About the Role
Philanthropy has a vital role to play in ending factory farming. As Philanthropy Manager (Major Donors) at Compassion, you will build relationships with high-net-worth individuals across the UK and Europe, inspiring and securing significant philanthropic investments in our work. At a pivotal moment for animal welfare, climate and food systems, you will help donors turn their ambitions into impact and empower transformative change for farmed animals worldwide.
About Us
Compassion in World Farming International is a leading global organisation working to end factory farming. Founded in 1967 by British farmer Peter Roberts, we’ve spent over 50 years driving change, successfully campaigning to ban cruel practices such as barren battery cages, veal crates, and sow stalls across the UK and Europe.
Our work combines advocacy, campaigning, and collaboration with policymakers and businesses to promote animal welfare and sustainable food systems. We envision a future where animals are treated with compassion, and farming supports both people and the planet. To learn more about our mission, culture, and opportunities, please explore our Candidate Pack, and Careers Page.
Responsibilities
As our Philanthropy Manager (Major Donors), you’ll be responsible for:
- Build lasting donor relationships – Manage and strengthen a varied portfolio of existing donors giving £10,000+, providing thoughtful, tailored stewardship that inspires continued and increased support.
- Grow our major donor community – Identify, cultivate and solicit high-net-worth individuals, philanthropists and family foundations across the UK, with scope to expand into European markets.
- Secure significant gifts – Develop meaningful engagement opportunities and compelling approaches that secure major and multi-year donations for Compassion’s work.
- Create persuasive donor communications – Write inspiring funding proposals, cases for support, impact reports and project budgets that bring complex programmes to life in clear, engaging language.
- Drive performance and growth – Work towards ambitious personal and team income targets, using KPIs, pipeline insight and accurate forecasting to identify priorities and opportunities.
- Collaborate across Compassion – Partner with Philanthropy, Prospect Research, Programmes and Finance colleagues, while maintaining accurate Salesforce records and working in line with GDPR and ethical fundraising standards.
About You
To succeed as our Philanthropy Manager (Major Donors), you’ll be an accomplished relationship-led fundraiser who understands how to move prospects from identification and cultivation through to solicitation and long-term stewardship. You’ll combine strategic thinking with a practical, entrepreneurial approach, bringing energy, curiosity and sound judgement to every donor relationship.
Skills and experience you’ll need to have to succeed in this role:
- Proven experience of fundraising from high-net-worth individuals and successfully soliciting personal gifts of £10,000 or more.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills and know how to build trust, understand donor motivations and create rewarding long-term partnerships.
- Able to write and speak with clarity and impact, using information effectively to make a compelling case and present complex ideas appropriately to different audiences.
- Strategic mindset, where you spot and seize opportunities, bring fresh ideas and combine strategic thinking with the drive to turn plans into action.
- Comfortable working to targets and KPIs, managing budgets and priorities, and maintaining excellent attention to detail across a busy portfolio.
- Able to work well independently and as part of a team, inspire energy and commitment, and can communicate genuine enthusiasm for Compassion’s mission.
- Confident with systems user, with good Microsoft Office skills and understand your responsibilities under GDPR and the Code of Fundraising Practice.
- Experience of Salesforce, fundraising events, an animal welfare NGO, or another European language would be advantageous.
If you don’t meet every requirement but believe you could thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply.
Why Join Us
This is an opportunity to turn ambitious philanthropy into lasting impact, helping secure the resources needed to transform food and farming for animals, people and the planet.We offer a supportive, flexible workplace with a strong focus on wellbeing and development, including:
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
- Health Cash Back Plan and 24/7 GP access
- Employee Assistance Programme and MHFA support
- Premium Calm App subscription
- Electric car scheme available
- Defined contribution pension scheme
- Enhanced discretionary sick pay
- Hybrid working model (role and location dependent)
- Free onsite parking and office next to mainline station
- Cycle Benefit scheme and other savings options
- Ongoing learning and development opportunities
How to Apply and Key Dates
If you’re ready to make a global impact, we’d love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining how you meet the Person Specification. To support a fair and unbiased recruitment process, we kindly ask that you do not include a photo in your CV.
Please note that we may begin interviews on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged.
Closing date: 4 November 2026
1st Stage (Teams) Interview
2nd Stage (Face to Face at HQ) Interview, with task
“Join us in building a more compassionate future for animals, people, and the planet.”
As part of Stage 1 interviews, shortlisted candidates may receive pre‑shared, values‑based interview questions to support a positive candidate experience. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know, we’re always happy to support candidates.
To comply with legal requirements in the UK and internationally, all applicants must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the country where the role is based.
Compassion in World Farming is absolutely committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their background. We value diversity and live experience and acknowledge the underrepresentation of people from certain backgrounds, both within our organisation and across the sector. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups, whether these be of ethnicity, gender, identity, religion, physical ability, sexual orientation or other.
