At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead research activities for fundraising, providing briefings on prospects and conducting due diligence.
- Company: The Royal Society, an independent scientific academy founded in 1660, promotes excellence in science.
- Benefits: Permanent contract with a salary range of £38,000-£50,000 and full-time hours at 35 per week.
- Other info: Located at Carlton House Terrace, London, with interviews scheduled for 23 July 2026.
- Why this job: Join a growing team pivotal in galvanising philanthropy for the Society's mission.
- Qualifications: Experience in research and due diligence, with strong analytical skills required.
We are the independent scientific academy of the UK, founded in 1660. The Society has a long history of philanthropic support and in 2015 ran a successful 350th anniversary fundraising campaign which raised £100m. We count many well-known philanthropists, foundations and corporates within our list of current supporters who fund a range of activities including Science 2040, Brian Cox Videos, a Science Book Prize, Wolfson Fellowships and an annual bilateral meeting with India. Due to a convening power and reach that is globally unique, our philanthropic potential is enormous. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing team and the next two to five years will be formative in enabling the Society to galvanise philanthropy in support of our founding mission: to promote excellence in Science for the benefit of humanity.
Sitting as part of Development Operations, the Senior Research and Due Diligence Officer is a newly established role and will be pivotal in ensuring the success of the Development team. The successful candidate will lead on all research activities associated with fundraising at the Royal Society. Key activities include:
- Providing detailed, high-quality briefings on top prospects and donors for front line fundraisers and Society leadership;
- Identifying new prospective donors to build an informed and targeted fundraising pipeline;
- Providing insight into philanthropic market trends to inform our longer-term strategy;
- Undertaking due diligence to ensure the Society is not actively engaging with organisations and individuals that may bring with them reputational risk;
- Providing individual support to fundraisers to ensure there is consistent movement of prospects through the pipeline, maximising the resource the Society has invested in fundraising.
Reports to: Emma Preston, Development Operations Manager
Location: Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours a week
Contract: permanent
Pay band: D
Salary range: £38,000- £50,000 per annum
The application closing date is 6 July 2026 at 23:59. Interview will be held on 23 July 2026.
Senior Research and Due Diligence Officer, Development employer: ROYAL SOCIETY
The Royal Society is located in London and has a rich history of philanthropic support, raising £100m in 2015. The Development team is expanding, aiming to enhance its fundraising efforts for scientific excellence.
