At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape high-value prospect strategies and engage with senior stakeholders to drive fundraising success.
- Company: Join Cancer Research UK, a leading charity dedicated to beating cancer.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous benefits, and flexible working arrangements.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusivity and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fight against cancer while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-value fundraising or strategic research is essential.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 52000 £ per year.
- Prospect Development Specialist
- Reports to: Senior Prospect Development Manager
- Directorate: Strategy & Philanthropy
Location: Stratford, London Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)
Closing date: Friday 11th September 23:55pm
Recruitment process: Multiple stage interview process – initialscreening call followed by a competency-based interview via MS Teams with afinalstage competency interview with a presentation task.
Interview date: Approximately w/c 14th September
Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UKis not able tooffer visa sponsorship.
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.
The Prospect Development Specialist playsa central rolein delivering strategic prospect development capability across high-value philanthropy at Cancer Research UK.
Sitting within the Prospect Development function, this role provides senior level specialistexpertisein pipeline management, insightand judgement to shape pipeline strategy, prioritisation and high-value engagement across Leadership Giving and £1m+.
Working in close partnership with Associate Directors, senior fundraisers and leadership, the post holder will ensure that Prospect Development activity is proactive, insight-led and focused on identifying and advising on the highest-value opportunities, supporting strong pipeline growth and a strategic approach to cold prospect identification and engagement planning.
The role also has a core governance and oversight function, leading on due diligence quality, consistency and process development and contributing to key strategic initiatives across the directorate, including Data & AI and Children and Young People (CYP) priorities.
As a part of the wider CRUK fundraising efforts, the Philanthropy Directorate is one of the largest and most successful high-value fundraising teams in the UK.
An ambitious and innovative team of 60 talented philanthropy professionals, our focus is the £400m ‘More Research, Less Cancer’ campaign which has four key priorities: the Francis Crick Institute, Cancer Grand Challenges, Translation & Innovation, and our Future Leaders’ programme.
We’verecently reached the milestone of £200m.
This is a key role, working in close partnership with the Senior Prospect Development Manager, to embed a more strategically led, consistent and high-impact Prospect Development model, with shared ownership of complex work, prioritisationand decision support.
What will you be doing?
- Pipeline Strategy & Prioritisation
- Partner with senior stakeholders to shape and manage a strategic, high-value prospect pipeline.
- Monitor pipeline health, ensuring clear prioritisation and delivery against targets.
- Embed consistent frameworks for prospect identification, qualificationand allocation.
- Use data and insight toidentifytrends, gapsand opportunities, translating analysis into actionable recommendations.
- Strategic Insight & Prospecting
- Deliver high-quality research to inform fundraising strategy and decision-making.
- Identifyand qualify high-value prospects (HNWIs, trusts and foundations).
- Translate complex analysis into clear, practical recommendations for engagement.
- Proactivelyidentifypipeline gaps and lead targeted prospecting initiatives.
- Strategic Initiatives & Cross-Directorate Impact
- Contribute specialistexpertiseto key organisational initiatives (e. g. Data & AI, Children and Young People’s cancer).
- Ensure prospect development activity aligns with wider strategic priorities.
- Support the development of future-focused capabilities within the function.
- Due Diligence & Governance
- Oversee due diligence activity, ensuring consistency, qualityandappropriate riskmanagement.
- Provide guidance and support on complex or high-risk cases.
- Strengthen due diligence frameworks, processesand reporting for senior stakeholders.
- Ensure alignment with organisational policies and best practice.
- Senior Stakeholder Partnership
- Act as a trusted partner to senior fundraisers and leadership.
- Providestrategic advice on prospectselection, prioritisationand risk.
- Influence decision-making to focus on the highest-impact opportunities.
- Promote alignment and consistency across fundraising activity.
- Best Practice & Continuous Improvement
- Lead the development and embedding of prospect development frameworks, toolsand standards.
- Drive consistency across pipeline management and due diligence processes.
- Identifyopportunities to improve efficiency, effectivenessand impact.
- Support the shift to a proactive, insight-led prospect development model.
What are we looking for?
- Significant experiencein prospect development, high‑valuefundraising or strategic research.
- Demonstrable experience supporting major and high-value fundraising activity, typically involving gifts of six figures and above.
- Proven ability tooperateat a senior or specialist level, applying judgement and influencingdecision‑making.
- Strong experience of pipeline strategy, prioritisation and management, including assessing pipeline health and shaping delivery against targets.
- Experience of due diligence processes, including oversight of complex orhigh‑riskcases.
- Strong understanding of risk, governanceand reputational considerations in a fundraising context.
- Experience contributing to or supporting strategic initiatives, programmesor organisational priorities.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging senior audiences.
- Strong analytical andproblem‑solvingskills, with the ability to translate insight into practical, strategic recommendations.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Desirable Skills
- Experience working with principal level fundraising (1m+).
- Familiarity with fundraising databases and prospect management systems (CRM).
- Understanding ofdata‑drivenprospecting approaches or analytics.
- Awareness of sector priorities ormission‑ledcampaigns.
- Experience within a large or complex organisation.
Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.
- Bold: Act with ambition, courageand determination
- Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism
- Human: Act to have a positive impact on people
- Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively
We’relooking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.
Ifyou’reinterested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience, we’dstill love to hear from you.
What will I gain?
We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools.
Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.
You can explore our benefits by visitingourcareers web page.
Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do.
We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.
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.
Please contact or as soon as possible.
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.
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Prospect Development Specialist in London employer: Cancer Research UK (CRUK)
Cancer Research UK is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values community impact and personal growth. As a Part-Time Retail Assistant Manager at our Droitwich Shop, you will enjoy flexible working hours, competitive pay, and the opportunity to lead a passionate team dedicated to making a difference in the fight against cancer. With ongoing training and development opportunities, you'll be empowered to enhance your skills while contributing to a meaningful cause.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Prospect Development Specialist in London
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Cancer Research UK (CRUK).
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Cancer Research UK (CRUK).
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Cancer Research UK (CRUK).
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Cancer Research UK (CRUK). Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Prospect Development Specialist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Cancer Research UK (CRUK). Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Prospect Development Specialist, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cancer Research UK (CRUK)
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Cancer Research UK (CRUK). Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
