Philanthropy Manager

Job Description

Are you a successful major gifts fundraiser who is looking for a new challenge and is keen to work at Europe’s largest conservation organisation?

Our high-achieving Philanthropy Team is looking to recruit a Philanthropy Manager to help grow our donor portfolio and further increase philanthropic income for the RSPB. We are looking for an experienced major gifts fundraiser to join our friendly and hard-working team who will help us achieve our ambitious goals.

You will be responsible for cultivating a portfolio of prospects and donors through a range of engagement, to gain their financial support for programmes, projects and the wider RSPB. Working with colleagues in relevant departments, countries and regions, you will manage donor relationships and solicitation strategies to achieve the best outcome for the RSPB

What's the role about?

As a team player with a positive and diligent approach, you will:

• Look after your own portfolio of donors as well as reaching out to prospects and new donors. You will be responsible for fundraising information to advance plans and ensure prospect and donor records are accurate, incorporating any changes, new activities, updated plans, and new information as well as adding new relationships in keeping with data protection and team procedures.
• Work closely with your team and wider organisation colleagues to implement solicitation strategies, to secure financial support either by direct solicitation, preparing a written proposal, or working with senior management to make a solicitation.
• Be involved in the development of funding proposals for approved priority projects that will inspire potential donors to secure gifts.
• Contribute to the planning of and participate actively in events (face to face and online) to build relationships with donors and prospects for future income and to demonstrate the impact of gifts already received.
• Arrange meetings with individual donors at a variety of venues, including at our reserves, working closely with area and reserve colleagues to deliver an excellent experience for our supporters
• Be jointly responsible for the planning, writing, production and mailing of Philanthropy Matters, our publication aimed at philanthropic supporters.
• Build effective relationships both within the RSPB and external to it that will enhance its reputation and ultimately secure funding. This includes understanding donors’ wishes and aspirations and identifying links with approved priority projects with the aim of securing substantial gifts.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Intermediate levels of fundraising as demonstrated by work successes and recognised fundraising courses
• Experience in how to research and cultivate a prospect. And understanding of how to write a cultivation strategy
• Ability to write funding proposals and prepare briefing documents in advance of meetings and events
• Competent in the use of a CRM system (Salesforce), the Microsoft suite, other databases, research tools and methods
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels
• Ability to work collaboratively with team members, and people and teams outside of our department
• Good judgement when working with donors and ability to recognise potentially sensitive areas between prospects and the RSPB to ensure reputational values are maintained
• Experience of having successfully managed and developed donor relationships leading to substantial support.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience or interest in the environmental sector

This is a Permanent/Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week. For further information please contact michelle.mcnally@rspb.org.uk

Please note that we are actively recruiting for this position, will be interviewing on an ongoing basis, and reserve the right to close this vacancy once sufficient applications have been received - so don't hesitate to apply!

As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.