At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop strategies for trusts and foundations to boost global conservation funding.
- Company: Join BirdLife International, a leader in global conservation efforts.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, and a competitive pension scheme.
- Other info: Work in the iconic David Attenborough Building and access 13,000+ courses on LinkedIn Learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global conservation while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Experience in fundraising and managing relationships with trusts and foundations.
The predicted salary is between 67000 - 67000 £ per year.
Application deadline: Monday 5 October 2026 – 09:00 BST
Location: Cambridge, UK (hybrid working, minimum one day per week in Cambridge)
Full-time: 35 hours per week
Contract: Open-ended
Salary: £62,000 - £67,000 per annum depending on skills/experience, plus competitive 12% pension benefit
Annual Leave: 25 days pro rata in year 1, increasing by 1 day p/a to 28 days
We’re BirdLife International, the only global Partnership conserving birds and all life on our planet. We exist to give one voice to nature, and to unite and strengthen conservation across borders.
Reporting to the Chief Development Officer and working closely with colleagues globally, the Head of Trusts and Foundations will lead the organisation’s largest income-generation area. Much of this support comes through relationship-led, long-term, multi-year partnerships that underpin the organisation’s global conservation work. Seeking to grow, develop and diversify this area, the Head of Trusts and Foundations will play both an operational and strategic role – personally winning and managing larger accounts, as well as developing the team and the strategy. The successful candidate will inherit a committed and experienced international team, a strong portfolio of existing funders and an organisation with a globally respected conservation mission. They will also play a critical role in shaping the next phase of growth and helping BirdLife expand its reach among major funders globally.
How you will do this:
- Develop and execute a comprehensive trusts & foundations strategy to grow restricted and lightly restricted multi-year income globally.
- Lead, coach and develop the 3-person Trusts & Foundations team.
- Represent Trusts & Foundations on the Development Management Team to steward the Development programme at BirdLife and collectively lead transformational change, especially the shared delivery of the Development strategy.
- Represent Trusts & Foundations on the Principal Gifts Working Group to progress transformational trust and foundation opportunities alongside principal gifts.
- Identify opportunities to grow BirdLife’s global trusts and foundations donor base.
- Personally develop and manage BirdLife’s largest and most complex trust and foundation relationships and lead cultivation of transformational trust and foundation prospects.
- Set and monitor trusts & foundations income targets and performance goals; track progress, pipeline health and compliance status and provide regular reports to leadership on revenue generation, taking corrective action as needed.
- Manage the Trusts & Foundations team budget, recruitment and resource allocation.
What we are looking for:
- This role would suit a seasoned trusts and foundations leader, ideally with experience in the conservation and/or international NGO space. We are looking for someone who enjoys being a player-coach, both hands-on and strategic, with experience securing and managing transformative (6- and 7-figure) grants – and coaching others to do the same.
- Experience personally raising six- and seven-figure grants from trusts and foundation donors and managing ongoing relationships with them.
- Experience of successfully developing and delivering a trusts & foundations fundraising strategy.
- Experience working in an international, complex, not-for-profit environment.
- Experience managing a small trusts & foundations team, including budgetary responsibility.
- Expert knowledge of current and evolving trusts & foundations fundraising practice.
- Good understanding of climate, biodiversity, civil society and nature conservation issues, or willingness to learn.
- Solid knowledge of restricted funding compliance, reporting and grant management.
Some of our benefits:
- We are able to offer a hybrid model of working on-site and from home/remote for most roles, which helps to ensure a flexible work-life balance.
- A chance to work in the award-winning David Attenborough Building, which brings together much of the Cambridge-based conservation community on a ‘conservation campus.’
- A generous pension scheme, up to 12% company contribution.
- Holiday starting at 25 days excluding Bank Holidays and increasing for every year of service up to a maximum of 28 days.
- Full access to LinkedIn Learning with access to more than 13,000 high-quality, on-demand courses.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Employee Assistance Programme, including access to Health Assured online health portal.
BirdLife values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and supportive culture, a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We aim to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts all candidates and signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity.
We know that everyone’s needs are different. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, let us know, we’ll do our best to make it happen.
Please note that BirdLife are partnering with Peridot on this vacancy, on clicking apply, you will be redirected to their website to complete your application.
Head of Trusts and Foundations in Cambridge employer: Birdlife International
BirdLife International is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to vital conservation efforts while working remotely. With a strong commitment to employee growth and a collaborative work culture, team members are encouraged to develop their skills through meaningful projects that make a real impact on biodiversity. The flexibility of remote work combined with the chance to engage with local partners in Côte d’Ivoire makes this role particularly rewarding for those passionate about environmental conservation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Trusts and Foundations in Cambridge
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Birdlife International.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Birdlife International.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Birdlife International.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Birdlife International. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Trusts and Foundations in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Birdlife International. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Head of Trusts and Foundations, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Birdlife International
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Birdlife International. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
