Development Executive - Fellowship and Legacy Giving

About Us:

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a charity founded in 1826, is a leading international conservation, science and education charity. ZSL’s mission is to promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. This is realised by carrying out field conservation and research in over 50 countries around the world and through education and engagement at our two zoos, ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, inspiring people to take conservation action.

Overview of role:

The ZSL Fellowship programme has been an integral part of ZSL’s history. Ensuring that this programme is delivered to a high standard will enable ZSL to recruit the best individuals required to support ZSL in the 21st century. The income from this programme is a significant driver for the ZSL Development Team. Legacy income is an important source of funding for the ZSL. The organisation currently receives 10-15 legacies a year, and in recent years, has been fortunate to receive some extremely large gifts of between £250,000 and £2.3million.

This has led to ZSL seeking an experienced Development/ Fundraising Executive with excellent initiative, planning, organisational and communication skills. Reporting directly to the Head of Philanthropy, the primary focus of the post will be continued growth, expanding existing support from Fellows and raising the profile of ZSL Fellowship as well as increasing growth in legacy gifts including In Memoriam and In Celebration gifts. The successful applicant will be required to collaborate with other departments to achieve goals.

The combined post will require the development and successful implementation of a recruitment and retention strategy for all areas while maximising potential for crossover. In addition this role will be responsible for the day to day management of all income streams ensuring timely response, communication and service or all areas as well as coordinating support for administrative tasks.

Main responsibilities will include:

• Design and develop a recruitment, engagement and retention strategy for fellowship, legacy giving, in celebration and in memoriam giving at ZSL
• Promotion of fellowship, legacy giving, in celebration giving and in memoriam giving through effective communications, on-site and website promotion, ZSL publications and events.
• Ensuring that legacy giving has a high profile among ZSL members, patrons fellows, staff and volunteers.
• Managing and developing in memoriam giving including the management of online giving and email inquiries.
• Work closely with Development Executives & the Head of Private Philanthropy to ensure that messaging is consistent for all income streams with patronage and major gifts and recruitment opportunities are maximised.
• Develop and deliver fellowship recruitment activity both on and off-site including recruitment activity in association with leading UK universities as well as targeted recruitment for key individuals.
• Deliver an annual Fellows Day ensuring that networking and fundraising opportunities are maximised and provide support leading up to AGM meetings  
• Coordination and compilation of all fellowship reports and the fellowship council ballot and election process

The ideal candidate will have:

• Proven experience leading/ working in a membership driven programme and fundraising from individuals, preferably in legacy fundraising.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent qualification or completed in-house or external fundraising training.
• Able to develop positive working relationships with a range of people internally and externally.
• Excellent organisational abilities and administrative skills with strong attention to detail.
• Effective use of information technology, with strong skills in Microsoft Office, particularly in excel as well as database management in CRM systems
• Experience working on fundraising, recruitment and retention events.
• Experience working with solicitors and external partners to collect legacy income.

To Apply:

Applicants will need to upload their CV and covering letter (detailing relevant experience and skills, stating why they want the position and including details of availability) and can do this by clicking the "Apply for this job online" button on the ZSL website.

If you have any queries regarding this position or when applying through the system please contact Human Resources.

Closing Date: Midnight Sunday 22nd January 2017

The Zoological Society of London is a charity registered in England and Wales: no. 208728.