Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week. Standard working hours are Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Location: Somerset House, London, although flexible and hybrid working are encouraged
Application Deadline: 12 July 2026
Please note:
- We may close the advert sooner if we receive a high volume of applications)
- All finance roles within the charity require a DBS check (basic)
Blue Marine's Mission
The Blue Marine Foundation seeks to protect and restore life in the ocean. Our mission is to see at least 30 per cent of the ocean protected by 2030 and the whole ocean sustainably managed. We support low-impact fishing and equitable use of the ocean and address overfishing – one of the world’s biggest environmental challenges.
We are a dynamic NGO at the heart of cutting-edge marine conservation with headquarters in London but operating globally. This is an incredible chance to join our highly impactful charity; we look forward to hearing from you.
The Role
This role heads the Project Finance team and ensures it continues to support Blue Marine effectively as the organisation grows in scale and complexity. It also oversees the full financial journey of Blue Marine’s project partners, from due diligence and legal agreements through to strong financial oversight and accurate reporting. A key part of the role is building the financial and operational capacity of partners, helping partners scale their conservation impact through improved financial management and operational effectiveness.
Reporting to the Director of Finance, Operations and Governance, the successful candidate will:
- Oversee and develop the Project Finance team, setting clear priorities, high standards and effective ways of working.
- Drive the strategic direction of the Project Finance function as Blue Marine’s portfolio grows in scale and complexity.
- Maintain high-level oversight of project budgets, delivery partners, donor requirements, financial risks and reporting obligations across the portfolio.
- Oversee the end-to-end financial journey of project partners, from due diligence and legal agreements through to ensuring timely and accurate reporting is received.
- Ensure high-quality, timely project reporting, budget monitoring, audit evidence and donor compliance, with fit-for-purpose processes followed consistently.
- Provide insight, challenge and analysis to support strategic decisions and funding proposals.
- Lead Blue Marine’s work to build the operational capacity of international project partners, including through some international travel.
- Champion practical improvements to systems and ways of working, building on an existing culture of continuous improvement.
- Provide hands-on support during peak reporting periods while maintaining senior oversight.
- Represent Finance with credibility and integrity across Blue Marine and with external partners and funders.
- Deputise for the Director of Finance, Operations and Governance where appropriate.
- Contribute to wider organisational priorities as a member of the senior management team.
- Uphold Blue Marine’s values and always embody this behaviour internally and externally.
This list is not exhaustive, and the selected candidate will be required to undertake other relevant tasks from time to time.
Skills and experience required
Essential
- Significant senior experience in project finance, programme finance or commercial finance, with responsibility for complex budgets, reporting and risk.
- Strong track record of overseeing large and complex portfolios, including financial reporting, audit evidence, and contractual or donor compliance requirements and risk management.
- Experience of improving finance systems, reporting tools or organisational processes during a period of growth or change.
- Strong understanding of financial controls, policies and processes, with the ability to apply sound judgement in a practical and proportionate way.
- Experience of working with external partners to improve financial processes, reporting and operational effectiveness.
- Experience of leading and developing high-performing teams, with the ability to set clear priorities and improve ways of working.
- Confident communicator with the ability to build credibility and constructive relationships with colleagues, funders and external partners.
- Highly organised, with the ability to manage competing deadlines and maintain accuracy and attention to detail in a fast-moving environment.
Desired
- Qualified accountant, or equivalent senior-level financial experience.
- Experience of working with Microsoft-based systems, including Power Platform tools such as Power BI.
- Experience of bringing structure, clarity and strong financial discipline to complex or evolving organisations.
- Experience of working with international partners across different legal, operational or cultural contexts.
- An understanding of, or interest in, the environmental, conservation or charitable sector.
You may also...
Have the following personal qualities:
- Calm, practical and solutions-focused
- Collaborative, supportive and confident working across teams
- Ability to combine strategic thinking with a willingness to get into the detail when needed
- Good judgement, integrity and discretion
- Passion for, and commitment to, the ocean or another environmental cause
Why us?
This is a great opportunity for you to join our inspirational team and be part of making a difference!
We offer a great salary in addition to a generous benefits package.
We embrace agile working and trust our employees to work in a hybrid manner that gives them the flexibility to work from home or at the office according to their work commitments. We also recognise our head office is in London and currently offer an optional annual subsidy, which is available to employees committed to attending the office regularly on a weekly basis.
Working alongside some of the most leading and pioneering minds in marine conservation, our training opportunities and collegiate nature means you will always be learning and supported with your development.
Your wellbeing is important to us, and we hold social events throughout the year. We have a great culture and are committed to an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.
If you think you have what it takes and the experience to make it happen, then please apply, we would love you to be part of Blue Marine!
Please note
We reserve the right to close job adverts early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. If you would like to know more or have any questions, we are happy to help.
We are a responsible and inclusive employer. We value diversity and are committed to equality and creating an inclusive culture. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and will support you to reach your full potential.
We want you to perform at your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction. Their vision is a world where everyone has equal access to clean air, water, and energy; where the nature we love is protected, precious habitats are restored and communities are united by ambitious climate action.
Greenpeace UK’s Key Relationships programme raises around £15–16 million each year from major donors, trusts, foundations and legacies, playing a vital role in funding the organisation’s campaigning work.
We are looking for a talented relationship fundraiser to manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects, building authentic relationships that inspire significant philanthropic support for some of the world’s most urgent environmental challenges.
This is an exceptional opportunity to join one of the charity sector’s most successful major gifts programmes. Working closely with the Deputy Head of Major Gifts, you will take ownership of a portfolio of committed supporters, developing tailored cultivation strategies, making significant asks and delivering exceptional stewardship.
Much of your portfolio will comprise existing donors with considerable potential for growth, while you’ll also bring new supporters into the pipeline through thoughtful prospecting and relationship building. You’ll create meaningful opportunities for donors to connect with Greenpeace’s work, whether through one-to-one meetings, campaign briefings, events or bespoke engagement experiences that reflect their individual interests and motivations.
You’ll join a highly collaborative fundraising team with dedicated Events & Operations support, prospect research resource and strong internal relationships across the organisation. This is an opportunity to develop your major gifts expertise, take ownership of high-value relationships and play a visible role in the continued growth of Greenpeace UK’s philanthropic fundraising.
As Major Gifts Officer, you will:
- Manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects, building trusted relationships that maximise long-term philanthropic support
- Develop and deliver tailored cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies for each supporter, taking responsibility for the full donor journey
- Identify new prospects, secure meetings and create bespoke engagement plans that build a strong pipeline of future supporters
- Make compelling asks through face-to-face meetings, telephone conversations and written proposals, securing significant gifts for Greenpeace UK’s priorities
- Create meaningful opportunities for donors to engage with Greenpeace’s campaigning work through events, briefings, visits and other bespoke experiences
- Work closely with colleagues across fundraising, campaigns and communications to develop inspiring donor propositions and stewardship
- Manage your portfolio using donor insight, research and pipeline planning, ensuring accurate CRM records and contributing towards ambitious income targets
- Play an active role within the Major Gifts team, sharing intelligence, supporting colleagues and contributing to the continued success of the programme
Essential skills and experience:
- Experience identifying, cultivating and securing significant gifts from HNWIs or experience of personally securing high value income through developing relationships with individuals, for example strategic corporate partnerships or relevant out-of-sector experience.
- Experience managing a portfolio of donors, clients, accounts or comparable external relationships, developing tailored engagement strategies that build long-term relationships
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to develop compelling proposals, pitches and donor communications, and build credibility with senior stakeholders
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple relationships simultaneously, prioritise competing demands, maintain accurate records and deliver against income or commercial targets
- A warm, authentic and emotionally intelligent relationship-builder, able to adapt your approach to different audiences and create meaningful engagement opportunities
- Confident representing an organisation professionally at meetings, events and other external engagements
- A collaborative approach, sound judgement and genuine commitment to Greenpeace UK’s values and mission
Desirable, but not essential:
- Substantial major donor fundraising (full cycle) experience
- Experience securing high 5-figure or 6-figure+ gifts or comparable high-value income
- Experience of capital campaigns or other strategic relationship fundraising
Diversity and Inclusion
Greenpeace UK recognise the value in having a diverse workforce, as well as the importance of creating equal opportunities for all. Applications are welcomed and encouraged from people of all backgrounds.
Applications are particularly encouraged from people of colour, disabled people, and people who identify as working class now or in the past.
Candidates will be selected based on how well they meet the criteria for the role and all applicants will be treated fairly throughout the recruitment process.
If you have any specific requirements which would enable you to participate in the recruitment process more fully, in particular if these relate to a disability or access issue, please contact Laura at QuarterFive as soon as possible. If you require the job pack in a different format, please get in touch and we will happily provide you with one.
Anti-racism and inclusion commitments
Greenpeace UK wants its team to reflect the diversity of the communities it works alongside. It is committed to fairness, inclusion, and challenging discrimination and oppression in all its forms.
The environmental sector still has further to go when it comes to representation. Greenpeace UK has published ambitious race representation targets and, through its Anti Racism Plan, is working proactively to achieve stronger representation of people of colour, particularly within leadership positions.
As part of this commitment, a Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) is being piloted. Greenpeace UK aims to offer an interview to everyone who opts into the scheme and meets the essential criteria. Guaranteed interview applications will be processed by QuarterFive and shared only with the Greenpeace UK recruiting manager and HR team.
If you identify as a person of colour and meet the essential criteria for the role, you can choose to opt in to the Guaranteed Interview Scheme via the screening questions (click on 'Apply' to view these).
Don’t meet every single requirement? Research shows that women and people of colour may hesitate to apply unless they meet every area of the person specification. If you’re excited about this role but don’t meet all the criteria, you are encouraged to apply.
Employee benefits
Employee benefits include:
- 25 days annual leave for full-time staff, with additional leave accrued according to length of service up to a maximum of 32 days
- Once a month, all Greenpeace staff take an organisational ‘breather’ day where the office closes with no expectations of output on these days
- Office closure normally occurs between Christmas and new year and staff are not required to use annual leave to cover this period
- Employer pension contribution of 8.5% of basic salary, provided employees contribute at least 3%
- Interest free season ticket loan, or a tax efficient bicycle loan
- Life assurance scheme (4 x annual salary)
- Employee Assistance Programme that includes access to free confidential advice with a qualified counsellor
Application by CV in the first instance. If you wish to add notes to align your application better with the person specification, please add these to the cover letter section.
A cover letter is not otherwise needed at this stage.
Suitable applicants will be invited to a screening call with Laura Macnamara at QuarterFive, our recruitment partner for this role.