What we do
For one in two of us, cancer will change everything.
When it does, so can we.
Weston Park Cancer Charity is here to face cancer with you. Our services, advice and support are for you and the people close to you, helping everyone to live with and beyond cancer. The funds we raise also support vital, pioneering research and clinical trials led by the exceptional medical experts at Weston Park Cancer Centre. It’s our job to care in every sense for our patients and their families. Our help is free, and we’re here for you, together every step.
What you do
Main purpose of post
The postholder will lead the charity’s major donor fundraising programme, taking overall responsibility for growing this area of income. They will develop and manage relationships with high-net-worth individuals and philanthropists, securing new major gifts, repeat giving and multi-year commitments to generate sustainable, long-term income. Working closely with the Senior Individual Giving Manager, they will also identify and steward mid-value donors throughout their individual giving journey, supporting their development towards major donor potential.
The postholder will lead a portfolio of major donors and prospects, developing tailored stewardship that demonstrates impact, strengthens engagement and maximises opportunities for philanthropic support. They will build and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective supporters, identifying opportunities to develop existing relationships and secure increased levels of support.
The postholder will lead on major donor engagement with the charity’s Development Board, Patrons and Ambassadors, using their networks, advocacy and influence to strengthen relationships and generate new opportunities.
The role will build on the success of the Capital Scanner Appeal, taking responsibility for stewarding and developing the high-value relationships established and securing future support.
The postholder will work collaboratively with the Head of Fundraising, Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive, Trustees and other colleagues and senior stakeholders as required, ensuring major donor fundraising aligns with the charity’s wider fundraising strategy while retaining clear leadership and ownership of this area of income.
Key Responsibilities
· Establish, manage and maintain strong relationships with the prospective, new, current and past major donor portfolio to deliver an excellent level of care and stewardship, helping to achieve the current annual income target of 350K
· Be responsible for developing and delivering a comprehensive, data-driven major donor and philanthropy strategy, including the development of mid-value donors into major donor prospects, with a clear focus on strong ROI.
· Lead on annual planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting for major donors, ensuring alignment with broader organisational goals.
· Develop an understanding of all prospective and current major donor profiles to define motivations, relationship to the cause, ability to give and most appropriate timing to ask how they might support Weston Park Cancer Charity.
· Directly support the Development Board Chair and members in prospecting, researching and meeting with prospective major donors, also providing guidance on stewardship during and post major donations
· Develop personalised stewardship plans and maximise the use of the Raiser’s Edge CRM, working closely with the Data Manager to maintain accurate, timely and effective donor information and prospect records, ensuring compliance with charity law, fundraising regulations, GDPR and organisational policies.
· Assist the Senior Leadership Team and Trustees in facilitating and developing relationships with major donors and prospects, plus the identification of other fundraising opportunities for the corporate, trusts, community, individual giving and legacy income routes.
· Work closely with the Head of Fundraising and Deputy CEO on major donor strategy, budget, processes, pipelines and prospect pools, planning for ongoing and longer-term single and multi-year major gifts. Work in partnership with the Senior Individual Giving Manager to identify, develop and steward higher-value individual giving supporters, creating clear pathways for their progression towards major donor relationships.
· Maintain regular communications and feedback with all major donors and prospects to ensure good stewardship and engagement across the portfolio, working with relationship holders at Development Board , Trustee and Executive levels.
· Develop individual propositions to meet major donor needs, using established funding requirements and personalised cases for support.
· Attend prospecting and stewardship meetings with potential and existing major donors, plus meeting with Development Board members, trustees or the fundraising team to promote and communicate major donor need and progress.
· Conduct major donor engagement and prospective events to promote the cause and secure new major donors to meet the strategic need.
· Develop, nurture and steward relationships with Patrons and Ambassadors, identifying and engaging new individuals while providing effective ongoing relationship management to maximise opportunities for their advocacy, introductions and philanthropic support for the charity’s appeals and wider major donor programme..
· Maintain accurate and timely donor stewardship records on our CRM system (Raiser’s Edge) and produce monitoring reports as required to inform the Head of Fundraising and SMT.
· On an ongoing basis, identify new opportunities for philanthropic giving, including from individuals, family trusts, and high-net-worth networks.
· Contribute to the overall fundraising strategy, drawing on experience of developing and delivering successful appeals to support the planning and management of potential future charity appeals, and work collaboratively with peers across Individual Giving, Trusts & Foundations, Events and Corporate Partnerships.
General Responsibilities:
Every employee is required to:
· Adhere to, and comply with, organisational policies, procedures and guidelines at all times.
· Take all reasonable steps to manage and promote a safe and healthy working environment which is free from discrimination.
· Comply with the organisational policy on confidentiality, and the General Data Protection Regulations
· Respect the confidentiality and privacy of donors, guests and staff at all times.
· Maintain a constant awareness of health, welfare and safety issues affecting colleagues, patients, volunteers, visitors and themselves.
Participate in personal and organisational training and development and performance framework meetings
The above is not an exhaustive list of duties and you will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your role within the organisation and the overall business objectives of the organisation.
Who you are
We are seeking a highly motivated individual who shares our values to join Weston Park Cancer Charity’s busy charity team. Our Senior Major Donor and Philanthropy Manager will play a vital part in our team and help us to deliver our vision: a better life for those living with, and beyond, cancer in our region. If you are interested in progressing your career within an organisation which makes a real difference to the lives of thousands of people, we’d love to hear from you.
About you
· You will have significant, demonstrable fundraising experience, including at least two years’ experience in a philanthropy or major donor fundraising role, with a proven track record of securing gifts from individuals and developing and stewarding high-value supporters.
· You will have demonstrable experience of developing and managing successful donor cultivation and stewardship plans with people at senior level You will have experience of identifying, developing and stewarding mid-value donors, with a proven ability to identify and progress suitable prospects towards major donor relationships.
· You will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and inspire donors, volunteers, and internal stakeholders.
· You understand that income growth comes from inspiring with impact and excellent relationship management
· You are passionate about people and place: you want the best outcomes for people in South Yorkshire living with and beyond cancer
· You will be able to work collaboratively to be part of a ‘One Team’ culture
· Able to manage your own workload and priorities to agreed deadlines
· Act as an ambassador for Weston Park Cancer Charity, reflecting the objectives and values, and to always work in the best interests of the charity.
· Support and encourage harmonious internal and external working relationships
Our Total Rewards Package
Our Total Rewards Package is the result of staff feedback and best practice across the charity, public and private sectors. Some of our key benefits, depending on eligibility, include:
· 27 days (plus bank holidays) annual leave
· Option to purchase additional five working days per year
· Westfield Health level 4 coverage
· 12 weeks maternity leave at 100% pay and an additional 6 weeks at 50%
· Up to 2 weeks full paternity pay
· NHS benefits
· Hybrid working
· A minimum 4% employee / 6% employer contribution through our Auto Enrol private pension scheme. *Tax relief is automatically claimed for the staff member.
· Death in service cover
· Birthday Leave
Closing date: 27th September 2026
Interview date: 6th October 2026
Application format: Please send a CV and covering letter demonstrating that you have read the job description / person specification and how you meet the essential and (where relevant) desirable criteria for this role. This can include skills, training, membership of professional bodies and experience. The covering letter will form a key part of the recruitment process, and you should demonstrate your suitability for the role in no more than two pages.
Weston Park Cancer Charity is committed to promoting equality of opportunity and values diversity of culture among our staff. All applications are anonymised as part of the selection process, so please forward any documents in PDF format.
Apply to: Email a CV and Cover Letter to [email protected]
Pay: £38,978.00-£47,505.00 per year
Benefits:
- Bereavement leave
- Company pension
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Enhanced paternity leave
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Sick pay
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Sheffield S10
