At a Glance
- Tasks: Grow philanthropic income by building relationships with high-value supporters and managing donor engagement.
- Company: Join Missing People, a charity dedicated to helping those affected by disappearance.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holidays, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for career growth in a meaningful role.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your fundraising skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in major donor fundraising and strong relationship-building skills required.
Hours: 28 hrs per week. Permanent
Salary: £43,500 pro rata (£34,800 actual)
Location: Hybrid - Our offices are based in London, and there is a high degree of flexibility.
We are seeking an ambitious and relationship-driven Philanthropy Manager to play a key role in growing our major donor and philanthropic income. Building on a strong foundation that currently generates over £150,000 annually through our donor-giving circles and major gifts programme, you will develop and manage relationships with high-value supporters, philanthropists, and high-net-worth individuals.
Working closely with senior leadership and key stakeholders, you will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, creating meaningful engagement opportunities and delivering exceptional supporter experiences. Through strategic relationship management, compelling impact reporting, and proactive pipeline development, you will secure significant philanthropic income and help drive the charity’s future growth and impact.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced fundraiser with a proven track record in major donor fundraising, strong relationship-building skills, and the ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on delivery to achieve ambitious income targets.
About Missing People
Somebody goes missing in the UK every 90 seconds. Missing People exists to ease the heartache experienced by those missing someone, and to help people who are away from home find their way back to safety. Our vision is for every missing child, adult and family left behind to find help, hope and a safe way to reconnect. We are a non-judgemental, highly skilled team of staff and volunteers working for everyone who needs us. We provide free, confidential support, help and advice by phone, email, text and live chat. We coordinate a UK-wide network of people, businesses and media to join the search for the estimated 170,000 people who go missing each year. Missing People aims to put people with lived experience at the heart of our work, amplifying their voices to achieve change.
About You
You will be a forward-looking and collaborative Philanthropy Manager. You will have a vital role in growing philanthropy at Missing People, helping to connect committed supporters with work that can change lives and bring hope to people affected by disappearance.
You will help shape the next stage of our philanthropy programme, building trusted relationships with philanthropists and supporters who want to make a tangible difference. Your work will directly support our ability to reach more missing people, families and loved ones at moments of crisis, while helping us build the sustainable income needed to deliver our long-term strategy. A key part of your role will be helping donors see and understand the difference their support makes, translating our impact into compelling, personalised communications and stewardship that inspire long-term commitment.
You will need to have:
- Experience in developing and monitoring the implementation of fundraising strategies, budgets and operational plans;
- Experience of working with high-net-worth individuals and securing five and six-figure gifts;
- Significant experience within a philanthropy / major donor fundraising role, with a proven track record of developing relationships and exceeding fundraising targets;
- Ability to develop and drive forward new projects and initiatives, taking the lead and/or working collaboratively with colleagues;
- Ability to manage high profile people, acting with a high level of professionalism at all times;
- Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written, with an ability to relate with a diverse group of individuals (e.g. executives, high net worth individuals and community leaders);
- Right to work in the UK.
What you will get in return
Missing People is a friendly and supportive place to work – it’s a welcoming, caring organisation which really makes a difference to people affected by the issue of missing throughout the UK. We offer generous paid holidays, a range of enhanced family friendly benefits and are happy to talk about flexible working in most roles.
Find out more and apply
If you want to be a lifeline when someone goes missing, click apply to read the full job description. You will find attached a detailed job description and person specification and a letter to applicants from the line manager. To apply, please ensure you include your CV and a brief covering letter explaining how you would be a good fit for this role. We look forward to receiving your application.
Closing date: 12 July 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient interest, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Interviews: 20 July 2026
You may have experience of the following: Major Gifts Manager, Donor Relations Manager, Fundraising Manager, Relationship Manager - Philanthropy, Development Manager, Philanthropic Partnerships Manager, Senior Fundraiser, Major Donor Manager, Major Donor Coordinator, Donor Development Manager.
Philanthropy Manager employer: Missing People
Missing People is an exceptional employer that fosters a supportive and collaborative work environment, where every team member plays a crucial role in making a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by disappearance. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we offer generous paid holidays, enhanced family-friendly benefits, and flexible working arrangements, all while providing opportunities for professional growth and meaningful engagement with high-value supporters. Join us in our mission to provide hope and help to missing individuals and their families, and be part of a dedicated team that values your contributions and empowers you to excel.
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 Missing People.
✨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 Missing People.
✨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 Missing People.
✨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 Missing People. 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 Missing People. 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 Missing People
✨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 Missing People. 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!
