Philanthropy Manager
Hybrid (within the UK) with travel to the London or Edinburgh office on a minimum of a monthly basis.
About Us
IIED is an international policy and research organisation working to build a fairer, more sustainable world, in partnership with others across the globe. We stand up: challenging the systems and structures that perpetuate economic, social and environmental injustice – acknowledging our own role in this. We speak out: calling out the big blockers that prevent progress for communities and working to amplify voices, redistribute power and strengthen rights. We innovate: developing, co-producing and supporting evidence-based ideas to drive progress towards a thriving world for all. We collaborate: building connections at local, national and international levels, to support diverse partners to tackle the climate, nature and inequality crises so that people and the planet can thrive. Come and be part of this exciting journey with us!
The Role
IIED is seeking a dynamic and experienced Philanthropy Manager to work closely with IIED’s Head of Business Development and Directors to meet unrestricted income targets. The role also involves supporting IIED’s research and MEL colleagues across the organisation to raise restricted income. The focus of the role will be networking, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding a mixed portfolio of funders and prospects with the capacity to give at the £2m+ level.
You will be responsible for developing meaningful funder relations, including philanthropists, institutions and multilaterals. You will work closely with IIED’s Head of Business Development and IIED’s Directors to win high-value, multi-annual, strategic and unrestricted funding, from philanthropists, trusts and foundations, companies and high net worth individuals. You will engage institutional funders and philanthropists on a long-term journey with IIED to support our organisational strategic vision.
About You
To be successful, you therefore need to bring significant experience in generating unrestricted and large, multi-annual restricted fundraising, and a demonstrable track record of directly soliciting or orchestrating the successful cultivation of seven-figure philanthropic gifts. The role will include directly building donor relations, generating leads, developing and submitting cross-organisational pitches and propositions, building donor intelligence, developing collaboration through internal and external partnerships, and directly undertaking fundraising to support IIED’s transformational climate change and sustainable development agenda.
The Philanthropy Manager sits within the Business Development Team and is accountable to the Head of Business Development. The role will entail direct unrestricted and flexible fundraising, donor research, provision of cross-organisational funding strategies, pitches and propositions.
The role will also support IIED’s teams with their restricted fundraising activity, including helping them to produce pitches and propositions and supporting application documentation and application budgets.
To be successful in the role, you will enjoy playing the different roles in fundraising and know how to gauge what is most appropriate – the driver or the navigator, the broker or the facilitator – as you are motivated by achieving transformative outcomes that matter.
The Business Development Team sits within the Strategy and Learning Group, which includes IIED’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Team, and is responsible for relations with IIED’s core funders.
The Benefits
– Salary of £54,438 to £67,692 per annum
– 25 days’ annual leave per year, plus bank holidays and additional leave over Christmas
– 7.5% employer pension contributions
– Flexible hybrid working options
– Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
– Cycle-to-work scheme
– Employee protection scheme (life, critical illness, income protection)
Please note, you are likely to be working from home most of the time. As such, you will need a suitable place to work and a reliable, fast internet connection.
Interview Process – Key Timelines
Applicants are advised that the selection process for this role is expected to follow the timeline below:
– Test: w/c 10 November
– Presentation and first formal interviews: w/c 17 November
(All interviews will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. Please do let us know if you are unavailable for any of these dates.)
Closing date for applications: Sunday 2 November 2025