Zoological Society of London

DIRECTOR OF

DEVELOPMENT

CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK

WELCOME

Thank you for your interest in the new Director of Development post at ZSL, the Zoological Society of London. I hope the next few pages make you excited to apply.

ZSL has been protecting wildlife for 200 years and we are about to embark on an extraordinary new chapter. We will be creating a new multiuniversity nature campus in Regents Park. This is a generational opportunity to build something globally significant and unique in the heart of London, that will help shape the relationship between humanity and nature.

This will require someone to strategise, plan and run a massive capital campaign, building relationships and securing the funding we need. We estimate the project will require funding of over £300 million. We want development to be underway by 2026.

This is a pivotal moment for humanity and for ZSL’s work to protect nature. I hope you will want to be part of this journey with us.

Matthew Gould CEO

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ZSL is seeking to appoint a Director of Development to find the funding needed for ZSL’s proposed Nature Campus in Regents Park. This is a huge project, with the potential to become globally significant, but will need a great deal of philanthropic support to make happen.

In addition to the Nature Campus, the Director of Development will help ZSL raise funds for its other key projects, including its planned Centre for UK Species Recovery at Whipsnade, and its ambitious plans to increase the impact of its science and conservation.

As Director of Development you will take on leadership of our existing fundraising team, as well as step up a campaign plan and team in advance of our 200th anniversary in 2026.

We are looking for a strategic and ambitious leader with the ability to inspire and motivate others to achieve results. You will be commercially-minded with a high level of business acumen, and will be able to quickly focus efforts on opportunities most likely to generate fundraising success for the organisation.

The successful candidate will bring a fresh approach and track record of driving growth and fundraising.

ABOUT US

We’re ZSL - an international conservation charity driven by science, working to restore wildlife in the UK and around the world by protecting critical species, restoring ecosystems, helping people and wildlife live together, and inspiring support for nature.

We’ve been building stronger connections to wildlife for 200 years. Through our leading Zoos, our innovative conservation work in the field and through the Institute of Zoology, a centre of research excellence, we are passionate advocates for nature and won’t stop until we have created a world where wildlife thrives.

Climate change and human activity have pushed our precious planet to its limit, causing devastating habitat and species loss. When nature loses, we all do.

Urgent action to help people and wildlife live better together, is the only way to save the natural world we love and depend upon. We believe nature can recoverthat’s where ZSL comes in, and where you can play your part.

THE ROLE

ROLE: DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

LOCATION: LONDON (REGENT’S PARK)

SALARY: UP TO £120,000 PER ANNUM

JOB LEVEL: DIRECTOR

DIRECTORATE: FUNDRAISING

REPORTS TO: CEO

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Development will lead fundraising across ZSL and the fundraising campaign for ZSL’s 200th anniversary. For the next two years this will be focused on an ambitious capital development programme, at the heart of which is the creation of a multi-university Nature Campus on the Regents Park site.

FUNDRAISING TEAM

Director of Development

Head of Corporate Partnerships

Senior Philanthropy Manager

Head of Trusts, Statutory and Major Project Fundraising

Corporate Partnerships Executive

Institutional Fundraising Manager x 3

Patron Executive

Grants Manager Legacy Executive

Senior Institutional Fundraising Manager

Corporate Sponsorship & Partnerships Manager Corporate Partnerships Manager Fellowship Executive Fundraising Executive

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead all ZSL fundraising, in the UK and overseas, including existing teams and efforts focussed on corporate, philanthropic, institutional and public funding.

• Lead the ZSL 200 fundraising campaign, including the creation of a campaign team.

• Develop ZSL’s US and Indian fundraising operations.

• Lead ZSL’s Individual Giving and Supporter programmes including ZSL Fellowship, Regular Giving, Patrons, Ambassadors, Major Donors and Legacy Giving.

• Along with the CEO, lead on developing major giving partners and influencers.

• Develop a rolling three-year fundraising plan for ZSL linked to the ZSL Strategy, business plans and priorities.

• Work with all departments and Directors to produce compelling funding propositions that reflect the ZSL strategy and shared brand values.

• Develop and oversee an events program for supporter cultivation, income generation and stewardship purposes.

• Develop, oversee and execute the plan for the ZSL 200th anniversary.

• Lead on the development of the Campaign Board, working closely with the Chair. Ensure that members are actively engaged in ZSL’s life.

• Ensure that all due process around fundraising and supporter engagement is managed and that ZSL meets its reciprocal obligation to donors and donor pledges are managed.

• Lead sustainable net income, organisational impact and reduce operational costs through corporate funders in accordance with ZSL’s Ethical statement.

• Contribute to all areas of ZSL’s strategic development and operational delivery as a member of the executive team. Role model strong leadership behaviours to support the ZSL culture.

• Lead the fundraising campaign to fund ZSL’s fundraising ambitions for its 200th year anniversary in 2026. This includes fundraising for an extensive multi-million pound capital projects programme including ambitions for a multi-disciplinary nature campus development and a national center for Native Species.

• To lead the strategy for income generation, the growth of key income streams, and their diversification and innovation.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

EXPERIENCE

• Extensive fundraising experience in a large, complex and diverse organisation.

• Evidenced experience of developing high value campaigns to fund large scale capital projects.

• Experience of establishing strong relationships with major donors and philanthropists, corporates, Government Bodies, trusts and key supporters.

• Experience of delivering a successful institutional fundraising strategy

• Experience of delivering major events as part of a fundraising strategy.

• Experience of strategic planning, target setting, KPI tracking, budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting

• Experience of major donor fundraising internationally

• Experience in building and motivating a high performing team.

• Experience of developing and delivering multi-million pound business cases.

VALUES AND BEHAVIOURS FOR PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

COLLABORATIVE

Proactively seeks opportunities for themselves and their team to work with others both internally and externally

INCLUSIVE

Proactively and vocally role models inclusive behaviour, sponsoring ZSL’s D&I agenda

INNOVATIVE

Is forward thinking and able to see the broader picture when planning and organising work

INSPIRING

Articulates and generates enthusiasm for ZSL’s vision and value

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Knowledge of managing portfolios of grants from private trusts and foundations

• Knowledge of the context in which ZSL operates and the challenges and opportunities presented to the conservation and science sectors.

• The ability to act as an ambassador for ZSL with a well-established network.

• Strong communication and diplomacy skills, with the ability to create voice and agency for complex ideas in an accessible manner.

• Proven senior management and leadership skills during growth and transformation.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• This post is a blended role for office and home working with the main office located at London Zoo, Regent’s Park. You are expected to work from our office for a minimum of two days per week and be flexible on location with the requirements of the role.

• Strong commitment to creating a culture that lives ZSL values and commitment to safeguarding, equality and diversity (collaborative, inspiring, inclusive, innovative, impactful and ethical).

EQUALITY STATEMENT

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group.

WORKING AT ZSL

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include:

• Our vision and purpose: you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct.

• Pension scheme: we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 14% contributory pension.

• Flexible working: talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you.

• Holidays: 30 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays.

• Wellbeing: access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.

• Complimentary tickets: annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops.

• Cycle2Work: our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle.

• Season ticket loan: we offer an interest free loan to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work.

• Family friendly policies: we offer enhanced maternity and paternity packages.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for the role please upload your CV together with a supporting statement (of no more than 1000 words) onto the Prospectus website via the link below.

Please ensure that you have included a telephone number, as well as any dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the recruitment timetable.

If you wish to apply using an alternative format please contact Prospectus on 020 7691 1925 or email us.

Applications via the Prospectus website should be made at:

https://jobs.prospect-us.co.uk/ jobs/185513-director-of-development/

At Prospectus we believe passionately that a truly inclusive workplace leads to increased social impact. We are committed to supporting our clients build more inclusive teams. To understand how we are performing, we ask that you kindly complete the brief equal opportunities questionnaire when you submit your application via our website. Please be assured that your responses are kept confidential, separate from your candidate record, are not part of any application you make, and that the consultants never see individual responses to the questionnaire.

RECRUITMENT TIMETABLE

Deadline for applications: 13th September

Preliminary interviews: 20th and 21st September

Panel interviews with ZSL: 29th September

QUERIES

If you wish to have an informal discussion about the opportunity, please contact our retained advisor Rhiannon Mehta at Prospectus on 020 7691 1925, or email:

rhiannon.mehta@prospect-us.co.uk

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