Philanthropy & Legacy Manager

Philanthropy & Legacy Manager

Full time, permanent contract with an option for some hybrid working.

We are Chester Zoo

We re not just an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction that s home to over 30,000 incredible animals within 128 acres of stunning gardens. We re not just the UK s most popular zoo. We re an international wildlife charity that s committed to the recovery of endangered species.

The Role Philanthropy & Legacy Manager

The Fundraising Department of Chester Zoo, a major wildlife charity, with a mission of Preventing Extinction works to secure income which contributes towards the delivery of our strategic development plan and ambitious conservation plan, helping to ensure nature can survive and thrive.

We have an exciting new role for an outstanding Philanthropy & Legacy Manager to join our ambitious fundraising team. We are looking for an experienced individual to help to lead the delivery of Chester Zoo's high value relationship strategy, helping to build new relationships with philanthropists to fund a range of vital conservation projects and support the zoo s ambitious growth targets leading to its centenary in 2031.

This role also delivers the organisations legacy programme, leading the growth and stewardship of legacy giving and ensuring these deeply personal gifts are honoured with sensitivity and compassion.

Reporting to the Fundraising & Philanthropy Lead and working across the organisation, we re looking for somebody who is ambitious and results orientated with a natural enthusiasm and curiosity, who has strong relationship building skills and the ability to influence, negotiate and listen when representing Chester Zoo.

We re looking for someone who can:

• Fundraising Strategy

Implement plans to attract high-value individual philanthropists in collaboration with the Fundraising & Philanthropy Lead and wider Fundraising strategy.

• Targets

Contribute to the delivery of the organisation s ambitious growth around philanthropic giving, setting KPI s and working with our Executive team to secure donations of £10,000 and above.

• Prospect Research

Work across the organisation to identify and research potential major donors who align with the organisation's conservation mission and goals.

• Legacy management

Lead on the growth and management of legacy giving, ensuring our lifetime supporters are stewarded. Building on relationships with families and solicitors to ensure these deeply personal gifts are honoured with sensitivity and care.

• Donor Cultivation and Communications

Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective donors, creating individual plans for donor stewardship. Working closely with the Senior Data and Insights Manager and Senior Marketing Manager to fully utilise the CRM - preparing strong communication updates and regular bespoke reports.

• Event Management and Stewardship

Work across the organisation with our in-house teams to lead and curate exceptional engagement opportunities through events and experiences. Develop donor visits, creating bespoke touchpoints with individuals which cultivate and inspire donors and prospects.

• Proposal Writing

Create compelling, persuasive and bespoke proposals for prospective donors to influence and engage them and secure philanthropic support.

• Recording and Thanking

Keep accurate records on the database to include all communications, donor plans, pledges, proposals, gifts and restrictions. Working with the Fundraising Administrator to handle accompanying gift administration as well as recognition.

What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?

Well, where do we start? Here goes

We re a huge team of conservationists, scientists, educators, animal welfare experts, marketeers, visitor experience professionals, environmental policy influencers; the list goes on. Each and every one of us is on a mission to make Chester Zoo the best in the world, and our planet a better place.

As the UK s biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there s always lots going on here. We re an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of over 600 permanent and 500 temporary team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development. We have ambitious goals, and we want you to be with us for the long term on our exciting journey.

Our working environment could not be more different from a typical office where else can you see critically endangered orangutans from your office window, or stroll among rare giraffes and tigers on your lunch break?

The Package

• Permanent contract
• 40 hours per week
• Salary £39,833 per annum
• Option for some hybrid working, based at Chester Zoo minimum of 3 days per week.
• 33 days annual leave (includes bank holidays) plus the option to buy or sell up to 5 days.
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions up to 9%
• Healthcare plan and employee assistance programme.
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks

Our Requirements

• Demonstrable experience in securing and managing five figures+ philanthropic gifts from individuals
• Proven track record in writing exceptional, accurate and compelling proposals
• Experience in producing high-quality impact reports for funders
• Skilled in managing and developing a portfolio of funders and meeting fundraising targets
• Experience in developing and building long-term donor relationships
• Outstanding communication skills
• Proven experience of delivering consistently high levels of supporter care
• Experience in curating and managing stewardship events
• Experience of prioritising and balancing a busy workload
• Experience of working closely with other fundraising streams
• Experience of using a database to manage and track donor relationships and pipeline for accurate recording
• A proven understanding of legacy giving

Although not essential, the following would be desirable:

• Strong working knowledge of individual giving, Gift Aid and charitable sector
• Ability to recognise the needs of differing stakeholders
• Ability to work well independently and under pressure
• Highly organised with exceptional attention to detail

Shortlisting of applications and arrangement of interviews will take place while the advert is live, candidates are therefore encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible. We reserve the right to close the advert early.