Director of Development

CAT is seeking a Director of Development to lead our transformative plans for the regeneration of our Llwyngwern Quarry home, and lead our fundraising, marketing and comms, policy and partnerships. You will have excellent fundraising knowledge, skills and experience, as well as knowledge of marketing and comms, and the ability to network and influence key stakeholders.

About CAT

The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) is an internationally renowned environmental charity, a world-leading eco centre, and one of the foremost providers of postgraduate environmental education in the UK, based near Machynlleth in Mid Wales.

CAT provides inspiration, education and training in solutions to the climate and biodiversity emergency.

Key activities include a visitor centre where groups can see solutions in action, residential short courses, vocational training and postgraduate degrees in a wide range of sustainability-related topics, with online courses and events offered alongside in-person learning.

CAT has ambitious and transformative plans to scale up what we do in response to the climate and biodiversity emergency. It is an exciting time to join the organisation in a senior leadership role. We have a £25 million redevelopment plan for our Llwyngwern Quarry home, known as Cynefin. We have secured £13.5 million from the UK and Welsh Government through the Mid Wales Growth Deal and private match funding for the first phase. The Director of Development will lead the capital fundraising campaign as well as playing a key role in the charity’s Senior Management Team and leading and managing the fundraising, marketing and communications, and Innovation Lab teams.

The postholder will bring substantial senior fundraising experience and a strong track record in effective and collaborative leadership. In addition, experience of strategic leadership in policy and communications and marketing would be an advantage.

Job Details:

Reference: DoD250514
Area of responsibility: Leadership of CAT’s fundraising, marketing, communications, policy and partnerships
Responsible to: Co-Chief Executive Officer (Co-CEO)
Responsible for: Staff employed within the fundraising, marketing and comms, and Innovation Lab teams
Contract type: Permanent
Responsibility Grade: 9 (£54,000 – £67,200)
Location: Flexible: home-working with regular visits to the CAT eco centre near Machynlleth
Hours: Full time: 37.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE).
Working Days: Usually Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Occasional weekend and evening working.
Closing date for applications: 5pm 15 June 2025
Interviews to be held: week commencing 23 June 2025 (on site)
Expected start date: As soon as possible

Salary and employee benefits:

£54,000 per annum

CAT offers a generous annual leave allowance of 25 days p.a., plus bank holidays (usually 7-8 days), plus additional allowance at Christmas (usually 3 days), plus 1 extra day for every year worked (up to 5 days).

CAT also offers an attractive package of employee benefits, including:

A free cooked lunch and free hot drinks from the café whenever working from the CAT eco centre
40% discount on retail goods purchased from CAT
Opportunities for CPD training, qualifications & professional memberships to be funded by CAT
Opportunity to take 1 CAT short course per year free-of-charge
the opportunity to purchase additional holiday days
A ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme
5% pension contribution
Generous maternity and paternity entitlement and Death In Service benefit
2 hours per month for general health & wellbeing & 2 hours per month for Welsh language tuition.

Overview of the Role

The Director of Development is responsible for developing and leading strategies to grow the organisations financial resources, supporter base and brand recognition. The Director of Development will lead and manage the fundraising team and have overall responsibility for ensuring the effective leadership and management of the Marketing and Comms and Innovation Lab teams in conjunction with the Co-Heads of Marketing and Comms and Innovation Lab Manager.
The Director of Development is responsible for developing and implementing a fundraising strategy, tactics and plans, to deliver the multi-million pound revenue funding needed for CAT to meet its strategic ambitions as well as to build up its reserves.
The Director of Development is responsible for developing and delivering the capital fundraising campaign to secure the Mid Wales Growth Deal funding and raise the private match to enable us to deliver on Cynefin.
The role involves developing and delivering strategies for increasing core and project-focused income from individual donors, charitable trusts, statutory sources and companies.
The post involves development of fundraising bids and pitches in support of the above.
The Director of Development will build and maintain strong and trusted senior level relationships with key stakeholders in government, funders, high net worth individuals, corporates and partner organisations.
The post holder will lead on enhancing CAT’s approach to measurement of impact and ensuring effective systems are in place for monitoring and evaluation.
The post will be responsible for oversight of marketing and communications, including ensuring effective marketing and communications strategies are developed, implemented, monitored and evaluated.
As a key member of CAT’s Senior Management Team, you will play a significant role in the overall leadership and management of the organisation and in particular you will make a significant contribution to the refinement and delivery of our vision, mission and values.
The postholder will be responsible for setting and managing the budget.

Main Responsibilities

Fundraising and Income Generation

Develop and clearly articulate the case for support for CAT that positions it for fundraising success. Determine the most effective way of positioning its case as compelling and unique.
Develop, implement and evaluate a comprehensive fundraising programme that meets the needs of the organisation. This includes setting the overall goals and objectives for fundraising, alongside the Co-CEOs and leading the delivery of strategies to achieve these goals.
Identify, prioritise, cultivate, solicit and steward a major gifts portfolio that includes individuals and organisations, with a particular emphasis on trusts and foundations.
Working closely with the Co-CEO, refine and lead the organisation’s strategy for securing increased support from statutory sources, including Welsh and UK Government.
The post will be responsible for oversight of fundraising, including ensuring effective fundraising strategies are developed and implemented for increasing giving, recruitment and retention of members and supporters including legacies, as well as for trusts and corporates.
Work closely with the Co-CEO, Head of Eco Centre and Project Director to update on progress with funding and funders requirements.
Lead the development of funding bids and tenders, working with the Co-CEO, Head of Eco Centre, Head of School, fundraising team, trustees and other staff across the organisation.
Build the realisation of core funds and overhead costs into all bids and tenders.
Work with the Co-CEO and Management Accountant to ensure strong systems are in place for the financial management of projects and the realisation of projected core and overhead contributions.
Work collaboratively with colleagues to create robust systems for prospect research, stewardship and contact management.
Provide regular reports on progress and results with prospects in portfolio.
In collaboration with the Co-CEO and other senior managers, establish and maintain links with the government, business and voluntary sectors with a view to attracting financial support.
In collaboration with the Co-CEO oversee CAT’s external networking and advocacy, in collaboration with staff across the organisation.
Lead on embedding the measurement of impact of the charity’s activities across the organisation.

Communications

Working with the CoCEO and Co-Heads of Marketing and Comms, provide leadership to the organisation’s communications and marketing work.
Working with the Marketing and Comms team, create and oversee the delivery of a marketing and communications strategy that will enhance and build upon CAT’s excellent reputation and enable the effective marketing of CAT’s services and communication of key messages.
Advise and support the Marketing and Comms team in relation to brand-building, campaigns, supporter mobilisation, media relations and defensive PR.
Working with the Co-Heads of Marketing and Comms and team, develop and update a record of key information and clear and consistent messages about CAT’s work, goals and achievements. Oversee the implementation of key messages in CAT’s communications.

Strategic and Motivational Leadership

Provide inspirational, collaborative and effective leadership over the range of CAT’s fundraising and development activities, harnessing the commitment and knowledge of the staff.

Other

To undertake such other duties and responsibilities as required by the Co-CEO.

The Person

Candidates for the role must bring substantial experience and broad expertise and contacts in fundraising, including managing and supporting a fundraising team.

You will have a proven track record of generating significant funds through trust, statutory and corporate sources and from individual giving, preferably including prior success in leading a multi-million capital campaign as well as driving increased core income.

You will need strong experience and skills in networking and developing relationships with individuals and organisations. Experience of leading marketing and communications work would be an advantage.

Candidates should also have a wide range of business development and communications skills including entrepreneurial flair, excellent communication and inter-personal skills and strong organisational abilities.

Empathy and enthusiasm for the purpose, values and challenges of CAT are essential, together with a collaborative and determined leadership style and the gravitas and presence to inspire confidence at a variety of levels.

To learn more about the role download the full job description:

Applications should be forwarded to vacancy@cat.org.uk by the deadline stating the job title in the Subject line.

Any queries should be addressed to vacancy@cat.org.uk

Applications are required, CVs will not be accepted.

Job Description: Director of Development

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