Conservation officer jobs in epsom and ewell, surrey

Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) is the national charity caring for historic churches at risk. As the operator of the third largest heritage estate in charitable ownership in the UK, our 356 historic churches include examples of irreplaceable architecture, archaeology and art from 1,000 years of English history.

CCT has an international award-winning reputation in heritage conservation and regeneration. All churches in our care are listed, mostly Grade I and II*, and some are Scheduled Ancient Monuments.

Without our care, these buildings might have disappeared entirely. Instead, they are enjoyed as social, tourism, educational and cultural resources, kept open, in use, and living once again in the heart of their communities.

Overall job purpose

In recent years, CCT has experienced great success in applying to grant funders, including Trust and Foundations, Landfill Communities Fund, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. 

CCT’s 2025 -30 strategy focuses on delivering conservation projects across our estate and securing income from grant funders will be crucial.  We will also work with local communities to address smaller conservation projects via the Community Initiative Framework.

The Grants Officer will research and identify relevant funding opportunities, build a healthy pipeline, and submit applications for project funding to meet fundraising targets during an exciting period of growth.

There will be requirement for occasional travel for project visits and team meetings. 

How to apply

If you would like to apply for this role, please visit our recruitment portal. You’ll be asked to submit a CV and a short supporting statement (max 2 sides A4) outlining how you fulfil the person specification for this post.

Please note direct applications via email cannot be accepted for this role; only applications submitted through our recruitment portal will be considered.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 8am on Monday 21st July

 There will be a two-stage interview process with first stage taking place online on Monday 4th August 2025. Please note that the interview date and location have been specifically chosen according to the availability of the panel.

The second stage will take place on Wednesday 6th August 2025 and will be held online.

We are a Disability Confident Committed Employer. Candidates who declare that they have a disability and who meet the essential criteria for the job will be offered an interview.

We are an inclusive employer and offer equal opportunities to all regardless of an individual’s age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We are not a licensed sponsor at this time. Any offer of employment will be made subject to valid right to work in the UK being provided.

Drive the next chapter of the Surrey Hills Society - a thriving countryside charity in the Surrey Hills.

Are you an entrepreneurial leader with a passion for nature, community engagement, and sustainable development? Do you want to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of a much-loved environmental charity?

The Surrey Hills Society is seeking its first Chief Executive Officer to lead our dedicated team and volunteers, sustain and grow our vibrant membership, and develop long-term funding to support our work across one of England’s most treasured National Landscapes.

About Us

The Surrey Hills Society is a well-established independent charity with a 15-year track record of engaging communities in environmental, cultural, and educational activities. We run 40+ events each year and are closely partnered with the Surrey Hills National Landscape and other local organisations. Our reach and impact have grown significantly in recent years through funded projects like the National Lottery Heritage Fund's Growing Together and the South East Surrey Care Farm Pilot, alongside a strong and active membership.

This is an exciting time to join us as we transition from a volunteer-led model to a more professional and sustainable structure—with the CEO at the helm.

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About the Role

As CEO, you will lead the strategic and operational development of the Society, with a particular focus on:

 •  Fundraising & income generation – developing and securing grants, donations, and earned income

 •  Team leadership – line managing a small staff team and supporting a wide network of volunteers

 •  Stakeholder engagement – acting as the public face of the Society and deepening key partnerships

 •  Strategic planning – creating a 3-year vision and business plan for long-term sustainability

 •  Programme oversight – ensuring delivery of existing and new conservation and community projects

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About You

We’re looking for a resourceful, proactive leader who combines strategic thinking with hands-on delivery. You’ll need:

 •  Proven fundraising experience (grants, trusts, individuals, corporates)

 •  Leadership skills with experience managing staff and/or volunteers

 •  Confidence in managing budgets and business planning

 •  Excellent communication and relationship-building skills

 •  A genuine passion for the countryside, community engagement, and conservation

Experience with membership models, event programming, or working in a similar community/landscape context would be an advantage.

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What We Offer

 •  Flexible, home-based working (3 days/week)

 •  A supportive, purpose-driven team environment

 •  The chance to shape a unique, growing charity at a critical point in its evolution

Managing Director - Green Finance / Rothbury Conservation Trust 

Salary: up to £90,000 per annum  

Location: Home Based, Office facilities available, some UK travel will be required.  

Full time (35 hours per week)  

Permanent contract 

Closing date for applications: 20th July 2025  

First interview: 1st August 2025  

Second interview: 8th August 2025 

About Us 

The Wildlife Trusts are a grassroots movement of people from a wide range of backgrounds and all walks of life, who believe that we need nature and nature needs us. We have more than 944,000 members, over 38,000 volunteers, 3,600 staff and 600 trustees. There are 46 individual Wildlife Trusts, each of which is a place-based independent charity with its own legal identity, formed by groups of people getting together and working with others to make a positive difference to wildlife and future generations, starting where they live and work. 

Every Wildlife Trust is part of The Wildlife Trusts federation and a corporate member of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, a registered charity in its own right founded in 1912 and one of the founding members of IUCN – the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Taken together this federation of 47 charities is known as The Wildlife Trusts. 

The next few years will be critical in determining what kind of world we all live in. We need to urgently reverse the loss of wildlife and put nature into recovery at scale if we are to prevent climate and ecological disaster. We recognise that this will require big, bold changes in the way The Wildlife Trusts work, not least in how we mobilise others and support them to organise within their own communities. 

The Wildlife Trusts are on a mission to bring about a people-powered nature and climate recovery by empowering people to take meaningful action for nature, and to create an inclusive society where nature matters to everyone, everywhere. We are ambitious in our desire not just to slow, but to reverse the declines in nature. Together we have developed a bold, new collective strategy which outlines our vision and the actions we will take to restore nature over the next eight years. 

Central to our strategy are our three goals which set out what we are striving to achieve by 2030 in pursuit of our vision of a thriving natural world. Goal 1 is to put nature into recovery with abundant, diverse wildlife and natural processes creating wilder land and seascapes where people and nature thrive. Goal 2 is to inspire people to take action for nature and climate, resulting in better decision-making for the environment at both local level and across the four UK nations. And Goal 3 is to enable nature to play a central and valued role in helping to address local and global problems, such as by helping tackle climate change and supporting wellbeing and education. 

Achieving these ambitious objectives means that we must develop new ways of working which increase the scale and impact of our work. Therefore, we have embarked on a programme of strategic transformations that are essential to achieving our goals, and which will result in a stronger and more effective Wildlife Trust movement for the long term. RSWT is leading the transformation programme across The Wildlife Trusts including in community organising, equality, diversity and inclusion, and funding nature’s recovery. The Wildlife Trusts have existed for over 100 years thanks to a strong membership base and traditional fundraising activities. 

Now, to achieve the level of funding needed to reverse nature’s decline, we need to diversify and increase our income by exploring new ways of funding such as innovative finance. 

About You  

Do you want to lead the field in the development of private investment into nature’s recovery? 

Fundamentally, you will have worked at a senior level as a Managing Director/CEO and have financial investment and commercial leadership experience that translates into strong awareness and understanding of financial investment markets and how these financial mechanisms can be used to drive large-scale investment, in this case into a green finance vehicle(s) for the Wildlife Trusts. We need you to translate that experience into solutions that scale up nature’s recovery, by developing realisable business propositions that create revenues from corporate sales of nature-based services such as biodiversity net gain credits or voluntary carbon credits amongst many other possible services. 

An innovative problem-solver with an entrepreneurial spirit, you will need to develop compelling and practical commercial strategies which can be successfully delivered within the Wildlife Trust Federation. As such you will be a great communicator, with a personable style who can work with many different people across the wonderful variety of geography, size, scale, and activities of the 46 Wildlife Trusts. 

The Wildlife Trusts value passion, respect, trust, integrity, pragmatic activism and strength in diversity. Whilst we are passionate in promoting our aims, we are not judgmental and are inclusive. We particularly encourage applications from people who are underrepresented within our sector, including people from minority backgrounds and people with disabilities. We are committed to creating a movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities. 

RSWT take our Safeguarding responsibilities extremely seriously. Please click here to read our commitment statement. The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk. For applicable roles, applicants must be willing to undergo checks with past employers and Disclosure and Barring Service checks at the eligible level. 

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to offering an interview to anyone with a disability that meets all the essential criteria for the post. Please let us know if you require any adjustments to make our recruitment process more accessible. 

RSWT are committed to increasing the diversity of its staff through its Levelling the Field recruitment pledge and will put any ethnic minority applicants that meet all the essential criteria for the post through to the next stage of recruitment. 

Please be aware we may not accept applications if we have reason to believe they have been wholly produced using generative AI tools. 

Do you love databases and have experience working with IUCN Red List data?

If so, this is the role for you! 

Day-to-day you will manage the SHOAL database as the person responsible for collecting, collating and presenting the data relevant to all of SHOAL’s activities, partners, programmes and projects.

The primary set of data you will be managing is the SHOAL 1,000 Fishes Database. This is a database of more than 2,000 fish species that will require constant updates on their conservation status from experts and partners.

You will be a key person in collaborating with potentially hundreds of partners across the world to ensure that our database of priority species adequately reflects the action on the ground for each species.

To stand out you will bring your passion for conservation to the overlooked issue of the freshwater biodiversity crisis. You will be comfortable working in a small team, be self-motivated, and able to work independently, with a willingness to learn and adapt. Your interpersonal and communication skills in holding external relationships set you apart.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

Closing date: 28th July 2025 12 noon

First stage interviews (Zoom):  W/C 4th August 2025

Second stage interviews (Zoom): W/C 11th August 2025

Synchronicity Earth’s mission is clear: we blend passion and action to provide safe havens for endangered species, support communities living in harmony with nature, and turn conservation into a worldwide effort. By joining, you're not just taking part; you're weaving your own story into a future that's brighter and sustainable for all.

We understand that life sometimes takes unexpected turns, and we welcome candidates who may have taken a career break. Your unique experiences and fresh perspective will only enhance our team's diversity and strengthen our ability to tackle the complex challenges facing our planet. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds for this role, particularly non-graduates, and are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements.

Candidates from Black, Asian, and Minority-Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds and people with disabilities who meet the criteria (in the section of the job description headed ‘What you will bring to the team’) and opt-in to our Guaranteed Interview Scheme will enter the first recruitment stage. You can find more information in the Guaranteed Interview Scheme and Recruitment Process document.

Hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week

Area of work: Predominantly in the London area

Are you passionate about connecting people with nature and empowering communities to protect rivers? Do you have experience delivering engaging volunteering and citizen science programmes that inspire real environmental action? Join us and play a pivotal role in restoring London’s rare urban chalk streams.

About the Role

SERT’s ambition is to reach as many people as possible in the South East, to teach and show them the importance of rivers in the environment, and how everyone can play a part in restoring them. We also want to be more reflective of the diverse communities who live in the South East, and build partnerships within these communities to reach a broader audience.

This role will lead the development and delivery of volunteering and community outreach activities that connect people with their local rivers. Activities will include practical volunteering such as river clean-ups, planting days, and invasive species control, as well as citizen science, guided walks, and community workshops.

A key focus of the role is supporting the Chalk Streams in the City project - a major initiative to restore London’s rare urban chalk streams through community involvement. The postholder will help shape and deliver a programme of inclusive and engaging opportunities that inspire people to care for these unique and threatened habitats.

This project is made possible with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.

Working at the South East Rivers Trust is rewarding, fulfilling and fast-paced. We collaborate with energy and professionalism, guided by our values of delivering high-quality work, using expertise and science, building strong relationships, and bringing positivity and integrity to everything we do. If this sounds like the right environment for you - we’d love to hear from you.

Please see the full Volunteering and Engagement Officer job descriptions for more information.

How to apply:

Please send us the following documents, more information can befound on our website.

• Your CV
• a completed application form
• Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form (optional)

The deadline for application is 11:59pm on Sunday 20th July 2025.  We reserve the right to close the recruitment early.

Interviews will be potentially w.c. 28th July 2025.

Chalk Streams in the City Development Lead (Maternity Cover)

Hours: Full time (37.5 hours per week) or part time (30 hours per week over 4 days)

Contract: Fixed term contract of 12 months

Area of work: Predominantly in the London area

Are you passionate about connecting people with nature and empowering communities to protect rivers? Do you have experience delivering engaging volunteering and citizen science programmes that inspire real environmental action? Join us and play a pivotal role in restoring London’s rare urban chalk streams.

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced and motivated community engagement professional to take a leading role in the Development Phase of Chalk Streams in the City, an exciting National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported initiative. This project will restore 75 km of rare urban chalk stream habitat and connect over 20,000 people with their local rivers through hands-on conservation, education, and citizen science.

As Development Lead, you will shape the Trust’s first Engagement Strategy, coordinate an extensive community consultation programme, and manage the London Volunteering and Engagement Programme. You will also oversee delivery partners and help develop a major funding application for the next phase of work. This is a unique opportunity to gain experience in strategic project management, collaborative programme design, and large-scale heritage funding.

This is a rare opportunity to take on a strategic leadership role within a nationally significant project, gaining valuable experience in programme design, partnership working, and heritage lottery funding. Though fixed-term, it offers exceptional scope to develop your portfolio, broaden your network, and make a lasting contribution to environmental engagement and river restoration.

Working at the South East Rivers Trust is rewarding, fulfilling and fast-paced. We collaborate with energy and professionalism, guided by our values of delivering high-quality work, using expertise and science, building strong relationships, and bringing positivity and integrity to everything we do. If this sounds like the right environment for you - we’d love to hear from you.

This project is made possible with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.

Please see the full Chalk Streams in the City Development Lead job description for more information.

How to apply:

Please send us the following documents; instructions are on our website

• Your CV
• a completed application form
• Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form (optional)

The deadline for application is 11:59pm on Sunday 20th July 2025.  We reserve the right to close the recruitment early.

Interviews will be potentially w.c. 28th July 2025.

Please note: All applicants must have the right to work in the UK. If you require sponsorship as you are an overseas applicant, please let us know.

About Small Woods Association

Small Woods Association is the UK’s leading charity promoting sustainable woodland management, social, environmental and economic benefits of small woodlands. We support woodland owners, deliver hands-on training in woodland skills, and run wellbeing programmes that connect people with nature through woodlands.

As a national charity we are seeking a committed Philanthropy and Partnership Coordinator with UK-wide knowledge of charitable income generation models, to strengthen relationships with funders, supporters and stakeholders—helping secure the resources and recognition needed to expand our impact.

Purpose of the Role

This role plays a key part in advancing Small Woods’ sustainability by:

• Securing philanthropic support through grants, trusts, and donors.
• Building and nurturing strategic partnerships with supporters, funders, sponsors, and networks.
• Promoting the charity’s work through digital outreach and storytelling to engage members and stakeholders.

You will work closely with the CEO and delivery teams to align income generation with the charity’s mission and priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Philanthropy & Fundraising (Approx. 2 days/week)

• Identify and pursue funding opportunities from UK-based trusts, foundations, public sector schemes and corporate sponsors.
• Write compelling grant applications for projects focused on woodland innovation, social prescribing, education, and conservation.
• Steward funder relationships, ensuring timely reporting, compliance, and meaningful engagement.
• Collaborate with internal teams to shape fundable project proposals with measurable outcomes and clear budgets.
• Support development of earned income streams, such as training, consultancy, and membership, by identifying and promoting opportunities.

Partnerships & Outreach

• Develop and manage partnerships with philanthropic donors, environmental organisations, and community networks.
• Coordinate cross-sector collaborations to support long-term funding and awareness.
• Represent the charity at relevant events, building networks and advocating for Small Woods’ mission.

Marketing (Approx. 1 day/week)

• Plan and deliver digital campaigns to promote income generation related initiatives, membership services, events and impact stories.
• Maintain and update website content to reflect income generation related current activities and opportunities.
• Create high-quality materials, including items for the newsletters, case studies, reports and social media content.
• Support member engagement by helping grow and connect our network of woodland supporters, volunteers and stakeholders.
• Ensure consistency of brand and messaging across all platforms and materials.

Person Specification

Essential

• Proven experience in grant writing and fundraising for charitable organisations.
• Strong understanding of the UK charitable funding environment.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Confident in digital marketing, including social media, websites, and email campaigns.
• Highly organised, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple priorities remotely.
• Passion for environmental or community-based work.

Desirable

• Experience developing strategic partnerships or sponsorships.
• Skills in visual content creation (design, photography, video).
• Experience with CRM systems or donor databases.
• Interest in sustainable woodland management, nature-based wellbeing, or outdoor learning.

Working Conditions

• Remote work with flexible hours.
• Occasional travel to Telford or other UK sites.
• Equipment and support for home working provided.
• Collaboration via online platforms and video calls.

What We Offer

• Flexible working arrangements and supportive culture.
• 25 days holiday pro rata + bank holidays.
• Pension contribution.
• Opportunity to help shape the future of people and woodland wellbeing across the UK.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a short cover letter (max 2 pages) outlining your suitability.

Job Title: Chief of Staff

Location: London or Bath (Hybrid with international travel)

Reporting to: CEO

Salary: Competitive, based on experience

Application Deadline: 1st August 2025

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and experienced person to join the team at the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF): one of the world's leading non-profit organisations, working at the intersection of environmental conservation and human rights.

About the Environmental Justice Foundation

EJF exists to protect the natural world and defend our fundamental human right to a secure environment. We believe in equity and justice and a need to respect, defend, and empower communities most at risk from habitat loss, biodiversity collapse and global heating. We campaign for environmental justice.

We use hard-hitting investigations, cutting-edge film and photography and strategic, high-level advocacy to secure lasting, systemic change to protect the ocean, wetlands and climate for biodiversity and for people. Our programmes are underpinned by grassroots partnerships and film-led investigations in the Global South, where our dedicated local teams work on complex, challenging issues, speaking truth to power. We partner and support environmental defenders and journalists, providing vital equipment and targeted training in filmmaking, investigations and communications that amplify grassroots voices and build local leadership and resilience to environmental injustice.

The Role

As Chief of Staff to the CEO, you will be a strategic partner and trusted advisor, playing a pivotal role in driving EJF’s mission forward during an exciting period of growth and global impact. You will support and empower the CEO to lead effectively across multiple programmes, geographies, and teams, ensuring the highest levels of operational focus, internal alignment, and mission delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Support: Act as a force multiplier for the CEO, helping to prioritise initiatives, manage high-level projects, and streamline decision-making processes. The role will act as a gatekeeper for the CEO, addressing and balancing competing demands and workloads.

• Executive Coordination: Prepare and arrange briefing documents, talking points, and correspondence. Attend meetings with or on behalf of the CEO and ensure timely follow-ups. Coordinate the CEO’s public and media engagements to ensure he is well-prepared.

• Organisational Alignment: Facilitate communication between the CEO and global teams to ensure alignment on goals, priorities, and values. Provide objective assessments of teams and their efficiency and effectiveness.

• Project Management: Oversee special projects from inception to completion, ensuring they align with organizational strategy and deliver measurable impact. Support for income generation, including grant applications, monitoring and reporting.

• Donor Engagement: Support major donor engagements and high-stakes partnerships.

• Thought Partnership: Serve as a critical sounding board, offering insights and constructive challenge on complex organisational and strategic issues.

About You

• You are highly organized, diligent, intellectually curious, and deeply committed to environmental and social justice.

• You have a strong background in strategy, operations, or executive-level coordination, ideally in a nonprofit, policy, or international development setting.

• You possess exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, and a strong ability to research, synthesise and apply information quickly and to a high standard.

• You are diplomatic, discreet, and thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments.

• You are proactive, resourceful, and capable of working independently on complex problems.

Desired Experience

• Minimum 7 years of experience in a senior strategic, advisory, or operational role

• Prior experience working with or reporting to C-suite executives

• Understanding of the nonprofit or advocacy sector, preferably in environmental or human rights fields

• Ability to travel internationally if required

What We Offer

• A purpose-driven role where your work will have a real-world impact

• A supportive, mission-led team with a shared commitment to environmental justice

• Opportunities for international engagement and professional growth

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and how your experience aligns with our mission to the email address provided.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK.

EJF is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity within the workplace.

The Woodland Trust is looking for a Communications and Engagement Manager in our South East England team, to lead the regional Communications and Engagement team and programme 

The Role: 
•    Develop a regional communications and engagement plan that identifies opportunities aimed at generating new supporters for the Trust - raising our profile, creating opportunities to raise additional income and delivering high quality engagement and volunteering.
•    Oversee delivery of the regional communications and engagement plan and ensure that related communications, engagement, visitor experience and volunteering opportunities are planned and resourced. 
•    Manage a small regional team of communications, engagement and volunteering officers
•    Liaise and regularly work cross departmentally, to ensure communication plans reflect and support the national communications agenda. In particular, strengthen links with centrally based communications and volunteering teams, fundraising teams and conservation and focus area work.
•    Act as communications lead on all funded projects and partnership work
•    Plan, manage and report on a regional communications and engagement budget, as well as working closely with the Regional Director to support the regional budgeting process. This will include responsibility of monitoring spend and cost control.
•    Be the principal point of contact for communications, engagement and volunteering between the country and national teams; sharing best practice and acting as a conduit for internal communications.
•    Foster effective relationships internally and externally to engage and inspire a range of audiences and individuals
•    This role covers the South East of England including Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire. It requires regular travel around South East England and UK. A full clean UK driving licence is required. 

The Candidate: 
•    You’ll have an enthusiasm for the environment and share our core values-Grow Together, Explore, Focus and Make it Count.
•    You will have experience leading engagement, volunteering or communications teams, providing inspirational leadership and line management.
•    You will have previous experience working and engaging with volunteers, supporters and communities with the ability to deliver objectives cost effectively, including managing, monitoring and reporting on work programmes and budgets.
•    You’ll know about the best methods in communicating with a wide variety of audiences using a mix of marketing and promotional channels. 
•    You’ll have a collaborative approach, with the ability to work with multiple teams, building relationships with both internal and external stakeholders effectively.
•  You will be a strong influencer and you will be confident in representing the Trust in dealings with multiple stakeholders. 

Benefits & Wellbeing: Joining our team means you'll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer:
•    Enhanced Employer Pension
•    Life Assurance
•    Flexible & Hybrid Working Options
•    Generous Annual Leave
•    Enhanced Parental Pay
•    Employee Assistance Programme

About Us: The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading woodland conservation charity and is dedicated to creating a world where trees and woods thrive for both people and nature. Our mission involves engaging and inspiring individuals to contribute toward tackling the nature and climate crisis through the protection, restoration, and creation of essential woodland habitats.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees. 
People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply.
Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application. 

Application Advice: For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, we do not ask for CVs at application stage. Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role. 
 
Apply Now: If you're ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it's a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete.

Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams on 12th & 14th August 2025.

Prospect Research Manager
Location: Head Office (Regents Park) - Hybrid
Department: Fundraising
Salary: £14,700 per annum (£36,750 FTE)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Part-Time
Business Area: Enabling Functions and Professional Services

At ZSL, we are working to restore wildlife and create a world where nature thrives. To achieve this bold vision, we rely on the support of an engaged and growing community of philanthropists who share our passion for protecting the natural world. The Prospect Research Manager will be instrumental in identifying and unlocking the potential of these supporters.

This strategic role sits at the heart of our development team, building and maintaining a data-led pipeline of high-impact donors to advance ZSL’s conservation science, fieldwork, and education. By leading on prospect research, philanthropic analysis, and network mapping, the postholder will help ensure ZSL’s fundraising efforts are focused, proactive, and aligned with our organisational priorities.

Following the implementation of a new CRM system, the Prospect Research Manager will also play a key role in embedding best practices in data management and prospecting across the team. From crafting research tools to spotting new funding opportunities, this role will directly support the success of ZSL’s fundraising programmes and, ultimately, our mission to save wildlife around the world.

This is a part-time role, with the option of working either 2 days (15 hours) or 3 days (21.5 hours) per week. We are happy to offer flexibility across the working week, and the specific days and schedule can be agreed with the successful candidate to ensure a good fit for both the individual and the team.

There is an expectation to attend the office once per week as well as any required in person meetings.

The full-time equivalent (FTE) salary for this role is £36,750, which equates to a pro-rata salary of:

£14,700 for 15 hours per week

£21,045 for 21.5 hours per week

 Key responsibilities: 

Prospect Research & Pipeline Development: Conduct high-quality, targeted prospect research to identify and support new fundraising opportunities across ZSL’s priority income streams: institutional fundraising, individual giving, and corporate partnerships.

Strategic Prospect Development: Collaborate with the leadership team to shape and implement a robust prospect development strategy that aligns with ZSL’s organisational goals and long-term fundraising ambitions.

Insightful Donor Intelligence: Create detailed research briefings, biographies, and insight reports to support donor cultivation, stewardship, and strategic engagement planning.

Tools, Processes & Compliance: Support the continuous improvement of prospect management tools and systems, ensuring data accuracy, regulatory compliance, and adherence to relevant codes of practice.

About You

• Experience in wealth screening, capacity assessment and affinity analysis to provide propensity scoring.
• Knowledge of data protection regulations and how it applies to prospect research and development (e.g. GDPR and the Fundraising Regulator Code of Practice).
• Experience of successfully implementing a prospect development strategy to support increasing and diversifying income.
• Proven experience in identifying and conducting detailed research on high-net-worth individuals, trusts and corporates for the higher education / charity sector.
• Evidenced track record of supporting fundraisers with insights in fundraising to achieve six or seven figure donations.
• Experience of using databases within fundraising for prospect management and reporting and making appropriate data management recommendations (Tessitura would be an advantage).
• Knowledge of the principles of philanthropic analysis, relationship mapping and connections, and what makes a good fundraising prospect.
• Demonstrable ability to engage, share expertise, and appropriately challenge senior stakeholders, including CEO with strong interpersonal skills and discretion.

About Us

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction. 

What do we offer? 

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include: 

• Our vision and purpose - you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct 
• Pension scheme - we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension
• Flexible working – talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you 
• Holidays – 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays 
• Wellbeing – access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme 
• Life assurance – eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL’s life assurance scheme from their first day
• Complimentary tickets – annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops 
• Cycle2Work - our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle 
• Season ticket loan - we offer an interest free loan for eligibly London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work 
• Family friendly policies – we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages 

Closing Date: 30th July 2025

NB: We reserve the right to close our advertisement early or extend the advertising date until a suitable candidate has been found.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group. 

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK.

No agencies please.