Director of Development

Location: London, UK
Position: Director of Development
Hours: Full time (40 hours per week). We are open to discussing part-time (32 hours per week) or compressed hours options for the right candidate.
Contract type: Permanent
Starting salary: £72,500 per annum
Start time: ASAP
Application deadline: 9am, Tuesday 16th June 2026
Benefits: Hybrid working (office/home), contributory pension scheme, generous annual leave, wellbeing support

About us

Dialogue Earth is an independent non-profit dedicated to fact-based, trusted climate journalism. We focus on the impact of climate change on the lives and livelihoods of those most affected by it. We create impact by bringing compelling stories from local voices to our key global audiences.

A UK-registered charity headquartered in London, our approach is rooted in a network of specialist country editors located across South and Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America, and delivered through reporting in eight languages, workshops, and media partnerships. We seek to bring light, rather than heat, to crucial debates, and solutions to bear on complex problems.

We cover climate, energy, nature, oceans, pollution, water, politics, health, justice and the global economy, through balanced, fact-based, on-the-ground reporting, including deep expertise on China and its development impacts.

The Role

This is a pivotal moment for Dialogue Earth. As news organisations continue to retreat from climate coverage and the funding landscape for independent journalism becomes more challenging, we are looking for a Director of Development who can help us strengthen existing funder relationships, build new partnerships and shape our funding strategy for the years ahead.

You will work closely with the CEO, senior colleagues, and trustees to develop a clear funding strategy, identify new opportunities, lead high-quality proposals and ensure funders understand the value and impact of Dialogue Earth’s work.

The Director of Development will be a key member of the senior management team and share responsibility for delivering Dialogue Earth’s mission.

What we are looking for

Essential

● Commitment to our mission – the search for shared global solutions to climate change and the environmental crisis;
● Dedication to our values of openness, dialogue, ecological and informational integrity, and justice;
● Significant senior leadership experience in partnerships, philanthropy or income development, with a strong and demonstrable track record of securing and growing funding from a range of sources;
● You will possess both strategic insight and hands-on experience, be networked across the charitable funding sector, and combine commercial thinking with a deep understanding of the NGO and fundraising landscape;
● Strategic judgement and strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to communicate clearly, analyse complex information and influence a range of stakeholders;
● A proactive and collaborative approach, with the ability to navigate complex funding landscapes and deliver against ambitious targets.

Main responsibilities

● Develop and execute a clear income growth strategy with defined targets, milestones, and measurable outcomes;
● Oversee the development of an updated funding pipeline;
● Lead and develop Dialogue Earth’s small, focused fundraising team with clear objectives and accountability;
● Lead on Dialogue Earth’s engagement with existing and potential funders.
● Ensure funding reports are prepared and delivered on time;
● Lead on the submission of funding proposals, ensuring they are in line with editorial priorities and budgeted appropriately;
● Provide strategic oversight of key income generating events, ensuring they are leveraged effectively to cultivate and secure high value support;
● Support Trustees to act as effective ambassadors and introducers;
● Contribute actively to the senior management team, ensuring fundraising is embedded within wider organisational strategy and decision making.

Essential experience, knowledge and skills

● Proven track record of securing significant funding commitments;
● Experience of creating an organisational fundraising strategy and enacting a strategic plan;
● Experience building and converting a strong major donor pipeline, including multi-year commitments;
● Demonstrated ability to lead high value partnership or funding conversations and personally secure significant commitments;
● Experience setting and delivering against ambitious income growth targets;
● Experience of leading and developing a small team;
● Experience of contributing as part of a senior management team, with the ability to help shape organisational strategy;
● A natural relationship builder, able to establish trust quickly and sustain long term partnerships with high value supporters;
● Comfortable with accountability and transparent performance measurement;
● Self-aware, pragmatic, and calm under pressure;
● Demonstrates alignment with the values of Dialogue Earth and a commitment to collaborative, high-performance working.

How to apply

Please submit the following to [email protected] with ‘Application: Director of Development’ in the subject line by 9am, Tuesday 16th June 2026:

● Curriculum Vitae (CV);
● Cover letter. Please note that cover letters will be assessed as part of the application. We use the cover letter to understand your motivation, relevant experience and communication style. Please ensure that it is a genuine reflection of your experience and interest in the role;
● Contact details for 2-3 professional referees. We will not contact referees without prior consent.

Applications must be submitted in English. Please note, we are unable to sponsor visa applications. Interviews will be held in the week commencing Monday 22nd June.

Accurate, compelling journalism requires a deep understanding of the diverse regions and communities we cover. To fulfil this, we are committed to creating an inclusive, accessible recruitment process and building teams that reflect a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and identities, particularly those historically underrepresented in the media industry. By aligning our newsroom with the diversity of our coverage areas, we strengthen the quality, depth, and impact of our reporting. If you have a disability or long-term condition (e.g. neurodiversity, mobility issues) that may affect your ability to participate in our process and you require any reasonable adjustments to support you in applying or interviewing for this role, please email [email protected] to discuss your needs.