Director of Philanthropy, Europe
Only for registered members Europe, United States
1 day ago
The Director of Philanthropy, Europe is a new senior fundraising leadership role charged with accelerating WCS's mission to save wildlife and wild places by unlocking transformational philanthropic support across Europe. The role sits at the forefront of WCS's European growth amb ...
With a clear focus on leadership-level philanthropy, the Director will cultivate, solicit and steward individual and foundation donors capable of making significant, long-term commitments. Managing a defined portfolio of Europe-based high-net-worth donors—many with the capacity to give at the $1 million+ level—the role is responsible for building a robust pipeline of future principal and major gifts. The ambition is explicit: to double private philanthropic support from Europe-based donors to $20 million annually.
Working as a senior member of the Development department and in close partnership with colleagues across the Global Conservation Program, including the WCS teams based in Europe, the Director will play a central role in shaping strategy and execution.
The position will identify and qualify new high-capacity prospects; secure significant new philanthropic commitments against annual and multi-year targets; design and deliver tailored engagement strategies; and ensure exceptional stewardship for WCS's most valued supporters.
Beyond direct fundraising, the Director will act as a visible ambassador for WCS across key European markets, strengthening the organisation's presence within social, civic and philanthropic networks, with particular emphasis on family offices and high-net-worth donor collaborations. The role will also identify opportunities to strategically align private philanthropy with public and government funding streams, amplifying impact and positioning WCS as a partner of choice for large-scale, mission-driven investment in conservation.
Major Responsibilities:
1. Strategic Fundraising Leadership
• Minimum 10 years' senior fundraising experience within the non-profit sector in Europe, supported by a BS/BA degree (mission-related field preferred).
• Proven success securing seven- and eight-figure philanthropic gifts, with the gravitas and judgement to engage ultra-high-net-worth donors.
• Exceptional communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to convey complex conservation priorities in a clear, compelling and persuasive way; fluency in English essential.
• Strong strategic and creative thinker, able to design innovative donor strategies that deliver sustained revenue growth and long-term impact.
• Highly organised and outcome-driven, with the ability to manage multiple high-value relationships and priorities simultaneously while meeting demanding targets and deadlines.
• Deep commitment to WCS's mission, with a genuine passion for conserving wildlife and wild places and the credibility to represent the organisation at the highest levels.
Additional Requirements
• Comfortable working across multiple time zones, including outside standard office hours.
• Fluency in an additional European language an asset, particularly French or German.
• Willingness to travel at least 20% of the time, sometimes at short notice.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter, detailing how you fulfil the role description and personal specification to quoting reference 8271.
The deadline for applications is Monday 9th March, 9:00am GMT.
The role is full time, and we can be flexible on location as long as it is based in Europe.
Job description
The Director of Philanthropy, Europe is a new senior fundraising leadership role charged with accelerating WCS's mission to save wildlife and wild places by unlocking transformational philanthropic support across Europe. The role sits at the forefront of WCS's European growth ambition, building and stewarding a high-value portfolio of donors whose giving can shape conservation outcomes at global scale.With a clear focus on leadership-level philanthropy, the Director will cultivate, solicit and steward individual and foundation donors capable of making significant, long-term commitments. Managing a defined portfolio of Europe-based high-net-worth donors—many with the capacity to give at the $1 million+ level—the role is responsible for building a robust pipeline of future principal and major gifts. The ambition is explicit: to double private philanthropic support from Europe-based donors to $20 million annually.
Working as a senior member of the Development department and in close partnership with colleagues across the Global Conservation Program, including the WCS teams based in Europe, the Director will play a central role in shaping strategy and execution.
The position will identify and qualify new high-capacity prospects; secure significant new philanthropic commitments against annual and multi-year targets; design and deliver tailored engagement strategies; and ensure exceptional stewardship for WCS's most valued supporters.
Beyond direct fundraising, the Director will act as a visible ambassador for WCS across key European markets, strengthening the organisation's presence within social, civic and philanthropic networks, with particular emphasis on family offices and high-net-worth donor collaborations. The role will also identify opportunities to strategically align private philanthropy with public and government funding streams, amplifying impact and positioning WCS as a partner of choice for large-scale, mission-driven investment in conservation.
Major Responsibilities:
1. Strategic Fundraising Leadership
- Develop and execute a multi-year European philanthropic strategy with ambitious annual and multi-year fundraising targets, focusing on securing seven- and eight-figure commitments from high-net-worth individuals, family offices, foundations, and corporate donors.
- Identify and qualify new high-capacity prospects to build a robust pipeline
- Build, manage, and grow a portfolio of 50+ donors and prospects with the capacity to give $1M+.
- Leverage Trustees, Council members, and other leaders to strengthen donor relationships and open new networks.
- Position WCS as a partner of choice in European philanthropic circles by engaging with key networks, coalitions, and donor collaboratives.
- Serve as a visible ambassador for WCS at high-level events, conferences, and curated donor gatherings.
- Forge and advance strategic partnerships that blend philanthropic and public funding to maximize conservation impact.
- Share market intelligence and donor insights to inform global fundraising strategies and support cross-regional donor approaches.
- Design and deliver bespoke donor engagement opportunities — including site visits, events, and travel experiences.
- Develop tailored proposals, briefings, and stewardship materials that resonate with European audiences.
- Maintain accurate donor records and moves management updates in Salesforce.
- Deliver monthly progress reports, analyze portfolio performance, and adjust strategies based on data insights.
- Develop and track annual and long-term revenue goals.
- Monitor trends in European philanthropy to identify emerging opportunities and anticipate potential risks.
• Minimum 10 years' senior fundraising experience within the non-profit sector in Europe, supported by a BS/BA degree (mission-related field preferred).
• Proven success securing seven- and eight-figure philanthropic gifts, with the gravitas and judgement to engage ultra-high-net-worth donors.
• Exceptional communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to convey complex conservation priorities in a clear, compelling and persuasive way; fluency in English essential.
• Strong strategic and creative thinker, able to design innovative donor strategies that deliver sustained revenue growth and long-term impact.
• Highly organised and outcome-driven, with the ability to manage multiple high-value relationships and priorities simultaneously while meeting demanding targets and deadlines.
• Deep commitment to WCS's mission, with a genuine passion for conserving wildlife and wild places and the credibility to represent the organisation at the highest levels.
Additional Requirements
• Comfortable working across multiple time zones, including outside standard office hours.
• Fluency in an additional European language an asset, particularly French or German.
• Willingness to travel at least 20% of the time, sometimes at short notice.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter, detailing how you fulfil the role description and personal specification to quoting reference 8271.
The deadline for applications is Monday 9th March, 9:00am GMT.
The role is full time, and we can be flexible on location as long as it is based in Europe.