Philanthropy Director. Job in London LilyLifestyle Jobs

About the Service

Solace is embarking on a new five-year fundraising strategy, with ambitious plans to double fundraised income to £3m by 2031. This voluntary income plays a pivotal role in the financial wellbeing of the charity, enabling us to do more to support the thousands of women and children who come to us each year as a result of violence against women and girls. Fundraising at Solace works closely with colleagues responsible for winning and managing statutory funding contracts, and is situated within the Business Development Directorate, alongside our award‑winning Communications, Partnerships & Public Affairs teams. You will collaborate with colleagues within Fundraising, including Corporate, Individual Giving and Community, as well as across the organisation including senior leadership and Solace’s wider support and volunteer networks such as trustees and its lived‑experience‑led Shadow Board.

About the Role

Philanthropy has been identified as a key opportunity and will play a central part in future income growth. In this newly created role, you will lead the establishment and growth of philanthropy fundraising for Solace. You will be responsible for building and managing relationships with high‑net‑worth individuals, advisors, senior volunteers and trusts and foundations, using your entrepreneurship and excellent communication and influencing skills to secure and steward committed, high‑value, mutually rewarding funding partnerships for Solace.

Responsibilities

• Lead the establishment and growth of philanthropy fundraising for Solace.
• Build and manage relationships with high‑net‑worth individuals, advisors, senior volunteers, trusts and foundations.
• Secure and steward committed, high‑value funding partnerships that are mutually rewarding for Solace.
• Collaborate with colleagues within Fundraising, Communications, Partnerships & Public Affairs, and senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Experienced philanthropy fundraising expert with a successful track record of major gifts.
• Committed to Solace values and expert in embedding best practice and nurturing sustainable income growth.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and entrepreneurial skills.
• Ability to manage a portfolio of donors and prospects with major gift potential.

Benefits

We provide a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees, including:

• Flexible working
• Focus on learning and development (internal career progression and training)
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Employer pension contribution
• Family‑friendly leave and enhanced maternity pay
• Access to Inclusion Networks
• Daily clinical debriefing
• Employee Assistance Programme providing free 24/7 support and advice
• Employee Benefits Platform offering staff discounts, benefits and savings
• Flow & Restore yoga classes
• Meditation sessions
• Cycle to Work Scheme

EEO Statement

Solace Women’s Aid values diversity, promotes equity, and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, abilities, perspectives, and lived experiences. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay, and benefits. Our Inclusion Networks support staff with protected characteristics and offer inclusive spaces to connect. We are a Disability Confident Employer and committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as needed and support employees who acquire a disability or long‑term health condition, enabling them to stay in work.

This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2) e of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. As part of safer recruitment practices, we carry out pre‑employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and right to work in the UK checks.