Director, Philanthropy and Development

Chatham House; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international policy think tank in the UK seeks a dynamic Director of Philanthropy and Development. This role involves driving the strategy for securing major philanthropic support and managing donor relations. The ideal candidate has a proven track record in fundraising, excellent interpersonal skills, and a deep understanding of international relations. This is a full-time, hybrid position offering a salary of up to £120,000 plus incentives.

Benefits

37 days annual leave

Pension salary exchange

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Proven record of securing six and seven-figure gifts from major donors.
• Experience in leading fundraising teams and projects.
• Strong knowledge of international relations and philanthropy.

Responsibilities

• Devise a strategy to secure transformational gifts.
• Manage a portfolio of 50+ major donors.
• Expand donor networks globally with a focus on the UK and US.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Strategic thinking

Interpersonal excellence

Negotiation skills

Commercial skills

Job description

Salary

Up to £120,000 per year plus additional performance related incentive (to be agreed).

Chatham House, the Royal Institute for International Affairs, is the leading international policy think tank in Europe. We are seeking to hire a dynamic, innovative and experienced person to lead an ambitious programme of expanding our philanthropic giving.

About Chatham House

We are a policy institute based in London known for rigour and vigorous independence with a reputation built on more than a century of convening, research and proposals to solve the world’s most intractable problems. Our mission is to help improve international relations in pursuit of a secure, prosperous, sustainable and just world. We do this through original research and by convening discussion, through our core teams, our global network of fellows and our invited guests.

At this extraordinary time in international relations, there is tremendous demand for our work. Governments, companies, civil society organisations and individuals come to us to help advance arguments and proposals about the order of the world that may emerge from the immense shifts now underway – from the rivalry between the US and China to the question about whether arms control, security, migration, new technology and the environment will be governed by agreements or not.

To support that work with the speed and independence that we require and to increase our impact, we are now seeking a Director of Philanthropy and Development. Our aim is to increase the annual income from philanthropy (including individual donors, family offices and philanthropic foundations) from its current level of £2m to well over £5m, and to launch a new endowment fund. Our philanthropic supporters are worldwide; we expect the drive for expansion to focus on the UK and the US with alertness to possibilities in the Middle East, Europe and Asia.

Chatham House is a registered charity with an annual income exceeding £20m. More than half of that income derives from restricted research income – given for specified projects - largely in the form of research grants from governments and foundations. Unrestricted income also comes from individual and corporate members.

As Director of Philanthropy and Development, you will set and actively drive a bold strategy for recruitment and engagement of philanthropic donors. Working closely with and actively supported by the CEO, Bronwen Maddox, COO, Simon Flanagan, and Chair of Council (our Board of Trustees), Simon Fraser, you will advance our approach to major giving, making it more ambitious and targeted. You will expand our donor networks globally with an initial focus on the UK and the US. You will help shape and lead our endowment strategy, including naming rights.

About You

You are a senior fundraising leader with a proven record of securing six and seven-figure gifts from major donors. This position demands a combination of strategic thinking, executive presence, and interpersonal excellence. You'll engage directly with some of the world's most influential leaders and philanthropists, including CEOs, founders, and principals at major foundations and family offices, requiring you to quickly establish credibility and trust with some of the most accomplished individuals in philanthropy and finance. Your ability to engage at the highest levels, bringing both substance and relationship-building skills, will be critical to opening doors and shaping partnership conversations from the outset.

You will have a strongly proactive, commercial and entrepreneurial approach to fundraising. You will have experience of doing this in the US, as well as a keen awareness of global contacts and potential. You will have deep knowledge of international relations and of Chatham House’s work and will have the intellectual heft and presence to talk compellingly about it and the institute’s mission in high-level meetings. You will have experience in leading a team with warmth and support and a record of helping teams meet demanding targets.

We are an equal opportunity employer; we value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics. We encourage applications from all backgrounds. If there is anything we can do to improve your experience or support you, please get in touch at [e-mail].

Key Responsibilities

Strategy

• Devise an ambitious strategy to secure transformational philanthropic gifts from individuals, family offices and foundations to support Chatham House in addressing geopolitical challenges and international problems.
• Work with the CEO, COO, and Chair to plan and deliver a bold endowment strategy.
• Work with the CEO, COO and Chair to develop an exceptionally crisp and compelling case for support for Chatham House, making clear the world-changing influence we have and that our donors can experience through supporting us.
• Collaborate with the Executive Leadership Team and Council to set and achieve annual fundraising targets.

Delivery

• Personally lead cultivation, management and negotiation of major gifts and partnerships.
• Carry out continual horizon scanning for potential new donors, working closely with senior management and the four directors of research, including the development of highly bespoke engagement plans for all of our potential transformational donors.
• Manage a personal portfolio of 50+ donors and potential donors at seven- and eight-figure levels, leading pitches to them, and deploying the CEO and Chair as appropriate.
• Maintain a strong and diverse income pipeline, ensuring sustainable growth.
• Oversee budget planning and financial management for all fundraising activities.
• Represent Chatham House at the highest levels externally, strengthening its reputation among global philanthropic networks.
• Use data and insight to evaluate fundraising performance, identify trends and make informed decisions about the use of resources, tracking key metrics and data points.
• Oversee the conceptualisation, preparation, delivery and follow-up of high-profile events.
• Inspire and motivate your team to achieve demanding results, ensuring that all elements of the Chatham House’s philanthropy programme reflect international good practice and are functioning optimally.
• Contribute to furthering Chatham House's EDI strategic objectives.

Personal Specification

Applicants must demonstrate the following skills and experience criteria through their application. If you don't feel you meet all the criteria but are confident you can contribute to this role and achieve impact in a different way, please still apply - we welcome challenges to our thinking.

• Proven success in cultivating and securing high-value philanthropic partnerships, particularly with UHNWIs, major foundations, family offices and endowments and in the UK and US.
• Commercial, entrepreneurial and sales skills and experience.
• Exceptional ability with intellect and presence to articulate a mission to influential audiences with credibility and conviction.
• Experience as a member of a senior leadership team with a strong track record of leading, managing, motivating and developing high-performing teams.
• Experience of working with senior volunteers and influencers, to persuade them to assist in opening doors to new potential, transformative donors.
• Strategic mindset combined with skill in delivery. Experience of delivering against ambitious income or impact targets.
• Experience in creating and delivering memorable partnership or fundraising events.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines.
• A genuine passion and interest for international affairs and our mission.

Benefits

Benefits include approximately 37 days annual leave (including public holidays and Chatham House closure days), pension salary exchange, employee assistance programme, parental leave, flexible working and other benefits designed to suit your lifestyle. All of this, in a professional, engaging and intellectually stimulating environment.

Contract

Full-time, Permanent. Please note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply early.

Location

Hybrid (Office/home). Chatham House operates a hybrid working environment with senior staff expected to attend our building at least three times a week. Please note that this role may require higher levels of in-person attendance, travel within the UK and beyond, and attendance at events and meetings outside of regular working hours.

Closing Date

Sunday 30 November 2025, 23:59 GMT.