Development Director, UK and Europe

IMPORTANT: All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the country where the position is located. Room to Read is not able to provide sponsorship.

Position Overview

Room to Read is seeking an experienced fundraising leader to lead and grow its UK and Europe markets. This role is responsible for setting regional strategy, delivering revenue, and driving consistent execution across a multi-million-pound portfolio spanning major gifts, corporate and foundation partnerships, and events. The Director will personally manage a portfolio of major donors while overseeing overall market performance, including pipeline development, forecasting, and prioritisation. The role requires clear judgment on where to focus effort, the ability to make trade-offs, and a disciplined approach to converting opportunity into revenue. The Director will manage and develop a small, geographically distributed team and work closely with senior colleagues, regional board members, and volunteer networks to strengthen donor engagement and expand Room to Read’s presence across the UK and Europe. They will also act as a key external representative, building relationships with donors and partners and supporting high-value fundraising activity. This is a hands-on leadership role, combining strategic oversight with direct delivery. The successful candidate will bring a track record of securing significant gifts and the ability to translate strategy into consistent, measurable growth.

Responsibilities

• Revenue Ownership & Portfolio Leadership (35–40%)
  • Own and deliver the UK/Europe annual revenue target ($6MM+) across major gifts, partnerships, and events.
  • Personally manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects, with responsibility for securing significant gifts.
  • Lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategy across the market.
  • Maintain pipeline discipline, ensuring consistent movement from prospecting through close.
  • Oversee forecasting, track performance, and proactively manage risk and upside.
• Strategy & Market Leadership (20–25%)
  • Set and lead the regional fundraising strategy aligned to organisational priorities.
  • Identify highest-potential donor segments and priority accounts.
  • Translate strategy into clear plans with defined goals, pipeline focus, and execution cadence.
  • Monitor donor behaviour and portfolio performance to refine approach.
  • Ensure team effort is focused on activities that drive revenue.
• Board, Donor & External Engagement (15–20%)
  • Build and manage relationships with major donors, partners, and external stakeholders.
  • Partner with regional board members and volunteer leaders to unlock networks and introductions.
  • Prepare and support senior colleagues for donor engagement.
  • Represent Room to Read externally in donor meetings, events, and relationship-building settings.
• Team Leadership & Performance Management (10–15%)
  • Lead, manage, and develop a small, geographically distributed team of two to three.
  • Set clear priorities, performance expectations, and accountability.
  • Coach team members on donor management and fundraising execution.
  • Ensure clarity in roles and ways of working to avoid duplication or gaps.
• Events & Market Presence (5–10%)
  • Oversee strategy for key fundraising events (e.g., galas, cultivation events).
  • Ensure events support donor development and revenue generation.
  • Identify opportunities to increase visibility with target donor audiences.
• Cross-functional Leadership & Operations (5–10%)
  • Collaborate with global teams (partnerships, marketing, operations) to support delivery.
  • Ensure accurate forecasting, reporting, and data quality.
  • Contribute to broader development strategy and cross-market learning.

What Success Looks Like

Strong performers in this role typically demonstrate:

• A strong ownership mentality, taking accountability for revenue outcomes, proactively solving problems, and driving work forward without waiting for direction.
• Excellent prioritisation and judgment, with the ability to focus effort on the highest-value opportunities while balancing short-term revenue goals with long-term donor relationship building.
• Consistent pipeline discipline, including strong forecasting, active portfolio management, and clear visibility into risks and opportunities.
• The ability to translate strategy into execution by aligning teams, board members, and stakeholders around clear priorities and measurable fundraising goals.

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience in fundraising or business development, including ownership of revenue targets.
• Proven success securing six- and seven-figure gifts from individuals, foundations, or corporates.
• Track record of personally securing $3MM+ annually.
• Experience managing donor portfolios and pipelines, including forecasting.
• Experience developing and delivering fundraising strategy tied to revenue growth.
• Experience working with boards and senior stakeholders to generate funding.
• Experience managing and developing staff.
• Full professional proficiency in English, with strong written and verbal communication skills, to deliver credibility with senior external audiences.
• Willingness to travel for donor meetings and events.

Preferred

• Experience fundraising in the UK and/or Europe.
• Experience using events as part of a fundraising strategy.
• Experience working across multiple countries or in an international organisation.

Child Protection Principles

Room to Read is committed to the education and welfare of children and protecting them from abuse and exploitation. Room to Read has zero tolerance for child abuse and exploitation. All children have the right to be free from abuse and exploitation, including neglect, maltreatment, and physical, mental or sexual violence, injury or abuse. All children should be treated with respect and dignity. The well-being of the child is Room to Read’s first priority when dealing with all identified or suspected cases of child abuse. Room to Read shall integrate child protection into all its organizational strategies, structures and work practices.

Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Principles

Room to Read Representatives must create and maintain an environment that prevents sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. Room to Read has zero tolerance for adult sexual exploitation and abuse. Sexual exploitation and abuse are serious violations of fundamental human rights and will not be accepted or tolerated. All adults should be treated with respect and dignity. Room to Read implements a survivor-centered approach, putting the survivor’s rights and dignity at the forefront. Survivors referred to available professional assistance (e.g. mental health counselling), upon consent.

Room to Read is an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds.

Room to Read is a child-safe organization; all personnel must adhere to Room to Read’s Child Protection Policy, Child Protection Code of Conduct and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Policy.

About Room to Read:

Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children, Room to Read envisions a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality, where all children have room to read, learn and grow – creating lasting change. Through our Literacy Portfolio, we train and coach teachers of the early grades in literacy instruction; create and publish quality books and curricular materials in local languages; and establish children’s libraries filled with diverse children’s books that can be enjoyed at school and home. Our Gender Equality Portfolio supports adolescents, particularly girls, in developing life skills that promote gender equality, helping them to pursue lifelong learning and make informed decisions. We support young people of all genders to overcome gender biases and build the knowledge and skills to create a gender-equal world. Room to Read collaborates with local communities, partner organizations, publishers, and governments to test and implement innovative models that can be integrated into the education system to deliver positive outcomes for children at scale. To date, Room to Read has benefited more than 50 million children in 28 countries. Learn more at www.roomtoread.org.