Senior Philanthropy Manager Refuge

Who we are

Our Mission: Refuge’s mission is to end domestic abuse by ensuring that everyone affected can access the opportunities they need to reclaim safety, stability and power, and by challenging the social, economic and cultural conditions that allow perpetrators to abuse and that abuse to persist.

Our Vision: Refuge supports survivors of domestic abuse today and tomorrow. Through everything we do, Refuge works to create a society where abuse is neither tolerated nor hidden.

For over 50 years, Refuge has been there for women and children when they needed safety most. From the first refuge, which opened in Chiswick in 1971, to our work today supporting thousands of survivors each year, our purpose has remained the same: to stand with survivors and help them find safety, stability and strength.

Our new three-year strategy strengthens Refuge so we can continue that work safely, consistently and for the long term.

Domestic abuse remains one of the most widespread and dangerous harms in our society. Survivors are facing increasingly complex risks, while specialist services continue to operate in a challenging funding and policy environment.

Refuge plays our role within a wider system of support for survivors, including specialist and by-and-for organisations who provide vital, expert services.

Between 2026 and 2028, we will focus on:

• Delivering safer, more consistent, high-quality support for survivors wherever they live

• Strengthening our people, culture, systems and leadership so staff can do this vital work sustainably

• Building greater financial resilience and independence

• Using evidence and survivor insight to improve practice and influence systems

• Laying credible foundations for long-term prevention and change

Survivors have been clear with us: safety matters most. This strategy exists to protect that safety now, and to build a Refuge survivors can rely on for as long as they need us.

About the role

We’re looking for an experienced, ambitious, relationship-led fundraiser to help grow our philanthropy programme and build relationships with individuals and trusts & foundations who share our vision of a world where domestic abuse is not tolerated.

In this newly created role, you’ll develop and strengthen relationships with high-value supporters, secure and steward six-figure gifts and help shape our strategic approach to philanthropy. Working closely with the Head of Philanthropy, you’ll identify new growth opportunities, raise Refuge’s profile among philanthropic audiences and inspire supporters to make a lasting difference in the lives of women and children experiencing domestic abuse.

Key responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Head of Philanthropy to shape a three-year plan for philanthropy at Refuge.
• Lead the creation and delivery of a new strategic cultivation and engagement plan and activities to support fundraising from major donors and trusts and foundations.
• Lead the creation of a new philanthropic proposition that has the potential to significantly expand flexible funding for Refuge.
• Manage, maintain and uplift a portfolio of current donors – our highest value and most strategic relationships.
• Collaborate across the organisation to create impactful, high-quality propositions, reports and proposals.
• Develop, cultivate and convert a sustainable pipeline of new philanthropic supporters, working with other fundraising colleagues and the Senior Prospect Researcher where appropriate.
• Personally network and take accountability for identifying and developing relationships with potential major donors, trusts and foundations and introducers/influencers.
• Work closely with the CEO, Trustees and other contacts to build inspiring relationships and maximise connections.
• Lend expertise and advice on working with influential, often high-profile, major donors to other high-value colleagues.

Who we are looking for

• Demonstrable experience of creating new propositions and programme initiatives.
• Demonstrable experience of building new pipelines and managing portfolios of high-value major donors and/or trusts and foundations.
• Demonstrable experience of curating exceptional stewardship and engagement opportunities for donors.
• Proven experience of personally identifying, cultivating and soliciting 6+ figure gifts.
• Knowledge of philanthropic and grant-making trends and demonstrable experience of working across the philanthropic sector.
• Demonstrable experience of creating compelling funding opportunities, managing grants and reporting on impact.
• Experience of senior stakeholder engagement and influencing, both externally and internally.