At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-value fundraising and manage key supporter relationships for a transformative charity.
- Company: Dynamic charity in Chelsea focused on innovation and wellbeing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace welcoming diverse candidates with a passion for philanthropy.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by driving major gifts for impactful healthcare initiatives.
- Qualifications: Proven track record in securing significant donations and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 65000 £ per year.
Our client is a charity based in Chelsea and Westminster with a mission to create world-class facilities, drive innovation and research, and enhance patient and staff wellbeing. This charity has grown an ambitious fundraising programme, from a £12.5m critical care redevelopment campaign to rapid-response COVID fundraising and a pioneering young people's mental health programme. Now, with over £19m raised towards Thirty at Thirty (a £30m appeal launched in May 2023), the charity is seeking an exceptional relationship fundraiser to help deliver the final phase of this major campaign and to oversee the philanthropic giving programme beyond.
The Head of Major Gifts will lead the high-value fundraising activity, personally managing a portfolio of key supporters while leading the Major Gifts team (two direct reports and one dotted-line report). Working closely with the CEO (an experienced and active fundraiser), you will oversee a robust and disciplined prospect pipeline across major donors, trusts and foundations, and corporate partners, and you'll lead the management of the Development Board - an influential group of senior supporters and open doors to transformational philanthropy.
The role will also shape and deliver inspiring donor engagement, from curated events and private tours to bespoke proposals, reports and stewardship communications, working in close partnership with senior leadership, clinicians and volunteers across the Trust.
To be successful, you will bring a demonstrable track record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts (relationship-led fundraising), alongside strong influencing skills. You will be a collaborative, motivating manager, comfortable setting direction and driving a high-performance culture, and confident producing compelling written cases for support, proposals and donor reports. You'll be highly organised, detail-focused, and able to thrive in a target-driven, fast-paced environment. Experience of the healthcare sector or arts sector is advantageous but not essential.
We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy/maternity. If you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the process then please contact Femke Vorstman at Femke.Vorstman@prospect-us.co.uk.
Head of Major Gifts in London employer: Prospectus IT Recruitment
This charity, located in the vibrant Chelsea and Westminster area, is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact on healthcare through innovative fundraising initiatives. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and collaboration, staff members enjoy a supportive work culture that fosters creativity and engagement, alongside competitive salaries and the flexibility of a hybrid working model. Joining this team means being part of a passionate community committed to enhancing patient and staff wellbeing while driving significant philanthropic efforts.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Major Gifts in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the charity sector! Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Show Your Passion
When you get the chance to chat with someone from the charity, let your enthusiasm shine through! Talk about why you care about their mission and how you can contribute. We want to see that fire in you – it makes all the difference!
✨Prepare for Informal Chats
Before any meeting or casual coffee catch-up, do your homework! Know the charity’s recent projects and challenges. We want to see you come prepared with ideas on how you can help them achieve their goals. It shows initiative and genuine interest!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Major Gifts in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Major Gifts role. Highlight your experience in relationship-led fundraising and any relevant achievements that align with our mission. We want to see how you can contribute to our ambitious goals!
Showcase Your Storytelling Skills:Since you'll be crafting compelling cases for support, it's essential to demonstrate your storytelling abilities in your application. Share examples of how you've engaged donors in the past and how you can inspire them to join us in making a difference.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured documents that are easy to read. Make sure to highlight your key skills and experiences without unnecessary fluff – we want to get to know the real you!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. This way, you’ll ensure it reaches the right people directly. Plus, it’s super easy and straightforward – just follow the prompts and let us see what you’ve got!
How to prepare for a job interview at Prospectus IT Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you come prepared with specific examples of your past fundraising successes, especially any six- or seven-figure gifts you've secured. This role is all about relationship-led fundraising, so be ready to discuss how you built those relationships and the strategies you used.
✨Understand the Mission
Dive deep into the charity's mission and recent campaigns, like the Thirty at Thirty appeal. Show genuine enthusiasm for their work and be prepared to discuss how your skills can help them achieve their goals, particularly in enhancing patient and staff wellbeing.
✨Engage with the Team
Since this role involves leading a team, think about how you can demonstrate your collaborative leadership style. Prepare to share examples of how you've motivated teams in the past and how you plan to foster a high-performance culture within the Major Gifts team.
✨Craft Compelling Proposals
As you'll be producing donor reports and proposals, practice articulating your ideas clearly and persuasively. Bring along samples of your written work if possible, and be ready to discuss your approach to creating compelling cases for support that resonate with potential donors.
