Development Executive - Fundraising

The Outward Bound Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An inspiring charitable organization in Greater London is seeking a Development Executive to grow income and partnerships. The role involves researching prospects, supporting Development Managers, and creating tailored proposals. Ideal candidates are proactive, organized, and communicative, with a passion for supporting young people. Successful applicants will have experience with CRM systems and LinkedIn Sales Navigator. The organization values diversity and encourages applications from underrepresented groups.

Qualifications

• Proactive, organized and ready to grow experience in business development or fundraising.
• Enthusiastic about supporting young people through the organization's mission.

Responsibilities

• Identify and research new corporate, trust/foundation, and high network individual prospects.
• Use digital tools to map key contacts and build prospect lists.
• Support Development Managers by qualifying leads and preparing handover briefings.
• Produce tailored briefing packs and pitch materials.
• Monitor and report on the progress of the new business pipeline.

Skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Excellent research and analytical skills

Confident using Microsoft Office

Comfortable using CRM systems

Highly organized with project management skills

Collaborative and proactive approach

Experience using LinkedIn Sales Navigator

Tools

LinkedIn Sales Navigator

CRM (Dynamics)

Job description

As Development Executive, you’ll play an important part in growing new income and partnership opportunities for The Outward Bound Trust.

You’ll report to the Head of Development (New Business and Philanthropy) and work closely with our Development Managers. Together, you’ll identify, research and qualify new prospects across corporate partners, trusts and foundations, and high net worth individuals. Using tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator, our CRM (Dynamics), and wider sector insight, you’ll build a strong, insight-led pipeline of opportunities.

This is a great opportunity if you’re proactive, organised and ready to grow your experience in business development or fundraising. You’ll be part of a collaborative team that’s passionate about our mission—and you’ll see the real difference your work helps to make.

What you’ll be doing

As a Development Executive, you will:

• Identify and research new corporate, trust/foundation, and High-Network Individuals prospects aligned with Outward Bound’s mission and programmes.
• Use LinkedIn Sales Navigator and other digital tools to map key contacts, build prospect lists and track engagement.
• Support Development Managers by qualifying leads and preparing handover briefings for cultivation and approaches.
• Produce tailored briefing packs and pitch materials for Development Managers and senior leadership.
• Support the creation of compelling partnership proposals, presentations and donor materials.
• Monitor and report on progress of the new business pipeline.
• Liaise with Programme Delivery and Evaluation & Impact teams to gather relevant impact data, case studies and evidence for partnership proposals.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent research and analytical skills, with an eye for detail.
• Confident using Microsoft Office and digital tools for research, reporting and presentation.
• Comfortable using CRM systems and managing data accurately.
• Experience using LinkedIn Sales Navigator or similar prospecting platforms.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Collaborative and proactive approach; enjoys working in a dynamic team environment.
• Enthusiastic about Outward Bound’s mission and motivated by generating new income to support young people.

We hold ourselves to high standards. We support one another, step up when it counts and always put young people first.

The Outward Bound Trust’s mission is to inspire young people to believe in themselves and achieve more than they ever thought possible.

We actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity of the young people we support. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and value the unique perspectives they bring.

If you are interested, please drop an email with a up to date CV andcovering letter (no longer than two sides) to Helen Reeve, [emailprotected]

Application deadline: Monday, 5 January 2026.

First round interviews: Wednesday, 7 January - 9 January 2026.

Second round interviews: Wednesday, 14 January 2026.

If there’s anything about the interview process that worries you or will make it hard for you to demonstrate your skills and competence, please let Helen know. We’re happy to discuss adjustments to our standard processes so that we can find the best candidate for the job.

Nature doesn’t discriminate. Neither do we.

We’re committed to making our recruitment process as fair and inclusive as possible. That means actively working to remove unconscious bias and the influence of privilege from our processes.

We also know how powerful it can be for young people to see themselves in the people around them. That’s why we encourage applications from individuals who reflect the diverse backgrounds and identities of the young people we work with. By building a team that young people can relate to, we can help more of them see what’s possible.

We endeavour not to discriminate based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, being pregnant, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation.

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