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- Tasks: Lead a team to identify and evaluate high-value fundraising prospects for the British Museum.
- Company: Join the British Museum, a cultural icon with a collection spanning over two million years of history.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible working, and discounts on food and gifts.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative project that shapes the future of one of the world's greatest museums.
- Qualifications: Experience in prospect research and strategic fundraising, ideally in the cultural or non-profit sector.
- Other info: Work remotely 2 days a week and engage in exciting museum activities.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 64000 £ per year.
Location: Bloomsbury
Role Summary
Development Full-time, 41 hours per week (including one hour paid lunch break) Permanent £56,195 per annum
Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on Thursday 19 June 2025
About the role: The British Museum is embarking on a once-in-a-generation transformation through its ambitious Masterplan—one of the most significant cultural redevelopment projects in the world. As part of this vision, we are seeking a strategic and analytical leader to join the Development Department as Head of Prospect Research and Fundraising Priorities. This pivotal new role will lead the research and prioritisation of prospects for high-value philanthropy, playing a key part in shaping the Museum’s fundraising strategy and enabling transformational gifts and sponsorships. Working closely with senior stakeholders and leading a high-performing team, the role will drive the identification, evaluation, and alignment of major gift opportunities to support the Museum’s strategic and capital fundraising priorities.
Key areas of responsibility:
- Lead and develop the Prospect Research and Fundraising Priorities team, overseeing prospect identification, due diligence, research, and fundraising intelligence.
- Devise and implement a strategic approach to prospect research, supporting fundraising across individuals, corporates, and foundations.
- Provide high-level briefings and insight to the Director, Trustees, and senior staff ahead of key cultivation meetings and events.
- Collaborate with stakeholders across the Museum to shape and prioritise compelling fundraising propositions, leading the integration of insight-led fundraising briefs and cases for support.
- Support the strategic management of the donor pipeline, advising on opportunities, challenges, and alignment with institutional priorities.
- Lead on reporting and analytics, providing insight into fundraising performance and helping to forecast income potential.
- Ensure compliance with data protection regulations and ethical research standards and oversee the use of research tools and systems (e.g. Raiser’s Edge).
About you:
- Proven expertise in prospect research and strategic fundraising planning, ideally within the cultural or non-profit sector.
- Demonstrable experience identifying and qualifying high-value donors and sponsors in the UK and internationally.
- Skilled in managing complex research and turning data into actionable fundraising insights.
- Experienced in managing and developing high-performing teams, with a collaborative and motivating leadership style.
- Confident advising senior stakeholders and aligning cross-departmental goals to drive fundraising success.
- Proficient in CRM databases (such as Raiser’s Edge) and other research and wealth screening tools.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to distil complex information into compelling, donor-focused narratives.
- Calm under pressure, highly organised, and solutions-oriented, with a keen eye for detail and a strategic mindset.
About the British Museum: Founded in 1753, the British Museum’s remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history and culture. The Museum is a leading visitor attraction, and its world-famous collection includes the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, the Sutton-Hoo finds, and the Lewis Chessmen. The Museum also holds an extensive collection of prints and drawings spanning 600 years, including works by the greatest graphic artists such as Dürer, Michelangelo and Rembrandt.
The Museum offers a competitive benefits package including:
- Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service) plus 2.5 privilege days and plus bank holidays
- Membership of the civil service defined benefit pension scheme
- Free entry to a wide range of museums and exhibitions
- Participation in private and public Museum activities, including talks by leading curators from around the world and behind-the-scenes opportunities to learn how museums care for and manage their extraordinary collections
- Interest-free travel, bicycle and rental deposit loans
- Professional and personal development opportunities
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Discounts on food and gift shop purchases
If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of in order to support you with your application, please provide details to bmrecruit@britishmuseum.org.
The British Museum is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from unlawful discrimination or harassment. We value the benefits that a diverse workforce brings to a museum which represents world culture. The Museum is committed to ensuring that no job applicant suffers unlawful discrimination because of any protected characteristics. Our recruitment procedures aim to ensure that individuals are treated in line with their relevant knowledge, skills and experience.
We offer a flexible way of working that allows our employees to work remotely in a way that suits them and the organisation. We welcome questions and conversations at interview stage about how flexible working could work for you. We would typically see this role as working on site about 2 days a week.
The Museum adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.
Contact Detail:
British Museum Recruiting Team
tobmrecruit@britishmuseum.org
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Prospect Research and Fundraising Priorities
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the British Museum's Masterplan and its fundraising goals. Understanding their strategic vision will help you align your insights and proposals with their priorities, showcasing your commitment to their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the cultural and non-profit sectors. Attend relevant events or webinars where you can meet potential colleagues or stakeholders. Building these connections can provide valuable insights and may even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your skills with CRM databases like Raiser’s Edge. Being proficient in these tools is crucial for the role, so consider taking an online course or tutorial to enhance your knowledge and demonstrate your readiness.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and experience managing high-performing teams. Think of specific examples where you've successfully motivated a team or driven fundraising success, as this will be key in interviews.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Prospect Research and Fundraising Priorities
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the key responsibilities and required skills. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the specific needs of the British Museum.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the museum sector. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your expertise in prospect research and strategic fundraising.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV, emphasise your proven track record in managing high-performing teams and your experience with CRM databases. Make sure to include quantifiable achievements that illustrate your impact in previous roles.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at British Museum
✨Research the British Museum's Masterplan
Before your interview, make sure to familiarise yourself with the British Museum's ambitious Masterplan. Understanding the strategic vision behind this transformation will help you align your responses with their goals and demonstrate your commitment to supporting their fundraising priorities.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
Given the role's emphasis on collaboration with senior stakeholders, be ready to discuss your experience in managing relationships and aligning cross-departmental goals. Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with high-level individuals in previous roles to drive fundraising success.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
As the position requires turning complex data into actionable insights, be prepared to discuss specific instances where you've used research and analytics to inform fundraising strategies. Highlight your proficiency with CRM databases and research tools, as well as any relevant metrics that showcase your impact.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
This role involves leading a high-performing team, so be ready to share your leadership style and experiences. Discuss how you've motivated teams, managed performance, and fostered a collaborative environment, especially in the context of prospect research and fundraising.
