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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fundraising efforts to secure major gifts for a transformative capital campaign.
- Company: Join a world-class museum dedicated to science and cultural heritage, inspiring millions.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27.5 days holiday, hybrid working, and discounts at museums and shops.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team making a real impact on the planet's future.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in securing high-value donations and excellent communication skills required.
- Other info: Manage a dynamic team and access professional development opportunities in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Job Description
About Us
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 five 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 1000 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.
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
We are looking for a dynamic and self-motivated fundraiser to join our successful team as we embark on a major capital campaign (NHM150) to raise £150m to transform our South Kensington site ahead of our 150th anniversary. Reporting to the Head of Philanthropy, this role will be responsible for personally securing high six- and seven-figure gift from Trusts and Foundations.
The Senior Philanthropy Manager will work closely with the Head of Philanthropy and the rest of the Philanthropy team, feeding into the overall strategy for the team. They will manage a portfolio of funder accounts which deliver long-term, high-value strategic partnerships as well as building new relationships.
The post will also manage a team of 3 – 2x Philanthropy Manager and 1 Philanthropy Executive.
The Philanthropy team has seen significant investment and there will be substantial opportunities for professional development within a world-leading cultural organisation.
About you
The role requires excellent fundraising skills, with experience in raising and managing high six- and seven-figure gifts. Candidates will need excellent communication and written experience to develop high quality applications, proposals and reports – ensuring the highest standard of cultivation and stewardship. Additionally, candidates will ensure they can work within the direct team, wider Development team and full organisation, while managing their own team to successfully achieve targets.
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 on our careers portal.
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.
Closing date: 7 September at 23:59
Interviews expected: w/c 22 September (First round interviews) and w/c 29 September (Second round interviews).
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.
Senior Philanthropy Manager (Trusts & Foundations) employer: Natural History Museum
Contact Detail:
Natural History Museum Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Philanthropy Manager (Trusts & Foundations)
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the philanthropy sector, especially those who have experience with trusts and foundations. Attend relevant events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and mentors who can provide insights into the role and the organisation.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the Natural History Museum's mission and current projects, particularly the NHM150 campaign. Understanding their goals will help you articulate how your skills and experiences align with their needs during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous fundraising successes in detail, particularly any high-value gifts you've secured. Be ready to share specific strategies you used and how they could be applied to the Museum's objectives.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Highlight your ability to inspire and develop others, as this role involves managing a team of Philanthropy Managers and Executives.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Philanthropy Manager (Trusts & Foundations)
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 your experience in fundraising, particularly with high-value gifts from Trusts and Foundations.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for philanthropy and your understanding of the Museum's mission. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your fundraising success and ability to manage relationships.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV, focus on your previous roles related to fundraising and team management. Include quantifiable achievements, such as the amount raised or the number of successful partnerships developed, to make your application stand out.
Review and Edit: Before submitting your application, proofread all documents for clarity and grammatical accuracy. Ensure that your application reflects the highest standard of communication, as this is crucial for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Natural History Museum
✨Showcase Your Fundraising Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous successes in securing high six- and seven-figure gifts. Highlight specific examples of how you approached potential funders, the strategies you employed, and the outcomes achieved.
✨Demonstrate Team Leadership Skills
As this role involves managing a team, be ready to share your experiences in leading and developing others. Discuss how you motivate your team, manage conflicts, and ensure everyone is aligned with the overall fundraising strategy.
✨Emphasise Communication Skills
Excellent communication is key for this position. Prepare to showcase your ability to craft compelling proposals and reports. You might even want to bring samples of your work to demonstrate your writing skills during the interview.
✨Align with Their Values
Familiarise yourself with the Museum's commitment to diversity and inclusion. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to creating an inclusive environment and how your personal values align with their mission to inspire care for the natural world.
