Major Gifts Officer

We are looking for a talented relationship fundraiser to manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects, building authentic relationships that inspire significant philanthropic support for environmental challenges. This is an exceptional opportunity to join one of the charity sector's most successful major gifts programmes. Working closely with the Deputy Head of Major Gifts, you will take ownership of a portfolio of committed supporters, developing tailored cultivation strategies, making significant asks and delivering stewardship. You will create meaningful opportunities for donors to connect with Greenpeace's work through one-to-one meetings, campaign briefings, events or bespoke engagement experiences. You will join a collaborative fundraising team with Events & Operations support, prospect research resource and strong internal relationships across the organisation. This is an opportunity to develop major gifts expertise, take ownership of high-value relationships and contribute to Greenpeace UK's philanthropic fundraising.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects, building trusted relationships that maximise long-term philanthropic support.
• Develop and deliver tailored cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies for each supporter, taking responsibility for the full donor journey.
• Identify new prospects, secure meetings and create bespoke engagement plans that build a strong pipeline of future supporters.
• Make compelling asks through face-to-face meetings, telephone conversations and written proposals, securing significant gifts for Greenpeace UK's priorities.
• Create meaningful opportunities for donors to engage with Greenpeace's campaigning work through events, briefings, visits and other bespoke experiences.
• Work closely with colleagues across fundraising, campaigns and communications to develop inspiring donor propositions and stewardship.
• Manage your portfolio using donor insight, research and pipeline planning, ensuring accurate CRM records and contributing towards ambitious income targets.
• Play an active role within the Major Gifts team, sharing intelligence, supporting colleagues and contributing to the programme's ongoing success.

Benefits and working arrangements

• 25 days annual leave for full-time staff, with additional leave accrued according to length of service up to a maximum of 32 days.
• One organisational "breather" day each month with no expectations of output.
• Office closure typically between Christmas and New Year; staff are not required to use annual leave to cover this period.
• Employer pension contribution of 8.5% of basic salary, provided employees contribute at least 3%.
• Interest-free season ticket loan, or a tax-efficient bicycle loan.
• Life assurance of 4 x annual salary.
• Employee Assistance Programme with access to free confidential counselling.
• Hybrid working: 3 days per week from home and 2 days per week from the Islington, London office.
• Closes 16 July 2026; applications taking place for this permanent role; salary range £48,396 – £55,644 (appointments typically at the start of the range).
• Full-time, open to part-time or compressed hours, not less than 80% FTE.

Essential skills and experience

• Experience identifying, cultivating and securing significant gifts from high-net-worth individuals and/or their foundations (driven by relationship management). Applications are also welcome from those with experience in sales, gifts, partnerships, projects or other high-value opportunities through relationship management.
• Experience managing a portfolio of donors, clients, accounts or comparable external relationships, developing tailored engagement strategies that build long-term relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to develop compelling proposals, pitches and donor communications, and build credibility with senior stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple relationships simultaneously, prioritise competing demands, maintain accurate records and deliver against income or commercial targets.
• A warm, authentic and emotionally intelligent relationship-builder, able to adapt your approach to different audiences and create meaningful engagement opportunities.
• Confident representing an organisation professionally at meetings, events and other external engagements.
• A collaborative approach, sound judgement and genuine commitment to Greenpeace UK's values and mission.

Desirable, but not essential

• Experience of major donor fundraising.
• Experience securing high 5-figure or 6-figure+ gifts or comparable high-value income.
• Experience of capital campaigns, corporate partnerships or other strategic relationship fundraising.

Diversity and Inclusion

Greenpeace UK recognise the value in having a diverse workforce, as well as the importance of creating equal opportunities for all. Applications are welcomed and encouraged from people of all backgrounds. Applications are particularly encouraged from people of colour, disabled people, and people who identify as working class now or in the past.

About Greenpeace UK

Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction. Their vision is a world where everyone has equal access to clean air, water, and energy; where the nature we love is protected, precious habitats are restored and communities are united by ambitious climate action. Greenpeace UK's mission is to halve emissions and restore biodiversity by the end of this decade in a fair and equitable way. Their 2025-2027 strategic plan outlines how Greenpeace UK (GPUK) will play a vital role in getting there. Greenpeace UK's Key Relationships programme raises around £15-16 million each year from major donors, trusts, foundations and legacies, funding the organisation's campaigning work.

Additional information

Greenpeace UK wants its team to reflect the diversity of the communities it works alongside. It is committed to fairness, inclusion, and challenging discrimination and oppression in all its forms. The environmental sector still has further to go on representation. Greenpeace UK has published ambitious race representation targets and, through its Anti Racism Plan, is working to achieve stronger representation of people of colour. A Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) is being piloted with opt-in for eligible candidates. If you identify as a person of colour and meet the essential criteria for the role, you can opt in via the form provided.