Development Director UK & Europe

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.

• 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.
• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

The salary range for this position is between £72,540-81,644 gross annually, depending on experience, fundraising track record, and market alignment. Room to Read also offers a competitive benefits package, generous annual leave, and the opportunity to work within a mission-driven international organization focused on educational equity and literacy outcomes globally.

Room to Read is proud to be 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 are expected to adhere to Room to Read’s Child Protection Policy and Child Protection Code of Conduct.