Job Description
Location: Reading, Hybrid (twice a month to Reading office) Hours: Full time Salary: £41,344 per annum Contract Type: Permanent Campaign Closes: 10th April 2026 Interviews: First stage interviews, WC 20th April. Second Stage interviews WC 27th April.
On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their application as early as possible.
Core Purpose The Philanthropy Manager will play a critical role in Make-A-Wish UK’s growing Philanthropy team. You will be responsible for building meaningful relationships with high-net-worth individuals and Trusts and Foundations, increasing income, engagement and stewardship, with a focus on developing new relationships with funders. You will also drive key growth through leadership of the Small Trust Mailing and Philanthropy Mid-Value Programmes, utilising insights and best practice to implement new strategies and streamline ways of working.
Job requirements
Essential Criteria
* Experience in working within a Philanthropy Team, with proven success in securing multiple five figure gifts from both high-net-worth individuals and Trusts and Foundations
* Strong experience cultivating cold and/or new prospects and converting them into five figure + donors
* Experience conducting targeted prospect research, identifying new funders against a set criteria or proposition
* Demonstrable track record of creating and implementing successful, data-informed plans resulting in increased income
* Excellent relationship management skills, with the ability to influence, inspire and engage both internal and external stakeholders at a wide range of levels
* Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex information in compelling ways tailored to different audiences
* Highly organised and demonstrated ability to work autonomously, manage competing priorities and deliver to deadlines within a fast-paced environment
* Proficiency in using CRM systems (preferably Salesforce) to manage pipelines, analyse data, and generate reports
* Knowledge of UK fundraising regulation, ethics and trends affecting high-net-worth individuals and Trusts and Foundations fundraising
* Strong attention to detail, numeracy and analytical skills, with experience building financial proposals, income forecasts and donor investment cases
Desirable Criteria
* Previous experience running high-value mailing programmes
* Track-record of securing both restricted and unrestricted income
* Previous experience recruiting and managing giving club members
* Experience of working collaboratively with a Prospect Research function, sharing responsibilities and communicating effectively
* Experience working in a rapidly growing team, managing organisational expectations and flexibly capitalising on emerging opportunities
Job responsibilities
Relationship Management, Stewardship and New Business
* Personally build and manage a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals and Trust and Foundation prospects and donors, giving between £10,000-£50,000.
* Lead personalised and effective cultivation, asks, engagement and stewardship for your portfolio.
* Contribute to the development of compelling and attractive propositions to increase giving and/or recruit new high value supporters.
* Work effectively with internal and external influencers to engage supporters and create magical moments, bringing them closer to Make-A-Wish UK’s work.
* Manage donor agreements and grant terms and conditions, ensuring compliance and best practice.
* Work collaboratively with the Prospect Development Lead to identify new prospective funders, as well as conducting your own prospect research in line with agreed key priorities, sectors or themes.
* Ensure data is accurate and up to date on our CRM to support effective pipeline management and draw insights.
Strategy, Planning and Delivery of Mid-Level Programmes
* Build on the design and implementation of a new personalised Philanthropy Mid-Value programme for supporters giving £1-£10K, with the aims of securing, retaining and growing support.
* Lead on enhancing the existing Small Trusts Mailing programme, effectively implementing streamlined processes to increase ROI.
* Collaborate with the Philanthropy Team, and other teams where needed, to forecast income, set targets, and manage your pipeline budget.
* Work closely with the Prospect Development Lead to draw insights, and implement these across the mid-value programmes.
* Continuously review programme success and efficiency, reporting on progress, identifying successes and learnings, as well as progress against KPIs and income targets.
Collaboration & Influence
* Champion a philanthropic mindset across Make-A-Wish UK, acting as an ambassador for the power and value of Major Donor and Trusts and Foundations fundraising.
* Work closely with other teams, including Finance, wishgranting, Insight and Innovation, and Brand Communications and Engagement, to build budgets, report on impact and cultivate, engage, ask and steward your portfolio.
* Act as an ambassador for Make-A-Wish UK at external events, such as high-level fundraising networks, sector forums and conferences.
Job benefits
* 26 days annual leave with the option to buy/sell annual leave (pro rata for part time)
* Paid Birthday leave
* Flexible & Hybrid working arrangements
* Salary exchange pension scheme
* Paid volunteering days
* Pirkx subscription - Access to wellbeing support, GP appointments, training and events, retail discount platform, and much more!
* Cycle to work initiative