Head of Philanthropy

Head of Philanthropy

Development Job Description

Main Duties Leadership & Management

• As a member of the Senior management team, work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve our Corporate Strategy and Plans.
• Lead the delivery of the major gifts function, ensuring it promotes a culture of philanthropy throughout RBGE and continually develops for the future.
• Act as an ambassador, ensuring RBGE is positively represented in fundraising forums and external networks.

Fundraising

• A proven track record of successfully soliciting gifts from HNWIs, trusts and foundation donors, and corporate partners.
• Experience of leading on the creation of proposals and asks – judging the correct moment to move the fundraising gift solicitation process on, and of successfully ‘making the ask’ either in person or in writing.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively about fundraising potential and contribute to the development of strategic planning for the organisation as a whole.
• Inspiring and engaging writing style and confident public speaking and presentation skills, particularly for writing and presenting tailored and compelling applications and speaking at events.
• People focused – the ability to build effective and engaging relationships with donors and funders as well as colleagues and other partners.
• Experience of negotiating partnerships, both with donors and with internal partners, to ensure we are creating partnerships that thrive and projects that will be delivered.
• Demonstrate a motivational and supportive approach to team management to ensure optimal income results are achieved.
• An interest in natural heritage, and the breadth of the work undertaken by botanic gardens

Person Specification

Essential Skills

• Experience of fundraising, customer relationship management and strategic planning. Previous experience working with individual donors and capital fundraising programmes.
• The ability and inclination to meet potential major donors and to ask them for significant financial support.
• A sound grasp of charity law, gift aid, fundraising techniques, people management and exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Previous experience in managing a team of fundraising staff.
• Strong influencing and negotiating skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a keen attention to detail.
• Experience of writing major grant applications.

• Experience of working with a broad range of donor prospects -individuals, trusts and corporates.
• A detailed knowledge of GDPR and its relevance in the context of RBGE.

Desirable

• Working knowledge of CRM databases, particularly Raiser’s Edge, to manage supporter journeys.

• Member of Institute of Fundraising/CASE.

• Relevant qualifications in fundraising/development.

• People & Organisational Development – July 2025