11 Deputy head of research jobs

We're looking for an experienced fundraising leader to join our team at a pivotal moment for WFN, and the planet.

Why Whitley Fund for Nature

Since 1993, the Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) has given £26 million to more than 230 conservation leaders in 84 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America. We back locally rooted conservationists whose science-based, community-led solutions last. We fund them where money is hardest to find but where it goes furthest. And we stay with them for the long term, through training, communications and introductions that raise their profile around the world.

We're a small team with a big reputation and an exceptional network of supporters. That means the funds you raise go directly to people on the frontline, and your impact will be visible from day one.

Why this role, why now

We're at a turning point. Our donor-base is highly committed and our income is steady, but we want to further diversify our donor base and focus on growth. We are seeking a dynamic Head of Fundraising/Partnerships to help write the next chapter. You'll help shape our fundraising strategy and drive this to grow and diversify our current £2.7m income to £3m over the next two years. You will lead our major donor fundraising (gifts over £20k) across philanthropists, trusts, foundations and corporates. You will own the full donor lifecycle, from finding new prospects through to solicitation and stewardship.You'll also have the scope to try new things from building the business case for developing our fundraising in the US, accessing new markets in the UK, and helping pilot our first "Seeing is Believing" donor trips to our partners in the field.

You'll work closely with our Director, Deputy Director and Trustees, and with Ambassadors including Kate Humble, Alastair Fothergill and Miranda Richardson, to unlock their networks. You'll be our lead contact with the Royal Palace, drafting speeches for The Princess Royal and hosting the reception where key supporters meet her. And each spring you'll help make the Whitley Awards, our ceremony for 400 guests in London, one of the most powerful moments in the donor calendar.

You'll line-manage our Partnerships Manager, hold the fundraising budget and sit on our Management Team, so you'll have a real voice in shaping the organisation.

What you'll bring

You're a senior fundraiser who has secured six-figure gifts and grown income from major donors, across at least two of trusts and foundations, corporates and high-net-worth individuals. You love finding new prospects and turning them into partners. You write compelling proposals, and you're confident in a room with senior people. You've developed a fundraising strategy and managed people, and you know your way around ethical fundraising, due diligence, GDPR and Gift Aid.

Above all, you share our ambition, integrity and collaborative spirit, and you'd be proud to put your skills behind some of the most effective conservationists working today.

What we offer

A competitive salary, generous annual leave, pension, hybrid working, life assurance and employee assistance scheme.

How to apply

Apply via CharityJobs by submitting your CV and a cover letter (max 2 sides) setting out why you would like to work with us and how you meet the person specification. Please add when you could start, if successful, and confirm you have the right to work in the UK. Please also read our Candidate Privacy Notice and complete the CharityJobs Equalities Monitoring form.

Closing Date: Sunday 1st November at 11pm. First-round interviews will take place online on 12th November, and second-round interviews will take place in person (London) on 18th November.