Prospect Development Manager

As we prepare to launch an ambitious £150 million philanthropic campaign, we are seeking a strategic and driven Prospect Development Manager to lead the delivery of insight-driven prospect management across the Philanthropy and Partnerships Directorate.

You will play a critical role in creating a steady pipeline of new potential supporters for the fundraising teams, as well as helping shape the data and analytics strategy that will measure the impact of our campaign.

You will ensure that business-as-usual activity—such as briefing materials, due diligence, fundraiser portfolio reviews, prospect research, and insight—is delivered to a high standard, with the understanding that over the course of the campaign, these activities will be undertaken primarily in service of the campaign itself, rather than in addition to it.

This role is ideal for someone who combines strategic thinking with hands-on delivery and is passionate about understanding and engaging supporters who make transformational change possible.

Main duties and responsibilities of the role:

Strategy and Planning

• Develop and implement the prospect development strategy to support the successful delivery of a new High Value campaign and long-term income growth.
• Work closely with senior stakeholders to ensure alignment between BAU, campaign goals and supporter engagement strategies.
• Lead on campaign data reporting, impact measurement, and forecasting to inform decision-making across the Philanthropy and Corporate Partnerships teams.
• Ensure the team are maximising the power of AI within Prospect Development.
• Own the campaign Gift Table and utilise it as a key management tool.
• Lead on the strategic planning, income pipeline modelling, and campaign progress reporting.
• Proactively identify, assess, and manage operational and strategic risks within the team, implementing appropriate mitigation strategies and ensuring compliance with organisational policies and relevant regulations.

Prospect Management and Research

• Lead the identification, qualification, and tracking of new major donor and partner prospects across individual, corporate, and foundation giving.
• Design processes to engage volunteers and donors in identifying their key contacts who might be strong major prospects.
• Lead on the design and delivery of regular portfolio reviews for relationship managers, using data and insight to optimise pipelines.
• Produce and manage the delivery of high-quality biographies, briefings, and due diligence for meetings and events.
• Work collaboratively with fundraisers to proactively identify new opportunities and ensure prospects are moved through the pipeline efficiently.
• Work with our Research team on potential and current Research Partners, allowing us to be strategic across all of our high value audiences.
• Maintain and continuously improve prospect tracking systems and data quality.

Campaign Insight and Impact

• Design and oversee reporting mechanisms that track the performance and progress of the campaign.
• Provide regular insight and trend analysis to campaign leadership and fundraising teams.
• Use data and supporter intelligence to shape cultivation and solicitation strategies.

Team Management

• Manage and develop a small, high‑performing team (currently two direct reports), setting clear goals, providing coaching, and supporting professional development.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and supporter-centric thinking.
• Ensure a consistent and high-quality service is provided to fundraisers and stakeholders across the organisation.

What we are looking for:

• Proven experience in prospect development, prospect research, or fundraising insight in a philanthropic or partnership-focused environment.
• Strong understanding of Philanthropy and Corporate Partnerships Fundraising.
• Proficient in using CRM systems and prospect research tools.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insight.
• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to produce briefings and profiles to a high standard.
• Outstanding organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a collaborative and stakeholder-focused approach.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work to deadlines.

Additional Information

Ways of working: As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.

Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals. This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.

Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD.

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.

The closing date for applications is the 16th November 2025, with interviews being arranged once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

We value diversity and are 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. Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

As part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer and ensuring fairness and consistency in our selection process, we will handle your CV and application with the utmost confidentiality. While we strive to anonymise your CV where possible, there are certain sections, such as the application question, that cannot be fully anonymised. We kindly ask that you remove any personal information, including your name, when answering the application question. The hiring panel will not have access to your personal details, such as your name and address, until you are invited for an interview. Should you require any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, please contact us at recruitment@alzheimersresearchuk.org.

How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.

About Alzheimer’s Research UK: Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK\'s leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure. Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope.

There has never been a more important and exciting time in dementia research. With promising new drugs in clinical trials that slow the progression of the diseases that cause it, and revolutionary new ways to diagnose them on the horizon, we are now at a tipping point. Working with the smartest minds globally and across the UK, with industry and academia, Alzheimer’s Research UK is uniquely placed to invest in the very best research identifying barriers to a cure and knocking them down so that there are more and better treatments for everyone with dementia. We stand for everyone affected by dementia. We stand for a cure.

In 2024, we were incredibly proud to be awarded a 3-star accreditation by Best Companies which recognises ‘World Class’ levels of workplace engagement. This is the second consecutive time; we have been awarded a Best Companies 3-star accreditation.

We were also listed in the prestigious Best Companies lists:

• 18th in the 100 Best Large Companies to Work For in the UK.
• 10th in the 50 Best Companies to Work For in the East of England.
• 2nd in the 30 Best Companies to Work For in the Charity Sector.

ARUK really does look after its people, where you will be able to add value and make a difference.

To view further details about working for us and the benefits we offer, please visit Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Seniority level: Mid-Senior level

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Project Management and Management

Industries: Non-profit Organizations

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