British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
Philanthropy Manager
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Are you an experienced major donor fundraiser who loves building meaningful relationships and inspiring people to give? Could you play a key role in growing philanthropy for one of the UK’s leading nature and conservation organisations?
We’re partnering with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) to find a Philanthropy Manager, Major Donors to develop and grow their major giving programme, securing significant gifts to help create a better future for birds, nature and people.
Salary:
£40,354
Contract:
Permanent, full-time and part-time hours considered.
Location:
Hybrid or remote, with offices in Thetford, Bangor, Stirling, and Lisburn.
Benefits:
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with service
- Two paid journey days for more sustainable travel
- An 11% employer pension contribution
- Life assurance
- Enhanced sick and family leave
- Health cash plan
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Flexible working
- Free BTO training courses
- Retail and wellbeing discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
- Coaching and mentoring
Culture:
A supportive and inclusive workplace with plenty of autonomy, active staff networks, and a strong commitment to sustainability.
About the charity:
At BTO, birds are more than a passion; they’re a powerful lens through which to understand the world around us. For nearly a century, their science has shaped national conservation policy, fuelled grassroots volunteering, and helped build one of the most impressive biodiversity datasets in the UK.
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Working across all four nations, BTO combines robust scientific research with a belief in the power of people to bring about positive change.
About the role:
As Philanthropy Manager, Major Donors, you’ll take the lead on developing relationships with existing and prospective major donors, inspiring them to make significant gifts to BTO.
You’ll manage a portfolio of supporters and prospects, creating personalised cultivation and stewardship plans that bring people closer to BTO’s work and build long-term support.
Working closely with the Head of Fundraising, senior leadership, and trustees, you’ll identify and research new prospects, develop compelling proposals and cases for support, and create bespoke opportunities to engage donors through meetings, events, and presentations.
You’ll have real scope to influence how the programme develops and help build a sustainable source of philanthropic income for BTO.
About you:
We’re looking for someone who is:
- Experienced in securing five and six-figure gifts and growing income from major donors or other philanthropic sources.
- A natural relationship builder who can engage and inspire a wide range of people.
- An excellent communicator and storyteller, able to develop compelling proposals and donor communications.
- Strategic and organised, with strong prospect research, pipeline management, and planning skills.
- Confident working independently while collaborating effectively with colleagues, senior leaders, and trustees.
- Creative, proactive, and excited by the opportunity to grow a major donor programme.
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You don’t need to be an ornithologist. An interest in birds, nature, biodiversity, or the environment would be wonderful, but what matters most is your ability to build genuine relationships and inspire people to support an important cause.
If you’re excited by the opportunity to connect people with BTO’s work and secure the philanthropic support that will help its science and conservation impact grow, we’d love to hear from you.
How to apply:
Please send a copy of your profile or CV to Ellen Drummond at Charity People as the first step.
Deadline: 9am, Monday 12th October
One Stage Interview: 22nd and 23rd October (Virtual)
Charity People:
Charity People is a forward-thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background, e.g., age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.
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