Fundraising Manager - Major Gifts

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + commission

Medical and retirement benefits

Generous annual leave

Professional development opportunities

Impactful conservation work

Job summary

Placements24 is assisting a well-established environmental charity in Richards Bay to recruit a Fundraising Manager who will lead the major gifts program and cultivate high-net-worth donor relationships.

The role requires strategic fundraising leadership, a track record in major gifts and corporate partnerships, and the ability to travel for donor meetings. Strong communication and negotiation skills are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in fundraising, with a proven track record in major gifts and corporate partnerships.
• Demonstrated success in securing significant contributions from individuals and institutions.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong understanding of fundraising principles, ethics, and best practices.
• Ability to travel locally and occasionally nationally to meet with donors.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major gift prospects.
• Manage a portfolio of major gift donors, building strong relationships through personalized engagement and stewardship.
• Plan and execute fundraising events and campaigns specifically targeting major donors.
• Collaborate with leadership and program staff to articulate funding needs and impact stories.
• Prepare compelling proposals, grant applications, and donor reports.
• Track fundraising progress, analyze data, and provide regular reports to senior management.

Skills

Major gifts fundraising

Corporate partnerships

Donor relations

Communication skills

Negotiation

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a well-established charity focused on environmental conservation, is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Fundraising Manager to lead their major gifts program in Richards Bay . This critical role involves cultivating relationships with high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and corporations to secure significant financial support for the organization's vital conservation efforts. You will be instrumental in developing and executing strategies to identify, solicit, and steward major donors, ensuring the continued success of our environmental projects in the region. This is a senior position for a results-oriented fundraising professional who is passionate about conservation and excels at building strong, long-term donor relationships, based in the beautiful coastal city of Richards Bay .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major gift prospects.
• Manage a portfolio of major gift donors, building strong relationships through personalized engagement and stewardship.
• Plan and execute fundraising events and campaigns specifically targeting major donors.
• Collaborate with leadership and program staff to articulate funding needs and impact stories.
• Prepare compelling proposals, grant applications, and donor reports.
• Track fundraising progress, analyze data, and provide regular reports to senior management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in fundraising, with a proven track record in major gifts and corporate partnerships.
• Demonstrated success in securing significant contributions from individuals and institutions.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong understanding of fundraising principles, ethics, and best practices.
• Ability to travel locally and occasionally nationally to meet with donors.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and commission structure tied to fundraising success.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.
• Generous annual leave and professional development opportunities.
• The chance to work with a passionate team dedicated to protecting the environment.
• A dynamic role with significant influence in a key coastal conservation hub.