The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare organisation, offering care and protection to donkeys worldwide. Our vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life, and our mission is to improve the lives of donkeys every day. We will achieve this by transforming the lives of donkeys in need worldwide by fostering greater understanding, collaboration and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life-enhancing relationships. 

Our Major Gifts team includes managing and growing income from Major Donors, Mid-Value Donors, Trusts and Foundations as well as a small number of organisations. Through the development of new international cases for support, it is our intention to grow Major Gifts income from new and existing UK and international foundations and donors. As Head of Major Gifts, you will work in collaboration with the Head of Individual Giving to evolve and continuously improve our fundraising activity. This role is part of the charity’s Senior Management Team and will deliver positive change to enhance the organisations approach to Major Gifts activity.

About you:

• Demonstrable ability to lead at a strategic senior leadership level within a Major Gifts or Philanthropy team of a similar size, with the ability to self-manage and prioritise workload.
• Relevant experience of working within animal welfare, international development, environmental or other relevant organisations.
• Substantial experience of writing Major Gifts strategies and roadmaps that sustainably grow income.
• Exemplary skills in developing and editing clear and compelling cases for support.
• Advanced Major Gifts knowledge and direct experience of securing and maintaining support of high value.
• Excellent communication, listening, diplomacy and negotiation skills.
• Proven experience in managing and reforecasting budgets, and tracking annual and multi-year forecasts and KPIs.

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –

• Leading on the Major Gifts strategy development to produce a new Major Gifts strategy and roadmap that significantly evolves Major Giving at The Donkey Sanctuary, growing income through international grants and capital fundraising.
• Managing a number of high value accounts in collaboration with the Senior Philanthropy Manager, building strategic relationships at the highest level to deliver six figure gifts.
• Proactively identifying and delivering new income growth opportunities for Major Gifts.
• Tailoring and developing Cases for Support to attract financial support of The Donkey Sanctuary’s core work and projects, and presenting and pitching to potential significant funders.
• Represent the charity, managing and attending events and meetings with other senior Donkey Sanctuary staff, ambassadors, volunteers and supporters.
• Building relationships and gaining support across The Donkey Sanctuary to quickly partner with the Major Gifts team to maximise income for the charity.
• Leading the Major Gifts team, using the charity’s performance measurement and personal development planning procedures, to train, coach, and mentor, upskilling knowledge and experience within key areas of delivery.

What we offer in return:

Based in Sidmouth, Devon – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – this is a full-time, permanent contract starting as soon as possible, working 35 hours per week, 08.30-16.30, Monday-Friday. Flexibility will be required for evening and weekend working as required.

The working pattern for this role will combine onsite and home working under our guiding principles for such roles, with onsite attendance currently anticipated to be 1 day a week.

Please note: UK travel will be required to attend meetings with donors and events.

Benefits:  

Competitive pension.

Life assurance 4 x annual salary.

BUPA private Health cover.

Sickness Income Protection (50% of salary)

31 Days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 with each full year of service.

Wellbeing team.

Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.

Long service awards.

Healthshield plan –

• Reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership.
• Offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets.
• Access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service.

Free parking.

Subsidised restaurant and shop.

Closing date for completed applications: Sunday 19 January 2025.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the advertised date and therefore encourage early applications.

The Donkey Sanctuary is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults), and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.

Please note: The Guaranteed interview scheme is only applicable to candidates who consider themselves to have a disability applying for roles based within the United Kingdom.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: The Donkey Sanctuary is keen to receive your application, but we do ask you not to employ an Artificial Intelligence (AI) writing tool or assistant in compiling your submission, we are keen to hear from you.  Applications that are considered not to be an applicant’s own work may not be shortlisted for interview.