Head of Challenge Events and Community Fundraising

All potential candidates should read through the following details of this job with care before making an application.

£57,986 pa + Excellent benefits

Woking, Surrey GU21 4LL / Hybrid Working (minimum 40% in person collaboration per month)

To avoid missing out, we encourage you to apply as early as possible, as this vacancy may close before the deadline in the event that the right candidate has been found.

About the role

We’re looking for a strategic and results-driven Head of Events and Community Fundraising to lead and grow one of WWF-UK’s most important fundraising income streams. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and deliver an ambitious Events and Community Fundraising strategy, driving sustainable income growth across a diverse portfolio of challenge events, mass participation products and community fundraising activity. You’ll lead the development and evolution of the existing portfolio while identifying and delivering new fundraising products, partnerships and opportunities that engage supporters and grow impact. Working across the organisation and with external partners, you will play a key role in ensuring WWF-UK continues to build strong supporter relationships and deliver excellent fundraising experiences. As an experienced and inspiring leader, you will lead a high-performing team, creating a collaborative, ambitious and supportive environment where people can thrive and deliver strong results. You’ll work closely with senior stakeholders across WWF-UK and externally, building trusted relationships that support innovation, growth and delivery. This role requires a strong combination of strategic thinking and operational delivery. You’ll oversee complex budgets, performance reporting and planning, using insight, evidence and supporter feedback to drive decision-making, continuous improvement and long-term growth. We’re looking for someone who brings strong fundraising expertise, commercial awareness, creativity and a proactive mindset, alongside a genuine passion for delivering meaningful supporter engagement and impact.

Skills and experience

• Essential
• Extensive experience in Events and/or Community Fundraising, with a strong track record of delivering and growing income
• Significant experience of developing and delivering successful fundraising strategies and plans that achieve measurable results
• Experience of driving growth across fundraising products, events, partnerships or community fundraising activity
• Proven experience of developing, launching and scaling new fundraising products, events or income-generating initiatives
• Strong experience of leading, motivating and developing high-performing teams
• Experience of managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, priorities and deliverables
• Significant experience of setting, managing and delivering large-scale income and expenditure budgets
• Experience of managing senior-level internal and external relationships, including corporates, sponsors, suppliers or strategic partners
• Strong understanding of supporter acquisition, retention and lifetime value approaches
• Experience of leading effective fundraising marketing or supporter engagement activity across multiple channels
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to use insight, evidence and performance data to drive decision-making and continuous improvement
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills
• Experience of working collaboratively across teams and functions to deliver shared organisational goals
• Good understanding of fundraising regulation, compliance, GDPR and supporter data responsibilities
• Strong organisational, planning and prioritisation skills
• Ability to lead through change, bring people with you and create clarity and focus within teams
• Results-focused, proactive and solutions-oriented approach

• Desirable
• Experience working within the charity or not-for-profit sector
• Experience of negotiating and managing contracts or supplier agreements
• Experience of community-led fundraising or mass participation campaigns
• Confident and engaging public speaking or presentation skills
• Experience of working across complex or matrix organisations
• Understanding of innovative fundraising trends, products and audience engagement approaches

What we offer

We believe in rewarding our team with more than just a salary. Here’s what you can expect:

• Annual leave starting at 26 days a year pro-rated, rising one day each year to 31 days plus bank holidays
• Flexible working options, to support your work life balance
• 5% employer contribution to pension, rising to 10% with employee contribution
• Learning and development opportunities to help you grow
• Regular wellbeing initiatives to support your health and happiness.

This is a UK based contract, and you are required to have the Right to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer sponsorship and any offer of employment will be subject to evidence of your Right to Work in the UK. This role is hybrid with a minimum 40% of your contracted hours spent at our beautiful UK head office, the Living Planet Centre in Woking, Surrey, where you’ll hot desk among trees and gardens.

About WWF-UK

We're a global conservation charity with millions of supporters and hundreds of projects around the world. At WWF-UK, we’re bringing our world back to life. Protecting what’s left isn’t enough. We’re racing to restore nature and prevent catastrophic climate change. And it’s a race we can win with everyone’s help. We’re courageous, passionate, and driven by science. For more than 60 years we’ve been at the forefront of global efforts to protect wildlife and the natural world. We work with integrity, collaboration and deep respect for those we partner with.

How to apply

Click the link to apply via our website. You’ll be asked to complete an application form and upload your CV and a supporting statement that tells us why you’ll be a great addition to WWF-UK.

Application closing date 10/06/2026

Our Diversity Promise to You

At the heart of our mission is a simple truth: the planet needs everyone. That means you - in all your uniqueness, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or how you choose to express yourself. We don’t do stereotypes. We work together with purpose, driven by passion and enhanced by respect, courage, and integrity. We pull together from all walks of life to fight for a better future, and we want you to feel supported every step of the way. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident employer and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and identities. So, if there’s anything we can do to make your application or interview experience more comfortable or accessible, just give our Talent Acquisition Team a shout via our website.

Safeguarding Commitment

Just as we celebrate diversity in all its forms, we are equally dedicated to creating a safe environment for every person we work with or encounter. Our commitment extends to children, adults at risk, and individuals experiencing any form of vulnerability, whether temporary or permanent. We proudly stand behind CAPSEAH (Common Approach to Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment) and put this commitment into action through clear policies, thorough training, and recruitment checks tailored to each role, which may include external vetting. If you ever have a concern, however big or small, know that there are confidential channels ready to support you at WWF-UK. We promise to respond promptly and with care, because protecting every individual is at the heart of everything we do.