Philanthropy Manager

Philanthropy and Partnerships fundraising at Alzheimer's Research UK has grown significantly over recent years.

The Directorate has a strong track record of soliciting seven-figure donations and winning significant corporate partnerships with well-known and well-loved brands such as Omaze, Cadbury, Warburtons, Roadchef and Dobbies.

We are now building upon this success and have launched a new, significant fundraising campaign.

This campaign will help drive further transformational growth, from income across major donors, trusts and foundations, and corporate partners.

Ultimately, it will help us fund cutting-edge research that will bring forward the day when we can diagnose, treat and prevent dementia.

The Philanthropy Manager will play a key role in the success of the Philanthropy Team.

Working closely with the Head of Philanthropy and other stakeholders across ARUK, the Philanthropy Manager will drive income and deliver transformational gifts and strategic relationships with individual major donors and charitable trusts and foundations.

Key Responsibilities

• Relationship Building and Income Generation
• Build relationships with a portfolio of high-value current and prospective major donors and charitable trusts, gauging their level of interest in our work, providing opportunities to engage with ARUK, and soliciting gifts through face-to-face meetings and events.
• Develop a thorough understanding of ARUK's projects, policies and activities to articulate the mission of our work and inspire people to join us.
• Tailor and develop cases for support to attract funding for ARUK's projects, fundraising across different areas of ARUK's work, including identified strategic priorities for the organisation.
• Present and pitch to potential supporters and donors, managing meetings where relevant and involving senior representation when needed - including supporting the Head of Philanthropy on high-value asks where required.
• Develop stewardship and engagement plans for donors, working with teams across ARUK to create bespoke and creative engagement opportunities, ensuring donors are thanked and updated and that their relationship with ARUK grows in depth and value.
• Work with the prospect development team to manage a portfolio pipeline, moving donors/trusts through the different stages to secure gifts.
• Lead on relationships with senior volunteers and senior leadership, where appropriate, empowering them to open their networks and ask for support.
• Work closely and collaborate with the Corporate Partnerships and other teams on cross-team fundraising opportunities.
• Line Management
• Line manage a Philanthropy Officer, actively empowering, coaching and supporting them to develop their operational plans and deliver on key priorities.
• Work with the Head of Philanthropy to set clear goals, objectives and KPIs for the Officer and provide them with the ongoing guidance and support they need to reach them.
• Role model and actively embed Alzheimer’s Research UK values and behaviours across all activities, and champion the principles of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
• Processes
• Liaise with the Philanthropy Executive (Admin) as required on expected income and gift restrictions.
• Work closely with the Donor Relations Manager to enable them to fully support donor relationships in terms of stewardship and recognition.
• Ensure supporter and event records are kept up to date through daily use of ARUK’s CRM (Salesforce).
• Events
• Play a key role in the planning and delivery of team events such as cultivation dinners, with support from the Events Team.
• Explore and develop new fundraising event opportunities, working closely with the Events Team to create engaging high-value event
• Lead on bespoke events such as online donor presentations or tailored lab tours for a small group of supporters.
• Represent ARUK at Philanthropy Team events, and at other ARUK events where major donors or the representatives of charitable trusts may be attending.

Knowledge, skills and experience needed

• Demonstrable experience gained working in a major gifts fundraising or client relationship management role.
• Demonstrable experience of developing long-term/ strategic relationships.
• Demonstrable experience of developing relationships/ influencing through face-to-face contact.
• Demonstrable experience of working effectively without close supervision.
• Good understanding of the principles of major gifts fundraising.
• Experience working in a target-led environment.
• Excellent communicator with an ability to build strong relationships and inspire confidence and respect at all levels.
• Very strong, versatile written communication skills, with an ability to write persuasively for a range of audiences.
• Excellent listening skills, receptive to feedback and demonstrates flexibility, curiosity and an ability to learn.
• Strong team player who can work both independently and collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, with an ability to plan and set goals, work to deadlines and reprioritise work in accordance with the organisational needs.
• Demonstrates strong negotiation, influencing and decision-making skills, particularly when there are conflicting points of views.
• Demonstrates a proactive and pragmatic approach to investigating and solving problems, strives for continuous improvement and identifies ways to deliver creative and innovative solutions.
• A good blend of strategic and analytical thinking; with an ability to see the bigger picture.
• Strong attention to detail, sets high standards and strives for excellence.
• Ability to absorb and process new information quickly, including ability to grasp complex scientific concepts to a reasonable level.
• Driven and highly proactive - adept at spotting opportunities and maximizing them.
• Adaptable and flexible with a growth mindset, with a willingness to undertake occasional work in the evening.
• Thrives within a fast-paced environment, with an ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Strong ethical standards and a high level of personal integrity.
• Excellent IT skills in Outlook, Word, Excel and Power Point.

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 4th October 2026, with interviews being arrange 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, particularly from those in the global majority, those with disabilities, men and those from the LGBTQIA+ community.

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.

Should you require any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, please contact us via our website.

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.

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