Head of Philanthropy Operations

WWF-UK; Woking; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 26–31 days plus holidays

Flexible working options

Pension 7.5%+ employer contribution 10

Learning & development opportunities

Wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

WWF-UK is seeking a Head of Philanthropy Operations to drive the operational engine behind ambitious fundraising growth. You will lead a team across prospect research, pipeline management, and reporting, ensuring data-led decisions and robust donor stewardship.

You will collaborate with senior leaders in philanthropy and finance to forecast income, improve processes, and oversee compliance. Hybrid working with in-person collaboration is a key feature of this role.

Qualifications

• Experience leading fundraising operations and philanthropic programs.
• Proven ability to lead a high-performing team.
• Strong data, insight, and reporting to drive decisions.
• Experience with CRM systems and fundraising pipelines.
• Knowledge of donor data protection and due diligence.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of six colleagues across prospect research, pipeline management, supporter communications, stewardship, and impact reporting.
• Oversee initiatives that grow the fundraising pipeline and align with income targets.
• Develop systems and reporting to drive growth and improve planning and decision-making.

Skills

Philanthropy operations

Fundraising operations

Prospect research

Data-driven decision making

Leadership

Stakeholder communication

Forecasting & budgeting

Project management

CRM knowledge

Data protection & compliance

Collaboration across teams

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics 365

Power BI

Asana

Job description

Join us at WWF-UK - Head of Philanthropy Operations

Location: Living Planet Centre, Woking, Surrey

Contract: Permanent, full time (35 hours)

Hybrid working: Minimum 40% in person collaboration per month

About the role

We're excited to be recruiting a Head of Philanthropy Operations to help WWF-UK grow the income and relationships that fund vital work for nature.

Sitting within our Philanthropy & Institutional Giving team, you'll lead the operational engine behind an ambitious growth strategy and help us unlock environmental philanthropy.

You'll lead a team of six colleagues across prospect research, pipeline management, supporter communications, stewardship, impact reporting. You'll be a system-thinker ensuring that our fundraisers have the management information insight and support they need to build strong, long-term relationships and grow income from major donors, trusts and foundations.

A major focus of the role will be strengthening the fundraising pipeline. You'll oversee initiatives that grow the pipeline to meet our funding needs and as well as manage the interface between the pipeline and our income targets, sharpening prospect management to give the team a clear view of future growth.

You'll also lead the development of the systems, reporting and ways of working that underpin the programme. From improving our CRM to generating fundraising intelligence insights to drive growth, strengthening management information and improving planning and reporting, you'll help the team work with greater clarity, efficiency and confidence. Your responsibility also includes oversight of regulation and compliance across our team operations.

Working closely with the Director of Philanthropy & Institutional Giving and Finance colleagues, you'll play a central role in annual planning, income forecasting and performance monitoring, using data and insight to support strong decisions and keep the team focused on the opportunities that matter most.

As part of the Philanthropy & Institutional Giving leadership team, you'll bring strategic thinking, sound judgement and strong people leadership. You'll help create the conditions for your team to thrive while continually looking for ways to strengthen performance, improve how we work and support ambitious fundraising growth.

We're looking for someone who enjoys making complex things work well. You'll be as comfortable getting into the detail of data, systems and forecasting as you are stepping back to see the bigger picture, spot opportunities and help others turn them into action.

Skills and experience

You'll bring the skills and experience needed to succeed in this role, including:

• A strong track record in philanthropy, fundraising operations, research, management information or a closely related environment
• Deep understanding of how successful philanthropy programmes build and sustain long-term relationships with major donors, trusts and foundations
• Proven experience leading, motivating and developing a high-performing team
• Confidence using data, insight and reporting to shape decisions, track performance and identify where growth is coming from
• Experience improving CRM, reporting, project management or other operational systems so they work better for teams and supportersStrong understanding of fundraising pipelines, prospect management and how to turn opportunity into focused action
• Experience planning, forecasting and monitoring significant income and expenditure budgets
• Strong strategic and analytical thinking, with the ability to cut through complexity and turn information into clear priorities and decisions
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to keep multiple workstreams moving and deliver to deadlines
• Clear and confident communication skills, with the ability to influence senior colleagues and build trust across different parts of an organisation
• A collaborative approach, with experience bringing teams together around shared goals and ways of working
• Good understanding of data protection, due diligence and the responsible management of donor information
• Experience working with high-value or principal-gift fundraising and an understanding of what strong operational support looks like around these relationships
• Familiarity with CRM and reporting platforms such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power BI
• Experience of using AI tools
• Confidence using project management or event management tools such as Asana, EventsForce or similar
• Understanding of how audience segmentation, insight or product development can support philanthropy growth
• Knowledge of gift management, stewardship and impact reporting, and how these contribute to a strong donor experience
• A strong connection to WWF-UK's mission and an interest in how philanthropy can help grow the support and investment needed to support WWF-UKs mission.

What we offer

We believe in rewarding our team with more than just a salary. Here's what you can expect:

• Annual leave starting at 26 days a year, rising one day each year to 31 days plus bank holidays
• Flexible working options, to support your work life balance
• 7.5% employer contribution to pension, rising to 10% with employee contribution
• Learning and development opportunities to help you grow
• Regular wellbeing initiatives to support your health and happiness.

This is a UK based contract, and you are required to have the Right to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we're unable to offer sponsorship and any offer of employment will be subject to evidence of your Right to Work in the UK.

This role is hybrid with a minimum 40% of your contracted hours spent at our beautiful UK head office, the Living Planet Centre in Woking, Surrey, where you'll hot desk among trees and gardens.

About WWF-UK

We're a global conservation charity with millions of supporters and hundreds of projects around the world.

At WWF-UK, we're bringing our world back to life. Protecting what's left isn't enough. We're racing to restore nature and prevent catastrophic climate change. And it's a race we can win with everyone's help.

We're courageous, passionate, and driven by science. For more than 60 years we've been at the forefront of global efforts to protect wildlife and the natural world. We work with integrity, collaboration and deep respect for those we partner with.

Our Diversity Promise to You

At the heart of our mission is a simple truth: the planet needs everyone. That means you - in all your uniqueness, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or how you choose to express yourself.

We don't do stereotypes. We work together with purpose, driven by passion and enhanced by respect, courage, and integrity. We pull together from all walks of life to fight for a better future, and we want you to feel supported every step of the way.

We're proud to be a Disability Confident employer and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and identities.

So, if there's anything we can do to make your application or interview experience more comfortable or accessible, just give our Talent Acquisition Team a shout at [e-mail]

Safeguarding Commitment

Just as we celebrate diversity in all its forms, we are equally dedicated to creating a safe environment for every person we work with or encounter.

Our commitment extends to children, adults at risk, and individuals experiencing any form of vulnerability, whether temporary or permanent.

We proudly stand behind CAPSEAH (Common Approach to Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment) and put this commitment into action through clear policies, thorough training, and recruitment checks tailored to each role, which may include external vetting.

If you ever have a concern, however big or small, know that there are confidential channels ready to support you at WWF-UK. We promise to respond promptly and with care, because protecting every individual is at the heart of everything we do.