Major Donor Officer, Fundraising & Marketing, Dublin

Uniting Holding; Dublin; On-site; EUR 52,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Focus Ireland is seeking a Major Donor Officer in Dublin to join our Philanthropy team. You will deliver ambitious income targets, manage a portfolio of major donors, and develop tailored engagement to maximise lifetime value.

Working with senior leaders, trustees and ambassadors, you will craft compelling proposals, steward high-net-worth supporters, and help grow philanthropy across Major Gifts, Trusts & Foundations and Legacy giving.

Qualifications

• Relevant 3rd level qualification or equivalent transferable experience.
• Proven fundraising, business development, or sales experience.
• Experience managing a donor portfolio and delivering against financial targets.
• Excellent networking ability with confidence engaging senior stakeholders and high-net-worth individuals.
• Strong prospect research and pipeline development skills.
• Ability to develop compelling cases for support and funding proposals.
• Strong project, event and budget management.
• Proven ability to work to targets and tight deadlines.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Self-starter with energy, initiative and collaborative teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Deliver ambitious annual income targets as a key member of the Philanthropy team (€3.75m in 2026).
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of major donor prospects, ensuring a healthy flow of new opportunities into the portfolio.
• Proactively identify, research and qualify new high-net-worth individuals and philanthropic supporters.
• Develop meaningful relationships with donors and prospects through tailored engagement, networking and cultivation activity.
• Manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects, creating individual stewardship plans to maximise long-term support and lifetime value.
• Prepare compelling funding proposals, cases for support, donor briefings and reports.
• Work closely with senior leaders, trustees, volunteers and ambassadors to create introductions and fundraising opportunities.
• Support cultivation, stewardship and engagement activity across Major Gifts, Trusts & Foundations and Legacy giving, helping to develop a collaborative philanthropy programme.
• Deliver impactful donor meetings, events and presentations that inspire support.
• Maintain exemplary donor stewardship standards while balancing a strong focus on acquisition and pipeline development.
• Analyse pipeline, portfolio and fundraising performance, using insights to inform future activity and maximise opportunities.
• Act as an ambassador for Focus Ireland, representing the organisation at meetings, events and networking opportunities.

Skills

Networking

Prospect research

Relationship management

Communication

Presentation skills

Budget management

Project management

Event management

Fundraising

Strategic planning

Education

Third level qualification

Job description

Major Donor Officer, Fundraising & Marketing, Dublin

Location: Dublin

Contract: Full Time, Permanent

What you will do:

• Deliver ambitious annual income targets as a key member of the Philanthropy team (€3.75m in 2026)
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of major donor prospects, ensuring a healthy flow of new opportunities into the portfolio
• Proactively identify, research and qualify new high-net-worth individuals and philanthropic supporters
• Develop meaningful relationships with donors and prospects through tailored engagement, networking and cultivation activity
• Manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects, creating individual stewardship plans to maximise long-term support and lifetime value
• Prepare compelling funding proposals, cases for support, donor briefings and reports
• Work closely with senior leaders, trustees, volunteers and ambassadors to create introductions and fundraising opportunities
• Support cultivation, stewardship and engagement activity across Major Gifts, Trusts & Foundations and Legacy giving, helping to develop a collaborative philanthropy programme
• Deliver impactful donor meetings, events and presentations that inspire support
• Maintain exemplary donor stewardship standards while balancing a strong focus on acquisition and pipeline development
• Analyse pipeline, portfolio and fundraising performance, using insights to inform future activity and maximise opportunities
• Act as an ambassador for Focus Ireland, representing the organisation at meetings, events and networking opportunities

What you will need:

• Relevant 3rd level qualification or equivalent transferable experience or skills
• Proven fundraising, business development, relationship management or sales experience with a track record of securing high-value income or partnerships
• Experience managing a donor, client or stakeholder portfolio and delivering against financial targets
• Excellent networking ability with confidence engaging senior stakeholders and high-net-worth individuals
• Strong prospect research and pipeline development skills
• Ability to develop compelling cases for support and funding proposals
• Strong project, event and budget management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Proven ability to work to targets and tight deadlines – results driven and strategically minded
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills
• Self-starter with energy, initiative and collaborative approach to teamwork

Focus Ireland is an equal opportunities employer

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