Deputy Fundraising Director

Job Description

Our organisation is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction. Their vision is a greener, healthier and more peaceful planet, one that can sustain life for generations to come.

We are seeking a strategic leader to oversee its Key Relationships Team, actively engage with our organisational leadership – contributing to key initiatives around inclusivity, anti-racism, and broader accountability – and lead the UK’s 2025 contribution to the global capital campaign. This role ofers the chance to make a significant impact by leading a high-performing team and playing a key role in our overall leadership.

• Job title: Deputy Fundraising Director, Key Relationships
• Reporting to: Fundraising Director
• Responsible for: 12-person Key Relationships Team
• Salary: £66,192 - £72,576
• Contract: 12-month fixed-term contract
• Hours: Full-time, open to part-time (no less than 80% FTE) or compressed hours
• Location: Hybrid working, with minimum 2dpw in Islington, London office
• Closing date: Wednesday 6th November
• Right to work: Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship will NOT be offered for this role.

As Deputy Fundraising Director, Key Relationships, you will lead a talented Key Relationships Team of twelve, responsible for raising nearly £15.5 million annually from major donors, legacies, and mid-level giving. Your leadership will maintain the team’s strong performance while driving growth, including the UK’s contribution towards our global capital campaign in 2025.

The capital campaign is a global effort to raise €100 million by 2028, funding the construction of a new ship and the environmental campaigns it will support. For 2025, the UK’s target is to secure £4 million, split equally between the ship’s construction and supporting key environmental campaigns.

As a strategic leader, you’ll work closely with senior stakeholders across our organisation and internationally, playing a key role in driving organisational fundraising performance, cultural initiatives, and our overall strategic direction.

As Deputy Fundraising Director, Key Relationships, you will:

• Collaborate with senior leadership across our UK office and International to align on key strategies and deliver shared outcomes.
• Lead a high-performing team responsible for raising £15.5 million from major gifts, legacies, and mid-level giving.
• Guide the Key Relationship team’s UK contribution to our €100 million global capital campaign, raising £4 million in 2025.
• Support the team in developing and managing current and prospective relationships with high-value donors.

Essential criteria:

• Extensive experience of establishing and sustaining relationships with senior-level external stakeholders and/or funders.
• Cross-organisational collaboration experience, with a proven ability to work effectively with senior internal stakeholders, driving collaboration and strategic alignment.
• A strategic leader with experience overseeing high-value income streams.
• Expertise in relationship fundraising and a proven track record of delivering six-figure income from high-value donors.
• Demonstrable experience of leading, managing, motivating, and inspiring high-performing teams, including managing managers.
• Strong budget management skills and experience delivering against financial targets.
• A commitment to diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism, with a willingness to continually learn and foster a positive and inclusive culture.

Desirable, but not essential:

• Capital campaign experience would be advantageous.
• Track record of securing seven-figure donations.
• Experience of overseeing legacy functions – public facing campaigns, prospecting, stewardship and administration.
• Ability and willingness to travel overseas for short periods, with occasional unsocial hours as required.
• Experience of overseeing a celebrity and key influencer function.