Development Manager (Individual Giving & Major Donor Fundraising)
David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation | Shalford, Surrey (Hybrid)
Salary: £40,000–£45,000, dependant on experience
David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) is seeking an experienced and relationship‑driven Development Manager to lead our individual giving and major donor fundraising. This is a pivotal fundraising role within a conservation charity dedicated to protecting endangered species across Africa and Asia.
As our Development Manager, you will:
- Shape and deliver strategies for major donors, mid‑level giving, regular giving, adoption programmes and campaign‑led appeals
- Cultivate and steward high‑value donors through personalised engagement
- Oversee donor journeys and ensure an exceptional supporter experience
- Provide strategic leadership for key fundraising events
- Work closely with colleagues across Conservation, Education, Art, Marketing and Finance
- Line manage a Development Executive and play a key role in developing a coordinated, high‑performing fundraising team
We’re looking for someone with:
✔ Proven success in major donor / high‑value individual fundraising
✔ Strong relationship‑building and communication skills
✔ Experience developing donor journeys and direct marketing appeals
✔ Confidence working with senior stakeholders
✔ Passion for wildlife conservation and DSWF’s mission
Why join us?
You’ll be part of a small, committed team making a tangible impact on global wildlife protection. We have invested over £14 million into frontline conservation since 1984 and continue to drive meaningful change through anti-wildlife crime initiatives, education and the power of art.
Role details:
- Hybrid (home + 2 days/week in Shalford, Surrey)
- Full time, 35 hrs/week
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays + extra days at Christmas
- Pension + Employee Assistance Programme
- Start date: As soon as possible
How to apply:
Send your CV and a cover letter (no longer than two pages) by email by midday, Monday 27th April.
We welcome applications from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in conservation and the arts.
Registered Charity
11 - 20
We focus on saving endangered species and ending the exploitation of wildlife before it’s too late.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Our partner, a collaborative platform supporting a network of conservation-focused organisations across Africa, is seeking an experienced finance trainer to design and deliver a high-impact training session for CEOs at an annual partner convention in Southern Africa.
The organisation works with multiple locally-led partners, providing sub-grants alongside tailored capacity strengthening across governance, leadership, finance and operations. As many of the organisations are founder-led, this training will focus on equipping CEOs with the financial knowledge and confidence required to effectively lead and oversee their organisations.
The successful candidate will design and deliver an engaging, practical finance session (c. 3 hours) as part of a wider one-day CEO training programme, tailored to the needs and experience levels of participants.
Responsibilities
Design and deliver an engaging, practical finance training session for non-finance CEOs, tailored to conservation NGOs operating in Africa. The topics they have suggested they would like to cover include:
- Understanding basic financial statements and what they mean for organizational health
- Budgeting and how to effectively review and monitor budgets
- How to manage and engage with a CFO or finance manager without having a technical accounting background
- Key questions CEOs should be asking their finance teams
- Identifying red flags and early warning signs of financial mismanagement
- Practical approaches to fraud prevention and detection, including essential internal controls
- Financial governance and the role of the CEO in ensuring accountability
- Donor compliance and managing restricted funds
- Cash flow management and financial sustainability
- Using financial information to support strategic decision-making
Requirements
- Proven experience designing and delivering finance training for non-finance audiences, ideally at a senior leadership level
- Strong understanding of financial management in NGOs, including donor compliance, restricted funding and financial governance
- Familiarity with the operating context of conservation NGOs in Africa and the associated funding landscape
- Ability to translate technical financial concepts into clear, practical and engaging content
- Strong facilitation and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse and senior audiences.
Working arrangements
- The training will take place in Namibia in July 2026.
- The finance session will be approximately 3 hours in duration, as part of a one-day CEO training programme
- Flights, accommodation (for the duration of the assignment) and visa costs will be covered
- Opportunity to extend travel at own cost following the event
