Principal Gifts Lead

WV United Kingdom; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

World Vision International seeks a Principal Gifts Lead to design, launch, and grow a new principal gifts programme. You will work with ultra-high-net-worth donors and high-value opportunities to secure multi-year commitments and build a sustainable income stream.

You will lead a growing Relationship Fundraising team, manage complex donor opportunities, and aim to grow principal-gift income significantly by FY30, shaping the future of high-value fundraising.

Qualifications

• Track record of securing six- and seven-figure philanthropic partnerships.
• Experience managing major- or principal-gifts portfolios through identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Proven success against stretched income targets with a disciplined pipeline.
• Ability to influence senior donors, trustees, leaders, volunteers and advisers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong strategic planning and relationship management.
• Collaborative approach and ability to coach across teams.
• Commitment to the charity’s mission and engaging with diverse donors.

Responsibilities

• Design, launch and grow a new principal gifts programme.
• Build a strong donor pipeline and secure multi-year commitments.
• Lead high-value donor opportunities and align with programmes.
• Engage senior stakeholders and cross-team collaborators.

Skills

Six-figure partnerships

Major gifts portfolio

Target-driven

Influence senior donors

Strong communication

Strategic planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Mission-driven

Job description

With 75 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith. Come join our 31,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Key Responsibilities

Principal Gifts Lead We are looking for a Principal Gifts Lead to design, launch and grow a new programme focused on ultra-high-net-worth individuals and transformational giving. This is a brand new and exciting, high-profile role to lead one of the organisations most significant high-value fundraising opportunities.

With 75 years of experience, the focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. The organisation helps children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by Christian faith. Come join the 33,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Location: Home-based or the UK’s Milton Keynes office/London Hub, with monthly travel to Milton Keynes and UK travel. Hours: Full time, 36.5 hours per week. Contract: Permanent. Salary: Circa £55,000 per annum. Closing Date: 23 November 2026.

About the Role

You will work with some of the organisation’s highest-value and most complex donor opportunities, helping influential philanthropists connect their ambitions with programmes that create lasting impact for vulnerable children.

You will build a strong pipeline, secure significant multi-year commitments and help establish principal gifts as a visible, sustainable income stream.

With a starting income target of £500,000 and an ambition to grow principal-gift income to more than £2 million by FY30, this is a rare opportunity to build something new and shape the future of high-value fundraising.

You will join a growing Relationship Fundraising team with the ambition to deepen strategic partnerships and increase sustainable income for children living in the world’s most fragile contexts.

This role offers the freedom and visibility to shape a new principal-gifts programme, influence senior stakeholders and create a long‑term legacy of transformational philanthropy.

About You

You will be a strategic, entrepreneurial and highly credible relationship fundraiser who is energised by building a new programme and turning high‑potential relationships into substantial, sustained commitments. We are looking for someone with:

• A strong track record of securing, developing or substantially contributing to six‑ and seven‑figure philanthropic partnerships, ideally with ultra‑high‑net‑worth donors.
• Experience managing a major‑gifts or principal‑gifts portfolio through identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Proven success against stretching income targets, with disciplined pipeline and performance management.
• The judgement and credibility to influence senior donors, trustees, leaders, volunteers and advisers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to turn complex programme information into compelling propositions.
• Strong strategic planning, relationship management and organisational skills.
• A collaborative approach and the confidence to coach colleagues and coordinate complex opportunities across teams.
• A commitment to the charity’s mission, vision and values, and the ability to engage appropriately with donors of all faiths and none.

About the Organisation

Join an international children’s charity working with children, their communities, and with supporters and partners, in almost 100 countries. Through long‑term development projects, emergency responses and advocacy the organisation has helped bring lasting change to millions of children, over more than 60 years. As a Christian charity, everything is motivated by faith as we strive to reflect God’s unconditional love.

An offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of applicable background checks, including a criminal records check. We value diversity and aspire to reflect this in the workforce. We particularly welcome applications from under‑represented sections of the community.

The organisation also operates flexible working policies and practices. As a Disability committed employer we encourage qualified individuals with a disability to apply and request a reasonable adjustment if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access as a result of your disability.

We may also have experience in areas such as Philanthropy and Major Gifts Lead, Principle and Major Gift Lead, Philanthropy Lead, Major Gifts Lead, Philanthropy Fundraiser, Major Gifts Fundraiser, Major Donor Fundraiser, Fundraising, Fundraiser.

Values and Culture

Our vision for every child, life in all its fullness. Our prayer for every heart, the will to make it so. As a global Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith. Learn more about our work at wvi.org. Our organisational culture reflects a “Partnership” of World Vision offices in 100 countries and 31,000+ staff working towards one vision: life in its fullness for every child. A career with World Vision is a God‑given calling, and we believe that every staff member has been brought to World Vision for God’s purposes. Whether working from home, in an office, or with children and community members, we celebrate and embrace each staff member’s diverse background and talents – knowing that together, we can make a difference. Together, #WeAreWorldVision. Learn more about our culture. Our people are our greatest asset. Each staff member brings their unique experience and God‑given talents to the organisation – and in return World Vision provides employees a competitive “Total Rewards” package tailored to the context in which they work. Learn more about benefits. Have questions about applying to a job with World Vision? See our Frequently Asked Questions.