At a Glance
- Tasks: Support Major Gifts Strategy and cultivate relationships with mid-value donors.
- Company: Join The Donkey Sanctuary, a leading animal welfare organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 31 days holiday, hybrid working, and a competitive pension.
- Other info: Work in a beautiful location with excellent wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of donkeys while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills and experience in project management required.
The predicted salary is between 31431 - 31431 £ per year.
Location: Sidmouth, Devon (hybrid; one day per week in office)
Salary: £31,431 per annum (full‑time, permanent, 35 hours per week)
About the Donkey Sanctuary
The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare organisation, offering care and protection to donkeys worldwide. Our vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life, and our mission is to improve the lives of donkeys every day by fostering greater understanding, collaboration, and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life‑enhancing relationships.
About the Role
As Major Gifts Officer you will support the delivery of the Major Gifts Strategy and improve Major Gifts performance. Working closely with the Major Gifts Managers, you will cultivate and steward a portfolio of mid‑value individuals and trusts, deliver agreed projects, and continuously improve stewardship and cultivation activities.
Responsibilities
- Support the delivery of the Major Gifts Strategy and improve Major Gifts performance.
- Support the Major Gifts cultivation/stewardship programme to grow financial contributions from mid‑value donors and trusts.
- Manage, support and attend Major Gifts stewardship and cultivation meetings and events, including supplier liaison, supporter invite lists, follow‑ups and budgets.
- Secure, manage and steward a portfolio of active mid‑value donors and charitable trusts, delivering compelling bids and donor reports, forging and maintaining strong relationships.
- Research current and potential major and mid‑value donors to enable a donor‑centric approach.
- Deliver and report on agreed development and stewardship projects, fundraising targets and KPIs.
- Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date donor information on our CRM system.
Qualifications
- Demonstrable experience of strong administrative and organisational support within a busy, fast‑paced environment.
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to plan, organise and prioritise workloads effectively.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft clear, engaging, and professional communications.
- A confident verbal communicator, able to build positive relationships and engage with a range of stakeholders.
- Strong data management skills and experience of working with databases or CRM systems.
- Experience of managing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines across competing demands while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
- Ability to support the planning and delivery of activities or events, including administrative and logistical coordination.
What We Offer In Return
This is a full‑time, permanent contract starting as soon as possible, working 35 hours per week, 08:30–16:30 Monday‑Friday. The role is nominally based at our site in Sidmouth, Devon – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We offer hybrid working, with one day in the office per week, and will consider flexibility in consultation with the line manager.
Benefits
- Competitive pension.
- 31 days holiday (including bank holidays), rising to 34 days each full year of service.
- Wellbeing team.
- Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.
- Long service awards.
- Healthshield plan, including reimbursement for certain medical expenses up to specified limits, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets, and access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service.
- Free parking.
- Subsidised restaurant and shop.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statements
The Donkey Sanctuary is a Disability Confident Employer. The Donkey Sanctuary is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults), and it expects all staff and volunteers to uphold this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post. The Donkey Sanctuary also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and, for relevant posts, may request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. The Guaranteed interview scheme is only applicable to candidates who consider themselves to have a disability applying for roles based within the United Kingdom.
Major Gifts Officer in Sidmouth employer: The Donkey Sanctuary
The Donkey Sanctuary is an exceptional employer, offering a fulfilling opportunity for the Major Gifts Officer role in the picturesque location of Sidmouth, Devon. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, competitive benefits including generous holiday allowances and a supportive work culture, we foster professional growth and collaboration while making a meaningful impact on animal welfare. Our hybrid working model and focus on personal development ensure that you can thrive both personally and professionally in a rewarding environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Major Gifts Officer in Sidmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Donkey Sanctuary inside out! Research their mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your conversations and show genuine interest during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how your skills align with the Major Gifts Officer role and have examples ready that showcase your project management and communication skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at the Donkey Sanctuary.
We think you need these skills to ace Major Gifts Officer in Sidmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for animal welfare shine through. We want to see how much you care about improving the lives of donkeys and how that aligns with our mission at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in fundraising and donor management. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate strong project management skills and a knack for building relationships, so be specific about your past roles.
Be Clear and Engaging:Your written communication should be clear and engaging. Use professional language but keep it friendly. Remember, we want to get to know you through your words, so make them count!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Donkey Sanctuary
✨Know Your Donkeys
Before the interview, make sure you understand The Donkey Sanctuary's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their work and how the Major Gifts Officer role contributes to improving the lives of donkeys. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed projects in the past. Highlight your organisational skills and ability to prioritise tasks, especially in a fast-paced environment. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to talk about your experience in building relationships with donors and stakeholders. Think of examples where you've effectively communicated and engaged with different audiences. This is crucial for the role, so demonstrate your confidence and ability to foster positive connections.
✨Data Management Know-How
Since the role involves maintaining donor information on a CRM system, be prepared to discuss your experience with data management. Share any relevant tools or systems you've used and how you've ensured accuracy and attention to detail in your work.
