Location
Central London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£50,000 - £55,000

About the Role
The Head of Trusts & Foundations will focus on growing funding from large trusts and foundations globally, including corporate foundations and institutional funders through consortium partnerships with major conservation actors. You will oversee grant and contract management with existing organisational and institutional partnerships, while expanding the portfolio by developing a robust pipeline of new opportunities. This includes securing visibility and first meetings, cultivating relationships, producing compelling funding applications, and ensuring strong contract management oversight.
Leading a team of two, you will collaborate closely with fundraising colleagues in the US and UK to build long-term partnerships with new Trusts and Foundations, and work with colleagues in Kenya to ensure strong project delivery and grant management.

Key Responsibilities
- Lead implementation of the Trusts & Foundations programme, focusing on growing large funders in the USA, UK, and Europe
- Work with fundraising and communications teams to unlock visibility and develop new high-value funding relationships
- Oversee current programme funding portfolio including institutional and corporate foundation partnerships in Kenya
- Collaborate with Kenya’s Project Implementation team to embed programme funding systems, policies, and processes ensuring high standards in grant management
- Translate project design into technical proposals and budgets for donors
- Support strong project delivery and contract management in Kenya
- Contribute to team and department objectives including planning, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting

Strategic Leadership & Business Development
- Support Chief Fundraising Officer with strategy development and operational planning
- Oversee T&F team’s operational planning, reporting, and performance monitoring
- Coordinate proposal development with multiple stakeholders
- Build strong internal and external relationships
- Lead recruitment and management of fundraising staff
- Develop and implement tactics aligned with Ol Pejeta’s global fundraising strategy
- Ensure fundraising strategy adapts to internal and external changes with innovative approaches
- Integrate T&F objectives into wider income targets and programme priorities

Grant & Risk Management
- Develop and implement improved business policies for T&F funding management and accountability
- Provide quality assurance and technical support on reporting and compliance
- Guide negotiation of strategic grants and contracts
- Advise on donor rules, regulations, and procedures
- Build capacity on grant cycle management across the organisation

People & Financial Management
- Provide inductions and build motivated, collaborative remote teams
- Conduct performance reviews and support budget oversight
- Collaborate with global fundraising colleagues
- Contribute to departmental initiatives and adhere to financial policies

Capacity Building & Knowledge Management
- Strengthen fundraising and grant management skills organisation-wide
- Oversee information systems for donor policies, funding opportunities, and best practices
- Keep abreast of international trends and opportunities in Trusts & Foundations fundraising

Experience
- Relevant experience in international NGOs or philanthropy with diverse workforces
- Proven success in Trusts & Foundations fundraising across international markets
- Demonstrated ability to cultivate and manage relationships securing six-figure grants
- Strong interpersonal, influencing, negotiation, and proactive business development skills
- Excellent technical proposal writing and budgeting skills
- Experience managing and motivating remote teams
- Ability to manage complex projects and processes
- Experience working in Africa with knowledge of conservation and community development
- Willingness to travel internationally and be available for donor enquiries outside normal hours

About You
- Strategic thinker with strong leadership and collaboration skills
- Innovative and adaptable to changing internal and external environments
- Committed to high standards in grant management and compliance
- Motivated to build strong partnerships and deliver impactful conservation outcomes

Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field, preferably Fundraising or International Development
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
- Language skills in Swahili and German are advantageous

Desirable Skills & Knowledge
- Tendering and project management experience
- Knowledge of conservation finance including biodiversity credit markets
- Established personal network in Trusts & Foundations
- Experience developing complex institutional funding bids
- Understanding of alternative finance developments for conservation