- Type /of appointment: Full-time
- Reporting to: Chief Executive
- Location: Hybrid (including GWCT offices in London & Fordingbridge)
- Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week
- Salary: Commensurate with experience
Job Purpose
To strategically lead our charitable income strategy and activities from (among others) major donors, trusts and foundations, GWCT County Groups, London Events, partners in the USA, and our membership, maximising fundraising capacity and taking a data-led and contemporary approach to fundraising that makes a fundamental contribution to the Trust’s strategic plan and objectives.
Our vision
As a wildlife and countryside research charity, we carry out research that both confirms and discovers knowledge, informs policy, supports the development of best practice advice, and helps conserve biodiversity for the future. We strive to share this work, its findings, and the GWCT expertise behind it with those it will be useful and interesting, and to maximise its impact.
Who will you be working with at GWCT?
- Head of Fundraising & the London Office Events Team
- Regional Organisers and Fundraisers
- Volunteer Fundraising Groups
- The Fundraising Committee
- Chief Executive
- GWCT Directors
- The Membership Team
- GCUSA
- Prospect Researcher
- Other staff members who may from time to time be appointed to fundraising roles
Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Organisational Development
- Strategic income planning – the director owns the charitable income target and the integrated strategy for hitting it, creating clear targets and KPIs to ensure fundraising activity meets acceptable levels in terms of ROI/value for money.
- Effectively collaborate and agree the strategy and fundraising targets with the CEO.
- Working closely with the CEO, ensure that our internal structures and processes are suitable for a strategic approach to charitable income generation, operating in as co-ordinated and efficient a manner as possible.
- To provide first-class leadership and management to all direct reports and act as a role model to all GWCT staff.
- To build constructive relationships at all levels within the Trust, especially with Directors, Heads of Departments/Projects and members of Council.
- Develop a thorough knowledge of the Trust, its history, but particularly its research projects, policy, and public affairs in order to present a coherent and compelling story to prospects and donors
Fundraising, Stewardship and Prospect Development
- Supporter strategy and “journey management” – effectively using the new CRM and other tools, the director oversees supporter segmentation and journey mapping, managing co-ordination between teams (both within and outside the department) and avoiding tensions or silos emerging.
- Prospect ensuring co-ordination across the Trust, to identify, cultivate and secure prospects, and to develop a long-term strategy and pipeline for future major donors.
- To review and develop new systems to ensure the best stewardship of all major donors and prospects.
- To evolve and expand beyond our existing direct mail focused legacy fundraising program to build a robust legacy pipeline.
- To manage the Trust’s appeals programme, working closely with Research, Advisory and Marketing colleagues to maximise income from project-specific fundraising.
- To encourage and facilitate fundraising by the Executive, Trustees and key supporters of the Trust via their networks and contacts.
- Provide direction and guidance to senior volunteers to ensure a high level of volunteer commitment.
Cross-organisational and Regional Collaboration
- Cross-departmental co-ordination – in particular with the income generation aspects of our Research and Advisory departments, and also supporter/donor outreach through our marketing function, and fundraising activity in Scotland and Wales, and for research and development farm at the Allerton Project.
- UK-wide co-ordination -to liaise closely with the Director of Scotland over major donor fundraising in Scotland and to advise on the National Raffle, the Scottish Auction and Scottish Regional Groups; and to work with the Director of Wales on all fundraising activity.
- To liaise closely with the Director of Membership, Marketing & Communications who currently has responsibility for charitable income from membership, direct mail and online fundraising.
- To work with the Game Conservancy USA in order to enhance and expand GCUSA fundraising in America.
Financial Management, Compliance & Reporting
- Regulatory and ethical oversight – the director will need to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements (e.g. Fundraising Regulator, Gambling Commission, GDPR) and ethical issues that may arise, working in conjunction with CEO and other directors, particularly to manage reputational considerations
- Manage and monitor budget income and expenditure and plan future budgets/financial forecasts in consultation with the CEO, CFO and Finance & General Purposes Committee.
- To consult with the CEO and CFO on day-to-day financial matters and provide all information necessary for reports to Directors, the Financial and General Purposes Committee and Council.
Person Specification
Strategic Leadership & Planning
- High level of experience working in a senior Fundraising role, with demonstrable previous experience in strategic planning and successful delivery - Essential
- Strong leadership and people management skills, with experience of working within a senior level team - Essential
- Ability to working strategically with all areas of GWCT and develop a strong understanding of what we offer and how this can motivate teams and volunteers to understand how their contribution helps towards our strategic goals and fundraising objectives - Desirable
Fundraising Expertise
- High level of experience or proven aptitude for high value fundraising, particularly major donors - Essential
- Significant experience of working with volunteer committees to deliver prestigious events and an understanding of how to engage and motivate them - Desirable
- An innovative, forward thinker, who can drive our fundraising and membership to a new audience, as well as continuing to engage and nurture our existing, long standing and valued members - Essential
- A demonstrable understanding of exploiting a CRM system, with experience in maximising use of this tool to engage and increase Trust Membership and fundraising capability - Essential
- Highly effective communicator, comfortable and experienced in engaging with people at all levels, from major donors and prospects to event volunteers - Essential
- Strong financial skills, including budgeting, monitoring and forecasting, ensuring fundraising targets are achieved - Essential
Sector Knowledge
- A strong “feel” for, and ability to connect on a personal level with, our core supporter constituency; along with an appreciation of what motivates them to support causes such as GWCT, especially HNWIs and prominent individuals operating in our sector - Desirable
- A keen understanding, passion and knowledge of the countryside and associated lifestyle/pursuits - Preferable
How to apply
The GWCT are delighted to be partnering with The Talent Set to recruit for this pivotal senior leadership role at the heart of the organisation.
Expressions of interest, questions, and applications should be sent to Naomi Carruthers. Please get in touch as soon as possible, the deadline for applications (CV and cover letter) is Wednesday 22nd April, with 1st stage interviews commencing on 28th April and 1st May.