Development Director

Permanent employee, Full-time · London

About The Role

Location: London, W1 (Hybrid working option available (min 3 days in the office))
Reporting to: Executive Director

FAIRR and the Jeremy Coller Foundation are in search of a seasoned Development Director to spearhead their fundraising initiatives. In this key role, you will provide leadership in business development and institutional fundraising, crucial for sustaining and expanding our financial resources.

You will be instrumental in shaping and executing fundraising and donor engagement strategies while ensuring outstanding donor stewardship. This role involves both internal management and external relations, requiring you to streamline processes for initiating and planning projects and programmes. You will work in close collaboration with the executive team and report directly to the Executive Director, enhancing the team's capabilities and supporting our mission’s strategic priorities.

FAIRR is a non-profit initiative that is currently solely funded by the Jeremy Coller Foundation and does not charge its members or stakeholders for its award-winning research, data, tools or corporate engagements. Building on our strong position in the ecosystem and wide network of relationships in the philanthropic community, FAIRR is increasingly being approached to lend its expertise to execute bespoke projects for other aligned donors. Pursuing these opportunities in a considered way would allow FAIRR to expand our reach both by geography and topics of additional interest to our stakeholders, enabling us to increase our impact.

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious candidate to work at a strategic senior level to build meaningful key relationships with all key stakeholders internal and external to create a culture of philanthropy that maximises network opportunities . The ideal candidate will be collaborative and able to partner well with his/her peers at JCF/FAIRR, as well as across the Jeremy Coller Foundation and wider Coller ecosystem, to enhance and support the Foundation’s and FAIRR’s brand and reputation.

This is a senior role and the successful candidate will play a key role as a member of the FAIRR Executive Director’s leadership team which includes: Director of Thematic Research & Corporate Innovation, Director of ESG Research & Data, Director of Policy and Director of Investor Outreach, HR Director, Director of Communications & Marketing and a Finance Director. While the primary focus of the role is FAIRR, there will also be opportunities to work with the broader Foundation on bespoke projects in partnership with other donors to drive impact in related areas of interest to the Foundation.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy: Guide the development and implementation of a comprehensive fundraising strategy, focusing on securing grants from foundations, with potential expansion to individual donors and other funding sources. This strategy will be aligned with our mission, goals, and financial requirements, ensuring a sustainable revenue stream.

Donor Cultivation and Stewardship: Establish and nurture enduring relationships with potential donors, including foundations and government entities. You will play a critical role in engaging with these donors to foster their interest, secure their commitment, and manage their contributions effectively, placing donor relationships at the core of our strategy for long-term support.

Programme Design, Grant Writing and Management: Take the lead in identifying grant opportunities, applying for them, and managing the resulting grants. You will oversee the creation of high-quality project and programme design documents such as pitch decks, concept notes, and proposals, ensuring alignment with our strategic priorities and Theory of Change.

Donor Communication and Marketing: Collaborate closely with our Director of Communications and Marketing to craft impactful fundraising campaigns and donor communications. Direct the development of marketing assets and manage the creation of briefing reports, newsletters, and updates to engage potential donors and secure ongoing funding.

Grant Reporting: Partner with the Executive Team to ensure accurate and timely grant reporting. You will guide the tracking and reporting on our proposal pipeline, providing dashboard reports to the Executive Team and highlight any risks or necessary escalations.

Fundraising Mindset: Cultivate a proactive fundraising mindset within the organisation, identifying suitable projects for funding and streamlining internal processes for proposal development.

Essential Criteria

Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g. Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Finance/Investment, Environmental Studies, Global Food Systems, Agriculture etc.).

Proven expertise in a senior fundraising role working with senior management teams to unlock new opportunities and ensure exceptional stewardship of supporters, demonstrating a proven track record of successful fundraising and donor development in the nonprofit sector, preferably within environmental organisations.

Having a network of relationships with philanthropic foundations funding environmental work, ideally covering climate change, biodiversity, food and agriculture and animal welfare.

An outstanding relationship builder able to build rapport with a wide variety of audiences at the most senior levels.

Able to work operationally in a small team as well as having the ability to focus on the bigger strategic picture.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate FAIRR’s mission and impact compellingly to diverse audiences.

Strong strategic thinking and analytical abilities, with the capacity to develop fundraising strategies and pitches.

Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.

A flexible, collaborative and team-oriented approach, capable of working with cross-functional teams and building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders using tact and diplomacy where necessary. (This role will work in close partnership with the Executive Director and team to secure funding.)

Passion for environmental sustainability, food, agriculture and animal welfare.

Desirable Criteria

An advanced degree e.g. Masters or equivalent qualification in relevant subject.

Previous senior experience operating as a key member of an Executive team

Knowledge of fundraising software and donor management systems. Use of project management and CRM systems, particularly Salesforce, desirable.

Previous experience of people management/leading a team an advantage.

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About us

The FAIRR (Farm Animal Investment Risk & Return) Initiative was established in 2015 by the Jeremy Coller Foundation. The FAIRR Initiative is the fastest-growing ESG investor network with more than 400 investor members representing over $70 trillion in combined assets to leverage capital markets and drive positive change across the global food sector. FAIRR focuses on raising awareness of the key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks and opportunities impacting the protein value chain. Visit the FAIRR website for more information: www.fairr.orgller Foundation (JCF) is a private foundation based in London and operating globally.

The Jeremy Coller Foundation (JCF), established in 2002, is the philanthropic vehicle of Jeremy Coller, Chair and Chief Investment Officer of Coller Capital, a leading private equity secondaries business. The Jeremy Coller Foundation is a strategic grant-making organisation with two primary focus areas. First, the Foundation is working to further venture and management education, partnering with Tel Aviv University on the Coller Institute of Venture and the Coller School of Management. Second, the Foundation seeks to address animal welfare, environmental and human health issues caused by intensive animal agriculture. You can learn more on the JCF website: www.jeremycollerfoundation.org.

WHY JOIN US?

Working for FAIRR provides the opportunity to be part of something big! As a purpose-led organisation, we offer a role that allows you to make an impact on people and the planet through our work on sustainable food systems. Our team is building for the future. We are a fast-paced organisation, offering a place to learn, do great things with great people, and have the autonomy to make decisions that spark and manifest real change.

FAIRR is comprised of several expert teams: Thematic Research & Engagements, Data & Research, Policy, Investor Outreach, Communications & Marketing, HR and Operations. Our teams have grown rapidly but are still small enough to be innovative due to agility and collaboration. Teamwork and strong working relationships are key to our culture and enable a high level of trust within the team. All of this makes FAIRR a fantastic place to work to achieve real impact in the Global Food system – our goals are ambitious and exciting!

FAIRR’s culture is one of autonomy and responsibility, enabling skill development and career growth. Our team are supported and given stretch opportunities through our collaborative engagements with investors and the work we do with corporates producing innovative tools, data and research. You will have the opportunity to work on a range of high-profile topics to grow your expertise.

Permanent staff are entitled to a wide range of benefits including BUPA Medical and Dental; Cycle Scheme, Electric Car Scheme, TEDS workplace nursery and season ticket loan, Life Assurance, 15% employer pension (capped at £7500) and long term disability insurance. This is in addition to 25 days holiday, competitive salary and bonus.

We are located in a modern office near Marble Arch and there is the option for Hybrid working (up to 2 days from home).

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We look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you for your interest in the Jeremy Coller Foundation. Please fill out the following short form. Should you have difficulties with the upload of your data, please send an email to careers@fairr.org