At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead major donor relationships and develop impactful engagement strategies.
- Company: Mission 44, dedicated to building a fairer future for young people.
- Benefits: 28 days leave, flexible hours, gym access, and professional development budget.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to social justice and meaningful impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in youth equity while working with high-value supporters.
- Qualifications: Experience in major donor management and exceptional communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 68000 £ per year.
Salary: £65,000-£68,000 per year
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: UK (minimum 2 days per week in the London office)
Work Pattern: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week with the opportunity for flexible working hours
Reporting To: Chief Engagement Officer
ABOUT THE ROLE
Mission 44 exists to drive change and build a fairer, more inclusive future for young people around the world. As our work and partnerships continue to grow, so does our ambition to tell powerful stories that shine a light on the barriers young people face, champion solutions, and inspire meaningful action.
The Head of Major Donors will play a critical role in strengthening and stewarding Mission 44’s relationships with high-value donors, philanthropists, and strategic supporters. This role will work alongside the Chief Engagement Officer to lead the development and delivery of a thoughtful, personalised and impactful Major Donors programme that deepens donor pipeline and engagement, increases contributions, strengthens long‑term relationships, and inspires continued investment in Mission 44’s mission and impact.
The successful candidate will combine exceptional relationship management skills, a solid network of donors, strong project coordination and communications, with strategic thinking. They will work closely across fundraising, communications, programmes and leadership teams to ensure donors experience meaningful engagement with Mission 44’s work, values and community.
MAJOR DONOR CULTIVATION AND RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT (70%)
- Lead the organisation’s cultivation of new donors and deepening of the major donor pipeline.
- Personally lead the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major donors and prospects for six/seven‑figure gifts.
- Lead the implementation of Mission 44’s global major donor stewardship strategy, ensuring all major donors feel engaged in and inspired.
- Manage and coordinate stewardship plans for high‑value donors and philanthropic partners.
- Build trusted, long‑term relationships with major supporters through thoughtful and personalised engagement.
- Develop tailored donor journeys that reflect supporter interests, motivations and impact priorities.
- Identify opportunities to deepen donor engagement and increase long‑term support.
- Provide administrative support for the Global Growth Committee.
- Work with Head of Engagement and Events to plan and deliver donor engagement opportunities at events, briefings, roundtables and programme visits to bring donors closer to our work.
- Support leadership engagement with major donors and key stakeholders.
- Coordinate donor experiences linked to Mission 44 campaigns, partnerships and strategic moments.
- Help create meaningful opportunities for supporters to connect with Mission 44’s mission, young people and impact.
DONOR COMMUNICATIONS AND IMPACT REPORTING (20%)
- Ensure donors receive timely, high‑quality communication and reporting.
- Coordinate the creation of bespoke donor updates, reports and impact communications.
- Work collaboratively with programme and communications teams to translate impact into compelling donor narratives.
- Work with the communications team to ensure stewardship materials are high quality, aligned to brand and reflective of Mission 44’s values.
- Support the development of case studies, impact stories and donor‑facing content.
SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT AND COLLABORATION (10%)
- Maintain accurate donor records, engagement tracking and stewardship activity within CRM systems.
- Monitor stewardship activity, timelines and reporting commitments.
- Contribute to donor analysis, segmentation and fundraising insights.
- Work closely with wider fundraising colleagues, communications and impact teams to deliver integrated supporter engagement.
- Support senior leadership and ambassadors with donor preparation, briefing materials and relationship management.
- Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive and high‑performing fundraising culture.
ABOUT YOU: SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL
- Significant experience in major donor cultivation, stewardship, philanthropy or high‑value relationship management.
- Proven track record of managing relationships with high‑net‑worth individuals, philanthropists or strategic supporters.
- Experience developing and delivering donor stewardship plans and engagement strategies.
- Proven success in the direct solicitation and stewardship of six‑ and seven‑figure philanthropic contributions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience producing high‑quality donor reports and communications.
- Strong project management and organisational skills.
- Experience working with CRM systems and donor databases.
- Some travel, particularly to the US.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders effectively.
DESIRABLE
- Experience of major donor management at a global level.
- Experience of Fundraising for a grant‑making / campaigning organisation.
- Experience with Principal Gifts processes.
- Experience supporting fundraising campaigns or major gifts programmes.
- Understanding of education equity, youth opportunity or systems change work.
- Experience working within high‑profile or fast‑paced organisations.
- Event management and donor engagement experience.
PERSONAL QUALITIES
- Exceptional relationship‑building and interpersonal skills.
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
- Emotionally intelligent and discreet.
- Strategic and proactive thinker.
- Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to communicate impact in a compelling and authentic way.
- Passion for equity, inclusion and social justice.
- Commitment to Mission 44’s values and mission.
- Resilient with demonstrated ability to work in a fast‑paced environment.
Benefits
- Enjoy 28 days annual leave, plus a day for your birthday.
- Use our cycle‑to‑work scheme and free gym access.
- Save for retirement with our generous pension package.
- We finish every Friday at noon in August.
- Optional health insurance and access to an EAP.
- Professional development budget of £1k.
- Unlimited volunteering leave, as agreed with your manager.
- Wellbeing allowance to spend in whatever way works for you.
- Competitive parental leave package.
Head of Major Donors in London employer: Mission 44
Mission 44 is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a fairer and more inclusive future for young people. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, we offer generous benefits such as 28 days of annual leave, flexible working hours, and a professional development budget, all within a collaborative and high-performing work culture. Located in London, our team enjoys the unique opportunity to engage directly with impactful initiatives while building meaningful relationships with major donors and supporters.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Major Donors in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the sector. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. Remember, it’s all about building those relationships that can lead to opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Be prepared for interviews! Research Mission 44 thoroughly and come armed with questions that show your genuine interest in their mission. Think about how your skills can directly contribute to their goals, especially in major donor engagement.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after meetings or interviews. A simple thank you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Use this opportunity to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and how you can make an impact at Mission 44.
✨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 and supporting Mission 44’s incredible work.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Major Donors in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Major Donors role. Highlight your experience in major donor cultivation and relationship management, and show how your skills align with our mission at Mission 44.
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your past experiences, focus on the impact you've made in previous roles. Use specific examples of how you've successfully managed relationships with high-value donors and contributed to fundraising efforts.
Be Authentic:We want to see the real you! Let your passion for equity, inclusion, and social justice shine through in your application. Share your personal connection to our mission and why you’re excited about this opportunity.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mission 44
✨Know Your Mission
Before the interview, dive deep into Mission 44's mission and values. Understand their focus on equity and inclusion for young people. This will not only help you align your answers but also show your genuine interest in their work.
✨Showcase Your Relationship Skills
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully cultivated relationships with major donors in the past. Highlight your ability to create tailored donor journeys and how you've engaged high-value supporters effectively.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Strategy
Think about how you would develop and implement a major donor stewardship strategy. Be prepared to discuss your approach to increasing contributions and deepening donor engagement, as this is a key part of the role.
✨Communicate Impact Effectively
Practice articulating how you've translated impact into compelling narratives for donors. Bring examples of high-quality reports or communications you've produced, as this will demonstrate your ability to convey meaningful stories that resonate with supporters.
