Senior Development Manager - Major Gifts

job description

Hours of work Full time

Contract Type Fixed Term (FTA)

Contract start date Provisionally 25 May 2026

Contract end date 12 months from start date

Salary £50,000 - £55,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience [Development Grade]

Directorate Development

Location Kew Gardens, Richmond, Hybrid

Closing Date  08/03/2026

The Senior Development Manager, Major Gifts will be an integral member of the Major Donor team, partnering with the Associate Director, Major Gifts and Patrons to develop and implement Kew’s major giving strategy. The successful candidate will be a passionate major donor fundraiser with experience securing five and six figure gifts from individuals and family foundations. They will have outstanding organisational and communication skills, be a strategic and creative thinker, and enjoy working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders. They will have line management experience and highly developed interpersonal skills, with notable experience and interest in motivating others to succeed. This person will enjoy making things happen and a strong appreciation for Kew’s mission.

Interviews are due to take place w/c 16 March.

This role is based at Kew with the option of regular home working, subject to operational requirements.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant science institute, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and major visitor attraction. Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth.

We are working to end the unprecedented extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. We will achieve these goals by drawing on our leading scientific research, unrivalled collections of plants and fungi, global network of partners, inspirational gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, and our 260 years of history.

Join us on our journey as protectors of the world’s plants and fungi. 

The salary for this position is £50,000 - £55,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience [Development Grade]

Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries, as well as access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.

If you are interested in this position, please submit your application through the online portal, by clicking “Apply for this job”.

We are dedicated to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to interview disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

No agencies please.