Philanthropy Lead

Do you want to create a better world for animals? At the RSPCA, we believe all animals deserve kindness and respect. We work for the benefit of every animal – as well as pets, that includes farmed animals, wildlife, and animals used in science. Choose a career with us and make a difference for every kind.

We are looking for an experienced Philanthropy Lead to develop our philanthropy programme in the North of England.

• Permanent Contract
• Working hours: 35 hours per week - Monday to Friday.
• Hybrid role: For this role, we require the post holder to be based in the North West of England, preferably Manchester, as this is where the majority of the work will be carried out.

You will work from home and will travel to the London office and occasionally the Horsham office, as required. You will also be required to travel to events and meetings with key stakeholders as and when necessary.

The RSPCA aims to work with partners to transform animal welfare in the North, including building a new regional animal welfare centre. Following a comprehensive fundraising feasibility study, we have identified significant untapped potential and high-value prospects within our existing and expanding networks in the North of England.

We are looking for a Philanthropy Lead with a deep rooted understanding of the Northern philanthropic landscape to turn these insights into impact. 

We think this role is going to be popular, so early applications are advised. The closing date for this role is currently the 25th of March.

This is a high-autonomy, high-influence role designed for a senior fundraiser who thrives on building philanthropy networks; identifying warm and cold prospects and securing the six and seven-figure gifts that will define our future.

As our Philanthropy Lead, you will be the driving force behind the development of our philanthropy programme in the North of England. Developing and leading a fundraising campaign to generate support for animal welfare. . You will build a sustainable pipeline of High Net Worth Individuals and Charitable Trusts; aligning their passions with the Society's strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• As our Philanthropy Lead, we will look to you to create and deliver a robust philanthropy prospecting strategy and individual development plans to meet ambitious growth goals in the North of England.
• You will build a compelling Case for Support that demonstrates the impact of the RSPCA's work for animals, people and communities in the North.
• You will leverage your existing networks and expertise in the North of England (specifically Manchester and the North West) to establish the RSPCA as a priority for regional philanthropists.
• Working closely with the Head of Philanthropy other Philanthropy Leads and consultants, you will be the specialist lead on relationship development in the North, providing gravitas and guidance to senior stakeholders and recruit and manage a regional campaign committee.
• A key part of the role will be for you to work closely with our Partnerships & Philanthropy Resource Hub to deliver bespoke events and high-quality proposals.
• You will lead the development of a Northern chapter of our successful Katherine Martin Circle - a network of influential women committed to improving the lives of animals.
• You will provide vital regional prospecting insight and direct support to our emerging major fundraising appeal scoping and planning initiatives.

You are a sophisticated storyteller and a tenacious networker. You don't just "ask" for donations; you build enduring, meaningful partnerships based on shared values and scientific evidence.

Essential Experience:

• You will have a proven track record of personally securing gifts of £500k+.
• To succeed within this role, you must have significant experience of fundraising within the North of England, with an active understanding of the Manchester philanthropy sector..
• You will be an expert at generating leads from cold sources, wealth screening, and peer-led introductions.
• Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have experience of briefing and managing prospect researchers and working alongside senior influencers and trustees.

• Experience in Capital Campaign fundraising would be advantageous, as would a professional fundraising qualification.

Successful candidates for certain RSPCA roles will need to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK - We are unable to sponsor visas at RSPCA

The interview process for this role will consist of a 2 stage panel interview.

The first stage interviews will take place remotely on the 7th and the 8th of April, with second interviews planned to take place shortly after.

We want to ensure we do all we can to give you a positive candidate experience through our recruitment. Whilst we do try to give feedback where we can, sometimes due to receiving high levels of applications, this may not always be possible

We are building the future of a diverse Society, and our priority is to support animal welfare by finding people from all backgrounds who are committed to our mission. For this reason we actively encourage a wide diversity of applications - in particular from members of minority ethnic groups, and people with disabilities - as these candidates are currently under-represented at the RSPCA. Your transferable skills & lived experiences could make you a valuable addition to our RSPCA Family!

We're here to support you and encourage you to let us know if you need any adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. Please feel free to contact us at resourcingteam@rspca.org.uk or 0300 123 0685 so we can ensure the process works for you.