Job Description

Job Scope:

We are the independent scientific academy of the UK, founded in 1660, the Society has a long history of philanthropic support and in 2015 ran a successful 350th anniversary fundraising campaign which raised 100m. We count many well-known philanthropists, foundations and corporates within our list of current supporters who fund a range of activities including Science 2040, Brian Cox Videos, a Science Book Prize, Wolfson Fellowships and an annual bilateral meeting with India. Due to a convening power and reach that is globally unique, our philanthropic potential is enormous. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing team during a formative phase. The next two to five years will be formative in enabling the Society to galvanise philanthropy in support of our founding mission: to promote excellence in Science for the benefit of humanity.
We are looking for dynamic Development Managers to join our growing team and play a key role in driving our fundraising efforts, building strong relationships with donors, corporate partners, trusts, and foundations across the UK and internationally. These roles are key to ensuring sustainable funding to support our mission. Ideal candidates will have a passion for science, education and/or public engagement and proven fundraising experience within the UK Higher education or charity sector.

Please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Reports to: Head of Development
Location:Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG plus the option for some hybrid remote working
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week
Pay Band: E
Salary: 45, 000 to 62, 000 per annum

The application closing date:17 August 2025 at midnight.
Interviews will be held: 26, 27 and 28 August 2025.
Responsibilities:
Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects, developing and implementing strategic fundraising plans. Cultivate, steward, and expand relationships with individual donors, corporate sponsors and charitable trusts. Proactively horizon scan through research, prospect networks and engagement opportunities to identify new prospects for the Development team. Work with key internal partners to develop funding propositions and associated budgets. Collaborate with colleagues to create compelling, and accurate materials that engage donors and prospects. Manage donor data within CRM systems ensuring compliance with UK data protection laws (GDPR). Working with the Senior Donor Relations Officer, deliver thoughtful and comprehensive stewardship to existing donors including oversight of detailed reports. Keep abreast of fundraising trends and best practices in the UK charity and scientific sectors.o Ensure adherence to the Institute of Fundraising Code of Practice and other relevant UK fundraising standards.

Fundraising Channels:

Each Development Manager will have a portfolio of prospects including individuals, corporates and trust and foundations. Development Managers and will have the opportunity to oversee projects within the following fundraising channels. One of our Development Managers will have specific responsibility for managing our Legacy giving programme.Individual Giving: Develop and nurture relationships with individual donors, including major gift prospects. Legacies: Manage and grow the charity's legacy giving programme, encouraging supporters to include the charity in their wills. Corporate Partnerships: Identify and secure mutually beneficial partnerships with corporate supporters. Trusts and Foundations: Write compelling grant applications and build long-term relationships with grant-making bodies. Events & Campaigns: with the support of Donor relations colleagues, oversee the organisation of fundraising events and campaigns, both in-person and virtual, to engage diverse donor groups.

Key Knowledge and Skills Required:
Educated to bachelors degree level or equivalent experience. Experience in fundraising or development, and demonstrable success in securing major gifts, legacies, corporate partnerships, or grants within the UK. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to convey complex information clearly to diverse audiences. Experience with fundraising databases/CRMs (e.g., Raiser's Edge, MS Dynamics). Strong organisational and project management skills. Knowledge of UK fundraising regulations and GDPR compliance. Passion for science, education and/or public engagement and commitment to the mission of advancing science and public benefit.



Competencies:

Decision-making -

You organise and undertake a wide range of projects and specialist/professional tasks. You provide input to policy development and/or professional standards or approaches for others to use. You take decisions or make recommendations within broad policies and guidelines. Guidance is available for agreeing on priorities/resources and in reconciling cross- functional issues.

Thinking challenges -

Specialist issues require you to apply creative solutions to solve problems. You identify and implement new ways to of working to improve performance, policies or procedures, based on a combination of theory, your experience and applying your initiative and creativity.

Communication -

You maintain professional relationships on behalf of The Royal Society; and may be responsible for developing new professional relationships on behalf of the organisation, persuading or advising colleagues, external representatives or members in a wide range of circumstances. You may be required to represent Royal Society externally in networking activities or in third party relationships.

Developing people -

You have formal management responsibility for managing a team. You may also be a leading expert in your field of work, and whilst you may have no direct management responsibility, you will focus on delivering results through providing specialist advice, coaching, training, project managing and otherwise guiding and coordinating the work or contribution of others.

Managing Resources -

You may have delegated budget, income generation targets or provide input to budgetary or other resource planning.

Applying knowledge & expertise -

You possess managerial and professional expertise that enables you to manage an important area of work and look beyond the horizons of your own specialism.

The competency levels for a pay Band E role are described below.

Self-management

Identifies difficult situations Recognises stress in others and takes steps to reduce it Controls pressurised situations Effectively enthuses those in the team Proactively sets goals and targets for own work Works within the Royal Society Values at all times

Working with others

Actively seeks ideas and criticisms from within the team Resolves conflicts within and between teams Embeds feedback processes within the team Seeks out new networks that will create opportunity for the Society Able to present complex issues simply Uses discretion, tact and empathy when negotiating with and/or seeking to influence others Understands the need to manage expectations and to only promise what is deliverable

Resource management

Determines strategy and deployment of resources, balancing cost and benefit; risk and potential for maximum impact across significant business areas Manages complex cross-cutting projects to time, budget and specification Ensures others accept responsibility towards results or quality Sets the quality standards for own business areas in accordance with strategy and contributes to the formulation of quality standards across the Society Sets and monitors priorities Identifies and manages risk effectively

Critical thinking

Uses questioning, analytical and probing skills to 'dig deeper' Knows when enough information has been obtained and adapts presentation of information to the needs of the audience Evaluates the benefits, practicalities and value for money of ideas and obtains feedback Makes sound decisions in a complex or ambiguous environment and is able to gain support and manage challenges confidently

Adaptability

Actively seeks the input and opinions of others, often outside his/her section and accommodates and incorporates this thinking into any output. Actively seeks new challenges and projects; leads discussions surrounding new ideas, approaches and projects Anticipates need for innovation and seeks new ideas, approaches and solutions

Managing people and relationships

Sets expectations of others and ensures they deliver Demonstrates a positive attitude towards work, celebrating success and instilling confidence, which encourages the same from others Encourages others to share ideas and participate in the discussion and decisions of the team * Assesses needs of clients/stakeholders/staff and makes plans to meet these needs