Philanthropy Manager (Major Gifts)

Thames Valley Air Ambulance; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Flexible working arrangements

Holiday entitlement

Company pension

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Thames Valley Air Ambulance seeks a Senior Philanthropy Manager to lead our major gifts programme and drive significant income through high-net-worth donor engagement. You will own initiatives like Chairs Circle and Philanthropy Board, working with the Head of Philanthropy to shape strategy and secure transformational funding.

You will manage high-value donors, craft compelling proposals, and secure five- and six-figure gifts while building trusted relationships with Trustees and the CEO.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in major donor fundraising.
• Experience securing five- and six-figure gifts.
• Strong written and verbal proposal development.

Responsibilities

• Lead major gifts programme and Chairs Circle/Philanthropy Board.
• Develop cultivation and stewardship plans aligned to donor interests.
• Make high-value funding asks and grow major donor programmes.
• Build relationships with Trustees and CEO and other senior stakeholders.
• Contribute to strategy, pipeline development, and new funding opportunities.

Skills

Major donor fundraising

High-net-worth relationships

Proposal writing

Influencing

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Job description

About us

Thames Valley Air Ambulance exists to give everybody within our community the best chance of surviving and recovering from an emergency. We are here for you and your loved ones. In Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire. Whoever you are. Wherever and whenever you need us.

What we are looking for

We are seeking an exceptional major donor fundraising professional to lead and grow our high-value giving programme. This is a senior, strategic, and hands‑on role focused on developing meaningful, long‑term relationships with high‑net‑worth individuals and securing transformational income to support our lifesaving work.

Your role

As the Senior Philanthropy Manager you will lead our major gifts programme, taking ownership of key initiatives including our Chairs Circle and Philanthropy Board. Working closely with the Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships, you will shape strategy while personally driving significant income through strong relationships and compelling fundraising proposals.

You’ll be responsible for

• Managing a portfolio of high-net-worth donors and delivering significant income targets
• Personally securing five- and six-figure gifts through tailored cultivation, proposals, and stewardship
• Developing tailored cultivation and stewardship plans aligned to each supporters interests and motivations
• Making complex, high-value funding asks, preparing compelling proposals and growing the Chairs Circle and Philanthropy Board programmes
• Building strong relationships with senior stakeholders, including Trustees and the CEO
• Contributing to strategy, pipeline development, and identifying new funding opportunities
• Identifying new opportunities for restricted and unrestricted funding
• Ensuring compliance with fundraising regulations, GDPR, and internal policies
• Acting as an ambassador for Thames Valley Air Ambulance and ensuring compliance with fundraising best practice

About you

You are an experienced major donor fundraiser with a proven track record of securing five and six figure high-value gifts and managing senior relationships. You are strategic yet hands‑on, with excellent communication, influencing, and relationship‑building skills.

We’re looking for someone who

• Has proven experience in major donor or high-value fundraising with strong results
• Is confident engaging and influencing high-net-worth individuals and senior stakeholders
• Can balance strategic thinking with delivery of income targets
• Communicates effectively, both written and verbally, including proposal development
• Is proactive, organised, and able to manage competing priorities independently
• Brings a flexible and collaborative approach to work

Why join us?

At Thames Valley Air Ambulance, you’ll be part of a dynamic, compassionate, and forward‑thinking organisation. We’re proud of our culture, collaborative, inclusive, and committed to personal development. We care deeply about the wellbeing of our team and offer flexible working arrangements to support a healthy work‑life balance.

In return we offer a competitive salary and great staff benefits such as.

• 25 Days holiday / 267 Hours Holiday
• Hybrid Working (minimum 2 days in office)
• Holiday Trading
• Free annual Flu Vaccination
• Blue Light Card (Option to purchase)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Company Pension Scheme
• Simply Health Medical cash back scheme
• Disability Confident Employer

Our values

We live by our values every day:

• We care no matter what for our patients, their families, and each other.
• We go above and beyond in the care we provide and the work we do.
• We do the right thing in how we act and the decisions we make.
• Together we are TVAA because together, we save lives.

Diversity and inclusion

We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are especially keen to hear from candidates who feel underrepresented in the charity sector.

Safeguarding

We follow robust recruitment and safeguarding practices to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our staff, volunteers, and the people we support. Relevant checks (e.g. DBS) will be carried out where appropriate.