Job overview
The post of Major Giving Fundraiser (Capital Appeal) is an important link between the hospital charity, the appeal for the new Sussex Cancer Centre and high net worths. The post holder will be responsible for managing a major giving programme that works to secure gifts of £5,000+ from individuals to raise funds for the Trust’s charities linked to capital appeals.
The purpose of this role is to build a pipeline of high value individual prospects, increasing engagement with this constituency to generate high value gifts to agreed targets. The post holder will continuously test, learn and adjust to achieve the best possible results for both acquisition and retention programs, with a focus on improving average gifts, response rates and retention. The post holder must be inventive and highly organised in order to gazette a prospect list from which high value gifts can be secured. They will work to research, assess and approach high net worths with a compelling case for support, inviting individuals to fund work which they are interested in.
Working closely with groups and individuals, the ideal candidate will have an outgoing personality, keen for direct contact with people, good at motivating and self-confident.
Main duties of the job
·Work to design, deliver and evaluate a major giving programme from gifts of £5k and above as part of capital appeals.
·Be the first point of contact for all major giving enquiries linked to capital appeals and manage these empathically and professionally with the understanding that initial queries may involve sharing sensitive information with other stakeholders.
·Cultivate & develop relationships with high net worths.
·Work to research potential high net worths, assessing their interests and likely areas for investment.
·Present to existing high net worths with a range of proposals for investment.
·Work to devise a recognition pathway for each high net worth.
·To proactively develop and manage the cultivation of new high net worth contacts by instigating face to face meetings, pitching and managing their developing relationship with the charity.
·Ensure that all activities comply with the Trust’s Charity Ethics Policy and that all conflicts of interests are managed.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
If you do not meet the sponsorship requirements, and you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
Major Giving
·Work to design, deliver and evaluate a major giving programme from gifts of £5k and above as part of capital appeals.
·Be the first point of contact for all major giving enquiries linked to capital appeals and manage these empathically and professionally with the understanding that initial queries may involve sharing sensitive information with other stakeholders.
·Cultivate & develop relationships with high net worths.
·Work to research potential high net worths, assessing their interests and likely areas for investment.
·Present to existing high net worths with a range of proposals for investment.
·Work to devise a recognition pathway for each high net worth.
·To proactively develop and manage the cultivation of new high net worth contacts by instigating face to face meetings, pitching and managing their developing relationship with the charity.
·Ensure that all activities comply with the Trust’s Charity Ethics Policy and that all conflicts of interests are managed.
General Major Giving Fundraising
·Contribute to annual budgets, targets and plans as agreed with the Head of Capital Appeals and contribute to the planning process for capital appeals.
·Work with the charity’s communications team to ensure all major giving fundraising activities are maximized in terms of promotion and dissemination.
·Manage and report all major gifts in kind to the hospital and to the Finance Division.
·Attend and assist at charity events as directed by the Head of Capital Appeals– these will include weekend and evening hours. Represent the charity positively and professionally at all times.
·Be fully aware of the charity’s fundraising activities, appeal plans and other charitable activities.
·Understand and adhere to the data protection and freedom of information acts, including the new GDPR regulations.
Communication
·Use various communication methods to promote, motivate and persuade high net worths to participate in fundraising activities.
·Work closely with the charity’s communications team to ensure all fundraising material is up to date and adheres to the Code of Fundraising Practice, and that all literature produced by the charity’s communications team is met with charity approval.
·Work with the charity communications team to ensure major giving successes are communicated accurately and appropriately.
Administrative – major giving fundraising and events
·Capture all major giving fundraising and event-related supporter information within the charity database and maintain accurate records of these.
·Ensure that accurate and up to date major giving fundraiser records are maintained and are accessible, including event details, fundraising pages, and charity-supplied fundraising collateral.
·Ensure that all data is handled confidentially and with regard to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), especially records relating to high net worths.
Other duties
·Maintain excellent, co-operative and supportive relationships with hospital staff, volunteers and staff from charities supporting the hospital.
·Carry out any other reasonable duties commensurate with the role and delegated or requested by the manager or supervisor, as required.
Person specification
Essential
Essential criteria
1. Educated to degree level or equivalent level of work experience
2. Knowledge of capital fundraising techniques
3. Account management experience, including experience of developing and maximizing accounts within the £5k - £1m range.
4. Excellent IT skills: Microsoft Office, Canva design software or equivalent.
5. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles
Desirable criteria
6. Qualification or equivalent experience in non-profit fundraising and business development; events management or any other relevant subject area
7. Experience working within an NHS or public sector organisation or equivalent large, complex organisation.
8. Fundraising Project Management Experience
9. Experience of risk management systems, e.g. DATIX or EVOTIX
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
10. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
11. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications