Head of Development

The essentials …

• Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 per annum, commensurate with experience
• Location: Hybrid, with at least one day per week at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London
• Contract: Full-time, 15 month fixed-term contract (with potential to extend)
• Reporting to: Director of Membership & Development
• Direct reports: None initially

What you’ll be doing …

We are looking for a strategic and proactive fundraiser to lead the launch and delivery of a capital campaign to refurbish our Grade II* listed Lecture Theatre at Burlington House - a flagship project to enhance accessibility, sustainability and the visitor experience at the heart of our historic home.

Alongside this, you will support income generation across a range of charitable programmes, including education, outreach and member engagement, helping to grow both restricted and unrestricted income and strengthen the Society’s long-term supporter base.

This is a highly collaborative role focused on delivery. You will lead day-to-day campaign activity, with particular emphasis on individual giving, donor engagement and external communications. You will also play a key role in building the systems, processes and approaches that will underpin future fundraising success, supporting the Society’s wider ambition to grow income and resilience over the next decade.

This is an opportunity to shape and deliver visible, mission-driven campaigns at a pivotal moment for the Society, contributing directly to our impact, profile and financial sustainability.

Overall responsibilities / requirements ...

• Lead the capital fundraising campaign for the refurbishment of our Grade II* listed Lecture Theatre, driving income growth through individual giving, corporate partnerships and trust funding.
• Generate income to support our education and outreach campaigns, working collaboratively with colleagues in education, outreach and communications to engage a broad range of supporters.
• Shape compelling cases for support and deliver segmented donor communications that resonate with different audience groups.
• Strengthen internal fundraising infrastructure by improving systems, processes and reporting, ensuring the Society is well-positioned for future income growth.
• Support the Director of Membership & Development by preparing briefing materials, contributing to proposals, and identifying prospects for large gifts or grants.
• Manage timelines, budgets, and reporting related to campaign activity.
• Liaise with external suppliers, funders and design/marketing support as required.

What we’re looking for …

Essential

• Proven experience in a senior fundraising role, ideally within a charity, cultural or education focused setting.
• Demonstrated success delivering capital appeals and/or public fundraising campaigns.
• Track record of securing donations from individuals, major donors, companies and/or trusts.
• Experience developing and implementing fundraising strategies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong interpersonal skills.
• Organised, self-motivated and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Understanding of establishing individual giving methods, including regular giving, legacy fundraising and digital channels.
• Familiarity with CRM systems (ideally Dynamics 365).
• Knowledge of fundraising regulation, GDPR and best practice in donor data handling.

Desirable

• Experience working on heritage, science or education-related campaigns.
• Experience collaborating with senior stakeholders, volunteers or boards/committees.
• Member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising.

A bit about us …

The Geological Society is a registered charity and employs just under 60 staff at its offices in London and Bath. Our London office is situated in the beautiful London hotspot of Piccadilly in Burlington House, just next door to The Royal Academy.

As an employee conscious company, we invest in our staff by emphasising training, growth and progression in every role. We firmly believe in creating a positive workplace wellbeing culture and offer a range of benefits to our staff including:

• 25 days basic holiday entitlement when you start, increasing up to 30 days with continued service (pro-rated for part-time staff)
• Option to purchase up to 2 days extra holiday days per year
• Contributary pension scheme with 10% employer contribution
• Access to 24/7 online GP with mental health & wellbeing counselling
• Free premium Headspace account for you and 2 members of friends/family
• Discounts and recognitions scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Season Ticket Loan scheme
• Life Assurance and Income Protection schemes
• Free access to Royal Academy exhibitions
• Free Geological Society Fellow membership for qualified staff

The Society is committed to fostering an inclusive culture that promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a harmonious inclusive environment in which the rights and dignity of all its members visitors and staff are respected. We are an equal opportunities employer and the post-holder will be expected to adhere to and support the Society’s commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion.

How to apply …

Please head to our website (by clicking the button above) and read the job description in full for instructions on how to apply. 

As part of our inclusive recruitment initiative, we have introduced the concept of anonymous recruiting in order to evaluate applicants solely on their skills and experience. With this in mind, we encourage you to:

• Anonymise your application by stating only your initials in your CV (including your file name) and cover letter.
• State your initials only in the subject line when sending your application.
• Ensure that you have included your contact email and number, as well as dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the indicative timetable.

We regret that unsuccessful candidates will not be contacted. Please let us know if you will require any special provisions to be made should you be called for an interview.

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK.