At a Glance
- Tasks: Build relationships with major and mid-value donors to secure impactful gifts for vulnerable children.
- Company: Join an international charity dedicated to creating lasting change for children in need.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Remote work with occasional travel; diverse and inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your fundraising skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-value fundraising and strong relationship-building skills required.
We are seeking two experienced philanthropy professionals to grow generous support and help an international charity create lasting change for vulnerable children.
Position: Two roles available: Senior Philanthropy Manager, Major Donors and Senior Philanthropy Manager, Mid-Value Donors
Salary: Circa £45,000 to £50,000 per annum, depending on experience
Location: Remote with required travel to Milton Keynes
Hours: Full-time, 36.5 hours per week. Flexible working considered
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 23 November 2026
About the Roles
These are two vacancies within an international children’s charity’s Relationship Fundraising team. One focuses on securing major gifts of £25,000+, while the other leads the Special Giving programme for mid-value donors giving between £1,000 and £10,000. Both roles report to the Director of Relationship Fundraising.
Senior Philanthropy Manager, Major Donors
You will personally manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects, building trusted relationships that generate gifts of £25,000+, multi-year commitments and transformational support. Your responsibilities will include:
- Identifying and engaging new high-net-worth supporters through research, networking, introductions and events.
- Developing tailored proposals, making compelling asks and delivering excellent stewardship.
- Working with senior leaders, trustees and advocates to open new networks.
- Managing your pipeline, forecasting income and sharing expertise with colleagues.
This role has no direct line management responsibility and involves regular UK travel and occasional international travel.
Senior Philanthropy Manager, Mid-Value Donors
You will lead the strategy and delivery of the Special Giving programme, growing income by attracting mid-value donors, strengthening their engagement and encouraging repeat and increased giving. Your responsibilities will include:
- Owning the channel’s business plan, budget, forecasts and performance.
- Creating compelling donor journeys, communications, events and emergency fundraising propositions.
- Personally managing the highest-potential Special Giving relationships and identifying supporters ready to progress towards major giving.
- Line managing a Philanthropy Executive and developing team capacity as the programme grows.
Occasional UK travel and international field visits may be required.
About You
You will bring strong relationship-building skills, persuasive communication and a track record of growing income through high-value fundraising or comparable partnerships. You will be confident developing donor relationships, identifying new opportunities and using insight to strengthen engagement and financial performance, with experience of securing significant gifts or leading a successful relationship fundraising programme.
About the Organisation
Join an international children’s charity working with children, their communities, and with supporters and partners, in almost 100 countries. Through long-term development projects, emergency responses and advocacy the organisation has helped bring lasting change to millions of children, over more than 60 years. As a Christian charity, everything is motivated by faith as we strive to reflect God’s unconditional love.
An offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of applicable background checks, including a criminal records check. We value diversity and aspire to reflect this in the workforce. We particularly welcome applications from under-represented sections of the community. The organisation also operates flexible working policies and practices. As a Disability committed employer we encourage qualified individuals with a disability to apply and request a reasonable adjustment if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access as a result of your disability.
Other roles you may have experience of could include Major Donor Manager, Philanthropy Manager, Senior Relationship Manager, High Value Giving Manager, Special Giving Manager or Mid-Value Fundraising Manager.
Senior Philanthropy Manager employer: World Vision
World Vision is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises collaboration and innovation in the heart of London. Employees benefit from extensive professional development opportunities, a commitment to meaningful impact in children's lives, and the chance to engage with leading academic institutions. Join us to be part of a mission-driven team that values your expertise and fosters growth in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Philanthropy Manager
✨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 World Vision.
✨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 World Vision.
✨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 World Vision.
✨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 World Vision. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Philanthropy Manager
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 World Vision. 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 Senior Philanthropy Manager, 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 World Vision
✨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 World Vision. 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!
