Head of Major Gifts

. Develop and execute a major and principal gifts strategy to grow high-value individual giving across the UK, US and other global markets .

Posted 9/25/2026full-timeCambridge • United KingdomLead💰 £62,000 - £67,000 per yearWebsite

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and execute a major and principal gifts strategy to grow high-value individual giving across the UK, US and other global markets
Lead, coach and develop the Major Gifts team of three
Represent Major Gifts on the Development Management Team and Principal Gifts Working Group
Identify opportunities to grow BirdLife’s donor base, particularly in the U.S. and Europe
Personally develop and manage a portfolio of £250k–£1m+ donors and prospects
Support the Chief Development Officer on £1m+ principal-level relationships and proposals
Ensure team members undertake new-business activity to build robust pipelines
Set and monitor income targets and performance goals
Track pipeline health, report to leadership, and take corrective actions
Manage the Major Gifts team budget, recruitment and resource allocation

What you’ll need

Seasoned major gifts leadership experience
Experience in conservation and/or international NGO environments, ideally
Experience personally raising six- and seven-figure gifts from individuals
Experience developing and delivering major gifts/principal gifts strategies
Experience coaching or line-managing fundraisers
Experience working in an international, complex, not-for-profit environment
Experience managing a small major gifts team, including budgetary responsibility
Ability to work collaboratively across teams and with external stakeholders using a partnerships approach
Ability to work in Cambridge at least one day per week

Comp & perks