Fundraising Manager - Surrey Wildlife Trust

Countryside Classroom; Pirbright; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Above minimum pension contributions

Life assurance of 4 x salary

Employee support scheme

25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

Flexible working policy

Job summary

Surrey Wildlife Trust is seeking a Fundraising Manager to lead a dynamic team and develop a successful fundraising strategy to expand and diversify income streams for wildlife conservation. The role involves engaging philanthropists, corporate partners, trusts and foundations, and growing membership and legacy giving.

The role requires proven fundraising leadership, strong donor relationships, and a passion for wildlife conservation.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in fundraising leadership across multiple income streams.
• Track record of securing major gifts and partnerships.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills.
• Excellent relationship-building with donors, corporates, and foundations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and evolve fundraising strategy to grow income and financial sustainability.
• Manage a diverse fundraising team across campaigns and appeals.
• Strengthen relationships with major donors, corporate partners, trusts and foundations.
• Expand membership, philanthropy, and legacy giving programs.
• Collaborate with trustees and senior leadership to unlock new opportunities for support.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Donor relationship management

Strategic planning

Team management

Stakeholder engagement

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Salary will be pitched competitively for the right candidate, hybrid working, Pirbright office base

Do you have the vision, passion, and drive to lead transformational fundraising? Are you ready to play a key role in protecting and restoring Surrey’s wildlife while ensuring a financially sustainable future for nature? Join Surrey Wildlife Trust and Make a Difference!

At Surrey Wildlife Trust, we’re on a mission to scale and accelerate the way we invest in nature’s recovery, but we can’t do it alone. With one-third of nature in our county either extinct or in decline, we urgently need to forge new partnerships, engage more supporters, and secure the funds that will drive real change for wildlife.

That’s where you come in.

The Role: As our Fundraising Manager, you’ll lead a dynamic team to develop and deliver a successful fundraising strategy that expands and diversifies our income streams. From philanthropists to corporate partnerships, membership growth to trusts & foundations, you’ll ensure we have the financial strength to support our ambitious conservation goals.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading and evolving our fundraising strategy to grow income and help secure financial sustainability
  
• Managing a talented team across fundraising functions to help create compelling campaigns and appeals
• Strengthening relationships with key donors, corporate partners, trusts & foundations
• Expanding membership, philanthropy, and legacy giving programs
• Collaborating with colleagues on our next suite of individual giving campaigns
• Working with trustees, partners, and senior leadership to unlock new opportunities for support

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience in fundraising leadership, with expertise across multiple income streams
• A track record of securing major gifts and partnerships
• Strong leadership skills, able to inspire and motivate teams
• Excellent relationship-building abilities with donors, corporates, and key stakeholders
• A creative, storytelling mindset to translate conservation work into powerful fundraising cases
• Passion for wildlife, conservation, and nature recovery

Why Join Us?

• A key management role in a mission-driven conservation charity
• The opportunity to make a lasting impact on wildlife and landscapes across Surrey
• A chance to shape and innovate fundraising workstreams
• Flexible hybrid working options and offices in Woking and Leatherhead.

We operate a flexible working policy and aim to provide a good work/life balance whilst having an interesting and challenging working environment. Given the role involves travelling around the county, you will need to have a valid UK driver’s licence and access to your own transport.

The salary offered to successful applicants will be agreed based on qualifications and experience and will form part of a benefits package including: above minimum pension contributions, life assurance of 4 x salary, employee support scheme, 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays, flexible working policy.

We are committed to having an inclusive and diverse workplace and encourage applications from backgrounds which may be underrepresented in our sector, including people from minority ethnic backgrounds and people with disabilities.

We are committed to offering an interview to all candidates that meet the essential criteria for the post. Please let us know if you require any adjustment to make our recruitment process more accessible.

The deadline for applications is 5pm Monday 23rd November 2026. Interviews will be held in person on Wednesday 9th December.

Surrey Wildlife Trust is one of 46 Wildlife Trusts across the UK, a grassroots movement working to protect and connect at least 30 per cent of land and sea for nature's recovery by 2030.

‘Our vision for a wilder Surrey is a future with abundant wildlife and nature recovery networks rich in biodiversity.’

With a third of all nature in the county either extinct or in decline, we must continue to build partnerships with other landowners and work with them to create green corridors in the landscape, connecting vital habitats that allow nature to thrive.

Further information can be found on our website here