable performance.
- Collaborative and skilled at working cross-organisationally and building strong internal relationships.
- A good networker and ability to work in true partnership with grassroots organisations and funding partners.
- Demonstrable experience of significant income growth and pipeline development.
- Experience of, or knowledge of campaigning organisations would be an advantage as well as organisations going through strategic change.
The Major Giving team consists of 12 people with five direct reports, leading the sub-teams of Philanthropy, Trusts and Foundations, Strategic Partnerships and our Events function. Your team sits within the Income Generation Directorate, and you'll work closely with colleagues across that Directorate and with our Policy & Campaigns, Engagement and Community & Network Directorates.
You will play a key role in promoting a culture of philanthropy and partnerships across the entire organisation as together we strive to create lasting change in the fight against climate and nature crisis.
Benefits:
- We offer a competitive range of benefits, good work/life balance including a 4-day working week with no loss of pay, additional leave for sustainable travel, excellent learning and development opportunities and a vibrant organisational culture.
EEO Statement:
Our staff body is currently under-representative of People of Colour, LGBTQIA+ people and people with long term conditions or impairments. We are committed to eroding these historic barriers, so as to create a movement in which people from all walks of life see themselves in, and so we particularly encourage you to apply if you belong to one of these groups or sit at multiple intersections of disadvantage. We are committed to the Disability Confident standard and will guarantee an interview to any candidates who declare a disability and who meet the essential criteria for the role.
Closing Date: Monday 23rd February 2026 (23:59)
Please note we only accept applications via the Friends of the Earth Application System.
Interview date: Week commencing 9th March 2026
Head of Major Giving in London employer: Friends of the Earth
Contact Detail:
Friends of the Earth Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Major Giving in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the fundraising and environmental sectors. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Head of Major Giving role!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for the cause! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or during interviews, make sure to express your commitment to climate action and social justice. They want to see that you’re not just about the numbers but also about making a real difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research Friends of the Earth thoroughly—know their mission, values, and recent campaigns. Think about how your experience aligns with their goals and be ready to discuss specific examples of your past successes in fundraising and team leadership.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Friends of the Earth. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make a difference!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Major Giving in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We want to see how you align with our mission and values, so don’t hold back on showcasing your passion for grassroots work!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on quantifiable achievements that demonstrate your ability to grow income and lead teams. We love numbers, so if you've increased fundraising by a certain percentage or led a successful campaign, let us know!
Be Authentic: We’re looking for genuine individuals who can inspire others. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your application. Share your story and what drives you to make a difference in the world!
Apply Through Our Website: Remember, we only accept applications via the Friends of the Earth Application System. So, make sure to submit your application through our website to ensure it gets into the right hands. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Friends of the Earth
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Friends of the Earth's mission and values. Understand their current challenges and how the Major Giving role fits into their strategy. This will show your genuine interest and help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Major Giving, you'll need to inspire and motivate your team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, focusing on collaboration and achieving high performance. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you've implemented to drive income growth.
✨Network Like a Pro
Highlight your networking abilities during the interview. Share stories about how you've built strong relationships with funders and grassroots organisations. Discuss your approach to partnership development and how it can benefit Friends of the Earth’s mission.
✨Be Ready for Strategic Discussions
Expect questions about strategic change and how you would adapt to evolving challenges. Prepare to discuss your experience with developing and implementing fundraising strategies, especially in response to external pressures like climate change and inequality.
