Head of Philanthropy
Full-time, Fixed Term Contract (maternity cover)
Deadline: 23:59, Monday 22nd June
Please note that we are using an external recruitment agency for this role. Please visit the Prospectus job listing for further information and to apply.
We are seeking a dynamic and confident Head of Philanthropy (maternity cover) to join our high-performing fundraising team, with responsibility for the trusts & foundations and individuals income streams.
About the role
During 2026/27 there will be maternity leave within the Development leadership team. During this period this role, Head of Philanthropy (maternity cover), will take on oversight of two income streams – individuals, and trusts & foundations - in tandem with the Director of Development.
Key responsibilities for the role will be working closely with the Director of Development to ensure gold-standard stewardship for our high-value donors, coaching and developing line reports to cultivate, secure, and steward our four and five-figure donors, and ensuring income generation targets are met across trusts, foundations, and individual donor income streams.
The Head of Philanthropy will join a high-performing income generation team, and form part of the Development leadership team and Sutton Trust Extended Leadership Team. For the term of this contract, this role is responsible for line management of the Philanthropy Manager, and two Trusts & Foundations Managers (one being a maternity cover). All three manager roles will have joined the Sutton Trust during 2026 and therefore be embedding into their roles, and although they join with fundraising experience, there will be a need for the Head of Philanthropy to ensure pastoral support and coaching helps them to fully settle in and perform in their respective roles.
There is strong potential for significant growth in our philanthropic income streams over the coming years, and to deliver on our 2030 strategy ambitions we need to fully activate this potential through delivery of existing fundraising strategies for our high and mid value donors and prospects, and building strategies to grow legacy fundraising and efficient online giving campaigns.
About you
As Head of Philanthropy (maternity cover), you will be an experienced leader and fundraiser. You will have ingrained knowledge of how to generate income from trusts, foundations, and individual donors, and how to coach line reports to do the same.
You will be confident in working with senior leaders and volunteers to cultivate meaningful relationships, steward HNWI, trusts, and foundations, and deliver robust prospect pipelines. You will have an entrepreneurial mindset for income generation, and will be able to support your line reports to successfully raise funds, alongside managing your own portfolio of current and prospective donors. You will also have expertise in delivering gold-standard stewardship for an exceptional supporter experience, and a deep understanding of how stewardship drives income growth.
Terms of Appointment
Contract: Full-time, fixed term maternity cover contract – ideal start date commencing in August 2026 (to estimated October 2027)
Salary: £60,000 - £72,000
Working location: Minimum of two office days per week. Our home working policy gives staff the option to work from home for up to 60% of the time, with approval from their line manager.
Office location: The Sutton Trust, 9th Floor, Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP
Hours: The standard working hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. This role is likely to also be required to attend events / meetings outside of normal working hours during weekday evenings and occasionally at weekends, in line with organisational policies.
A DBS check may be required.
Candidate must be eligible to work in the UK; we are unfortunately not a licensed visa sponsor.
Scroll down to find out about our staff benefits!
Interviews
Applications should reach us by June 22nd 2026, with first round interviews held at our London offices on July 1st 2026 and second round interviews held at our London offices on July 8th 2026.
Safeguarding statement
The Sutton Trust believes that a child, young person or vulnerable adult should never experience abuse of any kind. We all have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe. Therefore all posts undergo a safer recruitment process, including but not limited to, disclosure of criminal records where necessary and eligibility to work in the UK. We have procedures in place to promote safeguarding and a safe culture at the Trust.
Contextual recruitment
We operate contextual recruitment at the Sutton Trust. Our application process gives you the option to include information about your background, such as whether you were eligible for free school meals, whether your parents went to university, or whether you attended a state school. For more examples and information on contextual recruitment, please see our website
- Department
- Development
- Locations
- London
- Remote status
- Hybrid
- Monthly salary
- £60,000 - £72,000
- Employment type
- Full-time
- Interview Round 1
- 01 July, 2026
- Interview Round 2
- 08 July, 2026
- Deadline
- 22 June, 2026
London
Our Benefits
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Annual leave
27 days per annum plus bank holidays (29 days per annum for roles at 'Head of' level and above).
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Pension scheme
Contributory pension scheme (subject to the conditions of the scheme) which includes a 7% employer pension contribution.
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Family leave
Enhanced maternity, paternity/ partner, adoption, shared parental leave pay and carer's leave (conditions apply)
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Flexible working
Minimum 2 office days per week, plus Flexible Working Policy
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Wellbeing
2 paid mental health/ self-care days, annual wellbeing workshops and access to a confidential Employee Assistance Programme
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Other benefits include:
Cycle to work scheme, life assurance cover, season ticket loans, and free tea, coffee, fruit and lunch when working from the office.
“The Trust is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity and that all applicants receive equal consideration for employment. We strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds, including those underrepresented at present at the Trust, to apply for this role and recognise the value that diversity brings to our work.”
