Development Director
The Development Director leads and delivers Oceana's fundraising and partnerships activities across Europe, playing a critical role in securing the long-term financial sustainability of Oceana's work. In close collaboration with multiple teams in Europe and globally,the role is responsible for designing and implementing the European fundraising strategy, with a strong focus on building and managing relationships with institutional donors, foundations, major donors and strategic partners.
Reporting to Oceana's Head of Executive Affairs in Europe, the role operates with a high level of autonomy within an established governance framework. The Development Director manages a team of two senior development managers and is accountable for identifying and escalating fundraising, donor and partnership risks, and for ensuring that all fundraising activity is aligned with organizational capacity, financial sustainability objectives and governance requirements. The role involves regular travel, primarily within Europe, with occasional inter-continental travel.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and deliver the European fundraising strategy in line with organizational priorities, budgets and delivery capacity.
- Secure funding from foundations, individuals, and public and private institutions across Europe and other relevant markets.
- Build, manage and strengthen long-term relationships with existing and prospective donors, partners and aligned organizations.
- Lead the preparation and submission of high-quality funding proposals, concept notes and expressions of interest.
- Ensure delivery against agreed fundraising targets and contribution to the overall Oceana Europe budget.
- Manage donor engagement and stewardship, including meetings, events, briefings, reporting and ongoing communications.
- Ensure effective grant management across the full funding cycle, from proposal development through to final reporting.
- Coordinate accurate financial and narrative donor reporting in close collaboration with the Finance and delivery teams.
- Monitor fundraising pipelines, maintain accurate records, and identify and escalate financial, delivery or partnership risks as required.
- Work closely with internal teams to ensure fundraising activities support campaign objectives and organizational impact.
- Provide regular fundraising updates and insights to senior management.
- Lead and support development staff, consultants or contractors, while promoting ethical fundraising practices, strong accountability and continuous improvement.
Education and work experience:
- Bachelor's degree required; a Master's degree preferred in International Relations, Political Science, Communications, Fundraising, Non-Profit Management or a related field.
- At least 10 years of experience in fundraising or development roles within non-profit organizations.
- Proven track record of meeting fundraising targets in international non-profit organizations.
- Experience working within governance frameworks and donor compliance regimes.
- Experience engaging with senior leadership on fundraising strategy and performance.
- Experience in proposal writing, donor stewardship and effective reporting.
Skills and knowledge:
- Strong knowledge of fundraising principles and development best practice.
- Excellent written communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal and presentation skills.
- Ability to manage multiple funding streams and competing deadlines.
- Highly organized, proactive, and able to operate with a high degree of autonomy.
- Oral and written proficiency in English is a must; fluency in other European languages, such as Spanish, Dutch, French or German, is an advantage.
- Strong leadership and people management skills, with experience building and motivating high-performing development teams.
- Solid understanding of donor engagement, stewardship and moves management.
- Strong financial awareness, including budget management and income forecasting.
- High level of integrity, professionalism and adherence to ethical fundraising standards.
- Cultural sensitivity and experience working in international or multicultural environments.
Oceana is an equal opportunity employer and proud to provide equal employment opportunity to all job seekers. We are actively committed to ensuring that no individual is discriminated against on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
FUNDACION OCEANA is the Controller of the Data Subject's personal data and informs him/her that these data shall be processed in accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of 27 April (GDPR) and the Organic Law 3/2018 of 5 December (LOPDGDD), for a legitimate interest of the Controller, providing the following information on the processing:
- Purpose of the processing: to include the Data Subject in the personnel selection processes, analyzing the applicant's profile with the aim of selecting the best candidate for the Controller's vacancy.
- Legitimacy of the processing: unequivocal consent clearly indicated by the Data Subject.
- Data storage criteria: data will be stored for a maximum period of one year, after which the data will be erased, guaranteeing full respect for confidentiality both in the processing and subsequent destruction. To this effect, once this period has elapsed, and if you wish to continue participating in the Controller's selection processes, please send us your CV again.
- Updating data: in the event of any modification to your data, please inform us in writing as soon as possible to keep your data duly updated.
- Data disclosure: Your data may be communicated to third parties because it is necessary to achieve the purpose of the treatment, or by legal obligation.
Rights of the Data Subject:
- Right to withdraw consent at any time.
- Right of access, rectification, portability and erasure of data and the limitation or objection to their processing.
- The right to file a claim with the Spanish Supervisory Authority (www.aepd.es) if you consider that the processing does not comply with the current legislation.
Contact information to exercise their rights: FUNDACION OCEANA. Gran Vía 62, 7 Izq. – 28013 Madrid. Email: Europe.Data@oceana.org
Oceana's offices operate on a hybrid schedule, and staff are required to work from their assigned office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Actual salary offer will depend on the candidate's exact work location, qualifications, relevant experience, and internal pay equity relative to current employees in similar roles.
N.B. Applications will be assessed upon receipt; we therefore encourage early submission.
Due to the high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.
Please submit your application by June 29, 2026
Development Director
The Development Director leads and delivers Oceana's fundraising and partnerships activities across Europe, playing a critical role in securing the long-term financial sustainability of Oceana's work. In close collaboration with multiple teams in Europe and globally,the role is responsible for designing and implementing the European fundraising strategy, with a strong focus on building and managing relationships with institutional donors, foundations, major donors and strategic partners.
Reporting to Oceana's Head of Executive Affairs in Europe, the role operates with a high level of autonomy within an established governance framework. The Development Director manages a team of two senior development managers and is accountable for identifying and escalating fundraising, donor and partnership risks, and for ensuring that all fundraising activity is aligned with organizational capacity, financial sustainability objectives and governance requirements. The role involves regular travel, primarily within Europe, with occasional inter-continental travel.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and deliver the European fundraising strategy in line with organizational priorities, budgets and delivery capacity.
- Secure funding from foundations, individuals, and public and private institutions across Europe and other relevant markets.
- Build, manage and strengthen long-term relationships with existing and prospective donors, partners and aligned organizations.
- Lead the preparation and submission of high-quality funding proposals, concept notes and expressions of interest.
- Ensure delivery against agreed fundraising targets and contribution to the overall Oceana Europe budget.
- Manage donor engagement and stewardship, including meetings, events, briefings, reporting and ongoing communications.
- Ensure effective grant management across the full funding cycle, from proposal development through to final reporting.
- Coordinate accurate financial and narrative donor reporting in close collaboration with the Finance and delivery teams.
- Monitor fundraising pipelines, maintain accurate records, and identify and escalate financial, delivery or partnership risks as required.
- Work closely with internal teams to ensure fundraising activities support campaign objectives and organizational impact.
- Provide regular fundraising updates and insights to senior management.
- Lead and support development staff, consultants or contractors, while promoting ethical fundraising practices, strong accountability and continuous improvement.
Education and work experience:
- Bachelor's degree required; a Master's degree preferred in International Relations, Political Science, Communications, Fundraising, Non-Profit Management or a related field.
- At least 10 years of experience in fundraising or development roles within non-profit organizations.
- Proven track record of meeting fundraising targets in international non-profit organizations.
- Experience working within governance frameworks and donor compliance regimes.
- Experience engaging with senior leadership on fundraising strategy and performance.
- Experience in proposal writing, donor stewardship and effective reporting.
Skills and knowledge:
- Strong knowledge of fundraising principles and development best practice.
- Excellent written communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal and presentation skills.
- Ability to manage multiple funding streams and competing deadlines.
- Highly organized, proactive, and able to operate with a high degree of autonomy.
- Oral and written proficiency in English is a must; fluency in other European languages, such as Spanish, Dutch, French or German, is an advantage.
- Strong leadership and people management skills, with experience building and motivating high-performing development teams.
- Solid understanding of donor engagement, stewardship and moves management.
- Strong financial awareness, including budget management and income forecasting.
- High level of integrity, professionalism and adherence to ethical fundraising standards.
- Cultural sensitivity and experience working in international or multicultural environments.
Oceana is an equal opportunity employer and proud to provide equal employment opportunity to all job seekers. We are actively committed to ensuring that no individual is discriminated against on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
FUNDACION OCEANA is the Controller of the Data Subject's personal data and informs him/her that these data shall be processed in accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of 27 April (GDPR) and the Organic Law 3/2018 of 5 December (LOPDGDD), for a legitimate interest of the Controller, providing the following information on the processing:
- Purpose of the processing: to include the Data Subject in the personnel selection processes, analyzing the applicant's profile with the aim of selecting the best candidate for the Controller's vacancy.
- Legitimacy of the processing: unequivocal consent clearly indicated by the Data Subject.
- Data storage criteria: data will be stored for a maximum period of one year, after which the data will be erased, guaranteeing full respect for confidentiality both in the processing and subsequent destruction. To this effect, once this period has elapsed, and if you wish to continue participating in the Controller's selection processes, please send us your CV again.
- Updating data: in the event of any modification to your data, please inform us in writing as soon as possible to keep your data duly updated.
- Data disclosure: Your data may be communicated to third parties because it is necessary to achieve the purpose of the treatment, or by legal obligation.
Rights of the Data Subject:
- Right to withdraw consent at any time.
- Right of access, rectification, portability and erasure of data and the limitation or objection to their processing.
- The right to file a claim with the Spanish Supervisory Authority (www.aepd.es) if you consider that the processing does not comply with the current legislation.
Contact information to exercise their rights: FUNDACION OCEANA. Gran Vía 62, 7 Izq. – 28013 Madrid. Email: Europe.Data@oceana.org
Oceana's offices operate on a hybrid schedule, and staff are required to work from their assigned office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Actual salary offer will depend on the candidate's exact work location, qualifications, relevant experience, and internal pay equity relative to current employees in similar roles.
N.B. Applications will be assessed upon receipt; we therefore encourage early submission.
Due to the high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.
Please submit your application by June 29, 2026
