Permanent Head Of Development Jobs
Hours and Contract: Full time – 34.5 hours per week, permanent contract
Location: Hybrid/ London Head Office and remote
Salary: Circa £45,000 (dependent on experience)
Are you a gifted fundraiser seeking the opportunity to drive real change in a charity’s high-value donor and corporate fundraising programme?
The opportunity
Our client is the charity for the working animal of the world. Since 1923, working through a series of global projects and partnerships across 23 low-income countries, it has supported the welfare of working donkeys, horses, camels, oxen and other working animals in communities that depend on them for water, transport, agriculture, and their very survival.
As part of the charity’s ambitious strategic development plans, they are recruiting a Fundraising Relationships and Business Development Manager. In this role, you will drive the development and growth of their corporate and high-value donor relationships. You will grow the acquisition of new high-value donors and corporate partners, while developing our relationships with existing funders.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a talented fundraising professional, who has a strong knowledge of and commitment to working animal welfare. You will join a fast-paced, agile, and dynamic organisation that is building its global reach and impact to meet the growing need for its support.
Your key responsibilities include:
High value donor and corporate fundraising programme management
- Manage the development and delivery of the high-value donor and corporate fundraising programme, to maximise relationships, partnerships, and long-term income.
- Develop and drive the delivery of a structured, dynamic, and agile acquisition plan for the high- value donor and corporate programme, to maximise engagement and income.
- Develop existing and new relationships though the right mix of tailored approaches/asks and exemplary stewardship activities (such as feedback reports, face to face meetings, phone calls) to secure new sources of funding, upgrade existing levels of giving, repeat donations and multi-year funding.
- Manage the high-value donor and corporate marketing and stewardship programmes, supervising appeals, approaches, updates, and all related activities to ensure clear, concise and compelling proposals and reporting.
- Provide the Fundraising Relationships Officer with clear, collaborative, and supportive line management, that maximises staff performance and wellbeing.
- Research and pursue high-value donor fundraising work in assigned new target areas (both in the UK and overseas territories within their global fundraising programme, such as Australia) to expand the programme’s reach and impact.
- Manage the development and delivery of their fundraising events.
- Work with colleagues to ensure required PR and communications activities concerning major donors funding are developed and delivered.
Programme support and administration
- Take responsibility for the high-value donor and corporate fundraising budgets and contribute to target setting, monitoring, and analysis of the programme.
- Provide regular reports and information on progress, targets and income generated.
- Deputise for the Head of Philanthropy and Fundraising Partnerships when required.
- Ensure all activities are legally compliant, in keeping with their values and adherent to due diligence and our Acceptance or Refusal of Donations Policy.
Your knowledge:
- Knowledge of high-value donor and corporate fundraising principles and practices.
- Knowledge of donor and partner acquisition techniques.
- Knowledge of developing and delivering compelling pitches and applications.
Your experience:
- Experience of working in a busy fundraising, marketing, or commercial business team.
- Experience of attracting and acquiring new donors and partners.
- Experience of prospect research techniques and using research to suggest suitable projects/areas of interest/building a long-term relationship.
- Experience of developing, building and maintaining relationships with high-value stakeholders and organisations.
- Experience of line management and building a collaborative, high-performance team.
- Experience of managing or contributing to the development and delivery of fundraising events (desirable).
Your skills:
- Good communication skills – written and verbal – with the proven ability to develop strong cases for support.
- Highly numerate, with the ability to create, maintain and monitor budgets and expenditure summaries, and to speak and write about financial matters.
- A diligent researcher with excellent computer and analytical skills, accuracy, and attention to detail.
- Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills.
- Resilience, determination, and a focus on outcomes
- Able to work out-of-business hours when required.
- A strong commitment totheir vision, mission, and values.
In return, they can offer:
- 26 days annual leave, plus bank holidays. Further leave will accrue after two years of service up to a maximum of 30 days.
- Company pension scheme (they will contribute 10% of salary if you contribute 5% of salary).
- Hybrid working with London Head Office (Borough High Street) attendance on average approx. 1 day a month (travel expenses not included).
- Health Cash Plan with Medicash which includes access to virtual GP appointments and a member’s discount portal.
- Group Life Insurance scheme, which provides coverage at 3x your annual salary.
- Group Income Protection scheme, designed to provide income if illness or injury prevents you from working for a period of time.
- Enhanced Employee Assistance Programme including face-to-face counselling.
- Paid Volunteer Day.
- A career path that can grow with the organisation.
Next steps:
If you can demonstrate the relevant skills and experience, and have the right to work in the UK, and would like to be considered for this role, please apply today.
Early response is encouraged as applications will be reviewed as and when received. This position will close once a suitable candidate is identified.
REF-213 494
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is a growing and cherished part of our community, dedicated to providing a safe haven for donkeys and educating the public on their care and welfare. Our vision extends beyond equine welfare to creating an environment where our team, volunteers, and visitors can feel welcomed and enriched.
Position Summary
We are in search of a Chief Operating Officer (COO) adept at turning strategic visions into operational realities. The COO will oversee daily operations throughout the sanctuary, ensuring excellence in health and safety practices, and fostering high team performance and growth. As a key partner to the CEO, this role demands a leader skilled in operational management and strategy implementation, preferably with experience in the third sector and a deep commitment to animal welfare.
Objectives of the role
1. Strategic implementation and operational leadership - working in close partnership with the CEO to integrate strategic objectives into the organisation's day-to-day operations. This will include focusing on enhancing process efficiency, ensuring operational excellence and maintaining budgetary control connected to operational issues.
2. Developing high performing teams – driving team excellence through targeted recruitment, comprehensive onboarding, ongoing professional development, and robust performance management strategies, ensuring team cohesion and high retention rates
3. Ensuring regulatory compliance and safety - maintaining rigorous adherence to all relevant charity and health & safety regulations, proactively ensuring a safe environment for staff, volunteers, visitors and our equines.
4. Fostering a supportive culture - creating a work environment where commitment to our sanctuary's values and alignment with our vision and mission inspire and unite our teams.
5. Acting as a deputy for the CEO - representing the charity and making decisions in the CEO’s absence, ensuring leadership continuity and organisational stability.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities include:
· Evaluating internal operations to identify and implement efficiency improvements
· Developing and implementing policies (in collaboration with the CEO and Trustees) that support the sanctuary's goals and ensure operational alignment.
· Overseeing daily operations across the estate, including visitor facilities, barn and paddock maintenance, and health and safety compliance, ensuring a safe environment for staff, volunteers, visitors and equines.
· Directly overseeing the performance of our teams in Visitor Experience, Volunteering, Estates and Facilities, ensuring these areas not only operate efficiently but also focus on creating exceptional experiences for visitors and volunteers. This includes working closely with HR to foster successful recruitment, professional development, and other HR initiatives to build and sustain high-performing teams.
· Ensuring the sanctuary is ready and welcoming for visitors each day, effectively monitored and managed throughout the day and securely closed at night
· Health and safety leadership - spearheading safety initiatives and training a skilled team in safety protocols, ensuring a secure and safe environment for staff, volunteers, visitors and over 130 donkeys and ponies. The COO will work closely with the Head of Facilities and Estates Supervisor to enforce health and safety policies, address safety issues, as well as ensuring readiness and responsiveness for critical incidents, including fire and medical emergencies.
· Serving as the deputy for the CEO, including leading the sanctuary in the CEO’s absence, making critical decisions, and managing external relationships.
The above role encompasses an understanding that the sanctuary operates seven days a week and requires a willingness to work weekends and evenings as needed to ensure continuous leadership and operational excellence.
Reporting structure
Reporting directly to the CEO, the COO will have the following direct reports: Head of Estates, Visitor Experience Manager, and Volunteer Manager.
Required skills and Experience
· A strong ethical commitment to animal welfare, demonstrated through previous work or personal advocacy, with the desire to make a positive impact in the community and beyond.
· A track record of managing operations effectively, demonstrating the ability to oversee day-to-day activities
· Proven experience in translating strategy into actionable plans
· Proven effectiveness in managing diverse teams and working with volunteers, highlighting the ability to engage and inspire a wide range of contributors towards common goals.
· Experience in budgeting, data analysis and using performance metrics to guide decisions.
· Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and the agility to respond to unforeseen challenges, particularly in animal welfare contexts.
· A collaborative approach to working with key stakeholders, including the CEO, to ensure alignment with the organisation's goals.
Desirable:
· Experience within a non-profit organisation and familiarity with the regulatory environment specific to the charity sector, including health & safety standards and compliance.
Why Join Us
By joining the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary as COO, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of donkey welfare, leveraging your expertise to make a lasting difference. You’ll lead a dedicated team, drive operational excellence, and contribute to a cause that’s both meaningful and rewarding.