Senior Philanthropy Manager

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with significant experience of fundraising successfully for major gifts from individuals within a charity or higher education setting to join our 100-strong Philanthropy and Global Engagement (PAGE) Division in support of LSE’s strategic fundraising priorities.

For 130 years, LSE’s pioneering research has improved lives, reduced poverty, and expanded the frontiers of human knowledge. We count over 20 Nobel prize winners among our alumni and staff and 40 international leaders, past and present, across 27 countries. LSE was named ‘University of the Year 2025’ by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, which also ranked it the UK’s top university.

To deliver on our mission of being the leading social science institution with the greatest global impact, LSE has embarked on its largest ever philanthropic campaign – Shaping the World – aiming to raise at least £750 million from our global community of supporters. We are well on our way to achieving this. Working alongside our President and Vice Chancellor, Larry Kramer, there couldn’t be a better moment to join us. 

The Senior Philanthropy Manager is a pivotal role within the Philanthropy team, responsible for securing major gifts (£500k-plus) from individuals, including those with the potential to make transformational gifts. You will be responsible for managing the mid-level team, helping to leverage gifts at the five-figure level. You will be joining a dynamic and growing team and will play an essential role by increasing income generation in support of our Campaign at a crucial moment in LSE’s history.

We are seeking candidates with:

• A significant track record of securing at least five and six figure gifts.
• Experience of working within a results-oriented environment, with a record of exceeding personal KPIs and targets.
• A high aptitude for relationship management, equally able to work with academics in specialised areas as well as to navigate working in a large organisation with multiple internal and external stakeholders.

What you can expect from us

• The opportunity to join a highly successful Philanthropy team raising millions of pounds a year for academic objectives of global importance
• A professional and supportive division at a university in the heart of London with an exceptional global brand as it embarks on its largest ever fundraising Campaign
• We offer an occupational pension scheme, generous annual leave, hybrid working, and excellent training and development opportunities.