Development Director Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC International)

NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) International, one of the world’s most respected environmental organisations, is opening a new chapter in the UK and Europe and is looking for an experienced Development Director to lead it.

In this role, you’ll build NRDC International’s fundraising presence in the UK and Europe, developing relationships with foundations, corporate partners, principal donors and major supporters and helping shape the strategy that will support the organisation’s growth across the region for years to come.

Based in London, you’ll manage and grow a high-value portfolio while working shoulder to shoulder with senior colleagues, board members and programme teams whose work spans climate, public health and nature.

This role suits a collaborative, entrepreneurial fundraiser who thrives on possibility rather than process, someone with a proven ability to secure six and seven-figure gifts in international philanthropic markets and the drive to build a region from scratch.

Beyond its New York headquarters, NRDC has offices across the US as well as in India and Beijing. For the past decade, we have built strong relationships with funders, partners and institutions across the UK, Europe and Africa. Through NRDC International, we’re now expanding that presence, establishing a new London-based office and deepening our philanthropic network across the region. This is a genuinely exciting moment to join us and help build those relationships from the ground up.

About the role

As Development Director, you’ll lead a significant portfolio while helping establish and grow NRDC International’s fundraising presence across the UK and Europe. Working closely with NRDC International’s board, Development colleagues and senior programme leaders, you’ll grow income from foundations, corporate partners, principal donors and major supporters, directly expanding the organisation’s global reach and impact.

• Develop and manage a portfolio of approximately 50 high-value funders and prospects across the UK and European Union
• Lead tailored cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies for six and seven-figure gifts
• Shape and diversify NRDC International’s funding base by bringing sharp insight into the regional philanthropic landscape
• Collaborate with colleagues across fundraising, donor engagement, programmes and grants management to deliver outstanding donor relationships and high-quality proposals and reports

Who we are looking for

We’re looking for a strategic, entrepreneurial fundraiser who has proven they can win significant philanthropic support in the UK, Europe and/or other international markets. You’ll bring the credibility and relationship-building instincts to engage foundations, corporate partners, principal donors and major supporters, plus the confidence to operate independently as you help shape a growing international organisation from an early stage.

• Significant experience fundraising from foundations, corporate philanthropy and major-level donors, including six and seven-figure gifts
• Genuine knowledge of environmental issues and the philanthropic landscape relating to climate, nature and public health
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build trust across cultures and with senior stakeholders
• Highly organised and detail-oriented, comfortable managing multiple priorities, deadlines and donor relationships with care and professionalism
• A real commitment to NRDC’s mission, values and principles of diversity, equity and inclusion