Philanthropy Manager
Are you a relational leader and experienced fundraiser passionate about connecting generous donors with Jesus-centred mission? Church Mission Society (CMS) seeks an enthusiastic, dynamic Philanthropy Manager to lead our team, shape strategy, and unlock growth at a pivotal moment.
Managing a diverse and complex workload, you will build high-net-worth pipelines and cultivate relationships with key supporters to drive significant income opportunities. Join us to empower believers who want to invest in making disciples, fuelling global mission to bring Christ’s love and hope to the edges and see our world made new.
- Permanent, full-time (35 hours a week)
- Hybrid working – approximately two days a week at CMS House, Oxford.
- Starting salary £42,840 with a generous pension contribution: up to 10 per cent employer contribution on annual salary. Incremental increases to salaries are applied annually.
- 36 days of annual leave pro rata (including bank holidays) as well as enhanced paid sickness, maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
- Generous rewards and wellbeing package, including:
- access to 24/7 employee assistance programme with qualified counsellors
- regular wellbeing coffee mornings
- support on menopause for women
- up to three volunteer days a year
- up to three family emergency leave days a year
- retreats and resources for prayer life
We welcome applications from everyone. We particularly welcome applications from individuals from minority groups as they are currently underrepresented within our organisation at this level. All appointments are made on merit of skill, experience and potential as laid down in the job description and person specification.
Your role
Church Mission Society (CMS) is a dynamic global community with a 227-year history of making disciples of Jesus at the edges of societies. To support an ambitious three-year plan to see communities transformed and local leaders empowered, we are appointing a Philanthropy Manager to establish a sustainable income strategy.
Reporting directly to the Fundraising and Communications Director, you will line manage a dedicated four-person philanthropy team. You will own the strategic direction of our high-net-worth individual programme, as well as our trust and foundations income portfolios. Key responsibilities include network mapping, cultivating robust prospect pipelines, and embedding a best-in-class donor stewardship framework. Additionally, you will equip senior stakeholders to secure high-value major gifts.
We are seeking a proactive, values-led Christian leader who excels at translating complex contextual mission work into compelling funding proposals. The ideal candidate brings a proven record of major donor fundraising, team management expertise, and an analytical approach to CRM-driven donor pipelines. Based at CMS House with hybrid working, this role offers a rare opportunity to pioneer growth that empowers marginalised communities worldwide.
The organisation you’ll be joining
Church Mission Society is comprised of people who are passionate about mission and fired up about helping people follow Jesus. For over 200 years CMS has been at the forefront of global mission, living out the gospel of Jesus, seeing lives changed and communities transformed. If you join CMS you will find an organisation that has been reinvigorated with a fresh vision to make disciples of Jesus among people at the edges, both in the UK and around the world.
What you’ll need to succeed
The successful candidate will be a self-starter with high levels of motivation and the ability to develop and deliver strategy as the leader of the team. You will have a track record in successfully initiating, managing and developing relationships with high-net-worth individuals securing six/seven figure donations and grants, via proposals or through face-to-face meetings as required.
It is also a requirement for this post holder to be a committed and practising Christian as well as committed to CMS’s values and aims.
Further details can be found in the job description and person specification available to download below.
Our commitment to you
Safeguarding
We are committed to the safeguarding and protection of the people we serve, our partners, our volunteers, and our staff. We believe that every child or adult we come into contact with has the right to be protected from all forms of harm and abuse. Our recruitment and selection processes are in line with our Safeguarding Policy and the SCHR Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, which CMS is a member of as part of our commitment to safeguarding.
Values
Our core values of being pioneering, relational, faithful and evangelistic are integral to everything we do, and we work hard to ensure that every member of staff is valued, supported and encouraged to continually learn and develop their skills.
Closing date
Please apply by midnight on Sunday 04 October 2026
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 13 October 2026 in CMS House, Oxford
To apply
Please send your application form and CV to jobs@churchmissionsociety.org or by post to HR Team, CMS, Watlington Road, Oxford OX4 6BZ. CVs will only be considered when sent with a completed application form (download below). Please be sure to save a copy of the application form to your device. If you have any issues downloading or opening the form please contact our HR team for assistance. See the application guide for further advice.
CMS is committed to recruiting, retaining and developing a workforce that reflects at all grades the diverse communities that we serve. Therefore we ask that you complete the Equality and Diversity Monitoring form and send it to equalopportunities@churchmissionsociety.org
As a member of the Inter-agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, CMS has committed to systematically check with previous employers from at least the last five years for any ‘SEAH’ (Sexual Exploitation, Abuse or Harassment) issues relating to all potential new hires.
Candidates for all UK roles must already be eligible to work in the UK, with a valid visa and work permit if required.
