Principal Gifts Lead

Final date to receive applications: 6 November 2026

Department: Fundraising

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: The Grange

Compensation: £60,000 / year

Job title: Principal Gifts Lead

Responsible to: Head of Philanthropy
Based: Hybrid - Saunderton, Buckinghamshire OR Bielby, East Yorkshire
Contract: Permanent, Full Time
The Principal Gifts Lead, along with a second Principal Gifts Lead, will play a pivotal role in establishing and growing principal and transformational giving at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, with a focus on securing significant philanthropic gifts of £100,000 and above.

This is a senior, hands-on fundraising role with a substantial emphasis on new business development, prospect cultivation and pipeline growth. Working from a predominantly unengaged prospect base, the postholder will be responsible for identifying and qualifying opportunities, establishing new relationships with high-net-worth individuals and developing these into meaningful, long-term philanthropic partnerships.

The successful candidate will be an experienced, proactive and confident relationship fundraiser who enjoys opening doors, initiating conversations and building relationships from the ground up. They will combine a strategic approach to philanthropy with the drive and persistence needed to turn prospective opportunities into significant financial support.

Working closely with the Head of Philanthropy, second Principal Gifts Lead, CEO, trustees and senior stakeholders, the postholder will develop tailored engagement strategies, create compelling giving opportunities and lead the solicitation of significant philanthropic gifts.

The role carries individual responsibility for establishing and managing a strong pipeline of principal giving opportunities, delivering against agreed income and activity targets, and contributing to the long‑term growth of Philanthropy at Hearing Dogs.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to play a central role in developing a growing area of philanthropy at Hearing Dogs.

We have identified a promising pool of prospective supporters, supported by our Prospect Research function, but many of these relationships are at an early stage or have yet to be established. A significant part of this role will therefore involve new donor acquisition, building engagement and developing a qualified pipeline of individuals with the potential to make transformational gifts.

We are looking for someone who brings a genuine new business mindset: a fundraiser who is confident approaching prospective donors, identifying opportunities for introductions, building trust and progressing relationships towards significant philanthropic investment.

This is not a role centred on inheriting an established portfolio of engaged principal donors. It is an opportunity to build something, taking ownership of developing relationships, establishing a sustainable pipeline and converting philanthropic potential into income and long‑term support.

You’ll be supported by a dedicated Prospect Research function, an established Philanthropy team and senior leaders who are committed to growing philanthropic support for Hearing Dogs.

New Business Development and Pipeline Growth

• Establish and grow a strong pipeline of principal giving prospects, with a significant focus on new donor acquisition and developing relationships from a predominantly unengaged prospect base.
• Work closely with Prospect Research to identify, qualify and prioritise high-net-worth individuals with the potential to make gifts of £100,000 and above.
• Proactively open doors and create new opportunities through tailored outreach, warm introductions and leveraging the networks of trustees, senior…