JOB DESCRIPTION

Senior Prospect Development Manager

Salary: £55,000 – £60,000 plus benefits

Reports to: Head of Philanthropy Intelligence, Planning & Performance

Directorate: ​Strategy & Philanthropy​

Contract: ​Permanent​

Hours: ​Full time 35 hours per week​ (flexible working requests will be considered)

Location: ​Stratford, London​ ​Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)​

Closing date: Wednesday 26 November 2025 23:55

This vacancy may close earlier if a high volume of applications is received or once a suitable candidate is found, therefore we strongly recommend that you apply early to avoid disappointment. Please let us know if there is anything about the recruitment process that you would like to discuss, in particular if there are any changes or adjustments that would make it easier for you to apply. Please contact [email protected] or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

We’re a collective force, tackling cancer on all fronts to save and improve lives. We fund pioneering research, we provide reliable and accessible information, we influence policy, and we encourage positive behaviour change. We are a passionate team of professionals driven by purpose, striving to accelerate breakthroughs in cancer research and treatment. We are the world’s biggest charitable funder of cancer research raising on average £640m a year.

As we expand our efforts, we’re recruiting an inspiring, Senior Prospect Development Manager to join one of the most successful philanthropic fundraising teams in the UK. We’re a dynamic, innovative team of talented professionals spearheading the ambitious £400m More Research, Less Cancer campaign. With over £230m already raised, we’re making strides to revolutionise cancer research, focusing on; The Francis Crick Institute, Cancer Grand Challenges, Translation & Innovation and our Future Leaders’ programme.

In this role, you”ll lead a team of 6 to define, implement and own a robust prospect identification, research and management strategy, ensuring it is informed by insight and enables relationship managers to build successful and long-lasting relationships.

What will I be doing?

• Support the development of, deliver and evaluate a long-term prospect identification and prospect management strategy for Philanthropy, working across other CRUK teams as necessary.

• Develop and manage the methodology for the allocation and transfer of prospects, drawing on supporter insights, performance analysis and funding project knowledge.

• Create and implement systems and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to evaluate and report on the impact of prospect development activity and progress.

• Establish a resource planning system for the team and ensure the team can deliver against team strategy and meet the day-to-day needs of fundraising teams.

• Effective prioritisation, planning and delivery of prospect research activity (including prospect identification, research profiles, network analysis) to increase our knowledge of potential donors, partners and ambassadors.

• Lead the strategic development and implementation of CRUK’s prospect management system and provide expert advice and guidance to frontline fundraisers.

• Prioritisation, planning and delivery of due diligence research and escalation in accordance with policies and contribute to the ongoing development of policy and processes.

• Provide regular reports to boards, senior sponsors and committees on pipeline development.

• Deliver specialised research to facilitate the cultivation and solicitation of our highest value prospects by the Campaign Boards, Chief Executive and Executive Directors.

What are we looking for?

• Experience of leading a prospect management and research function.

• Extensive experience of working within the field of high value fundraising and relationship management.

• Significant experience of delivering a prospect identification strategy and prospect management system.

• Experience of commissioning and analysing management information and producing findings and recommendations.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and the ability to present complex information in an accessible format.

• Experience of setting up, analysing and evaluating activity and programmes.

• Experience and knowledge of using and championing databases.

• Excellent stakeholder, project management and planning skills with ability to prioritise workload.

• Strong strategic thinker with and long-term planning skills and the ability to execute and contribute to the development of the department and directorate strategy.

• Proven ability to influence, persuade and negotiate with people across teams and levels as well as the ability to explain difficult issues and works to build consensus and positive solution.

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.

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 [email protected].

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 [email protected] 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.