Development Lead

Oceana UK - Development Lead

Are you an experienced ocean fundraiser?

• Do you have a passion for securing funds for ocean campaigns?
• Do you have a track-record of developing and managing proposals and relationships with charitable trusts and foundations?
• Do you have a flare for delivering diverse, innovative and impactful charitable fundraising strategies?
• Are you driven to cultivate and grow relationships with new partners and funders?
• Do you want to join one of the world’s most effective marine conservation organisations?

Oceana UK

Oceana is dedicated to protecting and restoring the world’s oceans on a global scale. We are a leader in science-based advocacy, and we campaign for policies to make the world’s oceans more abundant, vibrant, and biodiverse. Globally, Oceana has won over 300 policy victories for marine life and habitats. From stopping bottom trawling in sensitive habitat areas to protecting sea turtles from commercial fishing gear, our victories represent new hope for the world's oceans.

Oceana is now focused on some of the biggest threats facing UK seas, alongside climate change. Fighting habitat destruction, stopping industrial overfishing, and preventing new offshore oil and gas developments with their inextricable link to the climate crisis.

The UK registered charity has a vision for thriving seas around the UK, using highly visible campaigns and detailed policy interventions to secure measurable changes to rebuild and maintain ocean abundance and health. Oceana UK will act as a vital public-policy interface –
raising the profile of our issues through campaigns, science, communications, and expeditions, and influencing policymakers directly for commitments at key moments throughout the year.

Job Purpose

Oceana is seeking an experienced Development Lead to curate, grow and diversify our rapidly expanding fundraising and partnerships portfolio. Working closely with our UK team and US-based international development team, you will be responsible for the collaborative stewardship of relationships with some of the world’s biggest environmental foundations and philanthropists.

You will help identify and drive new relationships, managing successful grant applications with trusts and foundations in the UK, and cultivating new fundraising streams. You will have a strategic mindset along with a meticulous attention to detail. Fostering exemplary relationships with diverse partners is central to the role and critical to our success. You should be experienced in handling competing priorities, delivering exceptional funding applications and reports, and providing updates with precision and confidence. You will also have a passion for growing and diversifying income streams and converting new interest into long-term, sustainable, support.

Reporting to the Director of Finance and People, you will work closely with our teams, and the global development department, to secure the sustainable resources Oceana UK needs to deliver further impact at this crucial time for our ocean. The role will also help Oceana maximise opportunities to deliver policy victories for UK seas for many years to come and strengthen our work globally.

You will be a self-starter, with a broad range of previous experience, and the ability to develop and manage your priorities in this new role. You will be comfortable working independently and as part of a small team. The position will be based 2 days per week from home, and 3 days per week in Oceana’s office in Paddington, London or Newquay, Cornwall. Occasional travel will be required to meet team members and stakeholders in geographically diverse locations.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the development of a UK specific fundraising strategy.
• Manage relationships and reporting to existing funders alongside the international development team and Executive Director. This will primarily be with trusts and foundations, and individual philanthropists.
• Identify and develop new opportunities with trusts and foundations.
• Manage successful grant applications and budgets, co-ordinating and collaborating with the international development team.
• Work closely with the finance and campaigns team to ensure all relevant stakeholders are consulted in grant applications and reporting.
• Manage and deliver timely reporting, communications and updates to funding partners and stakeholders.
• Oversee and develop other existing UK income streams, including mass giving.
• Identify, develop and manage additional UK income opportunities, including with smaller trusts and foundations.
• Collaborate with the Director of Finance and People, and international development and budgeting teams to manage the income forecast and grant financial reporting.
• Maintain appropriate development records and database for all UK activity.
• Develop and manage key fundraising and partnerships events.
• Work with Executive Director to develop our outreach with funders at international events.
• Attend and represent the UK in monthly development meetings with the international team.
• Design and manage the UK’s development budget.

Candidate Requirements:

Education and work experience:

• Extensive professional experience in fundraising and development, ideally in the ocean or the environmental space.
• Good professional relationships with environmental trusts and foundations
• Demonstrable experience in managing successful multi-year grant applications and budgets with trusts and foundations.
• Strong experience of managing charitable foundation relationships and delivering detailed and timely reports, and communications to add value where required.
• Experience or working with campaigns teams to develop funding applications.
• Experience of managing philanthropist and major individual donors.
• Experience in prospecting, managing and analysing research on fundraising opportunities.
• Experience in co-developing and diversifying fundraising strategies (mass giving, digital, appeals, etc)
• Clear experience of in co-developing and diversifying fundraising strategies, and writing strategic plans, and contributing to planning and budgeting processes.

Skills & Knowledge:

• Demonstrable experience of networking and relationship development with funders.
• Proficiency at understanding, distilling and communicating complex scientific issues and detailed campaigns for fundraising purposes.
• Highly organised in managing positive relationships with funders beyond reporting.
• Strong writing skills, with experience writing applications and reports
• Excellent relationship building and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience using CRM platforms or other grant management tools.
• Strong project management skills, with demonstrable experience managing multiple workstreams effectively.
• Integrity and the ability to work with confidential information with discretion.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to fundraising targets.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff and other organisations.

Equal Opportunities

Oceana UK is committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the community it serves at all levels of the organisation. We therefore welcome applications from all backgrounds and all sections of the community. All offers of employment are conditional upon the successful completion of reference checks.

Click on the 'Apply on website' button to be redirected to our recruitment platform.

Application Deadline: 2 July 2024.

Interviews: w/c 8 July 2024.

Starting: ASAP.