US & International Philanthropy Development

Terms: Project basis | Fully remote | 12 months
Fee range: £30,000–£35,000 / $40,000–$47,000, including taxes and expenses
Application deadline: 26 July 2026
Exploratory discussions: w/c 3 August
Start date: as soon as possible
Project brief: Download here (PDF)

UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT) is seeking an experienced international philanthropy and development professional to help develop our US and international fundraising.

This is an exciting opportunity to support a charity setting its sights on growth, with a unique mission spanning heritage, environment, global public engagement and the captivating continent of Antarctica.

The project

This project comes at an important moment for UKAHT as we work towards a step-change in income development.

Over the past five years, fundraising at UKAHT has grown by 400%. We have increased and diversified revenue across both trade and fundraising, but Antarctica is changing and so is its heritage. We have developed an ambitious conservation masterplan to secure the fragile buildings in our care against a warming climate, and we now need the philanthropic backing to realise it.

UKAHT has a compelling case for support: remote Antarctica, rare and fragile heritage, urgent conservation, extraordinary wildlife, climate science, public engagement, education, policy and, of course, penguins. Each austral summer, thousands of international visitors experience our heritage sites first-hand, and many of our existing members and supporters are based overseas, including in the US, Canada, Australia and Europe.

We are high on ambition, but low on capacity. This project will help us shape and pilot a new international fundraising roadmap, with a particular focus on the US funding landscape, major gifts, individual giving and foundations.

What you’ll do

Working closely with our Head of Development, CEO, Board and small fundraising team, you will help UKAHT build the foundations for long-term international philanthropic growth.

The project will include:

• Tailoring UKAHT’s Conservation Masterplan and wider case for support for US and international philanthropy audiences

• Identifying high-potential donors, foundations and major funding opportunities

• Developing a robust prospect pipeline

• Leading proactive approaches, cultivation and relationship development

• Creating stewardship and engagement plans for existing international audiences

• Collaborating with the team to produce a clear fundraising strategy roadmap

• Advising on US fundraising compliance

Key deliverables

By the end of the project, we expect to have:

• A compelling, market-ready US and international case for support narrative and supporting materials

• A high-quality pipeline of major donor prospects

• Cultivation and relationship development activity underway

• An agreed stewardship plan and clear implementation roadmap

• A practical compliance framework for US fundraising activity

About you

We are looking for an ambitious and proactive individual with strong relationship-building skills and demonstrable experience of international philanthropy.

You will bring:

• Experience navigating the US funding landscape

• A track record of success across major gifts, individual giving and/or foundations

• Excellent prospect research, cultivation and stewardship skills

• The ability to shape a compelling case for support for high-value audiences

• Confidence working independently and proactively on a project basis

• The ability to collaborate closely with a small, busy and ambitious team

• A practical understanding of US fundraising compliance, or the ability to advise UKAHT on the right approach

This role would suit someone based in the United States, or someone based in the UK with recent connections and demonstrable experience in US philanthropy.

Location

This role is fully remote. We expect you to be based either in the United States or in the UK with recent connections and demonstrable experience in US philanthropy.

Fee & contract

This is a set project fee range of £30,000–£35,000 / $40,000–$47,000, including relevant taxes and expenses.

We appreciate that experience levels and geography can affect fee structures, so the final scope, balance of deliverables, working pattern and payment schedule will be agreed between UKAHT and the successful candidate. The project is expected to run over 12 months, with flexibility around whether work is delivered in condensed periods or agreed days per month.

A modest budget will also be available for delivery purposes. UKAHT operates 30-day invoice payment terms, with payments made by BACS.

How to apply

Download the detailed Project Brief here (PDF)

To express your interest, please submit a proposal of no more than five pages outlining:

• Your suitability for the project, including examples of relevant work and/or your CV

• How you propose to deliver the project

• Your proposed working pattern and fee structure within the budget

• Two referees, who will only be contacted with your consent

For further information about the project, please contact Camilla Johns, Head of Development, at camilla.johns@ukaht.org.

Application deadline: 26 July
Exploratory discussions: w/c 3 August by arrangement

UKAHT is committed to access, equality and social inclusion. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified people regardless of race, sex, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age.