This pivotal role will help shape and drive strategic direction, ensuring we generate sustainable income, deepen community engagement, and deliver meaningful outcomes for people, nature, and climate.

Reporting to the CEO, this role forms part of the senior leadership team, which guides strategic development and activity towards achieving NWT’s mission. Key components include income generation from diverse sources, fostering widespread support from communities, partners and businesses, budgetary control, monitoring KPIs and ensuring successful outcomes for people, nature and climate. 

Main responsibilities 

• Assist the Senior Leadership team with developing the organisation’s business planning, strategy and KPI’s, as well as produce the annual report each year.
• Be an enthusiastic member of the Senior Leadership team, helping NWT through a period of cultural and system change and constant challenges in the external operating environment.
• Lead, motivate and manage teams (see structure diagram): engagement & communications, fundraising & development, communities & nature, and the cafés at our visitor centres.
• Develop plans and integrate team strategies that will deliver impactful campaigns and initiatives that grow support, deepen engagement and promote action for nature.
• Assist with major bid development, corporate and philanthropic initiatives.
• Oversee the Trust’s brand, messaging, and public profile, ensuring alignment with its values and strategic goals.
• Drive innovation in fundraising across individual giving, membership, corporate partnerships, grants, social investment and legacy income.
• Ensure visitor centres and cafés offer high-quality experiences that reflect the Trust’s ethos and make a positive contribution to income generation.
• Agree and set team budgets and control expenditure.
• Monitor team performance against strategic goals/KPIs.
• Co-ordinate the liaison, budgets and planning with The Land Trust for our sites at Northumberlandia and Weetslade.
• Continue to secure the People’s Postcode Lottery donation (£200k per year), planning and reporting on outputs and impacts.

How to apply

To apply for the position of Director of Engagement & Fundraising, please complete the corresponding Application Form in full, and return it to paula.turner@northwt.org.uk by the specified deadline. 

Please note, CVs and/or covering letters will not be accepted. 

If you require further information regarding any aspect of the application process, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Thank you for your interest in Northumberland Wildlife Trust.