Major Gifts Manager

JOB TITLE: Major Gifts Manager

REPORTING TO: Deputy Director

LINE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILTIES: (CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW) Up to 6 Posts

Islamic Relief:

Islamic relief is an international relief and development agency striving to alleviate poverty and suffering around the world regardless of colour, race or religion. Established in 1984 in response to the widespread famine in Africa, Islamic Relief has grown to be a key, well known and respected aid agency in disaster relief and the ongoing development of people in over 25 countries. It specialises in Education & Training, Health and Nutrition, Water & Sanitation, Income Generation, Orphans’ Support, Emergency Relief and Disaster Preparedness. Islamic Relief is a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and is implementing partner for DFID, ECHO, the World Food Programme and UNHCR.

Purpose of division (IRUK)

Islamic Relief UK (IRUK) is a Strategic Business Unit (SBU) that is a part of Islamic Relief Worldwide. IRUK’s focus is strengthening effective funding, mobilising for change through advocacy and awareness-raising, and strengthening programme development and delivery. IRUK works with various partners and institutions from governments, non-governmental organisations and local authorities to grassroots communities.

Purpose of department (Fundraising)

To develop and implement strategies to increase the funding income of Islamic Relief through a range of fundraising initiatives and through acquisition & retention of supporters.

Job purpose:

To develop, implement and manage the IRUK Major Gift’s unit, portfolio and associated budgets, contributing towards the achievement of fundraising & field programme objectives and targets.

Key working relationships:

• Reports to Deputy Director.

• Close communication with UK Executive board.

• Works with the Fundraising teams, PR & Media functions, Supporter Relations unit.

• Frequent liaison with current and potential HNWI supporters and personalities from the fields of business, politics and community.

• UK & International Programmes Department.

Scope and Authority:

To raise income, and develop new business and partnerships in line with an annually agreed budget, from all forms of major gift fundraising opportunities; in support of the activities and expenditure of Islamic Relief.

Scope of the role:

• Develops and manages effective relationships with key external stakeholders, including corporate, trusts and other major donors; utilising effective fundraising mechanisms in order to reach an agreed annual income target.

• Leads and manages a team of specialist fundraisers.

• Develops yearly operational plans for the area of work, supported by objectives needed to achieve agreed income targets.

• Leads, coordinates and presents fundraising pitches for new partnerships and opportunities.

• Contributes to fundraising and wider team strategy and planning.

• Research and develop new fundraising ideas and income streams.

• Oversee administrative support.

Responsibility for resource:

• Income target to be agreed annually with head of department and the wider strategy.

• Manage a budget for team to be agreed annually with Deputy Director.

Key accountabilities:

The job holder is accountable for fulfilling the role and responsibilities in line with Islamic values and principles of fairness, humanity, honesty, respect and fair talent of his/her colleagues and staff. The following main responsibilities that the role holder will be accountable for:

1. Strategy and Planning:

• Oversee the development and implementation of budgets, annual work and project plans for each strategy.

• Develop strategies for all forms of Major Gifts Fundraising/Planned Giving e.g. High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI), corporate, organisations, legacies, trusts, foundations and other grant giving bodies.

• Design, implement and direct fundraising initiatives, including individualised cultivation, solicitation and recognition strategies.

• Contribute to and assist the UK department and unit, strategy, planning and budgeting.

• Support the management and development of Islamic Relief’s overall strategy within the department.

2. Fundraising management

• Manage a portfolio of HNWI and prospects with the propensity to give large gifts ensuring that all donors receive the highest possible care.

• To instigate, maintain and nurture new relationships with UK’s HNWI developing effective stewardship plans for managing these relationships and to secure and maintain long-term funding.

• Manage the relationship with key strategic external stakeholders and corporates.

• Accompany selected donors on overseas trips to visit Islamic Relief’s work in the field to increase the donors’ emotional engagement with the cause.

• Manage and increase the Wills and Legacies programme for Islamic Relief.

• Attend networking events and build contacts within the environment of major donors and corporates.

• Create networks of HNW supporters across UK that can deliver benefits for Islamic Relief, including income, increasing profile and engagement.

3. Team management

• Provide effective leadership and line management to a team of specialist fundraisers – good scope for team to grow.

• Set clear targets for each team member in accordance with agreed department and organisational strategy.

• Ensure team development through relevant skills enhancement and resource provision within agreed limits.

• Manage the recruitment and work of consultants/specialists for defined pieces of work as and when required.

• Ensure relevant reporting, appraisals and meetings take place with the team and line manager.

4. Islamic Relief:

• Maintain full accurate knowledge of IR and gain support for international development and humanitarian work by raising awareness for their mission, vision and values.

• Understand and communicate persuasively Islamic Relief’s work to prospective donors through targeted funding applications, pitches, presentations and all other means.

• Negotiate high profile and sensitive agreements related to area of work.

• Represent the organisation at internal/external events as required.

• Act as spokesperson and give media interviews for the charity when required.

• To develop and implement systems to facilitate good communication of fundraising information between regional staff, liaising with the Supporter Relations Team.

5. Research and Analysis:

• Research current trends in charitable giving, particularly major gifts.

• Seek advice and involvement of donors for lead generation and encourage peer to peer fundraising.

• Identify, research and evaluate prospective donors.

• In collaboration with IR’s programmes team, identify projects in need of support that match with donor interests and funding requirements.

• Oversee the preparation of timely narrative and financial reports for donors on the outcomes of work funded and in accordance with the donors’ reporting requirements.

• Monitor, reforecast and report on major gift performance against plans and budgets.

• Provide comprehensive donor analysis and projection reports on a regular basis as agreed with relevant manager/stakeholder.

6. Information Management:

• Manage the units’ central filing/administration system.

• Ensure all relevant processes are documented.

• Oversee the major gift part of the donor database, prospect management system and to document major gift activities.

• Supervise the team in identifying major donors, creating and maintaining contact lists.

• Participate in departmental and interdepartmental meetings.

7. Budgeting and Monitoring:

• Plan, prepare and manage annual budgets for department in line with strategic objectives.

• Monitor performance and take remedial action where necessary to achieve net income budget.

• Monitor, reforecast and report on major gift performance against plans and budgets.

8. Ethics:

• Adhere to the Charities Act, Code of Fundraising Practice for the UK, The General Data Protection Regulation and other legislation in the execution of any fundraising activity, and works within relevant procedures to ensure that all necessary agreements are in place prior to proceeding (E.G. Contract, commercial participator agreement).

• Assist on embedding Major Donor fundraising principles across the organisation, through development of training, networking and other opportunities.

• Keep up to date with trends in the funding environment and on best practice in major donor fundraising.

9. General duties of Islamic Relief staff member:

• Contribute positively to the effective and efficient running of Islamic Relief as appropriate including team meetings, team working and implementing Organisational priorities.

• Participates as appropriate, in staff forums and meetings.

• Adheres to Islamic Relief’s policies and procedures.

• Represents Islamic Relief to the wider community as appropriate.

• Treats all colleagues, volunteers and members of the public with dignity and works within, and adheres to Islamic Relief’s Organisational policies and equal opportunities statement and policy

• Ensures professionalism and credibility at all times.

• Carry out any duties required by the line manager which may vary from time to time.

• Build a rapport and maintain strong links with IRW stakeholders.

• Network with peers from the third sector.

• Be flexible within the broad remit of the post.

Person Specification – Essential:

It is essential that the post holder shows a good understanding and sympathy with Islamic values and principles as well as commitment to Islamic Relief UK’s vision, mission and core values.

Qualifications:

• Educated to degree level or possess a relevant qualification or appropriate experience in a directly related post.

• Professional fundraising qualification (desirable).

Experience:

• Demonstrable corporate fundraising, sales or marketing, account management experience, including blue chip and/or trusts.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Knowledge of a wide range of fundraising mechanisms is essential, including CRM, sponsorship, brand association and employee fundraising.

• Creative and lateral thinker with an innovative and strategic approach to attracting new business.

• Excellent interpersonal skills. Proven ability to communicate and build relationships with a wide range of internal and external contacts at all levels.

• Experience in developing team strategies and plans.

• Highly developed negotiation skills.

• Ability to develop and maintain an inspiring working environment which motivates the team.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Excellent presentation skills – the ability to present Islamic Relief’s work professionally to senior managers in the corporate sector.

• High level of commercial awareness and professionalism with a confident and positive attitude.

• Capable of interacting and engaging with a wide range of people and adapting personal style to suit circumstances.

• Effective time management skills – adept at handling multiple priorities and tight deadlines.

• Knowledge of fundraising database(s).

• Strong IT skills in particular Microsoft Office packages.

• Take responsibility for self-development.

• Able to work irregular and/or extended hours including weekends and bank holidays from time to time for which time off in lieu will be given.

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• Proven experience of achieving challenging targets.

• Experience of using databases to identify prospective donors.

• Experience using research to build donor profiles.

• Experience of working to and achieving an annual budget.

• People management experience including carrying out performance reviews, 1:1’s, development, motivation and effective management of performance issues.