Development Manager - Events and Major Donors, UK

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Development Manager - Events and Major Donors, UK, London

Client:

EMpower—The Emerging Markets Foundation

Location:

London, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Views:

4

Posted:

30.03.2025

Expiry Date:

14.05.2025

Job Description:

About EMpower:

EMpower, a global philanthropic organisation, is dedicated to improving the lives and horizons of marginalised young people ages 10-24 in 15 emerging market countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Turkey. Through grants and other support (learning exchanges, technical assistance, thought partnering etc.), EMpower partners with ~125 local organisations working to strengthen education and livelihoods of young people, and to build their resilience, self-confidence, and well-being. EMpower has offices in Hong Kong, Delhi, Singapore, London, and New York, as well as program staff in Ghana, Istanbul, Mexico, Argentina, Indonesia and South Africa. EMpower is at an exciting time in our evolution and organisational strengthening. In the past few years, we have grown in staff size and global footprint, with a deliberate focus on fostering a workplace that ensures diverse perspectives, opportunities for contribution, and belonging.

Our Vision: We are building a world where all young people at the margins, especially girls, have the skills, opportunities, and power to live their full potential.

Our Vision: We partner with local organisations in emerging market countries, and other change-makers, to enable marginalised young people to transform their lives and communities.

Development Manager, Events and Major Donors, UK

About the role:

Join our dynamic team and drive impactful fundraising and engagement initiatives in the UK! We are seeking a strategic and results-oriented Development Manager, Events and Major Donors to lead our UK engagement efforts. You will be responsible for cultivating and strengthening relationships with key audiences, including Board Directors, Leadership Council members, and major donors, through the design and execution of high-quality events and bespoke stewardship programmes. Reporting to the Director of Development, UK, this role is hybrid and requires to be in our office in central London one day a week.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Event Management & Execution:
2. Develop and execute a comprehensive events strategy, including flagship fundraising events like the Annual Gala Dinner and Summer Drinks, to achieve income targets and enhance donor engagement.
3. Lead the creation and implementation of a diverse event program, including cultivation events, salon dinners, and informal gatherings, to broaden awareness and generate interest.
4. Ensure all events deliver exceptional donor experiences while meeting financial objectives.
5. Collaborate with the UK Director of Development and Corporate Partnerships Manager to maximize major donors, trust and foundation, and corporate engagement opportunities.
6. Ensure the events playbook is up to date and utilised across the team to ensure a strong ROI on event delivery and execution.
7. Manage relationships with key event suppliers, including venues, caterers, and technical providers.
8. Drive continuous improvement through the implementation of efficient processes, automation, and CRM utilization to enhance the donor experience.
9. Establish a culture of learning by capturing, analyzing, and applying event feedback to inform future planning.

1. Major Donor Stewardship:
2. Drive the management and expansion of our Leadership Council (major donor offering), working closely with the UK Director of Development.
3. Own a small portfolio of major donor relationships, which will include working closely with the UK Director of Development and Board members.
4. Provide outstanding stewardship to a portfolio of major donors and prospects, many of whom are already extremely passionate about EMpower’s work.
5. Synchronize stewardship by President and CEO, of important and influential stakeholders, including arranging meetings when she is in the region.
6. Proactively seek new opportunities to raise awareness about EMpower with new audiences and potential donors, and to deepen engagement with existing donors.
7. Broaden and diversify EMpower’s donor base, leading approaches with new potential supporters working with the wider UK Development team, and Board Directors and Leadership Council where appropriate.
8. Design compelling messaging, assets and proposals to engage potential EMpower donors and prospects.
9. Enhance the donor stewardship model by developing bespoke, high-quality donor journeys.
10. Optimize CRM and knowledge management systems to strengthen and institutionalize donor stewardship.

1. Operational Excellence:
2. Ensure excellent budgeting and income reporting, working closely with UK Development colleagues.
3. Provide close guidance for the Development Assistant who will lead interface with the Finance team for accurate and timely reporting.
4. Ensure continuous improvements in EMpower’s stewardship model, including donor acknowledgement processes, CRM utilization and wider knowledge management.

1. Other areas:
2. As a key member of a small but growing team, the postholder will also support other areas of fundraising and be willing to take the lead on new opportunities for EMpower.
3. Represent EMpower at external forums, networks and meetings.
4. Provide ideas and ensure execution of board and donor communications, fundraising materials, online appeals and others as needed.

Qualifications:

1. At least 7 years of experience in fundraising events management, with a proven track record of organizing successful, donor-focused events and achieving revenue growth.
2. Strong interpersonal, client-facing and presentation skills with diverse audiences and including high-powered leaders in Finance.
3. "Doer" who will work hands-on in developing and executing a variety of fundraising activities ranging from the internal day-to-day, to the highly creative, external and visible.
4. Basic financial acumen, ability to monitor activities to budget and track and monitor income.
5. Energetic, alert, creative, hardworking, able to take immediate action when needed, recognizes and exploits success, and triage failure when necessary. Emotionally mature with a sense of humor and grace under pressure.
6. Strong team worker who will thrive working in a small office in the UK and a global team of ~42 people.
7. A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; alignment with EMpower values.
8. Demonstrated fundraising experience, or sales in the finance sector, preferably in an international context.
9. Strong writing skills, ideally with some experience of writing for institutional audiences/funders.
10. Management experience – potential to take on supervision of limited number of staff.
11. Experience working with volunteers and Board directors.
12. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and fundraising software/databases, particularly Salesforce.

Compensation and Benefits:

EMpower offers competitive wages, benefits, and growth opportunities consistent with industry standards. Flexible benefits packages include health insurance and other insurance; pension plan with employer contribution/match; time off; and work/life benefits. Depending on the experience of the candidate, the salary range for this position is 45k – 55k GBP per annum.

How to Apply:

Please apply by submitting your cover letter and CV/resume as one attachment by 11th April, 2025.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

EMpower is a public foundation that makes grants globally to benefit marginalised youth, including adolescent girls. We are committed to attracting, developing, motivating and retaining exceptional talent and to a work environment that recognizes contribution, fosters respect and teamwork, and facilitates strong performance. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, recognizing that diversity enriches all staff and our work globally. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or faith, or physical ability.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organisation, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. EMpower makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

Note: We are unable to sponsor work permits for this position. Candidates must have the legal right to live and work in the UK.