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Sense; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Sense is seeking an experienced Philanthropy Manager to grow our major donor programme and secure significant philanthropic support from high-net-worth individuals. This permanent full-time role is based in our London office with hybrid working.

You will manage a portfolio of donors, develop tailored cultivation plans, and collaborate with our Head of Philanthropy and Prospect Research Manager to secure five and six-figure gifts. Join us to drive impact for disabled people with complex needs.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of the major donor fundraising cycle from identification to stewardship.
• Proven track record securing five- to six-figure gifts from high-net-worth individuals.
• Experience building and developing a major donor pipeline.
• Excellent relationship-building, networking and influencing skills.
• Confidence meeting donors face-to-face and making funding asks.
• Experience developing tailored proposals and donor communications.
• Experience organising cultivation and stewardship events.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; persuasive storytelling.
• Knowledge of fundraising best practices and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Strong organisational, IT and numeracy skills.
• Collaborative approach across teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop a portfolio of major donors and prospects with personalised stewardship.
• Build a pipeline of high-net-worth individuals and convert prospects into supporters.
• Secure five- and six-figure gifts from new and existing donors.
• Collaborate with the Prospect Research Manager to plan cultivation and engagement.
• Create compelling proposals, communications and impact reports.
• Meet donors and present funding opportunities with confidence.
• Represent Sense at donor meetings and events.
• Support development of donor events for major donors and prospects.
• Coordinate with fundraising teams to identify potential major donors.
• Maintain CRM data and analyse insights to inform activity.
• Work with Supporter Services and Finance to monitor philanthropic income.

Skills

Major donor fundraising cycle

Gifts up to five/six figures

Donor pipeline development

Relationship-building

Face-to-face fundraising

Tailored proposals

Event cultivation

Excellent communication

Regulatory knowledge

Organisational skills

Collaborative approach

Job description

Salary: £48,896 (inclusive of inner London weighting)

We’re looking for an experienced and ambitious Philanthropy Manager to help grow our major donor programme and secure significant philanthropic support for Sense. This is a permanent full time role working from our office in London on a hybrid basis.

It’s an exciting time to join our fundraising and marketing directorate. With a new three-year organisational plan and fundraising strategy supporting our ambitions for growth, you’ll have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with high-net-worth individuals and connect them with the difference their support can make for disabled people with complex needs.

You’ll manage your own portfolio of existing and prospective donors, developing tailored cultivation and stewardship plans that deepen engagement and inspire long-term support. Working closely with our Head of Philanthropy and Prospect Research Manager, you’ll identify opportunities, develop compelling proposals and confidently make asks for five and six-figure gifts.

This is a highly relationship-focused and external-facing role, perfect for someone who loves meeting people, building connections and turning those relationships into transformational support.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and develop a portfolio of major donors and prospects, providing thoughtful and personalised stewardship.
• Build a strong pipeline of high-net-worth individuals and develop strategies to convert prospects into long-term supporters.
• Secure five and six-figure gifts from new and existing donors.
• Work closely with our Prospect Research Manager to develop insight-led cultivation and engagement plans.
• Create compelling proposals, communications and impact reports that bring Sense’s work to life.
• Meet prospective and existing donors, confidently presenting opportunities and making funding asks.
• Represent Sense at donor meetings, networking opportunities and cultivation and stewardship events.
• Support the development and delivery of engaging events for major donors and prospects.
• Work collaboratively across fundraising teams to identify and transition potential major donors.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date information within our CRM and use data and insight to inform fundraising activity.
• Work closely with Supporter Services and Finance colleagues to monitor, record and manage philanthropic income.

About you

You’ll be an experienced major donor or philanthropy fundraiser who understands that successful fundraising starts with building genuine, long-term relationships.

Skills and experience

• Strong knowledge and experience of the major donor fundraising cycle, from identification and cultivation through to solicitation and stewardship.
• A proven track record of securing five-figure gifts from high-net-worth individuals.
• Experience building and developing a major donor pipeline, including securing new supporters.
• Excellent relationship-building, networking and influencing skills.
• Confidence meeting donors face-to-face and making funding asks.
• Experience developing compelling, tailored proposals and donor communications.
• Experience organising successful cultivation and stewardship events.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate passionately and persuasively.
• Knowledge of fundraising best practice and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Strong organisational, IT and numeracy skills.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to build effective relationships across an organisation.

Most importantly, you’ll share our commitment to breaking down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs and creating a more inclusive society.

About Sense

Sense is a leading disability charity, here to break down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life. Together, we drive change, building a future where everyone has the power, choice and control to live the lives we choose.

We’re proud to be a Disability confident leader and a charity where people can grow their skills and careers in a supportive, flexible environment.

Our values

Our values shape the way we behave and work alongside disabled people with complex needs to break down barriers.

We're creating change

We're always learning

We're better together

Safeguarding and inclusivity

Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role.

Sense is here to break down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs. That's why we're committed to increasing the number of disabled people working across our organisation and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

We actively encourage disabled people to apply for our vacancies and believe that a diverse range of perspectives, experiences and talents makes us stronger.

We know there's always more we can do to become a truly inclusive employer, and we're working together to achieve that. Join us and help create the change thousands of disabled people with complex needs and families told us they want to see: a world without limits.

If you need us to adjust our recruitment process to help you access our vacancies, then please get in touch with a member of the talent acquisition team. We are a Disability Confident Leader and commit to interviewing disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for a role. More information on this can be found here Our commitment as an employer | Sense Careers