At a Glance
- Tasks: Build meaningful relationships with donors and manage a portfolio to increase funding for kidney disease research.
- Company: Join Kidney Research UK, the leading charity focused on kidney disease prevention and treatment.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, private medical insurance, and a positive work culture.
- Other info: Work remotely with occasional travel in London; excellent career growth opportunities await!
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the lives of those affected by kidney disease while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in philanthropy or fundraising, with strong relationship-building skills.
Location: Home based in or within easy reach of London, with the expectation to travel in and around the London area.
Salary: £36,000 – £42,000 FTE depending on experience.
Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week (minimum 30 hours considered).
Contract: Fixed term contract – 12 months (maternity cover).
Benefits: We want all our employees to feel valued and engaged and are committed to offering a positive working culture along with a good work-life balance. As well as ensuring we pay our employees fairly, we offer the following benefits:
- Flexible working
- Generous annual leave
- Private Medical Insurance, including dental and optical
- Pension Scheme
- Sick Pay
- Death in Service
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Bike Loan Scheme
- Cycle2Work Scheme
- Eyecare
- Discount Portal
Be a part of an energetic and vibrant team who are driven by the desire to improve the lives of people living with kidney disease. Our vision is the day when everyone lives free from kidney disease. We want to prevent kidney disease from becoming a public health emergency and find better treatments for kidney patients sooner.
This is an exciting opportunity for a philanthropy manager who is based in or within easy reach of London. The role offers the chance to build meaningful relationships with supporters, partners and stakeholders across the capital, so regular travel within London will be an important part of the role.
The Role
- Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors to build long lasting and highly engaged relationships.
- Work closely with the head of philanthropy and the major appeals manager to play a key role in growing income from major donors over the next 3–5 years.
- Build a pipeline of new and existing donors and secure five and six-figure gifts.
- Manage mid to high value prospects and donors, building personal relationships through understanding donor motivations.
- Deliver tailored funding proposals and communications, and create a bespoke donor journey with the aim of increasing giving and connection to the cause.
Working Arrangements
Although our office is based in Peterborough, no regular office attendance is required. Staff usually come together in Peterborough twice a year for staff conferences. Travel within London is considered part of the role's normal working arrangements and will not be reimbursed. Travel to other locations outside London and Peterborough will be reimbursed in line with the expenses policy.
If you are interested in the position, please complete the online application form and submit together with your CV. We are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone and encourage applications from all sections of the community.
About Kidney Research UK: Kidney Research UK is the leading charity in the UK focused on funding research into the prevention, treatment and management of kidney disease. Our vision is the day when everyone lives free from kidney disease and for more than 60 years the research we fund has been making an impact. But kidney disease is increasing as are the factors contributing to it, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity, making our work more essential than ever.
At Kidney Research UK we work with clinicians and scientists across the UK, funding and facilitating research into all areas of kidney disease. We collaborate with partners across the public, private and third sectors to prevent kidney disease and drive innovation to transform treatments.
Over the last ten years we have invested more than £71 million into research. We lobby governments and decision makers to change policy and practice to ensure that the estimated 7.2 million people living with all stages of kidney disease in the UK have access to the most effective care and treatment, and to make kidney disease a priority.
Most importantly, we also work closely with patients, ensuring their voice is heard and is at the centre of everything we do, from deciding which research to invest in to how we plan our priorities and our work across the charity. Those patient contributions are vital, always helping us and our partners to understand what life is like with kidney disease, always ensuring we see the patient behind the treatment and always reminding us that behind every statistic and every number is a person – the patients and the carers who inspire our mission and push us forward to make a difference and change the future of kidney disease.
Closing date: Tuesday 14 July 2026. We may extend the closing date, however, please apply as soon as possible. Telephone interviews will be held on Friday 17 July and in-person interviews will be held virtually on Wednesday 22 July 2026. No agencies please.
You may have experience in the following: Philanthropy Manager, Major Gifts Manager, Major Donor Manager, Fundraising Manager, Individual Giving Manager, Relationship Fundraising Manager, Corporate Partnerships Manager, High Value Fundraising Manager, Donor Development Manager, Senior Fundraising Officer, Charity, Charities, Third Sector, Not for Profit, NFP, etc.
Philanthropy manager employer: Kidney Research
Kidney Research UK is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and work-life balance. With flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave, and comprehensive benefits including private medical insurance and a pension scheme, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. This role as a Philanthropy Manager provides the unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the lives of those affected by kidney disease while building meaningful relationships across London.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Philanthropy manager
✨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 Kidney Research.
✨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 Kidney Research.
✨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 Kidney Research.
✨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 Kidney Research. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Philanthropy manager
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 Kidney Research. 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, 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 Kidney Research
✨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 Kidney Research. 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!
