Director Research Business Development in London

Salary range: £90,000 – £100,000 (depending on skills and experience). Appointments are made at the bottom of the scale.

Location: London Office

Contract: Full time, Permanent

About RUSI

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) is a registered charity and an independent, not-for-profit membership organisation that serves as a think tank engaged in evidence-based research on defence, security and geopolitics. RUSI's main activities include research, publications, hosting member and other events, training, and capacity building to develop and disseminate practical policy solutions to pressing global challenges. Our mission and values are underpinned by the ambition to build a more secure, equitable and stable world.

Main purpose of the post

We are seeking to appoint an experienced individual to spearhead RUSI's research fundraising efforts. The successful candidate will broaden and grow opportunities for research income by identifying, pursuing, and delivering new funding for research across the Institute, while aligning with RUSI's ongoing research priorities and strategic plan.

The postholder will lead a wide range of research business development activity, including overseeing major competitive bids to governments and multilateral bodies; developing proposals for and building relationships with foundations; building partnerships with think tanks, primes, and academia; and securing flexible funding for RUSI's research programmes from corporate and high-net-worth individuals (working closely with the Development Director and Memberships team). They will work alongside RUSI's research directors, subject-matter experts, and central services to support RUSI's research groups with research fundraising and to develop cross-cutting opportunities.

Success in this role will be demonstrated through:

• The number and quality of new and incremental opportunities and strategic relationships initiated for research funding;
• Tangible progress towards RUSI's strategic plan objectives, particularly in generating funding for cross-cutting research priorities;
• Consistently high-quality, reliable, and timely support to research teams, enabling them to meet funding goals and targets;
• The strong performance and professional development of the Business Development team.

The Director of Research Business Development will lead a team including a Bids Manager and BD Coordinator. The successful candidate will report to the Director of Research and will be a member of RUSI's Management Group and Impact Committee.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Research Funding Leadership
   • Design and deliver an annual research fundraising strategy for each research group and the cross-cutting themes aligned to RUSI's institutional priorities, in partnership with research leadership and SMT.
   • Identify and prioritise high-value funding opportunities from foundations, governments, corporates, multilaterals, academic consortia, and major donors.
   • Ensure funding approaches reflect RUSI's strategic plan, research capacities, and long-term ambitions.
   • Maintain oversight of major bids and cross-programmatic activity, ensuring consistent standards, strong narratives, cost recovery, and competitive positioning.
   • Strengthen business development processes (e.g., go/no-go decision-making, competitive awareness, pricing, cost recovery, forward planning, and due diligence).
2. Funder & Partner Development
   • Build and nurture relationships with foundations, government departments, primes, and relevant research and civil society networks.
   • Work with the Director of Development and the Memberships Team to align approaches to high-net-worth individuals and corporates where research funding is relevant.
   • Support research leadership in growing and stewarding their funder portfolios by identifying new opportunities and offering guidance on strategy, messaging, and relationship management.
   • Work with SMT and research leadership to deliver the funding goals of the strategic plan for cross-cutting research priorities.
   • Lead and oversee large, cross-Institute opportunities, including competitive bids, proactive concept notes, and solicited proposals.
3. Team and Organisational Leadership
   • Lead and develop the Business Development team, setting clear priorities and supporting professional growth.
   • Oversee the strategic use and development of RUSI's research project management system (ORBIT), ensuring high-quality data to support decision-making, forecasting, and pipeline visibility.
   • Use data-led insights and horizon scanning to highlight trends, risks, and opportunities, informing funding strategy and resource planning.
   • Work with RUSI's SMT and central operations teams to ensure the Institute is well placed to field funder compliance and due diligence requirements.
   • Model a culture of collaboration, transparency, pragmatism, and strong communication across the Institute.

The above list of duties is not exhaustive. The postholder will be required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grade of the role.

Person specification

Essential skills and experience

• A track record of demonstrable fundraising success, ideally in a range of areas across an organisation.
• A track record of building relationships with clients and partners to maintain funding relationships.
• Experience in developing and submitting compelling and successful proposals and reports. Able to produce clear, accurate and insightful written output, meeting the highest quality standards.
• Experience in evaluating existing partnerships to assess strengths and weaknesses and working to build new ones; and growing the profile and reach of an organisation through fundraising and client relationship development.
• Previous experience in grants administration or project management experience, ideally in an international and/or policy environment would also be beneficial.
• Excellent communications and writing skills in English, both written and spoken. Other languages are desirable.
• Strong IT and Microsoft skills (Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint) including the use of databases.
• Interpersonal skills and social competence to interact with people of all levels across an organisation, based in different geographic locations, in a confident and professional manner, including effective communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage tight deadlines, multitask, and to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion.
• Experience in line-managing staff.

We expect all staff to abide by and promote our RUSI's Vision and Values. Equal Opportunities Statement is available on our site.

Application Process

To apply, please click on the apply button and follow the instructions. You will be asked to include: Your CV and a Cover letter.

Closing date 16th January 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the closing date brought forward if needed. Early application is encouraged. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.