Head Of Major Gifts

On average, it takes a veteran 13 years to seek out help for mental health issues as a result of their military service.

Combat Stress helps veterans aged from 26 all the way up to 83, with more than a quarter of their beneficiaries being under 40. They are the leading mental health charity for veterans, and for more than a century they have supported former servicemen and women with issues like PTSD, anxiety and depression.

Last year, they supported almost 12,500 individuals. The work they do is life-changing and often life-saving. With the world becoming increasingly unstable, the need for their services will increase.

The Major Gifts team has seen impressive, steady growth over the last few years – now bringing in £700k with ambitions and strong foundations to build this to £2m over the coming years. We are seeking a brilliant major donor fundraiser who will lead on developing the strategy, creatively exploring and developing engagement opportunities and being hands on with donor cultivation and soliciting gifts.

Combat Stress has an exciting awareness campaign launching in May 2024 which has had significant investment. The charity is dedicated to leveraging this campaign to strengthen its brand and help deliver their ambitious plans to double voluntary income. The new postholder will play a pivotal role in leveraging the campaign’s momentum and the opportunities that arise with HNWIs.

As Head of Major Gifts, you will:

• Develop and deliver a strong major donor strategy and programme with a focus on increasing philanthropic income
• Personally manage a portfolio of HNWIs giving 5, 6 and 7-figure gifts
• Develop new relationships with HNWIs, converting prospects to donors, and soliciting significant gifts
• Lead on developing a pipeline of Major gift prospects, working closely with the Director of Fundraising, CEO, Trustees, and senior volunteers on prospect identification, cultivation and asks
• Oversee the Benefactor Giving Programme, identifying additional opportunities for growth and engagement
• Provide leadership and coaching to the Senior Major Gifts Officer (scope to grow the team in line with success)
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to develop compelling case for supports

Ideal skills and experience: 

• Significant experience of managing and securing Major Gifts at the 6-figure+ level from HNWIs
• Strong donor management skills and able to demonstrate successful stewardship and engagement with philanthropists
• Outstanding written skills with ability to convey case studies and stories in a compelling way
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams, departments and external stakeholders
• Ability to lead, motivate and develop direct reports, including setting priorities and goals that are achievable, aspirational and inspiring
• Experience within the military and/or mental health charity sector is desirable

Benefits include:

• 30 days paid holiday plus bank holidays. After 10 years continuous service, this will increase to 33 days paid holiday plus bank holidays
• Competitive stakeholder pension scheme – contributions matched up to 11% of salary
• Discount shopping vouchers
• Access to Blue Light Card scheme