Job description

Role purpose 

Using their experience in major donor fundraising, the Philanthropy Lead will develop and grow the philanthropy pipeline, our special events programme and develop an innovative and sector leading team. 

The Philanthropy lead will have responsibility for growing the portfolio of High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWI) prospects and donors and will work in partnership with the Philanthropy, Special events and Grants colleagues, colleagues from across Scope and with senior volunteers to grow major donor funding and deliver agreed income growth targets.  

The Philanthropy lead will also work closely with the special events manager to oversee Scope’s flagship gala dinner, as well as the development of engagement and stewardship events to ensure income and donor retention.  

Main contacts  

Internal 

• Head of Philanthropy  
• Philanthropy manager 
• Special events manager  
• Prospect Research and Proposition Development Manager  
• CEO, Executive Director of Fundraising and other members of SLT 
• Philanthropy Team colleagues  
• Colleagues across Strategy, Impact and Social Change, Services, Strategy, Evidence & Insight, and Policy & Campaigns. 
• Peers and colleagues in Fundraising  
• Finance business partner 

External  

• Trustees, senior volunteers and advisors 
• High-net-worth individuals (HNWI's)
• Fundraising consultants and fundraising sector leaders 

Main responsibilities  

The purpose of this role is to develop and steward strong relationships with HNWI supporters and deliver on income targets. You will also support your team in doing the same. You will be expected to deliver on the current strategy for engaging and developing a key group of Scope prospects and supporters. 

Specifically, the role will: 

• Work closely with the Head of Philanthropy to develop the strategy for HNWI fundraising, events and engagement.  
• Identify potential HNWI supporters, develop relationships and approach them for support in the most appropriate (and GDPR compliant) manner. This will involve a combination of personal engagement, stewardship events and bespoke applications using tried and tested and innovative methods to deliver Scope’s ambitions.  
• To work with the philanthropy manager to deliver Scope’s first giving circle.  
• To work with colleagues to develop appropriate and compelling proposals that demonstrate need, meet donor motivations and expectations, and demonstrate outcomes.   
• Provide excellent donor stewardship, working with programme colleagues to produce accurate, impactful and inspiring reports and feedback in a range of ways to supporters to ensure their continuing support and increase the value of their contribution wherever possible. 
• Provide strong and inspirational leadership for the Philanthropy manager, setting ambitious goals, driving performance and supporting the post holder to deliver agreed annual plans, meet KPIs and achieve targets. 
• With the special events manager, develop the next gala dinner and ensure income targets are met, as well as developing relationships with attendees.  
• Develop close and effective working relationships with the Scope Executive team, and support in the development of relationships with Trustees and other senior volunteers, championing philanthropy, helping senior leadership understand their role in its effective delivery. 
• Increase understanding and confidence across the charity in the discipline of raising money from high-net-worth individuals. 
• Nurture effective, collaborative and trusted working relationships with colleagues across the organisation, leading by example and modelling Scope’s values and behaviours.    
• Oversee the delivery of prospect research, proposition development and due diligence across all of High Value 
• Keep abreast of trends in UK philanthropy, introducing new products, processes or approaches as appropriate to ensure Scope becomes a leader in the sector.  

Person Specification  

This is an important role for Scope in an area ripe for development. Success will require tenacity and the post holder will require a high level of emotional intelligence and significant practical experience in fundraising from HNWI’s, ideally within a household name charity and/or one that excels in philanthropy. Scope does however recognises the importance of transferable skills and experience in other settings.  The role will require the postholder to work with Scope senior leadership – both Executive colleagues and volunteers such as Trustees – and with donors who will be providing significant donations, investing in Scope and the lives of those we support.  

With a mandate to create a step change in income from HNWIs, the post-holder will need to deliver ambitious targets and work effectively with individuals who are likely to have strong views and high expectations but be key in success. The post-holder must be passionate about major donor fundraising and special events. They must be able to use their initiative, making decisions independently but able to work collaboratively – adapting style and approach accordingly - and recognising when and where to involve others in key donor relationships. The team is required to develop propositions that excite and inspire donors as well as meeting the needs of disabled people so it is essential that the post-holder is able to work with the team to seek out and develop Scope’s offer for this donor audience.  

Knowledge and experience 

Essential 

• Significant experience of philanthropy and demonstrable success of achieving ambitious targets in a leading UK charity through effective strategy development, implementation and monitoring. Scope has ambition for 7-figure gifts and candidates will need to be able to demonstrate their experience at this level or how they would approach fundraising with this level of ambition.  
• Demonstrable knowledge of the UK philanthropy landscape and associated legal and best practice frameworks. Awareness of trends in giving, the implications for the charity sector and how to respond. 
• Significant experience in overseeing larga special events to include gala dinners, engagement and stewardship events. 
• Team management experience and ability to inspire and develop colleagues to achieve ambitious targets and overcome challenges. 
• Experience of supporting senior leaders and a thorough understanding of how to develop strong and effective collaboration with a range of stakeholders. 
• Experience of working with leading philanthropists and ability to build mutually beneficial relationships, developing creative and innovative approaches. 
• An understating of due diligence and prospect research, and its effective management. 

Desirable 

• Experience of working in a social welfare or disability setting/charity. 

Skills and competencies 

Essential  

• Expert in developing high value giving strategies (or similar in a commercial setting) including the development of products, methods and propositions. 
• Excellent leadership skills and the ability to develop teams and drive performance. 
• Exceptional presentation and public speaking skills and the ability to communicate with passion, authority, integrity and gravitas. 
• Excellent negotiation, influencing and interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to work well under pressure, prioritise and mange a diverse, growing portfolio.  
• Excellent numerical skills and the ability to prepare financial information, budgets and forecasts and the ability to discuss and present complex information.  

Desirable 

• Passion and conviction for the cause to inspire others and foster commitment. 
• Experience of working with volunteer committees and advisory groups.