Philanthropy Manager

Smile Train is the world's largest cleft-focused organisation, supporting life-changing surgery and comprehensive cleft care for children and adults globally. Through its unique local model, Smile Train has supported more than 2 million surgeries and works with medical partners across 75+ countries to deliver sustainable, high-quality care.

The UK plays a vital role within this global organisation, contributing significant income, insight and strategic input. The UK programme is performing strongly, with income expected to reach c.£14-15m this year, underpinned by a successful individual giving and legacy programme.

Smile Train is now entering its next phase of growth in the UK, with a clear opportunity to build and strengthen high-value income, particularly across major donors and mid-value giving.

Reporting to and working closely with the Director of UK Fundraising, you will manage a portfolio of donors and prospects, with significant opportunity to deepen relationships and grow supporters into higher-value philanthropy over time. This will be a hands-on, relationship-led role focused on building meaningful engagement and delivering long-term income growth.

This role offers an ambitious, skilled relationship developer the opportunity to build and grow Smile Train UK's major donor programme as part of its new five-year strategy, with strong organisational investment in philanthropy.

Working closely with a highly experienced and collaborative Director of UK Fundraising and broader fundraising team, you will contribute to developing ways of working, testing engagement strategies, tailoring the compelling case for support and working closely with colleagues in the UK and globally.

As Philanthropy Manager, you will:

• Manage and develop a portfolio of c.120-150 donors and prospects, primarily giving at mid-value level (up to c.£5k) with significant headroom for growth
• Build strong, long-term relationships with supporters through tailored cultivation, solicitation and stewardship
• Identify and engage new prospects, developing a sustainable pipeline of future high-value donors
• Develop and deliver individual engagement plans to retain and upgrade donors over time
• Prepare high-quality proposals, reports and communications to support donor engagement
• Support the development of Smile Train's high-value case for support and fundraising approach in the UK
• Work closely with the Director of UK Fundraising and global colleagues to align activity and maximise opportunities
• Contribute to events, donor visits and wider engagement activity
• Maintain accurate records and support effective pipeline and performance management

Essential skills and experience:

• Experience of relationship fundraising, with exposure to major donors or mid-value giving. Other relationship-driven fundraising experience will be considered, for instance with trusts and foundations or corporate partnerships, where you can evidence income generation via relationship-building with HNWIs or purse-string holders.
• A track record of generating substantial income and securing 5-figure or higher gifts
• Confidence in managing a portfolio and delivering personalised donor engagement
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop compelling proposals
• A proactive, organised and hands-on approach, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team

Desirable:

• Experience of working within a developing or growing high-value fundraising programme
• Exposure to international development, global health or a similarly mission-led environment
• Knowledge and use of Salesforce CRM
• Experience working within a global or matrix organisation

Smile Train UK offer an excellent employee benefits package, which includes:

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Private Medical Insurance
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Up to 7 days paid sick leave per year
• "Sunshine Fridays" early Friday finish across summer months