Senior Philanthropy Manager

Join us at Birkbeck, University of London, and help transform lives through philanthropy.

We are seeking an experienced and ambitious Senior Philanthropy Manger to join our Development and Alumni team to build meaningful relationships with high-net-worth individuals, trusts and foundations and corporates, securing transformational support for one of the UK’s leading institutions for lifelong learning.

Working closely with senior leaders, academics and volunteers, you will play a key role in delivering Birkbeck’s philanthropic ambitions and advancing opportunities for students and research.

As a senior member of our successful Development and Alumni team you will manage a portfolio of approximately 100 prospects and donors, developing long-term relationships that lead to gifts ranging from £50,000 to £1m+.

You will identify, cultivate, solicit and steward donors, creating tailored engagement strategies and compelling cases for support that inspire philanthropic investment in Birkbeck’s priorities.

This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished fundraiser who has a strong track record of securing significant gifts and building relationships from initial engagement through to long-term partnership.

You will work closely with the Director of Development and Alumni and Senior Leadership to maximise fundraising opportunities and secure transformational support.

Birkbeck’s Development and Alumni team has recently doubled philanthropic income and now raises over £4m a year in support of Birkbeck’s mission.

The role offers the opportunity to help shape future fundraising strategy, develop principal gift opportunities and contribute to the continued growth and success of a high-performing philanthropy team.

If you are an entrepreneurial relationship builder with the ambition, creativity and credibility to secure life-changing philanthropic partnerships we would love to hear from you.

This opportunity would build on experience as: Major Gifts manager, Major Donor Fundraiser, Corporate Partnerships Manager, Trusts and Foundations Manger, Alumni and Development Manager, Campaign Fundraiser and similar.

Salary and benefits
£51,713 rising to £60,858 per annum, Grade 8 on the College's London Pay Scale which includes a consolidated London Weighting Allowance.

Benefits of working at Birkbeck: a competitive salary and pension scheme, 31 days paid leave, flexible working arrangements, generous benefits in the HE sector, and being located in the heart of Bloomsbury, Euston, London.

Contract
Permanent, open-ended contract. Full-time (35 hours per week). The role is hybrid with two days a week expected on site and/or at prospect and donor meetings. To apply, please submit a CV and statement. Closing date: Wednesday, 12 August, interview date: Thursday, 20 August 2026.

Enquiries
If you would like to know more about the role, please click on the 'Apply' button or contact Abbie Carr, Director of Development and Alumni on abbie.carr@bbk.ac.uk.

If you have technical issues or difficulties using the recruitment portal, please contact jobs@bbk.ac.uk providing your name and the job reference number of the position. While we are happy to respond to all informal enquiries, only formal applications through the online system will be considered.

We welcome applicants from all sections of the community. The College is committed to improving the gender and cultural diversity of its workforce, holding a bronze Athena SWAN award and operating Disability Confident & Mindful Employer schemes.

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