Head of Philanthropy

Overview of the role:  

The Head of Philanthropy is responsible for driving philanthropic income to support ZSL’s mission by identifying, cultivating, and securing major gifts of seven and eight figures from High-Net-Worth individuals in the UK and internationally. The post also oversees the successful delivery and growth of ZSL’s Patrons and Fellowship programmes, ensuring that all individual supporter groups are engaged, stewarded, and maximised for long-term value and impact.   

• Lead and deliver ZSL’s Philanthropy Strategy, developing ambitious annual implementation plans, income targets, and an expenditure budget, alongside a three-year growth plan.
• Build and manage a robust fundraising pipeline of high-value prospects, creating and implementing bespoke cultivation strategies to secure major philanthropic gifts of £500k+, including transformational seven- and eight-figure donations.
• Establish and lead high-level Development and Campaign Boards, recruiting members, setting clear objectives, and driving their contribution to major gift cultivation and campaign delivery.
• Inspire and manage a high-performing team of fundraisers, providing leadership, mentoring and development, and creating a collaborative, inclusive, and ambitious environment
• Maintain strong internal relationships with conservation and research colleagues to ensure up-to-date knowledge of funded projects, enabling donors to receive timely updates and reporting that reflect the impact of their gifts. 

No DBS check is required. This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK.

 We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group.