At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead major donor fundraising and build meaningful relationships with high-net-worth individuals.
- Company: Compassionate organisation dedicated to community support during emergencies.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days holiday, hybrid working, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusivity and personal wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by securing funds for lifesaving work in your community.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in major donor fundraising and excellent relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Location: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire
Contract: Permanent, full-time, hybrid working (minimum 2 days in office)
About our client
Our client exists to give everybody within their community the best chance of surviving and recovering from an emergency. They are here for you and your loved ones — whoever you are, wherever and whenever you need them.
What they are looking for
Our client is seeking an exceptional major donor fundraising professional to lead and grow their high-value giving programme. This is a senior, strategic, and hands-on role focused on developing meaningful, long-term relationships with high-net-worth individuals and securing transformational income to support their lifesaving work.
Your role
As the Senior Philanthropy Manager you will lead the major gifts programme, taking ownership of key initiatives including a Chair's giving circle and a dedicated philanthropy board. Working closely with the Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships, you will shape strategy while personally driving significant income through strong relationships and compelling fundraising proposals.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Managing a portfolio of high-net-worth donors and delivering significant income targets
- Personally securing five- and six-figure gifts through tailored cultivation, proposals, and stewardship
- Developing tailored cultivation and stewardship plans aligned to each supporter's interests and motivations
- Making complex, high-value funding asks, preparing compelling proposals and growing the Chair's giving circle and philanthropy board programmes
- Building strong relationships with senior stakeholders, including Trustees and the CEO
- Contributing to strategy, pipeline development, and identifying new funding opportunities
- Identifying new opportunities for restricted and unrestricted funding
- Ensuring compliance with fundraising regulations, GDPR, and internal policies
- Acting as an ambassador for the organisation and ensuring compliance with fundraising best practice
About You
You are an experienced major donor fundraiser with a proven track record of securing five and six figure high-value gifts and managing senior relationships. You are strategic yet hands-on, with excellent communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills.
They’re looking for someone who:
- Has proven experience in major donor or high-value fundraising with strong results
- Is confident engaging and influencing high-net-worth individuals and senior stakeholders
- Can balance strategic thinking with delivery of income targets
- Communicates effectively, both written and verbally, including proposal development
- Is proactive, organised, and able to manage competing priorities independently
- Brings a flexible and collaborative approach to work
Why Join Them?
You’ll be part of a dynamic, compassionate, and forward-thinking organisation. They’re proud of their culture – collaborative, inclusive, and committed to personal development. They care deeply about the wellbeing of their team and offer flexible working arrangements to support a healthy work-life balance.
A Place to Build a Future – Benefits
In return they offer a competitive salary and great staff benefits such as:
- 25 Days holiday / 267 Hours Holiday
- Hybrid Working (minimum 2 days in office)
- Holiday Trading
- Free annual Flu Vaccination
- Blue Light Card (Option to purchase)
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Company Pension Scheme
- Simply Health – Medical cash back scheme
- Disability Confident Employer
Their Values
They live by their values every day:
- They care no matter what – for their patients, their families, and each other.
- They go above and beyond – in the care they provide and the work they do.
- They do the right thing – in how they act and the decisions they make.
- Together, they save lives.
Diversity and Inclusion
They’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities they serve. They welcome applications from all backgrounds and are especially keen to hear from candidates who feel underrepresented in the charity sector.
Safeguarding
They follow robust recruitment and safeguarding practices to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their staff, volunteers, and the people they support. Relevant checks (e.g. DBS) will be carried out where appropriate.
Vacancy Closing Date: Friday 25th September 2026
This post may close early due to high numbers of applications, so you are advised to apply promptly.
Philanthropy Manager (Major Gifts) employer: Hireful
At hireful, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values teamwork and dedication. Our part-time roles, such as the Cleaning Assistant in Malvern, provide flexible hours that allow for a healthy work-life balance, while also presenting opportunities for personal growth and development within our community-focused environment. Join us to contribute to maintaining high cleanliness standards at The Downs, where your efforts are truly appreciated and rewarded.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Philanthropy Manager (Major Gifts)
✨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 Hireful.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
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 Hireful.
✨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 Hireful.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Hireful. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Philanthropy Manager (Major Gifts)
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 Hireful. 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 Philanthropy Manager (Major Gifts), 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 Hireful
✨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 Hireful. 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!
