Senior Development Manager

OVERVIEW

At Earthwatch we’re passionate about creating impactful projects that address some of the biggest environmental challenges facing our planet. We are currently looking for a motivated and experienced fundraising professional to join our team on a fixed term contract, who will own the delivery of our trusts and foundations fundraising strategy and support our Major Donor work and individual giving. 

Reporting to the Director of Philanthropy and working within the Fundraising and Communications Team, you will investigate strategic funding opportunities for our priority areas of work to create an ongoing pipeline of funding applications that stand out from the crowd. You will also contribute to the development of creative new major donor appeals and individual giving campaigns to support our ambitious income targets for the next financial year.

This is a unique opportunity for someone who is seeking to use their fundraising experience to assist a pioneering environmental organisation at an exciting time in our development. The successful candidate will be a self-starter who can take the initiative, with a hands-on approach and extensive experience in charity fundraising.

Earthwatch is an environmental charity with science at its heart. We drive the change needed to live within our means and in balance with nature. We do this by connecting people with the natural world, monitoring the health of our natural resources, and informing the actions that will have the greatest positive impact. 

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK – Earthwatch cannot support visa applications for this role.

ROLE PURPOSE

To have overall responsibility for delivery of the funding targets and to feed into the development of the Income Generation Strategy. To contribute to Earthwatch’s ‘non corporate’ income stream, with specific responsibility for developing and growing income from trusts and foundations, and supporting income generation from individual givers and major donors, driving us to achieve a step change in income growth.

KEY DELIVERABLES

• Have overall responsibility for attainment of pipeline and funding targets. Managing and working with the Trusts and Foundations Coordinator on grant applications to charitable trusts and foundations (T&F) to ensure an average of £1m of applications per Quarter, with 10% of this being secured as funding.
• Plan and monitor progress of T&F funding for subsequent financial years to build a sufficient pipeline to achieve Financial Plan targets.
• Work collaboratively with the Income Generation Working Group, overseeing the strategic allocation of funding priorities amongst Earthwatch programmes and projects and, in conjunction with project managers, proactively identify the most appropriate funder for specific projects.
• Provide strategic guidance on suitability of proposals for suggested funding programmes along with direction on whether an application complies with the strategic aims of funders.
• Identify and build new funding opportunities, in addition to exploiting existing ones.
• Manage and develop team members; anticipate shifts in organisational funding priorities and facilitate any subsequent need for change within team capacity and capability
• Work in collaboration with project managers to ensure projects are appropriately resourced and costed (both for EW and the funder). 
• Ensure team members have the tools and knowledge required to deliver required high quality funding proposals, including championing effective use of our CRM system and compliance with data protection regulations
• Contribute to supporter development plans, including the identification and stewardship of new supporters who have the potential to be developed into major donors.
• Contribute to the development of major donor and individual giving campaigns and appeals, resulting in a pipeline to deliver the target of circa £800,000 in FY22.

• Ensure Earthwatch can effectively demonstrate accountability to its donors for the way in which the funds are spent.

The above list of job deliverables is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and level of the post

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrable passion for environmental issues and sustainability, with an understanding of the environmental sector
• Significant experience of working in and managing a fundraising team to achieve successful results against challenging targets; with direct experience of successful grant writing and major donor/individual fundraising
• Detailed Trust and Foundation fundraising knowledge (research, solicitation and stewardship of organisational funding bodies) with a demonstrable track record in securing significant funds
• Thorough understanding of new business development with proven experience of taking a prospect from research to securing success
• Proactive approach to spotting new business opportunities and strong creative and lateral thinking skills to develop tailored propositions and cultivation plans for new prospects
• Ability to draft complex trust applications and produce accurate financial supporting documents
• Experience of managing events for major donors both online and in person
• Knowledge of current and future trends in major donors, trusts and foundations and individual giving in UK & Europe
• An excellent eye for detail with knowledge of GDPR and Fundraising Regulations
• Competent user of CRM systems, experience of Microsoft Dynamics is desirable
• Creativity and drive to succeed, willing and able to take on an exciting new challenge
• Problem solver with the ability to implement effective strategies and action plans
• Experience of contributing to a highly collaborative team approach
• Commitment to Earthwatch Europe’s mission and values