Job specification

Role / Function

Major Gifts Manager

PEAS UK

/ To drive and implement the PEAS Major Gift fundraising strategy across the organisation.
Reports to /

Compensation

Director of Fundraising and Communications /

From £38,000 dependent on experience

PEAS aims to unlock the potential of Africa by delivering equal access to affordable, quality secondary education and we run the fastest growing network of sustainably financed public private partnership secondary schools in Africa. The rapid widening of our social impact in Uganda and Zambia has been possible through 1800% growth in fundraising over four years. Turnover of PEAS UK is expected to reach £4.5m in 2015/16 and global turnover is expected to reach £25m+ by 2020. We are backed by major corporate, institutional and private funders and our innovative financial model is turning heads in the world of international development. In 2013, PEAS was recognised as Charity of the Year and won a WISE award for innovation in education.

About this Role: We are looking for an outstanding person todrive and develop fundraising from companies and major donors. An experienced relationship manager, confident building strong relationships at the most senior levels, you will be highly resourceful, target focused, and feel comfortable pitching to companies and making the ‘ask’ to individuals. This is a substantial role and one in which you will make a lasting impact on our young yet fast growing organisation.

Purpose and Responsibilities of the role:

Strategy, Budgets and Targets

  1. Develop, and deliver a major gifts strategy for PEAS UK that feeds into the overall UK Fundraising strategy.
  1. Set appropriate financial targets for corporate and major donor fundraising, increasing funding through one-off and multi-year gifts or grants, sponsorship and charity of the year opportunities and by generating funds through high value events and fundraising boards in conjunction with the Fundraising Director.
  1. Monitor income targets and report on a regular basis, taking remedial action where necessary to ensure targets are met.
Prospect Identification and Management and Supporting Senior Volunteers
  1. Design and deliver a range of innovative approaches, products, and events toengage a wide range of prospects across a diverse portfolio of corporate and high net worth supporters, to include where appropriate volunteer fundraising committees, peer to peer cultivation, giving circles, events, employee fundraising, donations, pro bono support, sponsorship products and Charity of the Year.
  1. Ensure every major gift prospect that each has a solicitation plan in place which is regularly reviewed to move the prospect through relationship development process.
  1. Ensure that all new partnerships are appropriately agreed, contracted, and recognised and provide high quality account management and stewardship.
  1. Use internal and external research to identify and develop new major donor and corporate prospects in order to drive the pipeline for PEAS’s major gift income stream, and build up knowledge and understanding of existing prospects and supporters.
  1. Support and assist senior fundraising volunteers such as Trustees and Friends of PEAS, in order to assist them in developing new relationships for PEAS and coaching them in high-level major gift techniques.
  1. Work with senior PEAS staff to identify areas of need, and support their involvement with major gift fundraising.

Budgeting, Finance and Delivery

  1. Report on a regular basis, as required by the Director of Fundraising and Communications on progress of annual planned income and expenditure and other key performance indicators, actively managing variances.
  1. Ensure that Salesforce is utilised to best effect, recording all prospects, accounts, meeting notes and status, to enable comprehensive reports to be run, to monitor, evaluate and drive the business.

Communications & Networking

  1. Work with Programmes and Communications colleagues to prepare and present high quality proposals and presentations for corporates and major donors
  1. Support the development of PEAS celebrity and ambassador portfolio and liaison
  1. Attend high level relevant cultivation events/meetings, representing PEAS with passion and inspiration, securing new potential major donor and corporate contacts for PEAS, and working with other colleagues to ensure that those new prospects are followed up and their interest capitalised on.

Person Specification.

Essential Knowledge and Experience

  • Knowledge of the principles of corporate and major donor fundraising within the voluntary sector
  • Substantial fundraising experience in major gift (corporate and/or major donor) fundraising and account management
  • Experience of developing and implementing a strategic fundraising plan in relation to major gifts
  • Proven track record in exceeding income generation and other targets in a corporate and/or major donor context
  • Experience of preparing substantive proposals, presentations and of undertaking pitches to secure corporate support.
  • Experience in creating development boards.
  • Experience of preparing proposals and undertaking face-to-face high net worth individual ‘asks’, securing significant funding and support
  • Extensive experience in account and project management
  • Experience of carrying out research into prospects

Skills and abilities

  • Proven ability to build strong, and lasting relationships with a range of external supporters and influence and negotiate with senior external stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes for PEAS
  • Ease in maintaining good, positive working relations with colleagues and comfortable and confident operating at very senior levels externally
  • Ability to present information verbally including progress reports, project updates and briefings to a range of audiences in a clear, accurate and confident manner
  • Understanding of UK Charitable fundraising sector
  • Solid understanding of current international development issues and an understanding of, and commitment to, PEAS’ aims
  • Willing and able to work occasional unsocial hours and travel overseas

Application Instructions

Please submit a cover letter (paying particular attention to the person specification), and curriculum vitae, to

Please include all portions of your application in one attached document (PDF preferred), and use Major Donor Relationship Manager as the subject of your email.

Only complete applications will be reviewed and only qualified candidates will be shortlisted and contacted.

PEAS is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its recruitment practices and, in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.

PEAS is a UK based charity with a mission to provide equal access to affordable, quality secondary educationin Africa.

Closing date for applications:Friday 19thDecember 5pm with interviews week beginning the 5th January 2015