Prospect Research Executive

About us

Nearly 150 years ago, Richard Owen, the Superintendent of the Natural History Collections had a vision. He pictured a ‘cathedral to nature’ that would celebrate the richness and abundance of life on Earth, inspire the public and fuel scientific research. Owen’s vision succeeded magnificently. Today, the Natural History Museum houses one of the world’s most important natural history collections. We are a world‑class visitor attraction and leading science research centre. We use the Museum's unique collections and our unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. We care for more than 80 million objects spanning billions of years and welcome more than six million visitors annually and 16 million visits to our website. Today the Museum is more relevant and influential than ever. By attracting people from a range of backgrounds to work for us, we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things. We employ over 1,100 staff in a variety of roles, all united by our vision of a future where people and planet thrive. We need everyone to have the passion and drive to help us with our mission to create advocates for our planet and inspire millions to care about the natural world. As we approach our 150th anniversary, we are aiming to transform our building at South Kensington and take our mission to create advocates for the planet to the next level. This is an exciting time to join the Museum as we are nearly two years into our anniversary campaign. We have several important new and refurbished galleries and science projects to fundraise for at our home in South Kensington. We need to raise £150 million to complete the transformation of the original Natural History Museum building, so that it can be a beacon for protecting, preserving, and renewing the natural world long into the future, as well as expanding our scientific and advocacy programmes.

Diversity and inclusion matter to us

Our vision is of a future where both people and the planet thrive. Diversity is one of our core values and we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. All new staff who join us learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion to the Museum and how to contribute to creating an inclusive environment. We know we have more to do, but we are committed to ensuring that everyone who works at the Museum feels they can thrive and feel valued and respected.

About the role

The Prospect Research Executive is a key member of the Development department, acting with pace towards ambitious fundraising goals. Working in our Development Operations team, the role will cover a range of prospect research activities and projects but also includes great development opportunities for new skills and experience across the Museum. This is a great opportunity to join a wonderful team raising important funds for the Museum’s galleries, science and advocacy programmes. The Prospect Research Executive role is a unique position that can use research and insight to play a valuable part in making the Museum anniversary campaign, ending in 2031, successful. One day you could write research profiles read by senior Museum members of staff. On other you could use data analysis skills to find valuable pieces of prospect insight on our CRM database or other sources. You might also join cross‑Museum project groups or valuable initiatives that support the Museum’s values. The Development department teams up with other parts of the Museum, so the role includes gaining knowledge and experience of various heritage, science or cultural projects. The role has several development opportunities which could support a rewarding and long‑term career at the Museum.

About you

You will have a passion for research and insight and understand the value it has in driving opportunities and new funds for the Museum. You will have great attention to detail and the ability to convey accurate information to various colleagues. You will have the ability to complete tasks at short notice, but you will also have the patience to undertake research projects and look through large volumes of data to find useful insight. You will have the initiative to work independently and go that extra mile to seek out prospects, but also to contribute ideas to meetings and strategic plans for the team and department. It is an important time for the Museum and the Planet and you will be committed to the goals and values set out by the Museum. If you are looking to play an important role at a prestigious organisation, building networks and experience over the longer term, then this role is for you.

Thriving at the Museum: the way we work

We are proud to work at the Museum and have identified the qualities we all need to embody to reach our shared ambition. This sits alongside the Museum’s values and forms the framework for the way we work.

What we offer

• 27.5 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (full time equivalent)
• Generous defined contribution Natural History Museum Pension Scheme (employer contribution 4 - 10%)
• Season ticket, bicycle and rental loan
• Life insurance
• Free admission to our exhibitions and many other paid exhibitions at museums, galleries and institutions across London and the UK.
• Staff discount at our Museum shops and cafes
• We offer a wide variety of training initiatives and opportunities to build skills. Investing in staff development is important to us, and we are ambitious about helping staff to grow and fulfil their potential.
• Affordable membership to the Civil Service Sports Council which offers a range of benefits including an extensive list of special offers and reduced entry fees at a selection of cinema chains, theme parks, theatres, retailers and supermarkets. It also provides entry to up to 300 English Heritage sites and other national treasures.
• Membership to our Sports and Social Association (for a small fee), which includes access to our in‑house gym and clubs such as football, softball, table tennis and tennis and classes in Middle Eastern dance, yoga and Tai Chi
• Hybrid working

We are working towards a vision where both people and planet thrive, and nothing gives a greater connection with this, than seeing first‑hand, the visitors, scientific research and collections that all of our work is inspired by and working side by side with the teams delivering the visitor experience and events. We also recognise the benefits and flexibility that hybrid working brings. We operate a hybrid working model that requires regular, weekly attendance for this role, with the precise pattern of days on site and worked from home to be agreed with your manager.

How to apply

If this sounds like you, please apply below by clicking on Apply for job. Please note that as part of our commitment to anonymised shortlisting, panels do not view CVs during the recruitment process. If you choose to upload your CV, our system will automatically pull information from your CV into our application form. We advise you to double‑check your application form data before submitting as the tool may interpret CVs differently. We’re delighted that many of our vacancies attract a high level of interest. To ensure that every application receives the time and careful consideration it deserves, we closely monitor the number of applications we receive. In some cases, where interest is particularly high, we may close a vacancy to new applications ahead of the advertised closing date. Taking this approach helps us manage the process efficiently while maintaining a fair and thorough shortlisting process for all candidates. We therefore encourage early applications where possible.

Closing date: 12 April 2026 on 23:59

Interviews expected: w/c 27 April 2026

Please note that this role does not qualify for Museum sponsorship so the successful postholder will need to have a valid right to work in the UK at the point of offer.