Development Director and Europe Job London area,Greater London England UK,Management

_ World Change Starts with Educated Children® _ IMPORTANT:
All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the country where the position is located. Room to Read is not able to provide sponsorship.

Position Overview

Room to Read is seeking an experienced fundraising leader to lead and grow its UK and Europe markets. This role is responsible for setting regional strategy, delivering revenue, and driving consistent execution across a multi-million-pound portfolio spanning major gifts, corporate and foundation partnerships, and events.

The Director will personally manage a portfolio of major donors while overseeing overall market performance, including pipeline development, forecasting, and prioritisation. The role requires clear judgment on where to focus effort, the ability to make trade-offs, and a disciplined approach to converting opportunity into revenue.

The Director will manage and develop a small, geographically distributed team and work closely with senior colleagues, regional board members, and volunteer networks to strengthen donor engagement and expand Room to Read’s presence across the UK and Europe. They will also act as a key external representative, building relationships with donors and partners and supporting high-value fundraising activity.

This is a hands-on leadership role, combining strategic oversight with direct delivery. The successful candidate will bring a track record of securing significant gifts and the ability to translate strategy into consistent, measurable growth.

Responsibilities

1. Revenue Ownership & Portfolio Leadership (35–40%)

Own and deliver the UK/Europe annual revenue target ($6MM+) across major gifts, partnerships, and events
Personally manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects, with responsibility for securing significant (define) gifts
Lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategy across the market
Maintain pipeline discipline, ensuring consistent movement from prospecting through close
Oversee forecasting, track performance, and proactively manage risk and upside

2. Strategy & Market Leadership (20–25%)

Set and lead the regional fundraising strategy aligned to organisational priorities
Identify highest-potential donor segments and priority accounts
Translate strategy into clear plans with defined goals, pipeline focus, and execution cadence
Monitor donor behaviour and portfolio performance to refine approach
Ensure team effort is focused on activities that drive revenue

3. Board, Donor & External Engagement (15–20%)

Build and manage relationships with major donors, partners, and external stakeholders
Partner with regional board members and volunteer leaders to unlock networks and introductions
Prepare and support senior colleagues for donor engagement
Represent Room to Read externally in donor meetings, events, and relationship-building settings

4. Team Leadership & Performance Management (10–15%)

Lead, manage, and develop a small, geographically distributed team of two to three
Set clear priorities, performance expectations, and accountability
Coach team members on donor management and fundraising execution
Ensure clarity in roles and ways of working to avoid duplication or gaps

5. Events & Market Presence (5–10%)

Oversee strategy for key fundraising events (e.g., galas, cultivation events)
Ensure events support, donor development, and revenue generation
Identify opportunities to increase visibility with target donor audiences

6. Cross-functional Leadership & Operations (5–10%)

Collaborate with global teams (partnerships, marketing, operations) to support delivery
Ensure accurate forecasting, reporting, and data quality
Contribute to broader development strategy and cross-market learning

What Success Looks Like

Strong performers in this role typically…