Development Manager

Oceana

Oceana

Sales & Business Development

England, UK · United Kingdom · London, UK · Newquay, UK

Posted on Apr 15, 2026

Role: Development Manager

Contract: Permanent, Full Time

Location: Hybrid working. London or Cornwall office three days per week, home working two days per week.

Oceana UK is focused on some of the biggest threats facing UK seas, including protecting seabed habitats, ending overfishing, and preventing new offshore oil and gas developments. We fight for UK seas to get the protections they deserve through highly visible campaigns and detailed policy interventions to secure measurable changes to rebuild and maintain ocean abundance and health. We act as a vital public-policy interface – raising the profile of our issues through campaigns, science, communications, and expeditions, and directly influencing policymakers and politicians.

We are now at a pivotal moment of growth, impact, and development. We have delivered meaningful progress in our first full three years of operations, helping secure major victories to protect and restore UK seas, including protecting huge areas of our seas from industrial fishing and stopping new offshore oil and gas expansion. Working closely with our international team, we are now evolving our organisation and campaigns to deliver even greater impact in the next 3-5 years, underpinned by strengthened funder relationships.

Our small, experienced, and highly motivated team are based in London and Cornwall, coming together both digitally and in person as part of developing and delivering our ambitious campaign strategy to restore ocean biodiversity and abundance. We’re proud of the team we’re creating here in the UK, and we’d love for you to join us.

Job Purpose

The Development Manager will manage our fundraising and partnerships portfolio, supporting the stewardship of relationships with some of the world’s biggest environmental foundations and philanthropists. They will manage new and existing relationships, prepare grant applications and reporting, and evolve our outreach to support the growth and diversification of our fundraising opportunities. The role will work closely with the Executive Director, our UK team, and our US based global development department, to secure sustainable resources to strengthen Oceana UK and help drive positive impact for our seas.

Eligible candidates should have a passion for fundraising and a track record in securing major grants and donations, with a focus on trusts, foundations, and philanthropy. They will foster strong relationships with high-level partners, co-deliver excellent funding applications and reports, and provide written and verbal updates with precision and confidence. They will demonstrate a strategic mindset, alongside strong organisational skills and meticulous attention to detail. They must have experience in growing and diversifying income streams and converting new interest into long-term, sustainable, support.

The position will be hybrid, based three days per week (Tues-Thurs) from Oceana’s UK offices in Newquay, Cornwall or Paddington, London. Regular national, and occasional international, travel will be required to meet team members and stakeholders in geographically diverse locations, including Washington, DC.

Responsibilities

  • Manage relationships and reporting to existing funders alongside the international development team and Executive Director. This will primarily be with trusts and foundations, individual philanthropists, and some corporate supporters.
  • Manage successful grant applications and budgets, co-ordinating and collaborating with the international development team.
  • Work closely with the finance, policy, communications, and campaigns team to ensure all relevant stakeholders are consulted in grant applications and reporting.
  • Manage and deliver timely reporting, communications, and updates to funding partners and stakeholders.
  • Manage and develop other existing UK income streams, including mass giving alongside the communications team.
  • Identify, develop and manage additional UK income opportunities, including with smaller trusts and foundations.
  • Collaborate with the Director of Finance and People, and international development and budgeting teams, to manage income forecasts and grant financial reporting.
  • Maintain appropriate development records and database for all UK activity.
  • Ensure compliance with UK fundraising regulations and best practice.
  • Develop and manage key fundraising and partnerships events.
  • Work with Executive Director to develop our outreach with funders at international events.
  • Attend and represent the UK in monthly development meetings with the international team.
  • Plan and manage UK development priorities, calendar, and budget.
  • Be present in person in the London or Cornwall office 3 days per week (Tues-Thurs), promoting a positive working culture.
  • Ensure a strong commitment to the organisation’s values and vision, as set out by Oceana globally.
  • Travel occasionally, both nationally and internationally, to meet with team members and wider internal and external stakeholders.
  • Other tasks as needed to support development and organisational objectives.

Candidate Requirements

Education and work experience:

  • At least 5 years of professional experience in fundraising and development, ideally in the ocean or the environmental space (essential).
  • Experience writing successful multi-year grant applications, alongside robust budgets, for trusts and foundations (essential).
  • Experience managing charitable foundation relationships, delivering detailed and timely reports, and managing ongoing communications as required (essential).
  • Experience managing major and corporate giving.
  • Experience prospe cting, managing and analysing research on fundraising opportunities.
  • Experience co-developing and diversifying fundraising opportunities.
  • Good existing relationships with environmental trusts and foundations (preferred).

Skills & Knowledge:

  • Excellent external relationship building, including confident networking skills, and organised and positive relationships with funders outside of scheduled reporting.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to understand and distill complex scientific issues and detailed campaigns for fundraising purposes.
  • Strong focus on spotting and cultivating new institutional fundraising opportunities
  • Strong internal stakeholder management, adept at involving relevant teams (leadership, campaigns, finance, international) to develop funding applications.
  • Confident and proficient using CRM platforms or other grant management tools.
  • Good understanding of data privacy, code of fundraising practice, and other relevant regulations.
  • Strong prioritisation and project management skills, with ability to manage multiple tasks and workstreams effectively.
  • Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
  • Proactive and self-motivated, with a strong drive to meet and exceed fundraising targets.
  • Ability to work well both independently and as part of a small, close-knit team.
  • Good understanding of the principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and a proven commitment to improving these in the environmental space.
  • Integrity and the ability to work with confidential information with discretion.

Equal Opportunities

Oceana is committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the community it serves at all levels of the organisation, and we particularly welcome applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented within the conservation sector.

All offers of employment are conditional upon the successful completion of reference checks.

Application Deadline: Sunday 10th May 2026

Interviews: w/c 18th May and w/c 25th May

See more open positions at Oceana