Drive high-value fundraising for one of the UK's leading children's hospital charities, supporting world-class care and research.
Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity is seeking an ambitious and strategic Head of Philanthropy, Trusts and Foundations to lead the growth of high-value income in support of one of the UK’s leading specialist children’s NHS Trusts. This is a significant opportunity to shape and deliver long-term philanthropy, major donor, trust and foundation strategies and build meaningful relationships that fund life-changing care, specialist equipment, research, new facilities and child-centred environments. The charity is looking for an inspiring fundraising leader with a strong track record of securing significant gifts, developing high-performing teams and creating exceptional supporter experiences.
Who we are
Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity supports Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, a national centre of excellence for child health providing acute, mental health and community services alongside leading paediatric specialisms. The charity funds projects that go above and beyond standard NHS provision to make bad days brighter for children, young people and families. Its support spans specialist medical equipment, research, new facilities, welcoming spaces, art, play and comfort — all focused on helping children receive outstanding care in environments designed around their needs.
About the role
As Head of Philanthropy, Trusts and Foundations, you will lead the development and delivery of sustainable income growth across major giving, trusts and foundations. Reporting to the Director of Fundraising, you will set the strategic direction for these income streams, personally manage a portfolio of high-value prospects and supporters, and work closely with senior leaders, clinicians and colleagues across Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust to develop compelling funding opportunities.
- Develop and deliver long-term philanthropy, trust and foundation strategies.
- Cultivate, solicit and steward major donors and institutional funders.
- Build a strong prospect pipeline and compelling cases for support.
- Lead, coach and develop a high-performing fundraising team.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for a credible, values-led fundraising leader with proven expertise in philanthropy and trusts and foundations. You will bring a strong track record of securing significant gifts, ideally at six-figure level or above, and the confidence to engage senior stakeholders, trustees, volunteers, clinicians and supporters in long-term relationships.
- Strategic and commercially aware, with the ability to identify opportunities and grow income.
- An excellent relationship builder, able to influence, negotiate and inspire confidence.
- A supportive people manager who can coach, motivate and develop others.
- Skilled in creating compelling funding propositions, grant applications and donor communications.
- Insight-led and organised, using data to inform strategy, forecasting and decision-making.
To view the role description and person specification, please go to the ‘How to Apply’ tab above, fill in your details and download the candidate pack.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners:
Laura Iliff | laura.iliff@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07399 398905
Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity is a registered charity in England and Wales (No. 505002).
Dear candidate,
Thank you for your interest in joining Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity at such a pivotal moment in our journey.
We are entering an exciting new chapter—one defined by ambition, innovation and growth. Together with our community, we exist to make Sheffield Children’s the very best it can be. We fund the life-changing and the joy-sparking. We make clinical care kinder, bad days brighter, and create moments of play, laughter and comfort where they are needed most.
This year marks a truly significant milestone. As Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust celebrates its 150th anniversary, and the Charity marks 50 years of transforming children’s healthcare, we have a unique opportunity to celebrate our shared history while inspiring support for the future.
Over the past five decades, thanks to the incredible support of our donors, fundraisers and partners, we’ve achieved so much. We’ve funded state-of-the-art equipment and ambulances, transformed wards and play spaces, helped deliver a £6 million helipad, invested in pioneering research and innovation, and funded projects that make a real difference to children, young people and their families every single day.
While we are incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved, our ambitions for the future are even greater.
We believe that every child deserves access to excellent healthcare and a healthy future, and we are committed to enabling the charity to make an even bigger impact and support Sheffield Children’s to deliver on its promise to provide healthier futures for children and young people, today and for generations to come.
The Head of Philanthropy, Trusts & Foundations will play a pivotal role in helping us achieve these ambitions. You will help secure the transformational support needed to deliver our next major fundraising campaign, which will fund the redevelopment of Sheffield Children’s Emergency Department into a calm, child-friendly environment that reduces fear and anxiety, supports recovery, and enables our teams to provide the very best emergency care.
Alongside this, you will help unlock investment in pioneering research and innovation that has the potential to change lives, ensuring Sheffield Children’s remains at the forefront of children’s healthcare.
Reporting to me, you will lead the strategic development and growth of our philanthropy and trusts programme, securing transformational support from individuals, trusts and foundations. You’ll shape future fundraising strategy, personally manage a portfolio of high-value supporters and prospects, and work alongside senior leaders, clinicians and colleagues across Sheffield Children’s to develop compelling funding opportunities that inspire investment.
More than a senior fundraising role, this is an opportunity to help shape the future of Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity and create lasting change for children, young people and families across our region and beyond.
You will have my full support, along with that of an ambitious, passionate and collaborative team who are united by one purpose: creating healthier futures for children and young people.
We can’t wait to see the difference you will make.
With best wishes,
Laura Howard Jones
Director of Fundraising
Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity
Accessibility
Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity is committed to providing equal opportunities for all employees, workers, volunteers, and job applicants, and to prevent unlawful and unfair discrimination. We aim to create a culture that encourages and values diversity, and that appoints, rewards, and promotes staff based on merit.
We understand that different members of the community have different access needs and have made some modifications to the way we do business to accommodate people from diverse communities and abilities.
We offer the following amenities:
- Accessibility dogs are welcome
- Papers and materials can be presented in different formats
- A sign language interpreter can be accessed for interview
- Working patterns and locations can be adjusted
The Charity’s main building is reached by a number of steps, and at present does not have step-free access. We are, however, moving to a new office in early 2026 in Sheffield city centre, and this building will have step-free access to all areas.
Prior to this move, should a candidate be invited for interview who requires step-free access or hearing loops, we would look to hold these meetings in an alternate location.
Whilst we have not previously provided papers in alternative formats or utilised a sign language interpreter, we would be happy to facilitate this for both interviews, and for the successful candidate.
To arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners:
Laura Iliff | laura.iliff@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07399 398905
Thank you for your interest in this role. Please download the Role Description and Person Specification.
To formally apply, please submit a CV and supporting statement (ideally maximum 2 sides of A4 each) that clearly outlines your suitability for the role against the criteria provided in the person specification, including your interest and motivation in applying for this position.
Please include your home address, contact email and mobile.
Please ensure that your application is emailed to response@peridotpartners.co.uk, inserting “Application: Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity—Head of Philanthropy, Trusts and Foundations” into the subject field. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 2-3 days. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact our admin team.
For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners:
Laura Iliff | laura.iliff@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07399 398905
As a sector-leading executive search consultancy, we know the importance of creating recruitment processes that are fair, inclusive and free from bias. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a process that values differences.
If you require any job information in an alternative format (e.g. large print), please contact Laura Iliff. Please also let us know if you would like to submit your application in an alternative format.
Applicants with disabilities are welcome to contact us in confidence at any stage of the recruitment process to discuss any reasonable adjustments or support that may be required to ensure fair and equal participation.
Recruitment selection processes are based on evidence of competence stated in the person specification and in relation to our values.
Timetable
Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 14th September 2026
Candidates informed of outcome: Tuesday 15th September 2026
First stage interviews: Monday 21st September 2026
Second stage interviews: Monday 28th September 2026
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Peridot and Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity are committed to promoting equality and diversity. To help us raise awareness and support a culture that is diverse and recognises and develops the potential of all, we need to appreciate the profile of candidates who apply for positions. We will send you an equality monitoring survey at the point of receiving your application and at the time of placement. This ensures that our processes remain inclusive and equitable throughout, and provides us with important data to help us showcase our impact.
The information will be treated confidentially and anonymously and will help us to support our commitment to fair recruitment practice. All information provided will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with anyone, in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 launched on 25 May 2018.
The information provided does not form part of the decision-making process and will not affect your application. Learn more about why we collect this data here.
Data Processing, Protection and Privacy Policy
By completing the form to view, or if you have access to this page from an email invitation, Peridot Partners will have processed your personal information. For more information about Peridot Partners’ data processing activities and your rights, please read our Privacy Policy.
