Partnerships and Grants Manager

Hertfordshire Zoo UK Closing date for applications is: 1st Nov 2026 Contact: Lisa Pressland (Lisa.Pressland@hertfordshirezoo.com) Sector: Fundraising Type: Paid Contract type: Full-time Salary: According to skills and experience Do you have a talent for building relationships, securing funding and turning ambitious ideas into reality? Hertfordshire Zoo is creating a brand-new Partnerships & Grants Manager role to establish and lead our grants, fundraising and charitable partnerships function. This is an exciting opportunity to shape a new area of the organisation and play a direct role in supporting conservation, education, animal welfare and future development projects across the Zoo. The Role Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will be responsible for building a sustainable pipeline of income from trusts, foundations, public bodies, major donors and corporate charitable partners. You will identify funding opportunities, develop compelling proposals and applications, and build long-term relationships with supporters who share our commitment to wildlife conservation, education and animal welfare. Working closely with colleagues across the Zoo, you will turn exciting projects and ideas into fundable opportunities, ensuring successful applications are supported by clear budgets, measurable outcomes and strong evidence of impact. This is a rare opportunity to create something from the ground up, establishing the systems, relationships and strategy that will support the Zoo's charitable ambitions for years to come. Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead Hertfordshire Zoo's grants, fundraising and charitable partnerships programme.
• Create and maintain a pipeline of funding opportunities from trusts, foundations, public bodies, donors and corporate partners.
• Research, prepare and submit high-quality funding applications, proposals and cases for support.
• Work with Conservation, Education, Animal Care, Buildings and other teams to identify and develop fundable projects.
• Build and manage relationships with donors, funders and charitable partners, demonstrating impact and encouraging ongoing support.
• Develop tailored partnership opportunities, including donations, employee fundraising, volunteering and gifts in kind.
• Monitor grants and awards to ensure funding conditions, reporting deadlines and project outcomes are successfully delivered.
• Work closely with Finance, Marketing and operational teams to maximise opportunities and maintain compliance.
• Produce regular reports on pipeline activity, secured income and future opportunities. About You We are looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated individual who can combine excellent writing skills with strong relationship-building ability and commercial awareness. You Will Be Able To Demonstrate
• Experience securing funding through grants, trusts, foundations, charitable partnerships or major donor programmes.
• Strong bid-writing, proposal-writing or fundraising experience.
• The ability to build credibility and positive relationships with external partners and internal stakeholders.
• Excellent written communication and presentation skills.
• Experience managing multiple opportunities, deadlines and projects simultaneously.
• Strong financial awareness and the ability to work with budgets and funding criteria.
• A proactive and organised approach, with excellent attention to detail.
• Confidence representing an organisation at meetings, networking events and partner engagements.
• A genuine interest in conservation, education, animal welfare or charitable causes. Why Join Us?
• Establish and lead a brand-new function with genuine influence across the organisation.
• Help secure funding for conservation, education, animal welfare and future development projects.
• Build relationships with supporters, funders and partners who share our mission.
• Work closely with teams across the Zoo to bring exciting projects to life.
• Be part of a growing conservation-based organisation that makes a real difference to wildlife and public engagement. What We Offer
• 40 hours per week, generally Monday to Friday.
• 28 days' holiday plus Christmas Day, increasing with length of service.
• Access to the Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme.
• Staff discounts and benefits, including free access to participating UK and European zoos.
• Regular staff events.
• Eligibility for our Conservation Award, offering opportunities to visit global conservation partners. Apply For This Job How to Apply To apply, please email your CV and covering letter to Lisa Pressland, Head of Human Resources, at lisa.pressland@hertfordshirezoo.com Your covering letter should outline your relevant fundraising, grants or partnership experience and explain why you would like to join Hertfordshire Zoo.