At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage major donor relationships and secure high-value gifts for lifesaving initiatives.
- Company: Join the RNLI, a leading charity dedicated to saving lives at sea.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to saving lives and making an impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by connecting passionate donors with life-saving missions.
- Qualifications: Experience in relationship management and excellent communication skills are essential.
Salary: £42,479 – £49,976 (dependent on experience)
Vehicle: A vehicle will be made available to carry out your duties
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Location Description: Home-based in the South East
Interview Location: Poole
Interview Date: 18 August 2026
Closing Date: 09-08-2026
Reference: 21770
About us
Our purpose is simple: to save lives at sea. 24 hours a day, every day, RNLI lifesavers are ready to launch to the rescue. We’re looking for a new Philanthropy Manager, home-based in the South East of England, to join our expanding Philanthropy Team. The Philanthropy Team supports the RNLI by working with individuals who are passionate about our work and want to make a difference through high-value gifts. This is an exciting time to join the team as we are about to embark on a £150m capital appeal, which the Philanthropy Team will be a key part of delivering. This is a new role, our second in the South East, and you will work closely with our experienced Philanthropy Manager, who has been managing the whole area. You will have a dedicated geography of focus around but not exclusive to Essex, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Surrey and part of London.
Some of the benefits
- Salary £42,479 - £49,976 (dependent on experience).
- Flexible working.
- 26 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays.
- Competitive pension scheme.
- Life assurance.
- Health and dental cashplan option.
- Training & Development in Major Giving.
Your role
As a Philanthropy Manager, you will be tasked with focusing on the following areas:
- Grow and manage a portfolio of up to 70-90 major donors, to solicit and close five, six and seven-figure gifts.
- Build compelling cases for support that inspire and align with donors’ interests and identified needs.
- Develop and host a small number of engagement, prospecting, and recognition events.
- Provide excellent customer service and stewardship.
About you
We’re looking for someone who loves meeting people and has a natural aptitude for selling and prospecting. You’ll thrive on developing relationships, inspiring others in the work of the RNLI. Your great communication skills will allow you to flex your style to a wider range of audiences, whether colleagues, senior stakeholders, donors or prospects. You’ll be self-motivated, working as part of a remote team and be comfortable working outside regular office hours and travelling occasionally within the rest of the UK and Ireland as the job demands.
To be considered as a Philanthropy Manager, you will need:
- Ideally, you will be able to have easy access to your key geographical areas highlighted above.
- Relevant or transferable experience in account management and developing and maintaining excellent relationships with individuals. You excel at customer service.
- Experience of working with stakeholders at all levels, both internal and external, securing and managing meetings with senior stakeholders, flexing style to the audience.
- Excellent numerical skills and ability to prepare financial information, and the ability to discuss and present complex information, and the ability to communicate with passion and authority.
So, as a Philanthropy Manager, if you have the drive and enthusiasm to be part of our One Crew to achieve our Philanthropy goals and want to see how you can support our organisation’s aim to reduce drowning, this could be the role for you. Please apply via the button shown.
This post requires a valid driving licence.
Safeguarding
The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; protecting a person’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero-tolerance approach. The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out dependent on the eligibility of the role.
Diversity at the RNLI
Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable) and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.
Philanthropy Manager (South East) in Ashford employer: RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to a life-saving mission while enjoying a supportive and collaborative work culture. With a focus on employee growth and development, RNLI provides comprehensive training and career advancement opportunities, all within a flexible hybrid working model based in the beautiful city of Perth. Join us to make a meaningful impact in your community and beyond!
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Philanthropy Manager (South East) in Ashford
✨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 RNLI.
✨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 RNLI.
✨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 RNLI.
✨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 RNLI. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Philanthropy Manager (South East) in Ashford
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 RNLI. 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 (South East), 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 RNLI
✨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 RNLI. 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!
