Director of Development & Partnerships

Letters to the Earth is an award-winning participatory and storytelling organisation working to transform

humanity's relationship with the Earth. Working across the cultural, education, environmental and business sectors,

we create nature-based programmes, creative workshops and storytelling campaigns that inspire and empower

people to become active participants in creating a more sustainable and regenerative future.

Since launching in 2019 as an international campaign, thousands of people around the world - from four-year-olds to

great-grandparents, scientists to artists - have taken part. Their letters have been shared through performances,

exhibitions, schools, festivals, public art, media campaigns and international climate events. Our work has led to a

HarperCollins-published anthology, an ongoing partnership with Letters Live, and community and educational

resources developed with Vivobarefoot, which received the inaugural Global Dimensions Teachers' Choice Award in

2022.

Since becoming a Community Interest Company in 2025, we continue to work with young people, artists, educators,

communities, businesses and leaders to build an environmental movement rooted in a transformed relationship with

nature. We collaborate with partners at the forefront of cultural and systems change, including the growing Rights

of Nature movement, helping organisations place nature at the heart of their culture, governance and decision-

making.

Our vision is a world where all people are deeply connected with nature and actively restoring the Earth with

courage, creativity and care.

As we enter an exciting new phase of growth, we are seeking an ambitious and entrepreneurial Director of

Development & Partnerships to help build the relationships, investment and opportunities that will enable the next

chapter of our work.

The Role

The Director of Development & Partnerships will join a small team and will be responsible for leading the

organisation's income generation, strategic partnerships and organisational development, ensuring Letters to the

Earth has the relationships, investment and opportunities needed to achieve long-term sustainability and increase its

impact.

Working closely with the CEO, Board, and programme team, you will lead fundraising, partnership and business

development, building a diverse portfolio of grants, philanthropy, earned income and strategic collaborations that

strengthen both our financial resilience and our mission.

This is a 3.5-month founding-phase engagement. The priority for this contract is to build the foundations, strategy

and pipeline for sustainable income and organisational growth, building upon pre-existing and developing

partnerships and projects. Responsibilities are scoped below to fit a 2-day-per-week, 14-week engagement, with

broader ambitions carried forward into the next phase.

Key Responsibilities

Organisational Development

Draft a multi-year development strategy and income diversification plan for CEO/Board sign-off.

Assess current funding relationships, gaps and quick-win opportunities.

Set fundraising targets, budget and reporting framework for the strategy period.

Work with the CEO to identify and develop new strategic opportunities, collaborations and investment that

advance the organisation’s mission, reach and long term sustainability.

Fundraising & Income Generation

Choose 2-3 priority income streams for this phase (e.g. trusts & foundations and corporate partnerships),

based on strategy findings

Build and maintain an up-to-date list of realistic funding and partnership prospects in the priority income

streams, and keep it actively updated throughout the contract.

Lead a target number of funding applications and/or partnership proposals through to submission (target to

be agreed with CEO).

Scope and develop one earned-income opportunity (e.g. a consultancy or licensing model) as a proof-of-

concept to be taken forward.

Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

Develop strong relationships with funders, corporate partners, ambassadors and collaborators.

Prepare presentations, pitches and compelling cases for support in collaboration with the Communications

Lead.

Support the CEO on select high-priority client calls, events and proposals.

Represent Letters to the Earth at 2 - 3 sector events or meetings.

Act as an ambassador for the organisation, strengthening its profile across the cultural, environmental,

educational and philanthropic sectors.

Impact & Evaluation

Work with the CEO and programme team to develop an evidence-based impact and evaluation framework that

captures the outcomes of Letters to the Earth's nature-based programmes, creative workshops, letter writing

campaigns and events.

Identify the metrics, data-collection methods and tools (e.g. participant feedback, case studies, longitudinal

tracking) needed to evidence impact for funders, partners and the Board.

Implement data collection for any live programmes and activities during the contract period.

Use existing and newly collected evidence to strengthen funding applications, partnership proposals, pitches

and external communications.

Leadership

Contribute to the overall leadership and future direction of the organisation.

Manage external consultants and specialist fundraising support where appropriate.

Foster a collaborative culture in which income generation and partnership development are embedded across

the organisation

Person Specification

Essential

Significant senior leadership experience in development, fundraising, partnerships or business development,

with a proven track record of building long term strategic relationships and supporting organisational growth.

Experience in one or more mission-led sectors including climate and nature, environmental sustainability, arts

and culture, education, social justice or the wider charity and social enterprise sector.

Proven success securing income from trusts, foundations, public funding, philanthropy, corporate partnerships

and earned income.

Experience developing or implementing impact measurement, evaluation frameworks or monitoring &

evaluation systems in a mission-led organisation.

Strong understanding of the interconnected climate, nature and social challenges facing our world, and belief in

the role of creativity, storytelling and connection with nature in driving meaningful change.

Excellent relationship-building, proposal writing, communication, negotiation and stakeholder management

skills.

Strong commercial and financial awareness.

Entrepreneurial, strategic and hands-on.

Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and environmental responsibility.

Passion for the mission of Letters to the Earth.

Ability to work independently and think outside the box.

Desirable

Experience within a social enterprise, Community Interest Company (CIC), charity, mission-led cultural

organisation or corporate strategy development and implementation.

Knowledge of UK environmental and cultural funding landscapes and international opportunities.

Experience developing earned-income models and blended-income strategies.

Established networks across the climate, nature, arts, education or philanthropic sectors.

CRM and donor stewardship experience.

Success in the Role

Success in this initial contract will be measured by: a Board-approved multi-year development strategy; a qualified

pipeline of prospects across 2 - 3 priority income streams; a target number of applications or proposals submitted;

one earned-income opportunity scoped as a proof-of-concept; and a clear, actionable handover plan for the next

phase of the role.

Our Values

Connection • Creativity • Courage • Collaboration • Care

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who believes that people’s relationship with the natural world, storytelling and creativity

are powerful catalysts for cultural and systemic change, and who understands how to build the partnerships,

investment and opportunities that enable lasting social and environmental impact.

This is an opportunity to play a defining role in the future of Letters to the Earth, helping build a financially resilient

organisation capable of inspiring people to reconnect with nature and create positive environmental change for

generations to come.

What We Offer

A pivotal senior leadership role in an award-winning organisation.

Flexible hybrid working within a collaborative, values-led team.

The opportunity to shape organisational strategy and long-term sustainability.

Professional development and the opportunity to grow with the organisation.

The chance to contribute to lasting cultural change

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a covering letter (maximum 900 words) outlining your interest, relevant experience and

availability to [email removed - click apply for more details].

Application deadline: Monday 17

th August, midday.

Interviews: Weeks commencing 24th August and 3

rd September

Letters to the Earth welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive

recruitment process. If you have any particular requirements which will support your application, please let us know

at any point during the process by writing to [email removed - click apply for more details].