Major relationships development manager jobs

To enable Operation Smile’s global surgical activities, OSUK’s Partnerships Team works to maximise high-potential income channels such as corporate partnerships, major donors, community fundraisers and trusts and foundations.

We have created an exciting new position in our team for an ambitious and confident relationship fundraiser. Working as part of the Partnership Team and line managing one Partnerships Officer, the Partnerships Manager position will secure critical income from new and existing corporate partners through compelling pitches and excellent stewardship.

The position will build on existing partner relationships with high-profile businesses like Superdrug, the Perfume Shop and Johnson & Johnson, aiming to grow their contributions, as well as making approaches to new prospects in relevant sectors, working closely with the Director of Partnerships.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Corporate Partnerships Development

• Ensure achievement of annual income target for corporate partnerships
• Take primary responsibility for managing the current pool of medium and large corporate partnerships, including global partners (working with Operation Smile Inc), to ensure their growth and longevity – strategic input into the growth of each partner will be essential
• Develop and implement plans for partner activity to maximise all income channels, including corporate philanthropy, employee engagement, cause-related marketing and more
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of new corporate fundraising prospects, creating propositions/proposals and making approaches, working with the Director of Partnerships
• Enhance our employee engagement and community fundraising offer with simple, easy-to-do fundraising activities, linked to key moments in the calendar
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting to partners and internal stakeholders
• Represent Operation Smile UK in global corporate partner discussions, applying any global strategies to develop successful fundraising plans for the UK
• Lead on the development and management of any corporate partner cultivation events

Additional Responsibilities

• Line manage one Partnerships Officer, supporting them to manage inbound community fundraising requests and existing relationships, as well as smaller corporate partners
• Oversight of community fundraising income target delivered by the Officer
• Create and maintain annual corporate partnerships and community fundraising budgets and business plans, including activities from current supporters and forecasting new business income

Additional Information

• 2 years’ experience in a corporate partnerships or business development role
• We promote flexible and hybrid working, with 2 days per week in our London office in Battersea (nearest stations Clapham Junction and Wandsworth Town). There will also be some UK travel for meetings, conferences and events.
• Some overseas travel required to visit projects and partner countries, a highlight of the role!

First-round interviews will take place during the week commencing 29 June. Applications may close earlier than advertised if a high number of suitable candidates is received, so we encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as possible.

Disability Confident Committed Employer

We're a Disability Confident Committed employer, so we guarantee an interview to any disabled applicant who meets the minimum requirements for the job.

At Operation Smile UK, we value individuals based on their performance and potential. We're dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that supports everyone's needs. We're happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the application and employment process, and we particularly welcome applications from diverse backgrounds.

If you need this document in a different format, require any adjustments, or need help with your application, please contact us (further details contained within the job description).

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Operation Smile UK knows fundraising could better reflect the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the people the charity sector supports. If you don’t meet every requirement but believe your transferable skills align with the role, we encourage you to contact us for a conversation. 

We want our team to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, offering equal opportunities to everyone, regardless of, age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We celebrate diversity and encourage you to bring your authentic self to Operation Smile UK. We are committed to supporting all applicants and ensuring a fair hiring process. All appointments will be made solely on merit, and we are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. 

Ashden’s mission is to showcase outstanding climate solutions and accelerate systemic change that unleashes their transformative potential. Our vision is of a world where everyone enjoys access to clean energy. Where people and nature thrive.

For over 25 years, Ashden has worked with enterprises and organisations in the UK and the Global South to find, champion and scale solutions to the climate crisis. We excel in storytelling that connects these solutions with the policymakers, funders and investors poised to help them scale and maximise their impact.  Our support is expanding access to affordable clean energy to farms, villages and refugee camps in the Global South. In the UK, we are helping create warmer homes, greener schools and accelerating climate action across our towns and cities.

Ashden is a highly regarded and well-connected organisation with a strong brand and a track record of building meaningful relationships with high value and high-profile individuals. We are excited to build on the good work already achieved to further scale fundraising in this area.

You will be joining Ashden at a pivotal moment. In 2024, we launched our Changemakers campaign to secure mission-aligned funding from donors making four and five-figure gifts and beyond - a programme you will personally lead and continue to shape and develop - an exciting opportunity to nuture an emerging initiative by stewarding and uplifting current donors whilst attracting new supporters. Working in close partnership with the Director of Business Development, you will also proactively support the prospecting, cultivation and stewardship of both new and existing donors to secure transformational seven-figure gifts. As our Major Donor Lead you will have the opportunity to define, refine and strengthen our major donor proposition more broadly, securing both unrestricted and restricted income to support our long-term impact.

We’re seeking an experienced fundraiser with a track record of securing major gifts and building strong relationships with high-net-worth individuals. While climate or environmental exposure is not essential, alignment with Ashden's values and passion for driving systems change is crucial. You’ll be supported by a collaborative team, including senior leadership and Trustees, and will have key strategic and operational input into the success of our fundraising, the growth of the team, and the broader impact of our charity.

This is a stimulating and rewarding opportunity for someone looking to develop their career within a highly collaborative, passionate and visionary organisation. It is also an outstanding opportunity for those keen to deepen their experience and insight in philanthropy at the highest levels, including meaningful exposure to pioneering venture philanthropy and innovative impact-led funding models.

Location: Hybrid, ideally 2 days in London, pending donor meetings and events

Hours: Full Time with flexible working agreed. Part time hours or compressed hours will also be considered.

To read more about the role and organisation, please download the full appointment brief below.

Closing Date: 11 June 2026

People Beyond Profit Conversations: 15-19 June 2026

Ashden Interviews: 25 June 2026 (online) and 2 July 2026 (in person).

JUSTICE is looking to recruit a Philanthropy Manager to join our friendly, outcome-focused, values-led team. This is a permanent role and offers an exciting opportunity for a passionate and creative fundraiser who is committed to building meaningful relationships and growing philanthropy income.

We are looking for an individual who is motivated by our purpose (to improve the UK justice system so that it is fair and within everyone’s reach). The successful post holder will be an engaging and proactive fundraiser with experience of securing donations from high-net-worth individuals and mid-level donors. You will enjoy working autonomously, be comfortable taking initiative and bring a thoughtful strategic approach to developing and stewarding donor relationships.

Working closely with the Director of Development, Chief Executive and Senior Management Team, the Philanthropy Manager will play a central role in strengthening and expanding our major donor and mid-level giving programme. You will lead on cultivating, soliciting and stewarding a portfolio of prospects and donors, developing tailored engagement plans and ensuring our fundraising activity is insight-driven and aligned with organisational priorities.

By building strong relationships with donors, volunteers and supporters and by championing the effective use of data and insight, you will help deepen engagement with JUSTICE’s work and increase the impact of our fundraising. You will be a key ambassador for the organisation, representing our mission and values with confidence, professionalism and warmth.

If this sounds like something you’d be interested in and something you would enjoy doing, please do apply! 

About us

Legacies account for over two thirds of the RNLI’s annual income today and will continue to be a vital fundraising stream for many years to come. Our stewardship offering is evolving. Creating meaningful and personal connections with those who choose to support us with a gift in their Will is what can set us apart from others.

In this role, working alongside your peer, you’ll be responsible for leading and inspiring our Engagement team, with a particular focus on how we steward and grow high-value legacy relationships. You will line manage up to five individuals who deliver both stewardship and awareness activity across their regions, ensuring our supporters receive a seamless and personalised experience and our volunteers are equipped to talk about gifts in Wills.

You’ll collaborate closely with colleagues across Legacy Marketing & Administration, Philanthropy and Regional Engagement teams to ensure we take a more proactive, insight-led approach to identifying and supporting high-value pledgers. Working with your peer, you will shape the culture and direction of the team, ensuring focus, consistency and delivery across a range of key projects.

Your role

As a Senior Legacy Engagement Manager – Stewardship and Blended Giving, you will focus on:

• Inspiring and managing the team, working in partnership with the other Senior Legacy Engagement Manager, to deliver a world-class stewardship programme for legacy supporter
• Leading the development of a more structured, insight-led stewardship approach, ensuring clarity on when a personalised, relationship-led approach adds the most value
• Supporting and guiding Legacy Engagement Managers to prioritise and build relationships with supporters most likely to leave significant gifts
• Driving a more proactive approach to identifying and engaging high-value legacy supporters, moving beyond passive acquisition routes
• Playing a key role in developing our Blended Giving approach, working closely with the Philanthropy team to connect legacy and major giving opportunities
• Collaborating with colleagues across the organisation to deliver a seamless, supporter-centric experience that secures and grows long-term income
• Using insight and data to continuously evaluate and improve our stewardship approach, identifying opportunities to enhance supporter experience and value
• Contributing to the wider legacy strategy, helping evolve our approach to meet new opportunities and challenges

About you

As an experienced fundraising or engagement leader, you’ll be comfortable building meaningful relationships with supporters, working collaboratively across teams and inspiring others to deliver excellent stewardship.

To be considered for this role, you’ll need to have:

• Strong leadership experience, including managing and motivating a geographically dispersed team and driving performance
• Demonstrable experience in managing high-value relationships, including stewardship of major donors or legacy pledgers
• Experience of developing and delivering personalised engagement approaches that drive long-term value
• Proven ability to use insight and data to inform decision-making and prioritisation
• Experience of working across teams to deliver integrated approaches, ideally including exposure to both legacy and major giving
• Ability to influence a wide range of stakeholders and drive change in a complex organisation
• Strategic thinking skills, with the ability to translate strategy into clear, practical delivery
• A valid driving licence

For more information and to apply, please visit our jobs page.

Closing date: 14 June 2026.

Interview date: w/c 22 June 2026 (on Teams).

The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; protecting a person’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero-tolerance approach. The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out dependent on the eligibility of the role. (England & Wales; DBS check, Scotland; Disclosure Scotland PVG, Northern Ireland; Access NI, Republic of Ireland; Garda Vetting; International, International Child Protection Certificate process).

Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.

We are looking for an experienced corporate fundraising manager with demonstrable success in building relationships and maximising income from corporate supporters, sponsors and prospects. The role will lead on securing new business partnerships and developing a varied portfolio of exciting opportunities and events.

This is an exciting time to join The Christie charity as we embark on a period of transformational growth with the launch of key capital appeals enabling us to see a real step change in our income. We are looking for dynamic individuals to join our successful fundraising team at this exciting time.

Harris Hill is delighted to be partnering with an international development charity rooted in Christian values to recruit a Philanthropy Manager.

Location: Edinburgh (Hybrid – minimum 2 days per week in the office)
Salary: £33,760 per annum pro rata (£42,200 FTE)
Contract: Fixed-term until April 2027
Hours: 4 days per week

This is an exciting opportunity to join a respected charity working alongside communities around the world to tackle poverty, respond to humanitarian crises and create lasting change. As part of a collaborative and ambitious fundraising team, you will play a key role in growing income from major donors and trusts, helping to deliver impactful programmes and strengthen long-term supporter relationships.

What you'll be doing

• Manage major donor and trust relationships.
• Secure new high-value supporters and gifts.
• Create compelling proposals and donor experiences.

About you

• Experience in major donor fundraising or philanthropy.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Interest in international development

To be successful, you'll bring experience of managing and growing relationships with high-value supporters, alongside the confidence to identify new opportunities and inspire philanthropic investment. You'll be a collaborative team player with excellent communication skills and a genuine passion for helping donors connect with the charity's mission and impact.

The charity is rooted in Christian values, but applicants do not need to be Christian to be considered for this role.

Application: Cv and Supporting statement to 

Deadline: On rolling basis

 As a leading charity recruitment specialist and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality, or other protected characteristics.

Harris Hill is delighted to be partnering with an international development charity rooted in Christian values to recruit a Philanthropy Manager.

Location: Edinburgh (Hybrid – minimum 2 days per week in the office)
Salary: £33,760 per annum pro rata (£42,200 FTE)
Contract: Fixed-term until April 2027
Hours: 4 days per week

This is an exciting opportunity to join a respected charity working alongside communities around the world to tackle poverty, respond to humanitarian crises and create lasting change. As part of a collaborative and ambitious fundraising team, you will play a key role in growing income from major donors and trusts, helping to deliver impactful programmes and strengthen long-term supporter relationships.

What you'll be doing

• Manage major donor and trust relationships.
• Secure new high-value supporters and gifts.
• Create compelling proposals and donor experiences.

About you

• Experience in major donor fundraising or philanthropy.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Interest in international development

To be successful, you'll bring experience of managing and growing relationships with high-value supporters, alongside the confidence to identify new opportunities and inspire philanthropic investment. You'll be a collaborative team player with excellent communication skills and a genuine passion for helping donors connect with the charity's mission and impact.

The charity is rooted in Christian values, but applicants do not need to be Christian to be considered for this role.

Application: Cv and Supporting statement to 

Deadline: On rolling basis

 As a leading charity recruitment specialist and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality, or other protected characteristics.

Harris Hill are delighted to be partnering with a great charity to recruit the Business Development Manager to help drive forward the charity mission at a crucial time, as they adapt to a changing funding landscape and build sustainable income for the future.

 About the Role

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will play a key leadership role within the organisation. You’ll be responsible for developing and delivering income generation strategies, building strong partnerships, and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.

This is a hands on and varied role where you will:

• Lead and grow diverse income streams including grants, corporate partnerships, and community fundraising
• Develop compelling funding proposals and manage a strong pipeline of opportunities
• Build and maintain relationships with funders, donors, and stakeholders
• Oversee flagship fundraising events and support third-party fundraisers
• Line manage charity shop managers and nurture a network of volunteers
• Contribute to strategic planning and organisational development
• Represent the charity externally with confidence and professionalism

About You

We are looking for a proactive, organised and motivated individual who can think strategically while delivering practical results.

You will bring:

• Proven experience in fundraising, business development, or a similar role
• Strong track record in securing funding (grants, trusts, corporate, or individual giving)
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Experience managing events, campaigns, and stakeholder relationships
• Confidence in presenting, networking, and representing an organisation
• Strong organisational and analytical skills
• Experience managing staff or volunteers
• A collaborative, resilient, and adaptable approach

Experience within the charity sector and knowledge of fundraising regulations is desirable.

Full job description available upon request.

Salary: £35,229- £40,885 this will be pro rata of the 30 hours

Contract Type: permanent, part-time, Flexible (maximum 30 hours per week)

Location: Stockport

Application: Cv and Supporting statement to

Deadline: On rolling basis

If you’re interested and would like to review a full job description, please contact Lucy at Harris Hill at [email protected]

 As a leading charity recruitment specialist and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality, or other protected characteristics.

Head of Development Operations
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Location: London, UK 
Salary: £53,317 - £61,034 pa plus benefits

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is one of the world’s leading public health universities.  Our mission is to improve health and health equity in the UK and worldwide; working in partnership to achieve excellence in public and global health research, education and translation of knowledge into policy and practice.

LSHTM have 3,300 staff based around the world with core hubs in London and at the MRC Units in The Gambia and Uganda. Our outstanding, diverse and committed staff make an impact where it is most needed, deploying research in real time in response to crises, developing innovative programmes for major health threats and training the next generations of public and global health leaders and researchers.

Philanthropy is critical to us achieving our mission, and our Development and Alumni Relations department develops and supports relationships with a growing body of supporters and  community of over 30,000 alumni in over 180 countries around the world. 

As we scale up the role of fundraising at LSHTM, we are recruiting 3 senior specialists to work closely as part of the department’s leadership team in providing strategic and tactical direction of key areas of our work as our Heads of Development Operations, Trusts & Foundations, and a new area – Corporate Partnerships.

As our Head of Development Operations, you will report to the Director of Development & Alumni Relations and bring first-class knowledge and experience of best practice and strategy in fundraising operations.  As an outstanding operator, with a proven track record of developing and implementing critical support functions for a successful Development team, you will thrive within a busy environment and enjoy leading a people or teams. You work well with fundraising and engagement colleagues, and enjoy the collaborative process of turning a strategy into reality.  Key to your success in this role is the practical and consultative approach you will bring, along with your ability to think laterally and creatively to achieve the Department’s and School’s goals.

If you believe you have the skills, aptitude and commitment to our purpose, we would like to hear from you.  We are partnering with Richmond Associates on this campaign.  To view the information pack for this role please visit their website to download a detailed information pack and to arrange a confidential discussion with Sonja Dunphy, Managing Director or Nicola Reames, Senior Consultant.

Closing date for applications: 09:00 on FRIDAY, 26 JUNE 2026

Salary: £41,884 – £46,538 per annum
Contract: Permanent, full time
Location: Home based (with regular travel to London and across the UK)
Closing date: Rolling 
Benefits: 27 days annual leave bank holidays with the option to buy another week & additional December closure day, enhanced parental leave, Cycling UK membership, Medicash Healthcare plan

We’re very excited to be recruiting a Philanthropy Manager to join the team at Cycling UK and play a pivotal role in shaping and growing the organisation’s major donor and legacy fundraising programme.

This is a senior and influential role, offering the opportunity to build and embed philanthropy at the heart of Cycling UK. Working closely with the Head of Fundraising and colleagues across the organisation, you will help transform a developing programme into a mature, relationship-led income stream that delivers sustainable long-term growth.

You will lead the development and delivery of the philanthropy strategy, managing major donor and legacy pipelines, designing compelling stewardship and engagement opportunities, and securing high-value, multi-year gifts. The role combines strategic leadership with hands?on delivery and will suit someone motivated by building meaningful donor relationships, creating inspiring propositions and demonstrating impact.

To be successful as the Philanthropy Manager, you will need:

• Proven experience in major donor and relationship-led fundraising, with a strong track record of securing high-value gifts
• Understanding of legacy and trust & foundation fundraising, including pipeline management and stewardship
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills, with confidence engaging senior stakeholders and supporters

If you would like to discuss this role with us, please email your CV to [email protected] or contact us quoting reference 2945JP

Ashby Jenkins Recruitment are a specialist charity recruitment agency. We use our extensive sector knowledge and experience to match candidates to the most suitable charity jobs and are passionate about improving equality across the sector — you can read more about our commitment to diversity on our website.
We take a relationship-led approach to recruitment in the charity sector and partner with you as the leading charity recruitment agency.

If enough applications are received, the charity reserves the right to close the application period early.
 

Prisoners Abroad is a unique human rights and welfare charity providing advice and support to people affected by overseas imprisonment. We help British people during their incarceration, when they return to the UK and need resettlement services, and we also support their family throughout the trauma. It doesn’t matter to us the reasons people find themselves in need of our services – and we never judge. Our range of services make sure they survive, mentally and physically, so that they can face the future with hope.

We are looking for a Philanthropy Officer to support and grow our well-established major donor programme at an exciting point in our organisational development, following the launch of our new five-year strategy.

About the role

As our Philanthropy Officer, you will support the delivery of our major donor programme, helping to steward a committed community of donors and ensuring that relationships, communications and records are managed accurately and professionally.

You will provide high-quality supporter care, carry out research to identify new prospects, and help coordinate cultivation, solicitation and stewardship activity so that donors feel valued and informed about the impact of their support.

Working closely with the Head of Giving & Communications and wider Fundraising team, you will support the planning and delivery of major donor activity, including coordinating communications and events, maintaining donor data and contributing to reporting.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for someone with around two years experience in fundraising, ideally with exposure to individual giving or major donor fundraising, and so this role would suit someone early in their fundraising career who is looking to specialise in major donor fundraising, and keen to learn how to build and steward high-value relationships that generates income and long-term support.

You will be highly organised, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines. You will be a strong communicator, confident building relationships with supporters and colleagues, and motivated to deliver a high standard of supporter care.

To apply

To apply for this position, please read the job pack which provides lots of information about the charity, the role and how to apply.

The deadline for applications is 10am Thursday 18th June, however we will be reviewing applications as we receive them, so please apply when you are ready and you may be contacted about your application before the closing date. To ensure inclusivity, all applications received up to the closing date will be considered equally.

Children on the Edge is seeking a proactive Partnerships Manager to drive our grant-funding strategy in a fast-evolving sector. If you’re an experienced relationship-builder who thrives in an agile environment and is passionate about demonstrating real-world impact through local ownership, we’d love to have you on our team.
 

Prospecting
● Identify and evaluate potential funding opportunities from UK and overseas foundations and grant makers. 
● Work with the Chief Operating Officer (COO) to develop a pipeline of potential support.
● Develop strategic approaches to new funders.

Writing Applications and Proposals
● Proactively gather information from the Children on the Edge team to develop compelling proposals and budgets for funders. 
● Communicate Children on the Edge’s values and distinctives.
 

Reporting
● Proactively feed into the wider fundraising team’s collaboration to ensure we can provide all information required by funders.
● Craft tailored narrative and financial reports that demonstrate impact.
● Support the COO as required in reporting to larger Grants and HNW partnerships. 

Building Relationships
● Cultivate a portfolio of existing, lapsed and new funders.
● Represent Children on the Edge externally to build a network of prospects and support engagement events and activities as needed.
 

Management & Planning
● Acknowledge donations promptly; tracking donor communication in Salesforce.
● Use Salesforce to record and report on prospecting, applications and income. 
● Follow best fundraising regulations practice and comply with relevant legislation.

Relationship Manager (North and Scotland)

Full-time (37 hours) | permanent

c£36,000 depending on experience | Home-based | Hybrid

At the Bone Cancer Research Trust, we exist because families refused to accept a world where primary bone cancer had no hope, no answers and almost no research. Today, we’re the UK’s leading bone cancer charity and every supporter you engage helps push vital research forward and provides comfort to families who need us.

About the role

As Relationship Manager, you’ll build genuine, lasting connections with our Special Funds - our named funds created in honour or memory of someone affected by primary bone cancer, community supporters and local businesses. Your relationship-led approach will help create the family feel connections we’re known for, inspiring long-term support and raising vital income for people affected by primary bone cancer

You will:

• Grow and manage Special Funds, our named funds created in honour or memory of someone affected by primary bone cancer.
• Build strong, meaningful relationships with all our supporters, ensuring every person feels valued and connected.
• Secure and steward regional corporate partnerships
• Meet a regional income target of approx. £300,000
• Represent BCRT in your region, strengthening awareness and community connections at meetings and events.

About you:

• A natural relationship builder with 3+ years’ fundraising experience and a genuine passion for supporter care.
• Compassionate and professional, especially when working with families personally affected by primary bone cancer.
• Organised, proactive and confident working independently, able to balance a varied workload.
• A clear and engaging communicator, bringing warmth and positivity to every interaction.
• Able to travel across the region (car required).

Why you’ll love working with us

You’ll join a small team that works collaboratively and keeps our community at the centre of everything we do. We’re supportive, friendly and you’ll have the flexibility to manage your work while seeing the direct impact of the relationships you build.

What we offer

· Flexible approach to working hours

· 30 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays

· Private Health Insurance (following successful probation)

· 6% employer pension contributions

· Life Assurance of 4x annual salary

A rare and newly-created opportunity to join David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) as Director of Development at a pivotal moment of growth. As part of the Senior Mangement Team (SMT) you will help shape the future direction of the Foundation, leading its fundraising strategy, inspiring support and delivering significant and sustainable income growth.

We are looking for a collaborative team player, who leads with integrity, warmth and passion. Experience in the conservation sector is an advantage but not a prerequisite. The right candidate will be the person who can prove that they are able to ignite action, build lasting relationships and generate meaningful growth in support of the DSWF’s mission.   

Throughout the interview process we’ll be keen to hear about your track record in fundraising at a leadership level and your experience of making an impact on an organisation of our size or larger. You will demonstrate how you develop strategies and implement them successfully, show an understanding of DSWF’s existing development portfolio, and a view on where you see you might help to take us over the next 3 years and beyond.

Application Process
To apply, please email a CV and supporting statement of no more than two pages no later than Monday 15th June.

JOB DESCRIPTION
Role: Director of Development (DoD)
Reports to: CEO
Works closely with: CEO/COO/CFO as part of the SMT
Line manages: Development Team: Development Manager, Trust and Foundations Manager, Development Executive, CRM Executive
Hours: Part-time, 28 hours per week (4 days)
Location: Hybrid working between the DSWF Shalford Office (GU4 8JU) for a minimum of two days per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays), and home with occasional travel
Annual Leave: 25 days per annum pro rata. Bank Holidays are also provided, and at DSWF’s discretion the office usually closes between Christmas and New Year (additional to annual leave)
Salary: Competitive executive-level salary dependent on experience and breadth of impact. Please ask for salary range on application.
Start date: Asap.

Summary of the Role
The Director of Development (DoD) provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all fundraising income and supporter engagement activity at DSWF. The role is accountable for delivering sustainable, diversified revenue growth aligned with DSWF’s mission across conservation, education and art, while building lasting relationships with major donors, trusts, foundations, corporate partners and senior supporters.

Working in close partnership with the CEO, COO, CFO, and Board of Trustees, the DoD translates organisational strategy into compelling Cases for Support, effective fundraising plans and measurable outcomes. The postholder leads and develops a high-performing Development team, ensuring strong delivery and continuous improvement.

As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), the Director shares responsibility for shaping the Foundation’s overall direction, contributing to governance, organisational culture and high-level strategic decision-making.

This is a pivotal position combining senior management with hands-on major gift fundraising and team leadership. Central to enabling the Foundation’s long-term impact and growth, the DoD is a driving force behind DSWF’s ability to successfully deliver its mission to protect endangered species in Africa and Asia.

Key responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
•Lead on the development, implementation, delivery and continuous refinement of DSWF’s multi-year Development strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and long-term financial sustainability.
•Advise the CEO and Trustees on fundraising performance, trends, risks and opportunities.
•Own and articulate the organisational Case/s for Support, ensuring a clear, compelling narrative that integrates conservation impact, education outcomes and artistic heritage.
•Working closely with the rest of the SMT, embed a culture of philanthropy across the organisation, enabling all team members, Trustees and ambassadors to actively support income generation.
•As part of SMT, be jointly responsible for over-arching decisions regarding the direction of the Foundation, its mission, strategies and culture.

Major & Strategic Fundraising
•Working closely with the CEO, cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of DSWF’s most significant donors and prospects, including major individual donors, trusts and foundations, legacy campaigns and strategic partners.
•Responsible, alongside the CEO, for the overall management of all corporate partnerships and sponsors.
•Design and lead bespoke solicitation strategies for new high-value prospects, involving the CEO, Trustees and senior colleagues as appropriate.
•Oversee the development of structured approaches to major giving, trusts & foundations, legacy giving and corporate partnerships.
•Have strategic oversight of lower-level individual giving programmes including appeals, regular individual giving and adoption schemes.
•Be responsible and ensure best practice in prospect research, due diligence, stewardship and ethical fundraising.

Team Leadership & Management
•Lead, manage and develop the Development team, setting clear objectives, KPIs and income targets aligned to the overall strategy.
•Ensure the structure, resourcing and capabilities of the team are fit for purpose and scalable as income grows.
•Coach and support all those within the organisation that are responsible for fundraising, providing professional leadership, mentoring and performance management.
•Lead on all training and offer career progression for all staff within the Development team.
•Foster strong collaboration between Development and all departments, including; Policy and Programmes, Marketing and Communications, Education, Art, Finance and Operations.

Supporter Engagement
•Represent DSWF externally with senior donors, partners and sector peers, enhancing the organisation’s profile and credibility.
•Oversee a high-quality supporter journey across all touchpoints, ensuring donors feel valued, informed and connected to impact including lower-level individual giving.
•Champion systematic all level stewardship, donor care and impact reporting to maximise retention, lifetime value and advocacy.
•Ensure accurate, GDPR-compliant data capture and effective use of CRM systems (Beacon) to drive insight-led fundraising.

Events
•This senior role will have overall responsibility for any fundraising or donor profile events (at present this would include the Wildlife Ball which is an annual fundraising/profile raising event that takes place at the Dorchester Hotel).
•Working closely with the rest of SMT, this role will direct the Development team to ensure that all events deliver optimum, high level donor experiences and are run professionally (with logistics and operational support from the COO and team).
•This role will have overall responsibility for ensuring the CEO has all information required to support engagement with donors at all events.

Governance & Reporting
•Report on Development performance to the CEO, SMT and Trustees, providing clear analysis against agreed targets.
•Work closely with Finance to support forecasting, budgeting and long-term income planning.
•Work closely with Finance and legal advisors in relation to all legal matters pertaining to legacies and bequests.
•Ensure all Development activity aligns with regulatory, governance and ethical standards.

Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
•Significant senior leadership experience in fundraising and development within complex, mission-driven non-profit organisations, at Director level or equivalent, where philanthropy is critical to organisational impact and growth.
•Significant experience in leading and delivering long-term development strategies, with a demonstrable track record of translating organisational ambition into clear, costed and achievable fundraising plans.
•Proven ability to set strategic direction across multiple income streams, establish measurable objectives and KPIs and use data and insight to monitor performance, evaluate impact and adapt approach over time.
•Experience of driving sustained income growth, strengthening donor pipelines, and delivering measurable outcomes aligned to organisational priorities and long-term sustainability.
•Deep understanding of the UK philanthropic landscape, with well-established networks across major donors, trusts and foundations, corporates and high-net-worth individuals and the ability to build credibility and influence rapidly at national and international levels.
•Demonstrable experience of leading and scaling fundraising income through periods of organisational change, growth or strategic transformation.
•Proven track record of securing transformational gifts and long-term partnerships from individuals, corporates, trusts and foundations.
•Strong history of inspirational leadership, team building and talent development, with the ability to motivate teams towards ambitious shared goals.
•Experience of working with public sector stakeholders and cross-sector partnerships to advance organisational objectives.
•Experience of implementing and embedding robust CRM systems and donor stewardship frameworks to support data-led decision making and excellent supporter journeys.

Personal Skills, Qualities and Attributes
•Exceptional interpersonal, communication and relationship management skills, with the ability to engage, influence and inspire a wide range of stakeholders.
•A collaborative team player who values partnership working and shared success.
•Strategic, visionary thinker with the confidence and credibility to operate at senior leadership and Board level, influencing internal and external decision-makers.
•A strong personal commitment to wildlife conservation, environmental protection and the role of philanthropy in driving long-term change.
•Clear alignment with DSWF’s mission, vision and values, and a genuine passion for advancing David Shepherd’s legacy through impactful fundraising.
•Entrepreneurial and opportunity-led mindset, with the confidence to set and pursue ambitious income and growth targets.
•Resilient, adaptable and resourceful, with the ability to navigate complexity, manage ambiguity and maintain momentum in a fast-evolving environment.
•Credible and compelling ambassador for DSWF, able to represent the organisation confidently with major donors, partners and at public-facing events.
•Willingness to travel and attend events as required to support donor engagement, stewardship and organisational visibility.
•Commitment to being actively engaged in the life of the organisation, contributing to its culture, leadership and long-term success.

Please note that as part of a small team, the role may include occasional additional duties to help meet the charity’s wider needs.

Application Process
To apply, please email a CV and supporting statement of no more than two pages no later than Monday 15th June.