The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland

Charity registered in Scotland SC004064

Connecting people with nature. Safeguarding species from extinction. We are the Royal Zoological Society for Scotland (RZSS), and for over 100 years we’ve been a leading conservation and education charity as well as an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction. We’ve been a charity since our founding in 1909 and maintain a keen commercial edge to ensure a sustainable, bright and exciting future. Through our two sites, RZSS Edinburgh Zoo and RZSS Highland Wildlife Park, we provide unique and memorable experiences and engage over 750,000 visitors per year in the wonders of the natural world, taking care of over 1,000 rare and endangered animals in safe and stimulating surroundings. The RZSS strives to be an equal opportunities employer. Registered Charity SC004064

Current vacancies

Senior Fundraising Officer - Legacies

  • Part time
  • £33,230 – £37,038 pro-rata
  • Hybrid: Edinburgh
  • Closing 7th January 2026

Use your skills and experience to save endangered species from extinction and improve people's lives through closer connection with nature. Join our small but highly successful fundraising team based in the heart of Edinburgh Zoo and you'll have an amazing opportunity to make an impact on conservation in Scotland and around the world.

The role:

Building on a successful individual giving programme at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), this role focuses on developing a new legacy and in-memory giving programme, encompassing marketing campaigns, stewardship, legacy administration and events.

This is permanent, part time role (22.5 hours per week) based at Edinburgh Zoo, but working across both sites which also covers Highland Wildlife Park.

Some of the things you’ll do:

  • Work with the Fundraising Manager to develop and deliver compelling new legacy and in-memory giving campaigns for RZSS.
  • Liaise with relevant colleagues, including fundraising, marketing and communications teams, to gain insights into our audiences and help to prepare legacy and in-memory giving copy and messaging.
  • Lead on activities to promote legacies and in memory giving across all relevant RZSS platforms, including our websites, digital channels, events and direct mail.
  • Lead on the planning and promotion of legacies and in-memory giving through on-site collateral and signage at Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park
  • Develop and manage fundraising data on the CRM system relating to legacy and in memorial giving, supervising other staff when necessary to ensure all data is entered correctly and kept up to date, producing reports upon request and ensuring that financial information is handled with sensitivity.
  • Use supporter data to inform and improve the legacy and in memorial programme.
  • Identify trends in fundraising and recommend opportunities to senior colleagues.

What we’re looking for:

  • Educated to Degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience in a similar role.
  • CIOF Certificate of Fundraising or equivalent experience
  • Extensive knowledge of donor cultivation and stewardship principles
  • NEBOSH general certificate or equivalent qualification.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, e.g. producing creative materials for fundraising, with the ability to tailor complex information to a wide range of audiences/donors including those a senior level or requiring a sensitive approach
  • Demonstrable experience of working in a similar role, meeting deadlines in a busy environment.

What you’ll get in return:

  • Starting salary between £19,938 - £20,436 (offer based on experience / salary pro-rated based on 22.5hrs per week) with future salary progression up to £22,223 per annum (FTE £33,230 - £34,060 with future progression up to £37,038 per annum)
  • 22.5hr working week (may require some occasional evening/weekend working)
    • Hybrid working option available
  • 34 days annual leave (pro rata)
  • Discount in both retail/catering
  • Access to a healthcare plan
  • Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), that provide 24-hour counselling and support, including health, legal, finance, wellbeing and family advice.
  • Employer contributory pension scheme
  • You will receive a staff membership which will give you (and family/friends) free (and discounted) entry to both the Highland Wildlife Park and Edinburgh Zoo as well as a number of other Zoo’s across the UK.
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