Major Donor Manager

An opportunity for a major donor fundraiser to make their mark and join a vibrant, determined and high-performing fundraising team.

Muswell Hill, North London

£40,000 to £45,000

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The Charity

Ambitious about Autism is the national charity for children and young people with autism, a lifelong developmental disability which affects one in 100 people in the UK.

The charity is driven by the belief that every child deserves an education that enables them to learn, thrive and achieve.

Based at the Pears National Centre for Autism Education, AaA is housed in the same building as the TreeHouse School (4-18y), judged as outstanding by Ofsted. The charity provides services, raises awareness and understanding, conducts policy work and campaigns for change.

Children and young people with autism continue to face enormous barriers due to a lack of understanding of their needs and a lack of specialist support and opportunities. For instance, fewer than one in four school leavers with autism access education or training beyond school, and nearly half of all children with autism are illegally excluded from school or denied a full-time education.

Ambitious about Autism is fighting to change this unjust and unacceptable situation.

The position

Whilst the charity is hugely proud of its groundbreaking achievements over the past few years, the need for Ambitious about Autism’s work is more acute than ever.

The charity is to embark on an ambitious strategy (Ambitious Futures 2020) to significantly grow. Major giving has been identified as a key area for growth, with a strategic focus on securing six-figure gifts and pledged income at all levels.

With a soon to be launched capital appeal, a fully supportive trustee board and senior leadership, warm cross team relationships to leverage, and a range of compelling projects to share with donors, it’s a hugely exciting time to be joining this vibrant, determined and high-performing fundraising team.

The postholder will:

  • work with the Head of Partnerships to develop and deliver the major donor strategy
  • line manage one Major Donor Officer and motivate and inspire them to meet ambitious targets
  • work with existing supporters and partners to increase the prospect pipeline, with a focus on
  • identifying their next six-figure donations and working towards making bold, multi-year asks
  • write persuasive and tailored proposals and transpose complex service delivery into a compelling case for support
  • work with senior colleagues to create a development board

The Candidate

They are looking for:

  • a tenacious and knowledgeable major donor fundraiser with success in uplifting gifts and making asks at a minimum five-figure level
  • some experience of developing and implementing a major gifts strategy
  • excellent verbal and written skills, with the ability to write persuasive copy
  • someone with strong leadership and collaboration skills
  • someone highly proactive who thrives in a fast-paced environment
  • ideally experience of setting up and/or managing a development board

Ambitious about Autism operate a flexible working policy with working from home 1-2 days per week an option. Applications are welcomed from experienced fundraisers who are looking for a part time arrangement.