Job Description

50 philanthropy specialists. 100% commitment. One goal.

Principal Gifts Lead - Cancer Grand Challenges

Salary: From \xc2\xa385,000 per annum plus attractive pension

Reports to: Director of Philanthropy

Department: Philanthropy

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week

Location: Stratford, London Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office) with some travel (3-4 trips per annum)

Closing date: 24 July 2023 23:55 This vacancy may close earlier if a high volume of applications are received or once a suitable candidate is found

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That\xe2\x80\x99s why we\xe2\x80\x99re looking for someone talented, someone determined, someone like you.

Cancer Research UK is looking for an experienced principal gift fundraiser who has the entrepreneurial approach and drive to deliver donors who can give at a transformative scale (\xc2\xa33m+).

As a member of the Philanthropy team, the Principal Gifts Lead will be responsible for cultivating a portfolio of around 60 to 100 donors. You\'ll work closely with the executive board, CEO, and scientific leadership to secure gifts, primarily for our Cancer Grand Challenges (CGC) programme - which is uniting the world\xe2\x80\x99s brightest minds against cancer\xe2\x80\x99s toughest challenges \xe2\x80\x93 and other priority initiatives.

This is an exciting time to join our Directorate. We are one of the largest and most successful philanthropic fundraising teams in the UK. You\xe2\x80\x99d be joining a team of talented philanthropy professionals across our fundraising and operations functions. We are ambitious and innovative, with growth in philanthropy income being identified as a strategic priority in our 10-year corporate plan.

We are currently building momentum in the advanced planning stages of a \xc2\xa3250m campaign, which will prioritise fundraising for the Francis Crick Institute, Cancer Grand Challenges, Translation and Innovation and our Future Leaders\xe2\x80\x99 programme. We are building our team and expertise and are committed to our staff learning and development as we prepare our campaign and expansive growth.

The breadth, depth, and scope of our research at Cancer Research UK make us great partners for philanthropists and to those seeking to make a difference on the lives of people with cancer.

If you share our vision, and are a talented, motivated individual, we\xe2\x80\x99d love you to join our team and help us to create a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.

What will I be doing?

• Manage a portfolio of 60-100 prospects with a primary focus on qualifying prospects and developing the engagement and stewardship of prospects through the full life cycle of giving and renewal. Ensure consistent pipeline movement
• Lead regular reviews and provide regular reporting and metrics across the prospect portfolio, ensuring the strategy and prospect portfolio remain on track to deliver organisational goals
• Partner with CRUK CEO, CGC leadership as well as scientists, Principal Giving colleagues to develop and implement strategies for gifts of \xc2\xa33M+; help develop a volunteer leadership group committed to advancing CRUK\xe2\x80\x99s campaign, with a focus on CGC; guide discussions with senior leadership on prospect strategy
• Own, develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders; including academics and researchers, institutional leaders, volunteer leaders, and writing briefings and coordinating engagement that will lead to transformational gifts
• Develop a strong working knowledge of the relationship among CGC, CRUK and NCI, and the resulting complexities, and collaborate with internal colleagues to develop proposals and propositions
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the different and changing gift and data policies within the UK and help to ensure compliance with UK fundraising regulations
• Contribute to cross Philanthropy & Campaign and Philanthropy Directorate initiatives, strategy development and mentoring where appropriate.
• Ensure equality and diversity is celebrated and considered as part of all decisions taken
• Committed to Cancer Research UK\xe2\x80\x99s vision in beating cancer sooner

What skills will I need?

• Extensive experience of professional fundraising with demonstrated track record in closing \xc2\xa33M+ gifts; knowledge/understanding of principal gifts fundraising best practices. Understand and have a comfort level with the engagement and stewardship process/principles of securing principal and major gifts
• Significant experience working in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple and complex projects
• Excellent project management and organisation skills with strong attention to detail and demonstrated analytical skills; excellent writing skills with strong comfort with technology (knowledge of databases, Excel, PowerPoint, and other platforms)
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and to navigate new territory, setting a clear path and establishing new protocols
• Highly organised with a proven ability to set and deliver to a high standard consistently with competing and demanding deadlines; able to prioritise activity to achieve core purpose of funding world class science
• Strategic mindset with proven experience of developing strategies; ability to quickly understand and demonstrate the ability to lead on the priorities of the CRUK campaign, and principal gifts best practices in the UK and around the world
• Excellent stakeholder management skills and ability to work with, and communicate effectively and professionally with, a wide range of individuals from internal colleagues, institutional leaders, and external collaborators, stakeholders, and donors

What will I gain?

Each and every one of our employees contributes to our progress and is supporting our work to beat cancer. We think that\xe2\x80\x99s impressive.

In return, we make sure you are supported by a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools, policies, and processes to enable you to do your job well.

Our benefits package includes a substantial retirement plan, a generous and flexible leave allowance, discounts on anything from travel to technology, gym membership, and much more.

We don\xe2\x80\x99t forget people have lives outside of work too and so we actively encourage a flexible working culture.

Our work \xe2\x80\x93 from funding cutting-edge research to developing public policy \xe2\x80\x93 will change the world. It\xe2\x80\x99s exciting to be part of our team.

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\xe2\x80\x99t 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 quickly, fairly and objectively.

For more information on this career opportunity please or contact us at .

For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: , , , and .

There\xe2\x80\x99s a place for everyone at Cancer Research UK. Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We\'re committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented, and believe that a diverse workforce will help us to beat cancer sooner.

If you\xe2\x80\x99re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we\xe2\x80\x99d still love to hear from you. We don\xe2\x80\x99t expect everyone to meet all of the criteria listed.

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 by emailing us at .

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.

Cancer Research UK