Head of Philanthropy (Trusts & Foundations) - Strand, London, WC2R 2LS

Head of Philanthropy (Trusts & Foundations) - Strand, London, WC2R 2LS

About Us

Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement (P&A) raises philanthropic funds in support of Kings College London and engages with the universitys worldwide alumni community. We are proud to enable the work of colleagues across the university and its health partners, helping them serve society through world-leading education,researchand healthcare.Our activity includes a partnership with the Maudsley Charity in support of childrens mental health and initiatives between the universitys Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience and the South London & Maudsley NHS Trust.

We are entering an exciting period as a team. Our work is identified as a key enabler of the new Kings Strategy 2030, with associated ambitions that include preparing for our next major philanthropic and engagement campaign. This will accelerate and energise our work in support of the Universitys mission to be in service to society through academic excellence be that through exceptional, impact-led research; ensuring our students are supported to thrive during their time at Kings and beyond; or by helping the university to invest over the long-term into its people, ideas and infrastructure. We plan to deepen and scale engagement with our global alumni community, donors and other supporters, mobilising them behind these shared priorities. We are strongly values-driven with a focus on sustaining a strong and supportive culture, which we see as key to creating a successful team that can realise these ambitions.

More on Kings College London

For almost 200 years, Kings has been a place where ideas turn into action. From revealing the structure of DNA to reimagining nursing, from advances in medicine, law and the study of war and peace to shaping culture and public debate, our work has always been guided by a belief that knowledge should serve society. Over our history, Kings has been home to 14 Nobel Prize winners, and to scholars whose ideas and leadership have shaped thinking, policy and practice around the world. Kings has always been a place where knowledge is put to work for the benefit of others. Kings College London is a world-renowned university that delivers exceptional education and world-leading research. We're committed to creating positive and sustainable change in our local and global communities through outstanding education, impactful research, and genuine service to society.

Kings Strategy 2030 sets out how we take that purpose forward, with four key priorities including student success in and beyond university, investment in research and education excellence that responds to the changing world, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, and delivering sustainable finances for a secure future.

More information on Kings, its purpose and strategy can be found here -

About The Role

Kings has an ambition to significantly scale philanthropic income as we prepare to launch our next major fundraising and engagement campaign in 2027 and mark the universitys bicentenary in 2029. Trusts and Foundations play a vital role in supporting the universitys strategic priorities, funding world-leading research, innovative education, student support, and initiatives that deliver meaningful impact locally, nationally, and globally.

The Head of Philanthropy (Trusts & Foundations) is a new role and will lead the universitys Trusts & Foundations fundraising programme, providing strategic leadership to a high-performing team responsible for securing significant philanthropic support from charitable trusts, foundations, and grant-making organisations. The postholder will utilise their substantial fundraising experience, strategic outlook, and exceptional relationship management skills to grow income from this important source of support.

This role will provide an exciting opportunity to help shape the Trusts & Foundations team at Kings, operating within a new Cross-University remit. Working closely with the Associate Director, Cross-University Philanthropy, the postholder will play a pivotal role in developing and expanding the Trusts & Foundations fundraising function in advance of the universitys next public fundraising campaign. They will be responsible for leading and nurturing a team of fundraisers to secure gifts and grants at the 100,000 level and above, while developing strategies to secure transformational six- and seven-figure donations. The postholder will also help support the Associate Director in helping shape a wider Cross-University philanthropy team culture.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record of developing high-value funding relationships and securing substantial philanthropic grants. They will have demonstrated experience of building and scaling fundraising portfolios, identified strategic funding opportunities, and worked collaboratively across a complex organisation. They should be intellectually curious and energised by the breadth and depth of Kings academic expertise, and motivated by working with senior university leaders, academics, researchers, and professional services colleagues to secure support across a diverse range of institutional priorities.

In Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement we are committed to building a truly diverse workforce that reflects the communities served by our partners, recognising the range of benefits that we derive when colleagues bring experiences and perspectives from a range of backgrounds. As part of this work, we have developed a race equality plan and we particularly welcome applications from candidates from Black, Minority Ethnic and Asian backgrounds.

This is a full-time post, and you will be offered an indefinite contract.

P&A has a hybrid working approach, with a minimum of 40% of time in the office. Typically, this equates to two days per week, but were very happy for colleagues to be in more frequently if they so wish.