Development director jobs

About the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

For over 50 years, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has been at the forefront of wildlife conservation in Kenya. Founded on the extraordinary work of Dame Daphne Sheldrick, we are best known for our orphaned elephant rescue and rehabilitation programme – the most successful of its kind in the world. Our work has grown to encompass anti-poaching, habitat protection, community conservation and long-term field programmes across East Africa.

We have a global community of passionate supporters, a powerful brand, and a cause that genuinely moves people. Our UK charity facilitates the global elephant adoption programme, leads on UK fundraising, and connects supporters everywhere with the animals and landscapes they love.

The Opportunity

This is a new and significant appointment for SWT UK. We are looking for a Director of Development to develop and lead our UK fundraising strategy – taking ownership of income generation across all streams, donor communications and supporter stewardship, and managing a team of three talented fundraising professionals.

Our individual supporter base is large globally – growing in UK – loyal and deeply engaged: many give through our elephant adoption programme, which connects them directly with named animals in our care. We are now ready to build on this engaged supporter base and develop it into a structured individual giving programme – with mid-level giving pathways, major donor cultivation, systematic stewardship and deeper philanthropic relationships. That is the central challenge and opportunity of this role.

We also have active corporate and trust relationships, a legacy programme in development, and real potential to grow income from European and international funders. The Director of Development will take ownership of all of this – hands on and strategic in equal measure.

What You Will Do

• Develop and implement a new UK fundraising strategy, establishing clear priorities, income targets and programmes that will drive growth through to 2030 and beyond
• Develop and implement a UK individual giving programme – building on our adoption base to create structured giving journeys, mid-level and major donor cultivation, and meaningful stewardship
• Manage the UK fundraising budget, set and monitor income targets across all streams, and report regularly to the Executive Director on performance and ROI
• Take day-to-day ownership of corporate and trust relationships, writing reports, proposals and partner communications
• Build a major donor programme from the ground up, identifying and cultivating high-value individual prospects
• Develop legacy marketing activity, working alongside our existing legacy administrator and Freewill partnership
• Manage and inspire a team of three: Communications and Fundraising Manager, Retail Manager and Supporter Care Officer, and Fundraising Support Officer
• Oversee the donor database (Donorfy), ensuring data quality and insight-driven decision making
• Explore opportunities to grow income from European and international donors
• Contribute to the global income picture, including through improved donor stewardship and deeper supporter engagement
• Support the growth of SWT's profile and visibility in the UK through press opportunities, social media, and other channels.

About You

We are looking for a fundraiser who loves the craft – someone who is energised by building relationships, writing a compelling proposal, developing a giving programme from scratch, and ensuring every supporter feels genuinely valued. This is a hands-on role as much as a leadership one, and the right person will be comfortable doing both.

• Proven track record in fundraising, with demonstrable success securing income from individuals, trusts or corporates – including five-figure gifts and above
• Experience developing individual giving programmes, including mid-level or major donor cultivation
• A hands-on practitioner – comfortable writing proposals, reports and donor communications yourself
• Experience managing a small fundraising team with warmth, clarity and accountability
• Strong relationship management and stewardship skills
• Experience working with a donor CRM and using data to inform fundraising decisions
• Comfortable in a building role – excited by developing programmes that don't yet exist
• Experience managing fundraising budgets and producing income forecasts and performance reports.
• Genuine passion for wildlife conservation – this role is for someone who cares about the cause
• Committed to in-person working – we believe day-to-day presence and collaboration produces better outcomes for our donors and our team, and ask for a minimum of three days per week at our Billingshurst office

Why Join Us

• A mission that genuinely matters – 50 years of life-changing conservation work and a cause that moves people around the world
• A large, loyal and warm supporter base with significant untapped potential
• Real scope to build something – this is a new role with genuine influence from day one
• A small, close-knit team with shared purpose and a genuine commitment to each other's wellbeing
• Direct line to the Executive Director and member of senior leadership team
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (33 days total)
• Salary exchange pension with 5% employer contribution
• Salary of £55,000 – £60,000 depending on experience

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a covering letter of no more than two pages – telling us why you are interested in this role and how your experience meets the person specification – by 16th August 2026.

We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and may appoint before the closing date, so early application is encouraged.

All applicants must have the right to work in the United Kingdom. We are unable to sponsor visa applications for this role.

Hughes Hall is one of the largest constituent Colleges of the University of Cambridge: progressive, international and egalitarian, with a distinctive commitment to putting learning and research at the service of wider society.

As Hughes Hall looks ahead to its 150th anniversary in 2035, the College is entering a period of major transformation. With a highly international student body, a growing global alumni community and ambitious plans across education, impact and the estate, Hughes Hall seeks to reimagine what a Cambridge College can be: outward-looking, inclusive, and connected to the challenges of the wider world.

We are seeking an experienced and ambitious individual to lead the College’s fundraising and alumni operation as Development Director. Reporting to the President, Sir Laurie Bristow, the postholder will be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, and will lead a small development office. They will lead a major anniversary campaign, expected to raise in the region of £30–50m over the next decade to support scholarships, transformational capital projects and wider social impact.

The post holder will likely be a senior development professional with a proven track record of securing major gifts. They will have first-hand experience leading, or being instrumental in, major campaigns. They will be prepared to travel in the UK and internationally to cultivate prospective donors and stakeholders.

Strong candidates will be energetic, confident communicators and relationship builders, able to act as a warm, credible and energetic ambassador for Hughes Hall. They will combine strategic judgement with a hands-on approach, be able to speak and inspire an audience, and to lead a successful team.

This is a mission-critical appointment at an exciting moment for Hughes Hall. It is a rare opportunity to design and lead the first major philanthropic campaign in Hughes Hall’s history, and to help shape the College’s future as it approaches its 150th anniversary. The College has strong foundations, clear ambition and significant philanthropic potential; this is a distinctive opportunity for someone who shares Hughes Hall’s ethos to help shape the future of a unique Cambridge institution.

To apply for this vacancy, please visit the website via the apply button. The closing date for this role is 15th September 2026.

Drive strategic fundraising growth by unlocking new high-value opportunities, expanding influential networks, and securing transformational partnerships

About Us

We are an independent, global organisation of investigators and campaigners using cutting edge investigative methods. We shine a light on the financial and political systems that enable corporate abuses of power that harm people and planet.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of Global Witness's fundraising. As our newly created Deputy Director: Strategic Growth & Fundraising Development, you will play a pivotal role in delivering our ambitious fundraising strategy by identifying and securing new sources of high-value income, expanding our reach into priority markets, and strengthening the organisation's long-term financial sustainability.

Working closely with the Director of Fundraising, CEO, Leadership Team and Board, you will lead on developing strategic fundraising opportunities, building influential networks, and ensuring Global Witness is positioned to engage with the right donors, partners and decision-makers.

Combining hands-on fundraising with strategic insight, you will identify emerging opportunities, guide organisational priorities, and help maximise the impact of our fundraising efforts across the UK, Europe and the US.

About you

You are a senior, strategic fundraiser with a proven track record of securing significant income from high-value donors and developing innovative approaches to fundraising growth. Commercially minded and highly proactive, you are skilled at spotting opportunities, building influential relationships and translating strategic insight into tangible fundraising success.

Comfortable working with senior stakeholders, you have experience engaging executives, boards and high-net-worth individuals to unlock opportunities and build lasting partnerships.

You thrive in collaborative environments, balancing strategic thinking with practical delivery, and are motivated by helping mission-driven organisations achieve sustainable growth and long-term impact. Your ability to influence, inspire and connect people will enable Global Witness to diversify its funding and achieve its ambitious goals.

Working for Global Witness

Global Witness has a talented team of people worldwide with offices in London, Washington DC and Brussels.

We aim to be a diverse and inclusive place to work. We value new perspectives, original ideas and different ways of working. We believe that diverse views and experiences improve the way we do our work. We do our best to make our jobs accessible to all regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation or identity.

We offer an excellent benefits package including a competitive salary and 20 days annual leave (excl. Bank Holidays). We also offer healthcare insurance and policies to support you during key life events.

We have formalised our shorter working week where everyone works 30 hours Monday to Thursday, with Friday off with no impact on full time salary. We operate a hybrid working model which requires at least 2 days in the office.

How to apply

Applications should be made online to People Ops and include:

• a CV
• Covering letter (no more than two pages) explaining your motivation for applying for the role, along with how you meet the knowledge and experience criteria in the person specification

The closing date for applications is Midnight GMT, Sunday 9th August

To help us track your application please use the following in the subject heading of the email: DD: Strategic Growth & Fundraising Development and please use the following file name protocol for your CV and cover letter: ‘First Name_Last Name_CV’, ‘First Name_Last Name_Coverletter’.

Interview process

Preliminary interviews with be held virtually, date to be confirmed.

At Global Witness, we are committed to making our recruitment process accessible to everyone. If you require any adjustments or support during the application or interview stages, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We want to ensure the process is an inclusive and supportive experience.

Equality and diversity

We would appreciate your participation in completing our Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form.

Global Witness wants to meet the aims and commitments set out in its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy. This includes not discriminating under the Equality Act 2010 and building an accurate picture of the make-up of the workforce and candidates in encouraging equality and diversity.

The Director of Growth, Impact and Partnerships will provide strategic leadership for growth, partnerships, engagement and impact across Ormiston Families.

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the postholder will help turn strategy into action by building strong partnerships, growing sustainable income, strengthening organisational influence and ensuring the organisation has the relationships, reputation, resources and insight needed to increase its reach, deepen its impact and deliver its long-term ambitions. 

The postholder will also play a central role in delivering Ormiston Families' organisational change journey, helping us grow well. They will work across Purpose, People, Process and Performance, helping to shape a more connected, insight-led and sustainable organisation by embedding strategic planning, organisational learning, performance measurement and continuous improvement into how the charity operates, grows and creates impact. 

The main duties of this role include: 

• Setting and delivering an ambitious, evidence-informed strategy for income growth, engagement and impact.
• Supporting the delivery of the organisation's Purpose, People, Process and Performance agenda, ensuring growth, engagement, impact and partnerships contribute to organisational effectiveness and long-term sustainability. 
• Championing the development of organisational insight, performance measures and impact reporting that support strategic decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Representing Ormiston Families externally, building credibility, influence and strategic relationships with key stakeholders, partners, commissioners, funders and sector leaders.
• Leading the directorate to deliver annual income targets, long-term growth plans and high-quality supporter experiences.
• Developing existing income streams and identify new opportunities, products, partnerships and channels.
• Building and influencing strategic partnerships across the charity, public, education, health, community and commercial sectors to increase impact, reach and sustainability
• Overseeing integrated marketing and communications activity that builds awareness, reputation and engagement. 
• Ensuring Ormiston Families’ story is told with clarity, warmth and impact, grounded in the experiences of children, young people and families.
• Leading organisational impact measurement, evaluation and learning, ensuring insight is embedded in planning, delivery and decision-making. 
• Promoting a culture of innovation, learning, inclusion and continuous improvement. 
• Providing robust performance reporting, forecasting and analysis to the CEO, SLT, committees and Board of Trustees.

Benefits include:

•           Competitive salary, benchmarked for a senior charity leadership role.

•           Flexible and hybrid working arrangements, supporting balance and effectiveness.

•           Generous annual leave and family-friendly policies.

•           Pension contribution and employee support offer.

•           Opportunities for professional development, learning and leadership growth.

•           The chance to help shape the future of a values-led organisation making a lasting difference for children, young people and families. 

Location: This is a hybrid role, offering a flexible combination of home working and attendance at our central office.

Salary: £85,000 gross per annum.

To apply, please submit your cover letter detailing how you meet the criteria (no more than 2 pages) and CV.

Purpose of the Role

The Director of External Affairs and Growth is an SLT role responsible for leveraging the voice and power of the eoa's network to influence and accelerate the growth of the employee owned sector.

The role leads the eoa’s external affairs, policy and insights, marcomms and events, shaping the external environment for employee ownership and securing the funding and commercial income needed to support sustainable sector growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead external affairs strategy, building the relationships and influence needed to shape policy, remove barriers and expand EO.
• Build strategic relationships and secure grant funding and commercial partnerships, generating income to support advocacy, events and sector growth initiatives, including the UK EO Growth Strategy.
• Oversee our policy and insights work, engaging key stakeholders to co-produce content that influences EO practice and policy and strengthens the eoa’s voice in public affairs.
• Oversee the delivery of a mar-comms strategy that delivers commercial objectives and positions the eoa as the leading authority on EO.
• Oversee our events programmes, ensuring they drive knowledge-sharing, sector development
• and commercial sustainability.
• Represent the eoa at industry forums, policy roundtables and public affairs events,
• championing the employee ownership model.
• Collaborate with the Director of Membership and Operations to align advocacy and external
• engagement with member needs and priorities.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams, fostering innovation and delivering measurable impact across income generation, advocacy, policy, events and mar-comms activities

Knowledge, Experience, and Attributes

• Proven expertise in external affairs, advocacy, or policy leadership, ideally within a business, trade body, or membership association.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with experience influencing government, media, and corporate partners.
• Demonstrated ability to drive sectoral or policy change, leading successful advocacy initiatives.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience in sponsorship acquisition, revenue generation, grant funding and developing financially sustainable initiatives.
• Exceptional strategic communication and storytelling skills, able to engage and mobilise diverse audiences.
• Experience in event programming, ensuring high engagement and sector impact.
• Passion for employee ownership and economic models that promote shared prosperity.
• Innovative, creative, and proactive in problem-solving and strategy execution.
• A confident and transparent leader who fosters collaboration and inclusivity.
• Self-aware with emotional intelligence, resilience, and integrity.

What Constitutes Success in This Role?

Success in this role means having a positive impact on the growth of the employee-owned sector, strengthening the eoa’s influence and increasing the adoption of “great EO”. Stronger stakeholder relationships, greater advocacy impact and improved commercial sustainability through a diverse mix of grant funding, sponsorships and strategic partnerships will also be key indicators of success.

Key outcomes for the role 

• Outcome - Growth of the employee ownership sector
  • Measure - Increased number of EO businesses, heightened sector awareness

• Outcome - Strengthened corporate engagement
  • Measure - Growth in strategic partnerships, corporate and government engagement

• Outcome - Strong Commercial Sustainability
  • Measure - Increased sponsorship revenue, secured long-term commercial partnerships

• Outcome -Increased policy influence
  • Measure - Policy recommendations adopted, increased government engagement

• Outcome - Enhanced sector insight and intelligence
  • Measure - Utilisation of high quality data and insights for regular sector related content outputs

• Outcome - Development and adoption of best practice
  • Measure - Creation, adoption and promotion of best practice across the EO network.

• Outcome - Successful events programmes
  • Measure - Increased participation, sponsorship growth, positive feedback.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit:

• A two-page CV
• And one of either:
  • Cover letter setting out your motivation, approach, and what you will bring to the role
  • Video (maximum 10 minutes) setting out your motivation, approach, and what you will bring to the role

Applications should be submitted before 9:00am 17 August 2026. We will close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. If you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Interviews will be in two stages. The first stage will be a virtual interview via teams on
26 August. For those who successfully move to stage 2 there will be an in-person
discussion w.c. 31 August.

The eoa welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those
who are under-represented. We recruit based on values, skills, and contribution to our
purpose.