At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fundraising efforts to secure major gifts and multi-year commitments for social mobility initiatives.
- Company: Join the UK's leading social mobility charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and support for your career journey.
- Other info: Maternity cover role with excellent growth opportunities in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team empowering young people to succeed, regardless of their background.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in fundraising and relationship building with high-net-worth individuals and trusts.
Prospectus is excited to be partnering with our client in the search for a Head of Philanthropy on a maternity cover contract for up to 14 months. The new postholder will need to start no later than August 2026. The Trust is the UK's leading social mobility charity. They believe every young person should have a chance in life, regardless of their family's income, the school they go to or where they grow up. But today in Britain, the opportunity to succeed is heavily shaped by socio-economic background. Each year, together with university and employer partners, they support over 14,000 young people to reach their potential through university, apprenticeship and career access programmes.
As the Head of Philanthropy, you will inherit a successful philanthropy area of fundraising for the organisation and will lead the team in securing major gifts and multi-year commitments across the individuals and trusts & foundations income streams. The postholder will join at a brilliant moment of momentum for the organisation to secure income across the 2030 strategy period.
The Head of Philanthropy will also work closely with the Director of Development to ensure gold-standard stewardship for our high-value donors, coaching and developing line reports to ensure income generation targets are met across trusts, foundations, and individual donor income streams.
To be successful as the Head of Philanthropy, you will be an experienced leader and fundraiser, confident in securing new business through active prospecting and networking, with ingrained knowledge of how to secure and steward HNWIs and trusts & foundations. This will ideally have been done at the six-figures-plus level and you will have significant experience in working with senior leaders and volunteers to cultivate meaningful relationships, steward HNWI, trusts, and foundations, and deliver robust prospect pipelines.
This role is a maternity cover contract position that will have hybrid working in the London offices for at least two days per week, for up to 14 months. The salary for this role is £60,000 to £72,000.
At Prospectus, we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds. Please let us know if we can help you with the application process in any way. We are more than happy to make any reasonable adjustments to enable all interested candidates to apply.
If you have any disability and would like assistance with completing an application then please contact Ryan Burdock at Prospectus. If you are interested in applying to this Head of Philanthropy position, please submit your CV in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will send you the full job description and will arrange for a call and/or meeting to brief you on the role. You'll then have all the information you need to formally apply. We are looking forward to connecting with you soon.
Head of Philanthropy employer: Prospectus
Prospectus is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises social impact and employee development. As the Head of Philanthropy, you will be part of a leading social mobility charity in London, where you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people while enjoying hybrid working arrangements and competitive salary packages. The organisation fosters a supportive environment that encourages professional growth and values diverse backgrounds, ensuring that every team member can thrive and contribute to our mission.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Philanthropy
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and start networking! Attend industry events, connect with people on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Show Your Passion
When you get the chance to chat with someone about the role, let your passion for philanthropy shine through! Share your experiences and how they align with the mission of the organisation. We want to see that fire in your belly!
✨Follow Up
After any meeting or networking event, make sure to follow up with a quick thank-you email. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows that you’re genuinely interested. We love a good follow-up!
✨Utilise Our Website
Don’t forget to check out our website for the latest job openings and resources. Applying through us gives you an edge, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Philanthropy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Philanthropy role. Highlight your experience in fundraising, especially with high-net-worth individuals and trusts. We want to see how your skills align with the job description!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use numbers and examples to demonstrate how you’ve successfully secured major gifts or led teams in the past. This will help us see the impact you've made.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who can build meaningful relationships, so don’t be afraid to show us who you are and what drives you in philanthropy.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep everything organised. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Prospectus
✨Know Your Philanthropy Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in philanthropy and social mobility. Understand the challenges young people face today and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the Trust's mission. This shows you're not just interested in the role, but genuinely passionate about making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Fundraising Success
Prepare specific examples of your past fundraising achievements, especially those involving major gifts and high-net-worth individuals. Be ready to discuss how you secured these funds and the strategies you used to build relationships with donors. Numbers speak volumes, so don’t shy away from sharing impressive figures!
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Head of Philanthropy, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Think about times when you've coached or developed others in your previous roles. Be prepared to share your leadership style and how you motivate your team to meet income generation targets.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the organisation's future and its 2030 strategy. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if this is the right fit for you.
