About the European Climate Foundation

The European Climate Foundation (ECF) is a major philanthropic initiative working to help tackle the climate crisis by fostering the development of a net-zero emission society at the national, European and global level.

We deploy strategic grantmaking to support more than 600 partner organisations to carry out activities that drive urgent and ambitious policy in support of the objectives of the Paris Agreement, contribute to the public debate on climate action and help deliver a socially responsible transition to a net-zero economy and sustainable society in Europe and around the world.

The ECF brings together diverse perspectives and backgrounds to find the best innovative solutions to tackle climate change. We are focusing on engaging and hiring great people from a wide diversity of backgrounds to strengthen the cause.

As towns, cities and countries around the world declare climate emergencies, seas rise, forests burn, glaciers melt, increasing numbers of people take to the streets demanding urgent action and our societies begin to wake up to what the science has been saying for many years, there has never been a more important time to be working on climate change.

Context of the role

The ECF Strategic Partnerships team oversees fundraising and relationships with the ECF’s funding partners. We advise current and new donors for effective philanthropic investment in the ECF climate network, and we guide ECF’s programmatic and operational teams on building strong funding partnerships.

Over the last 2 years, the ECF has significantly increased its funding base and currently has more than 40 philanthropic funding partners. Nonetheless, climate makes up just 2% of philanthropic giving worldwide and significantly more resources are needed in this decisive decade. The Strategic Partnerships is seeking to recruit 3 new roles in order to help steward our current funding partners and to create strong partnerships with new donors.

The Director of Development (DD) is responsible for bringing new philanthropic funding partners to ECF. The DD will identify and cultivate prospective new funders from a broad variety of interest areas. Reporting to the Executive Director, the DD will work alongside the Director of Strategic Partnerships and catalyse the team’s efforts to create new fundraising revenues for the ECF. This role requires a seasoned advancement professional with a successful track record in major gifts fundraising who is prepared to roll up their sleeves and contribute to a highly effective team. The DD will lead the creation and maintenance of prospect planning while balancing preparatory work with frontline fundraising.

Key responsibilities

Frontline fundraising and funder relations:

• Actively manage and reinforce relationships with relevant stakeholders, specifically UK philanthropies;

• Drive results by diversifying funding sources and actively generating fundraising revenues;

• Represent ECF on multiple levels, coordinating closely with stewardship team and with programme teams.

Build a pipeline of new prospective funding partners for ECF:

• Map, research and analyse the philanthropic landscape of prospective donors for ECF’s European and International work, with a special focus on individual donors currently not involved in climate philanthropy;

• Create and maintain a dynamic database of new prospective donors for the ECF network;

• Working closely with the ECF network analysis team, develop power and influence mapping tools to allow us to visualise how our philanthropic networks interconnect and where the gaps are;

• Working closely with other groups and structures in the climate and philanthropic community (for example, Climate Leadership Initiative and the European Foundation Centre), identify new categories of prospective donors, such as corporate foundations or philanthropies grouped by geographies currently underexplored by the ECF;

• Identify and help ECF contribute effectively to and make the most of philanthropic venues (e.g. events, convenings ) and partners (e.g. philanthropy advisory groups, funder networks).

Development and oversight of fundraising framework and tools:

• Working in close cooperation with Strategic Partnerships co-workers

• Design and put in place adequate tools for fundraising in cooperation with the Manager, Funder Stewardship, such as theprospectthe prospect database – currently on Salesforce;

• Develop a fundraising calendar optimising relevant events and opportunities;

• Develop a cultivation and moves management plan for each qualified prospect, including how to best deploy ECF staff and network stakeholders ;

• Keep track of commitments and actions as part of the cultivation plan, including solid records of engagement – in compliance with GDPR;

• Track evolution and effectiveness of engagement plan with prospective donors.

• Prepare timely material, including briefs and fundraising presentations, funder concept notes and other collateral.

Experience and competencies

• At least 10+ years experience in frontline fundraising

• Ability to communicate with broad and diverse audiences

• Highly organised and eye for detail while keeping the big picture in mind

• Proven ability to work collaboratively

• Creative mindset, including problem solving

• Ability to navigate complex organisations and situations

What we offer

• The unique opportunity to work as part of a highly dynamic, small group of individuals who combine their passion to make a difference with a rigorous and results-oriented approach to work;

• A flexible work environment and a space to develop and challenge yourself;

• A full-time position

• Permanent employment contract

Location

London, UK

Start date

As soon as possible

How to apply

Please send your CV and cover letter (both maximum 2 pages).

All applications will be treated confidentially. We will store your information in our internal database unless you specifically request otherwise.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our organisation. We strongly encourage candidates from disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds to apply.