At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead international market research and develop high-value prospect pipelines for fundraising.
- Company: Join Cancer Research UK, a leading charity dedicated to beating cancer.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and generous benefits.
- Other info: Be part of an ambitious team driving significant fundraising initiatives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in global philanthropy while supporting vital cancer research.
- Qualifications: Experience in prospect development and strong stakeholder management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 52000 £ per year.
£45,000 - £52,000 plus benefits
Reports to: Senior Prospect Development Manager
Directorate: Strategy & Philanthropy
Contract: Fixed Term (18-month fixed-term contract)
Hours: Full time 35 hours per week
Location: Stratford, London Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)
Closing date: Sunday 19th July 23:55
Recruitment process: Multiple stage interview process – initial screening call followed by a competency-based interview via MS Teams with a final stage competency interview with a presentation task.
Interview date: w/c 6th July 2026
Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. The Prospect Development Specialist (International & Key Priority Areas) plays a key role in informing and supporting Cancer Research UK’s emerging international philanthropy approach as strategy and structures evolve. Sitting within the Prospect Development function, this role brings senior-level specialist expertise, insight and judgement to inform pipeline strategy, prioritisation and high-value engagement across both priority international markets and key priority areas. Working closely with Associate Directors and fundraisers, the post holder will lead international market scoping, build and manage high-value prospect pipelines, and generate high-quality intelligence to support major philanthropy growth. The role will also provide strategic prospect development input to key priority areas, ensuring opportunities are identified, prioritised and progressed effectively.
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’ (MRLC) campaign which has four key priorities: the Francis Crick Institute, Cancer Grand Challenges, Translation & Innovation, and our Future Leaders’ programme. We’ve recently reached the milestone of £200m. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced prospect development professional to contribute to the foundation of CRUK’s international ambition by surfacing opportunities, informing strategic decisions and enabling fundraisers to confidently engage high-potential global audiences.
What will you be doing?
- Strategic Insight & Market Scoping: Lead research into priority international markets (e.g., Hong Kong, Singapore, US, India, UAE), identifying trends, risks and opportunities. Produce clear, data-led insights and recommendations to inform strategy and decision-making. Support the development of an international prospect development strategy, identifying key priorities and gaps.
- Prospecting & Pipeline Development: Build and manage high-value prospect pipelines across HNWIs, trusts and foundations. Ensure consistent qualification, rating and prioritisation of prospects. Align pipeline activity with fundraising priorities and organisational strategy. Identify new prospecting opportunities using external intelligence and market insights.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Partner closely with senior fundraisers and Associate Directors as the lead prospect development contact. Provide actionable insight to support prospect strategy and engagement. Help develop new ways of working for international philanthropy, driving collaboration across teams.
- Strategic Support for Priority Areas: Deliver targeted prospect development support for key campaigns and priority programmes. Identify high-value opportunities and support long-term pipeline growth.
- Team Leadership: Line manage and coach a small team (up to 3 line reports), setting clear objectives and driving high performance. Foster a collaborative, accountable and high-quality team culture. Support individual development and contribute to wider team initiatives.
- Analysis & Knowledge Management: Produce high-quality briefings, profiles and research outputs. Monitor global giving trends and maintain strong market awareness. Ensure accurate prospect data and contribute to a shared knowledge base.
What are we looking for?
- Significant experience in prospect development, fundraising intelligence or strategic research within a complex organisation.
- Proven ability to operate at a senior or specialist level, influencing strategy, priorities and decision-making.
- Strong understanding of high-value fundraising, HNWIs, trusts & foundations and/or international philanthropy.
- Demonstrable experience of market scoping, pipeline development and prospect strategy.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with experience working with senior stakeholders and fundraisers.
- Experience contributing to or leading new initiatives, frameworks or ways of working.
- Strong strategic thinker with long-term planning skills and the ability to contribute to the development and execution of departmental strategy.
- Experience managing or supporting others, contributing to team development and delivery quality.
- Highly professional, flexible and proactive, with a “can do” attitude, strong problem-solving skills and the ability to anticipate and address challenges quickly.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively; well organised, focused and able to prioritise a varied workload effectively.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Desirable skills:
- Proficiency in one or more additional languages, particularly those relevant to international philanthropy markets, is an advantage.
- Experience working within international fundraising, global markets or cross-cultural environments.
- Understanding of global wealth trends and international regulatory considerations relating to philanthropy.
Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do. Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination. Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism. Human: Act to have a positive impact on people. Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively. We’re looking 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.
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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Prospect Development Specialist (International & Key Priority Areas)
✨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 (International & Key Priority Areas)
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 (International & Key Priority Areas), 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!
