Head of Fundraising for RZSS
- Published:
Job description...
- Location: Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, EH12 6TS
- Salary: £62,019- £65,158
- Contract: Permanent
- Hours: 37.5 (RZSS are open to a four day a week working arrangement - 0.8 FTE)
- Reports to: Deputy CEO
- Closing Date: Monday 19th October 2026 at midday
- Interview Date: Week commencing 2nd November 2026
Welcome!
Thank you for your interest in the position of Head of Fundraising with the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), the wildlife conservation charity.
RZSS has an ambitious vision of a world where nature is protected, valued and loved. We work with partners in more than 20 countries around the world and the iconic Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park – set in the stunning Scottish Highlands – are our gateways to nature.
This is an exciting and rare opportunity to make a big difference for nature, people and the environment.
The RZSS fundraising team have made great strides in recent years, achieving major funding for key projects such as Saving Wildcats and Scotland’s Wildlife Discovery Centre. I would like to thank our current Head of Fundraising Celia Brady and wish her the very best in her retirement.
This is a great time to join our charity as we aim do even more to reverse the decline of species, create deeper connections with nature for people and support communities to protect our natural world.
Modern, progressive and conservation focused zoos have a vital role to play as we face up to the enormous challenges presented by climate change and biodiversity loss.
We are looking for someone who shares our passion for wildlife. A team builder who brings people together – and of course someone with the knowledge, skills and experience who can take our fundraising forward.
Nature needs us all more than ever, so please get in touch if you think this could be the right role for you.
With best wishes
Ben Supple
Deputy Chief Executive
RZSS is was founded in 1909 by Edinburgh lawyer Thomas Gillespie. A visionary and nature enthusiast, in just four years Thomas garnered sufficient support and funding to enable RZSS to buy an 85 acre site to the west of Edinburgh, with help from the City of Edinburgh Council.
Edinburgh Zoo opened in July 1913 and was incorporated by Royal Charter later that year. However, it was only in 1948, following a visit by HRH King George VI, that RZSS was granted the privilege of adding the prefix ‘Royal’ to its name. In 1986 our charity brought Highland Wildlife Park into the RZSS family.
Our parks are gateways to the natural world through which people can experience nature. They can learn about the challenges facing wildlife and discover how we harness expertise in conservation science and animal care to save species from extinction. Making nature more accessible is fundamental because people protect and value what they love and understand.
Our purpose, mission and vision
We have a very clear purpose: to create a world where nature is protected, valued and loved. But we cannot achieve this alone. Nature needs us all more than ever.
Working together with our teams, visitors, members, supporters and partners, we can achieve our 2030 pledges to:
*reverse the decline of at least 50 species
*create deeper connections with nature for more than a million people
*enable more than 100 communities to better protect our natural world
Find out more about RZSS’s purpose, mission and vision .
Lead RZSS’s fundraising function, generating restricted and unrestricted income through integrated campaigns, activities and stewardship to achieve agreed targets. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contribute to the strategic direction of RZSS, enhance its parks as world-class visitor attractions, and strengthen its reputation as a global leader in conservation, science and community engagement.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion about this vacancy, please contact either Alan Surgeon or Donna McKay at AWS Executive:
Email: [email protected]
Closing Date for Applications:
Monday 19th October 2026 at midday
Interview Date:
Week commencing 2nd November 2026
Please submit a tailored CV and cover letter that clearly addresses the personal specification via the Apply button at the link below
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