This enivronmental and natural conservation charity's Philanthropy Team is looking for a dynamic Senior Philanthropy Manager to lead with the engagement and recruitment of new donors.
Senior Philanthropy Manager
Reference: JUL20256874
Location: Flexible in England, with travel for meetings
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £44,315.00 - £47,312.00 Per Annum
Benefits: Holidays, Pension and Life Assurance
Introduction
This new role will work with the charity's Senior Leaders as well as supporting the team to pursue opportunities generated through excellent relationship building across the organisation. With the ultimate goal of increasing philanthropic income for this charity dedicated to the conservation of birds and nature. The role requires an experienced and successful major gifts fundraiser who will lead the development of new relationships to help steer the team towards achieving its ambitious goals.
An energetic and confident self-starter, they will lead on developing opportunities to engage with and raise funding from the contacts of the most senior colleagues and volunteers at this charity. They will also manage donor relationships and solicitation strategies to achieve the best outcome for the organisation.
What's the role about?
You will lead an exciting new area of philanthropic fundraising, seeking significant gifts for the charity'd work from new supporters, with a key focus on the developing Land Fund product.
You will look after your own portfolio of donors and be responsible for fundraising information to advance plans and ensure prospect and donor records are accurate, incorporating any changes, new activities, updated plans, and new information in keeping with data protection and team procedures.
You will work closely with your team and wider organisation colleagues to implement solicitation strategies, to secure financial support either by direct solicitation, preparing a written proposal, or working with senior management to make a solicitation.
You will contribute to the planning of and participate actively in events (face to face and online) to build relationships with donors and prospects for future income and to demonstrate the impact of gifts already received.
You will arrange and attend meetings with individual donors at a variety of venues, including the charity's reserves, working closely with area and reserve colleagues to deliver an excellent experience for charitable supporters.
You will build effective relationships both within the charity - and external to it - that will enhance its reputation and ultimately secure funding. This includes understanding donors’ wishes and aspirations and identifying links with approved priority projects with the aim of securing substantial gifts.
Essential skills, knowledge and experience:
- Intermediate levels of fundraising as demonstrated by work successes and recognised fundraising courses.
- Experience in how to research and cultivate a prospect. And understanding of how to write a cultivation strategy.
- Ability to write funding proposals, reports and updates, and prepare briefing documents in advance of meetings and events.
- Competent in the use of a CRM system (Salesforce), the Microsoft suite, other databases, research tools and methods.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
- Ability to work collaboratively with team members, and people and teams outside of our department.
- Good judgement when working with donors and ability to recognise potentially sensitive areas between prospects and the RSPB to ensure reputational values are maintained.
- Successful management and development of donor relationships leading to substantial support (6- and 7-figure gifts).
- Experience of planning and running high level/special events.
- Experience of line management and mentoring.
Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:
- High level presentation skills and experience.
- Previous experience in the conservation sector.
- Passion for nature and wildlife.
Additional Information:
- There is a need for the successful applicant to have frequent meetings in London - therefore you will need to be easily able to access London
Closing date: 23:59, Sunday 12th October 2025
The employer is looking to conduct interviews for this position from w/c 20th October.
Please note: The right is reserved to close the advert early if sufficient responses are received, so please don't delay in applying.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
To find out more information, please click the apply button. You will be taken to a simple CHM Recruit form and then redirected to complete your application for this position.
This employer is committed to developing an inclusive and diverse organisation, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve their vision of creating a world richer in nature, they need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, this organisation is particularly interested in receiving your application.
Our client is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Our client is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.
No agencies please.
