Philanthropy Manager, UK

  • International Rescue Committee UK
  • Jan 29, 2026
Full time Education

Job Description

BACKGROUND

Over the past 90 years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to rebuild. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. The IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster.

The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve. The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.

IRC UK

IRC UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its global headquarters in New York. Our team in the UK works to raise profile, deliver policy and practice change, and increase funding to help restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Since 2021, IRC UK has also provided integration services directly to refugees in England.

In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm.

The Purpose of the Role

Reporting to the Associate Director of Philanthropy, UK, the Philanthropy Manager will support the implementation of the UK Philanthropy team s strategy, with a focus to identify, establish and develop new and existing high value relationships with individuals who have the capacity to support IRC at a five and six figure level. This is an exciting role working with senior stakeholders across IRC, in the UK and internationally, to cultivate and steward relationships with philanthropists to effectively solicit multi-year gifts to fund high-impact programmes that will deliver transformative change for IRC clients across the world.

As part of this, the Philanthropy Manager will:

Develop and implement initiatives to identify, cultivate and solicit gifts from donors in the major gift range of £10,000 and above, both in partnership with the Director of Philanthropy and through account management of a discreet prospect portfolio

Work closely with the Director of Philanthropy and the research function to identify and cultivate positive relationships with existing donors and new prospects to significantly grow our major donor pipeline

Manage a portfolio of major donors through various personalised approaches, including face-to-face meetings, phone calls, events and written and verbal communications

Develop personalised donor stewardship plans with the aim of increasing their engagement and uplifting their support to achieve the revenue target for the UK Philanthropy team and the overall revenue target for the International Philanthropy team

Lead on gift management, reporting and proposal development for new prospects and existing donors, ensuring timely and accurate communications that match the individual s requirements

Identify and deliver unique stewardship and cultivation opportunities for donors

Maintain thorough and up to date files and records relating to major donors

Maintain strong knowledge and understanding of IRC s work in the UK and around the world

Collaborate proactively with a network of internal and external senior stakeholders, garnering their support and influence in the development of relationships with philanthropists

Contribute to profile raising of the IRC s Philanthropy programme and the IRC more widely through proactive networking and external engagement with potential donors and their advisors

Proactively collaborate with other members of the Philanthropy team, supporting the delivery of the wider Philanthropy strategy as required

Carry out administrative activities and other duties, as required, to maximise fundraising.

Scope and Authority

Authority: This position is responsible for supporting the delivery of Philanthropy and contributing to the identification, cultivation and stewardship of £10,000 and above gifts from HNWIs.

Key Working Relationships

HNWI donors and prospects

Third party philanthropy advisors

Key contacts across IRC in UK and internationally:

o International Philanthropy Team

o USA Philanthropy

o Engagement with the UK and International Board

o Global Partnerships and Philanthropic Services

o Communications team

o Policy and Advocacy team

o UK Finance team

o Country Programme and regional teams, the Awards Management Unit as well as IRC s Technical Units

o President s Office and Executive Director of IRC- UK

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Partnership identification, cultivation and stewardship (65%)

Manage a portfolio of HNWI prospects and donors, working closely with the Director of Philanthropy to cultivate successful, high-impact relationships

Collaborate with colleagues to develop transformative funding opportunities, create tailored plans for the cultivation of donors, deliver unique stewardship and cultivation opportunities, and coordinate internal and external meetings to drive donor relationships forward.

Partnership Management (25%)

Lead on the creation of inspiring and engaging impact reports and proposals for donors, ensuring timely and accurate communications that are matched to the requirements of donors.

Use Salesforce and IRC s internal grant management system, OTIS, to keep clear and accurate records of donor communications and interactions related to all donor relationships

Team collaboration (10%)

Contribute to the wider ambitions and shared objectives of the Philanthropy team as part of the HNWI Pillar

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications

Knowledge and understanding of the principles and methods of philanthropy fundraising

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and enthuse, through the delivery of strong external and internal communications

Ability to establish and build relationships with donors, colleagues and senior stakeholders at all levels and from a variety of backgrounds, both externally and within IRC

Ability to identify potential donors, produce donor stewardship plans and be able to implement and execute them

Ability to influence and negotiate with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, ensuring best possible outcomes for the IRC

Excellent attention to detail

Excellent Microsoft Office software skills including Excel

Demonstrable ability to prioritise and organise own workload and meet conflicting deadlines

Ability to understand and demonstrate commitment to IRC s Equal Opportunities Policy and to ensure all activities are consistent with Equal Opportunities

Ability to work collaboratively with members of a fundraising team and across departments, whilst managing conflicting priorities and deadlines in a busy working environment

Experience

Demonstrable experience of securing gifts from high net-worth individuals

Demonstrable experience of writing persuasive and creative proposals and correspondence in a range of relevant styles

Demonstrable experience of managing a portfolio of high net-worth individuals and relationships with senior stakeholders in a fundraising or corporate context

Demonstrable experience of supporting the implementation of events with wealthy individuals and influential contacts

Demonstrable experience of managing information on a fundraising database e.g. Salesforce

Demonstrable experience of compiling information from various global stakeholders in order to create compelling tailored proposals and reports

Demonstrable experience of supporting a team and implementing new administrative systems and processes