At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fundraising efforts to secure vital funding for nature recovery projects.
- Company: Join The Wildlife Trusts, a grassroots movement dedicated to wildlife conservation and community engagement.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and the chance to make a real impact on nature.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team driving change for wildlife and communities across the UK.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience in fundraising or relationship management are essential.
- Other info: We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds and offer support for candidates with disabilities.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 46000 £ per year.
Newark - Hybrid working with regular travel to other places of work
Up to £41,500 per annum
Full time (35 hours per week)
Permanent contract
Closing date for applications: 29th June 2025
First interview: 14th July 2025
Second interview: 22nd July 2025
About Us
The Wildlife Trusts are a grassroots movement of people from a wide range of backgrounds and all walks of life, who believe that we need nature and nature needs us. We have more than 944,000 members, over 38,000 volunteers, 3,600 staff and 600 trustees. There are 46 individual Wildlife Trusts, each of which is a place-based independent charity with its own legal identity, formed by groups of people getting together and working with others to make a positive difference to wildlife and future generations, starting where they live and work. Every Wildlife Trust is part of The Wildlife Trusts federation and a corporate member of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, a registered charity in its own right founded in 1912 and one of the founding members of IUCN – the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Taken together this federation of 47 charities is known as The Wildlife Trusts.
The next few years will be critical in determining what kind of world we all live in. We need to urgently reverse the loss of wildlife and put nature into recovery at scale if we are to prevent climate and ecological disaster. We recognise that this will require big, bold changes in the way The Wildlife Trusts work, not least in how we mobilise others and support them to organise within their own communities.
About you
Are you passionate about raising funds to make a real difference to nature in the UK? We are seeking an exceptional person to develop our opportunities to secure funding from charitable trusts and foundations, with a focus on growing our reach among international funders, to enable The Wildlife Trusts to achieve our ambitious goals for nature’s recovery. Based within our Fundraising team and working closely with our Senior Leadership Team and colleagues across the organisation, you will be instrumental in growing our fundraising through relationship development and excellent stewardship.
You will be a motivated and resilient self-starter, enthusiastic about meeting new people and engaging them with our work. You will be skilled in researching funders and confident working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and with colleagues across the organisation to identify and utilise networking opportunities (both online and in person).
You will be a talented communicator, skilled in developing a compelling case for support to secure funding and in managing relationships with funders, both directly and with colleagues. A strategic and creative thinker, you will see the connections between different priorities and areas of work and create opportunities to raise the profile of our work with potential funders.
The Wildlife Trusts value passion, respect, trust, integrity, pragmatic activism and strength in diversity. Whilst we are passionate in promoting our aims, we are not judgmental and are inclusive. We particularly encourage applications from people who are underrepresented within our sector, including people from minority backgrounds and people with disabilities. We are committed to creating a movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities.
RSWT take our Safeguarding responsibilities extremely seriously. The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk. For applicable roles, applicants must be willing to undergo checks with past employers and Disclosure and Barring Service checks at the eligible level.
As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to offering an interview to anyone with a disability that meets all the essential criteria for the post. Please let us know if you require any adjustments to make our recruitment process more accessible.
RSWT are committed to increasing the diversity of its staff through its Levelling the Field recruitment pledge and will put any ethnic minority applicants that meet all the essential criteria for the post through to the next stage of recruitment.
Please be aware we may not accept applications if we have reason to believe they have been wholly produced using generative AI tools.
Fundraising Development Manager employer: The Wildlife Trusts
Contact Detail:
The Wildlife Trusts Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Fundraising Development Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network actively within the conservation and fundraising sectors. Attend relevant events, webinars, and workshops to meet potential funders and like-minded professionals. Building relationships in person can significantly enhance your chances of securing funding.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the specific interests and priorities of potential funders. Tailor your conversations and outreach efforts to align with their goals, demonstrating how your work at The Wildlife Trusts can help them achieve their objectives.
✨Tip Number 3
Develop a strong personal brand that reflects your passion for wildlife conservation. Use social media platforms to share insights, success stories, and updates about your work, which can attract the attention of potential funders.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by practising your pitch. Be ready to articulate not only your experience but also your vision for how you can contribute to The Wildlife Trusts' mission. Show enthusiasm and confidence in your ability to drive fundraising efforts.
We think you need these skills to ace Fundraising Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Organisation: Before applying, take time to understand The Wildlife Trusts' mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their work in nature conservation and fundraising efforts. This will help you tailor your application to reflect their goals.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any previous experience in fundraising, particularly with charitable trusts and foundations. Showcase your skills in relationship development and stewardship, as these are crucial for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should clearly articulate your passion for nature conservation and your motivation for wanting to work with The Wildlife Trusts. Use specific examples of how your skills and experiences align with the job requirements.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that your documents are well-structured and professional. A polished application reflects your attention to detail.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Wildlife Trusts
✨Research The Wildlife Trusts
Before your interview, take the time to understand The Wildlife Trusts' mission, values, and recent initiatives. This will not only show your genuine interest in the organisation but also help you align your answers with their goals.
✨Prepare Your Fundraising Success Stories
Be ready to discuss specific examples of your past fundraising successes. Highlight how you developed relationships with funders and secured funding, as this will demonstrate your capability in the role of Fundraising Development Manager.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a talented communicator, you should be prepared to articulate your ideas clearly and persuasively. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms, as this will be crucial when developing compelling cases for support.
✨Demonstrate Your Strategic Thinking
Think about how you can connect different priorities and areas of work within the organisation. Be ready to discuss how you would create opportunities to raise the profile of The Wildlife Trusts with potential funders.