Director of Engagement & Fundraising

Northumberland Wildlife Trust; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An environmental organization in the United Kingdom is seeking a Director of Engagement & Fundraising. This pivotal role involves shaping strategic direction, generating sustainable income, and engaging communities for meaningful environmental outcomes. Candidates should have experience in fundraising leadership and team motivation during cultural changes. This role offers opportunities to drive fundraising initiatives and enhance community involvement.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a fundraising leadership role.
• Ability to lead and motivate teams through change.
• Strong understanding of community-focused initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develop organisation's business planning and strategy.
• Lead team for engagement, communications, and fundraising.
• Drive innovation in fundraising across various streams.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Fundraising

Community Engagement

Job description

Northumberland Wildlife Trust (NWT) – Director of Engagement & Fundraising

This pivotal role will help shape and drive strategic direction, ensuring we generate sustainable income, deepen community engagement, and deliver meaningful outcomes for people, nature, and climate. Reporting to the CEO, this role forms part of the senior leadership team, which guides strategic development and activity towards achieving NWT's mission. Key components include income generation from diverse sources, fostering widespread support from communities, partners and businesses, budgetary control, monitoring KPIs and ensuring successful outcomes for people, nature and climate.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Senior Leadership team with developing the organisation's business planning, strategy and KPI's, as well as produce the annual report each year.
• Be an enthusiastic member of the Senior Leadership team, helping NWT through a period of cultural and system change and constant challenges in the external operating environment.
• Lead, motivate and manage teams (see structure diagram): engagement & communications, fundraising & development, communities & nature, and the cafés at our visitor centres.
• Develop plans and integrate team strategies that will deliver impactful campaigns and initiatives that grow support, deepen engagement and promote action for nature.
• Assist with major bid development, corporate and philanthropic initiatives.
• Oversee the Trust's brand, messaging, and public profile, ensuring alignment with its values and strategic goals.
• Drive innovation in fundraising across individual giving, membership, corporate partnerships, grants, social investment and legacy income.
• Ensure visitor centres and cafés offer high-quality experiences that reflect the Trust's ethos and make a positive contribution to income generation.
• Agree and set team budgets and control expenditure.
• Monitor team performance against strategic goals/KPIs.
• Co-ordinate the liaison, budgets and planning with The Land Trust for our sites at Northumberlandia and Weetslade.
• Continue to secure the People's Postcode Lottery donation (£200k per year), planning and reporting on outputs and impacts.