Philanthropy Manager
Contract: Permanent, Full time, 35 hours per week
Location: London,UK
Hybrid Working: A minimum of 40% of working time is spent face to face, either in London office, or as a result of external engagement or travel for WaterAid. WaterAid is located at Canary Wharf, London and this will be your location and contract base.
Salary : £41,325 per year with excellent benefits
*We offer competitive, market-aligned salaries based on the grade and scope of each role. Roles are offered at the advertised starting salary, with any exceptions considered only in exceptional circumstances.
Change starts with water. Change starts with you.
Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that – for everyone, everywhere. Join us, and your energy will help unlock people’s potential and create a fairer future.
About WaterAid
We’re a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.
About the Team
The WaterAid Philanthropy & Trusts team grows crucial individual philanthropic relationships. We have an ambitious strategy and growth plan, whilst raising significant funding for WaterAid’s work.
About the Role
As our driven and passionate Philanthropy Manager you will have a proven track record of business development and raising income from new and exciting partnerships. Those that partnerships you secure, you will go on to provide excellent stewardship.
You’ll also:
Build a sustainable pipeline of new business prospects with the potential to give at £100k+ per annum.
Develop high quality funding propositions and reports in line with donor requirements.
Support the Philanthropy & Events Manager with the delivery of first class stewardship and cultivation events.
About You:
To be successful, you’ll need:
Have a proven ability to raise income from new business, manage a new philanthropy portfolio and achieve targets as part of a strategic plan.
Be able to develop strong relationships with individuals, identifying opportunities for growth and innovative engagement.
Have experience of compelling proposal and report writing for a philanthropic audience.
Although not essential, we also prefer you to have:
Experience in peer to peer fundraising.
Experience in developing and executing a new business prospecting strategy.
View the full job description here
Closing date: Applications will close Monday 9 November 2026 12:00PM UK time. Availability for interview is required for first round interviews on Tuesday 17th November 2026 and second round interviews on Tuesday 24th November 2026.
How to Apply: To see the full job pack, please click ‘Apply’. Please apply by submitting your CV and a cover letter into one document in either Word Document or PDF format. In your cover letter, please can you answer the following questions:
1. What experience do you have in developing and executing a new business strategy?
2. What experience do you have in raising five to six figure gifts?
3. What experience do you have in working with HNWI and philanthropists?
Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application?
We understand that AI tools can be useful, especially for anyone who needs support with their writing, and you’re welcome to use them. That said, we’re seeing more and more applications that feel generic, flat, or hard to tell apart from one another, and these are the ones that struggle to stand out.
Your own words, experience, and ideas are what we want to read. Tell us in your own voice why this role matters to you and how you’d bring your experience to it. It’s the best way to stand out in a competitive field.
Pre‑employment screening
To apply for this role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in…