Director of Relationship Fundraising, World Vision UK

Guardian Jobs; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

World Vision UK is seeking a Director of Relationship Fundraising to lead their high-impact fundraising efforts. This senior role involves driving multi-million-pound income growth through innovative fundraising strategies, managing a team, and building relationships with key stakeholders. A genuine occupational requirement is to be a practicing Christian. Join a dedicated team committed to transforming the lives of vulnerable children globally.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of leading and scaling high-value fundraising programmes.
• Demonstrable success in delivering sustainable, multi-million-pound income growth.
• Experience of managing and coaching high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead Philanthropy, Trusts & Foundations, and Legacy giving initiatives.
• Steward ultra-high-net-worth donors and drive income beyond £10 million annually.
• Act as an ambassador at key events and engage with supporters.

Skills

Leadership

Relationship Building

Project Management

Education

Genuine occupational requirement to be a practicing Christian

Job description

Director of Relationship Fundraising, World Vision UK

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We are thrilled to be working in partnership with World Vision. As a global Christian humanitarian charity, World Vision is dedicated to tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice, empowering children, families, and communities to thrive. Through advocacy, emergency relief, and long-term development, they bring hope and transformation where it’s needed most. At the heart of their mission is a deep commitment to demonstrating God’s unconditional love.

We are looking for an experienced fundraising leader to become their new Director of Relationship Fundraising. This is a wonderful opportunity for a practising Christian to shape and scale high-impact relational fundraising. You will lead and integrate Philanthropy, Trusts & Foundations, and Legacy giving into a high-performing team, driving income beyond £10 million annually.

You’ll champion innovation, and personally steward ultra-high-net-worth donors while ensuring data-driven, replicable fundraising models. As a strategic and relational leader, you’ll bring operational excellence, spiritual maturity, and a coaching mindset to a dynamic, growing team.

Externally, you’ll be a visible ambassador, inspiring partners, representing World Vision UK at key events, and engaging with supporters. Internally, you’ll work cross-functionally to embed relationship fundraising into a multi-channel strategy that delivers exceptional supporter experiences.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:

• Proven track record of leading and scaling high-value fundraising programmes (philanthropy, legacies, and/or trusts & foundations), ideally within a complex or global organisation.
• Demonstrable success in delivering sustainable, multi-million-pound income growth through relationship fundraising.
• Experience of managing and coaching high-performing teams, with the ability to embed accountability, ownership, and development at all levels.
• Excellent project management and organisational skills, capable of delivering results in a dynamic, multi-stakeholder environment.
  
  
  

This is an incredible opportunity for a practising Christian fundraising professional to join a passionate team dedicated to serving the world’s most vulnerable children. You’ll help bring in vital income that will transform lives and make a real difference for children in need across the world.

For more information, please contact Nick Thomas, Senior Consultant, Charisma Charity Recruitment, [e-mail] or 01962 813300. Your application should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement, explaining how you believe you match the requirements of the role, including the genuine occupational requirement to be a practicing Christian.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion*, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.

• In accordance with the Equality Act 2010, Part 1, Schedule 9, it is a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder is a practicing Christian and in agreement with World Vision’s mission and values.
  
  
  

UK-based applicants only.

Location: Hybrid/Milton Keynes (Min 2 days per week onsite)

Closing date for applications: Monday 7 July. Please note: Applications are being reviewed on receipt and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, so please apply without delay to avoid disappointment.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Other

• Industries

  Advertising Services

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