Head of Major Donors 60,762 pa

In line with our redeployment policy, we'll prioritise applications from employees who are under formal notice of redundancy.

We're looking for a Head of Major Donors, a new role to lead our Major Donors team to grow our fundraising and support the delivery of our ambitious People & Nature thriving strategic goals.

We have a stable portfolio of individual Major Donors and Trusts & Foundations. We also know significant income growth is possible from our core and new audiences.

You'll build and implement an ambitious plan for growing income from major donors and charitable trusts, with capacity to give between £25k-£1m and lead a newly established major donor team of around 5 relationship managers.

Working with the Head of Major Gifts and Grants, you will develop and implement joined up acquisition plans and exceptional supporter experiences, in close collaboration with the Heads of Principle Giving and Individual Giving. You will build on the successes of your team, coaching and empowering them to deliver growth in income.

We're open to discussing flexible working patterns, the requirement for this job would be a minimum of 30 hours.

Salary: circa £60,762 - £64,000 with potential flexibility based on skills and experience.

Reporting into the Head of Major Gifts and Grants, you'll join 3 other Head roles to deliver transformational growth in Major Gifts and Grants.

The Major Gifts and Grants secure significant funding for the National Trust and build enduring partnerships that deliver lasting change.

You'll also be part of a positive and forward-thinking fundraising extended leadership team where collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement are key.

Your contractual location will be our office in Swindon and there will be an expectation for you to attend the office. However, there is flexibility on where you are based at other times. You will be required to work at a National Trust location for 40-60% of your working week. This will be discussed in more detail at interview.

You'll lead the national Major Donor team and work collaboratively with regional colleagues to deliver income targets and build a strong pipeline for future growth.

Partnering across teams, you'll help create the right environment for growth, ensuring we have the right products and propositions to engage new major donors and to provide tailored supporter experiences, based on audience insight.

Organisation-wide, you'll champion an audience centric culture, building confidence in philanthropic fundraising.

Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below:

• Experience in managing a philanthropy or major donor team with a demonstrable track record of achieving and surpassing 7 figure+ income targets from philanthropy and/or trusts and foundations
• Demonstrable experience of creating and implementing fundraising plans to deliver 7 figure+ growth in complex organisational settings
• Strong track record in personally cultivating, soliciting and closing 6 and 7 figure gifts
• Demonstrable ability to convert a deep understanding of UK and international philanthropy sectors into action plans to secure new donors
• Experience of creating and implementing joined up supporter journeys with other income streams to increase Lifetime Value.

Additional criteria for all other applicants:

• High level of financial literacy with experience of managing 7 figure pipelines, 7 figure income and expenditure budgets, including reforecasts
• Experience of major donor campaign fundraising
• Good working knowledge and experience of ensuring team compliance with data protection legislation

The National Trust has the motto 'For everyone, for ever' at its heart. We're working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It's important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we're for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.

Head of Major Donors - Grade 4.pdf

Compliance. Eligibility to Work in the UK

Closing Date: 01 February 2026

To apply for this vacancy simply click the 'apply' button in the top right hand side of the page.

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EqualOpportunities Statement

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here.

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early.