Philanthropy Manager (Francis Crick Institute)

Salary: £42,000 - £49,000 plus benefits
Reports to: Philanthropy Lead
Directorate: Strategy & Philanthropy
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Location: Francis Crick Institute, London. Hybrid working pattern with 3-days per week on site (there will also be a requirement to attend CRUK’s head office in Stratford once a fortnight)
Closing date: Sunday 8th November
Recruitment process: Two stage interview process.
Interview date: Approximately w/c 23rd November

Please note: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

Are you looking for an exciting new fundraising challenge? We’re looking for a proactive Philanthropy Manager to join the Francis Crick Institute, Cancer Research UK’s flagship discovery research institute in London.

Positioned at the frontier of scientific discovery, the Crick is deliberately different from other institutes—open, collaborative, and interdisciplinary. As Europe’s largest biomedical research facility under one roof, our design and approach enable us to fuel scientific progress like few others. Here, experts from various fields unite in pursuit of life-changing discoveries. 

This role is being recruited at a pivotally exciting moment for the Crick, as we continue planning for a new philanthropic campaign and the first since the institute’s construction. You will focus on developing and building a mixed portfolio of prospects for the Francis Crick Institute. You will be responsible for identifying, cultivating and soliciting gifts from £10,000 – £100,000 to support the Crick’s growing philanthropy programme, working closely with colleagues across the Crick Philanthropy Team as well as the wider CRUK philanthropy programme.

What you’ll be doing?

Managing relationships with prospects, donors and volunteers

• To develop relationships with prospective major donors in a way that will increase the likelihood and value of a major gift.

• To properly steward relationships with existing and new major donors to bring them closer to the organisation and maximise the value they are able to add to Cancer Research UK.

• To consider a range of research projects, events and opportunities so as to identify the most valuable way for donors to support Cancer Research UK.

• Work collaboratively across the team to maximise the organisation’s senior volunteer network to identify, qualify and cultivate prospective donors at this level, leveraging their networks, influence and expertise to facilitate strategic introductions and support the development of high-value philanthropic relationships.

• To involve senior staff and volunteers in relationships where appropriate.

Securing donations

• To develop and implement engagement and cultivation strategies to make successful approaches to prospective major donors.

• Manage a portfolio of current as well as prospective major donors, to secure five, or six figure donations and pledges, and deliver against a personal target.

• To ask potential major donors for financial gifts and identify appropriate senior leadership involvement to increase the likelihood of a successful ask.

• To devise appropriate strategies for effective cultivation and solicitation.

• To maximise the long-term value of each prospect/donor by understanding their motivations and identifying the most suitable project for them to support.

• Develop and expand the organisation’s legacy fundraising programme, stewarding existing pledgers, cultivating relationships with prospective pledgers and professional advisers, delivering targeted engagement activity in partnership with the Cancer Research UK’s legacy team, and converting interest into confirmed legacy commitments that strengthen future philanthropic income.

Identifying new major supporters

• To work with the prospect research team to develop a pipeline of potential major donors with the capacity and propensity to support Cancer Research UK at a major donor level.

• To work with existing major donors and senior volunteers to identify potential donors and develop appropriate strategies to secure new major gifts.

• Generate new philanthropic opportunities through strategic prospect identification, relationship development and stakeholder engagement, with a focus on securing new major gifts and expanding the organisation's supporter base.

What are we looking for?

You don’t have to be from a philanthropy or non-for-profit sector. Cancer affects us all no matter our background, so we are keen to have representation and insight from a range of different perspectives. However, you will need to demonstrate:

• Tenacious and self-motivated approach to work.

• Performance driven.

• Exceptional listening skills and efficient written and oral communication skills.

• Personable and engaging with strong influencing skills at all levels.  

• Highly professional, flexible and committed to achieve and exceed financial targets and key performance indicators.

• Ability to manage own workload through appropriate planning and prioritisation.

• An energetic and resourceful self-starter, with the confidence to seek out new prospects, create opportunities for engagement and maintain momentum in developing new philanthropic relationships.

• The intellectual curiosity to understand complex scientific areas of research, and the ability to communicate this in an engaging way with supporters.

• Dedicated team player with the desire to develop within an organisation.

Desirable skills

• Proven track record of fundraising from high net-worth individuals or charitable trusts in the not-for-profit sector, or similar transferable experience gained in the commercial sector.

• A working knowledge of the principles of major gift fundraising or sales:

• • Proven experience of securing philanthropic donations.
  • Proven experience of working with senior figures and/or volunteers.

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.

Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination  

Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism   

Human: Act to have a positive impact on people  

Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively

We’re looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.

If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience, we’d still love to hear from you.

What will I gain?

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.

You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.

How do I apply?

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won’t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively.

For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us at recruitment@cancer.org.uk.    

For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.  

Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.

We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen. Please contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.