Person Specification – Chief Supporter Officer

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive senior leadership experience across fundraising, marketing, or audience‑engagement functions within a complex organisation, ideally in the charity, INGO , membership, or visitor‑attraction sector.
  • Proven track record of delivering multi‑million‑pound income growth, including significant success in high‑value fundraising from philanthropy, trusts, foundations, and corporate partners.
  • Demonstrable experience leading integrated fundraising and marketing strategies, delivering measurable increases in supporter engagement, visitor acquisition, and long‑term income performance.
  • Experience designing and implementing large‑scale supporter or customer journey frameworks, using insights to drive personalised engagement and lifetime value.
  • Successful leadership of complex organisational change, including restructuring, organisational development, and capability‑building across multidisciplinary teams.

Knowledge and skills

Essential

  • Proven strategic capability to design and deliver integrated fundraising and marketing strategies grounded in insight, financial and commercial rigour.
  • Strong data‑led decision‑making skills, with the ability to use analytics, segmentation and supporter insight to shape journeys and maximise lifetime value.
  • Excellent relationship‑building and communication skills, able to engage and influence senior stakeholders, donors, partners and trustees with credibility.
  • Deep understanding of fundraising disciplines – including philanthropy individual giving, trusts, foundations and corporate partnerships – and their regulatory requirements.
  • Solid knowledge of modern marketing practice, including brand, digital, CRM, audience development and visitor acquisition.

Additional requirements

Essential

  • This post is a blended role for office and home working; travel to Zoo sites and engagement events will be required.
  • This post requires occasional work during evenings and/or and weekends.
  • Strong commitment to creating a culture that lives ZSL values and commitment to safeguarding, equality and diversity (collaborative, inspiring, inclusive, innovative, impactful and ethical).