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- Tasks: Manage relationships and secure funding for the British Museum's exciting redevelopment projects.
- Company: Join the British Museum, a historic institution with a collection spanning over two million years of culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, pension scheme, and discounts on food and gifts.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative project while contributing to cultural heritage and making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Degree level education or equivalent experience in trust fundraising; strong writing and organisational skills required.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; interviews on 21-22 July.
The predicted salary is between 29000 - 39000 £ per year.
Role Summary
Philanthropy Officer: Grants
Development
Full-time, 41 hours per week (including one hour paid lunch break)
Permanent
£34,713 per annum
Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on Thursday 10 July 2025
About the role:
The British Museum is embarking on one of the most significant cultural redevelopment projects undertaken anywhere in the world. The Masterplan will transform the Museum for the 21st century while staying open, maintaining the founding commitment to keep the collection safe and accessible to the public for generations to come.
The Philanthropy Team, as a key function of Development, will play a vital role in enabling the Museum’s vision for the future. The Philanthropy Officer: Grants role will be responsible for managing relationships with and securing income from primarily trusts and foundations in support of the Museum’s agreed priorities.
Key areas of responsibility:
- To raise funds for Museum priorities in line with agreed annual income targets, managing your own prospect pipeline, with mentoring and support from the Philanthropy Manager.
- To adhere to a calendar of both new applications and reporting requirements for secured funding.
- To manage or contribute to production of both interim and final reports for funders, establishing a system with project managers internally to ensure that the data required is captured throughout and submitted in time for deadlines, and to ensure the highest standards of reporting are adhered to.
- To work with the Advancement Operations Team to ensure records on the Museum’s database are accurate and up to date.
- To contribute to Museum events and their use as an effective cultivation tool.
About you:
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in a trust fundraising role
- Knowledge of trust and statutory fundraising requirements and practice
- IT literate with good working knowledge of standard Microsoft Office packages and experience using fundraising databases
- Strong writing skills with the ability to create and articulate a convincing fundraising case.
- A team player with strong organisational skills
- Experience in an arts, culture or heritage organization is desirable
About the British Museum:
Founded in 1753, the British Museum’s remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history and culture. The Museum is a leading visitor attraction, and its world-famous collection includes the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, the Sutton-Hoo finds, and the Lewis Chessmen. The Museum also holds an extensive collection of prints and drawings spanning 600 years, including works by the greatest graphic artists such as Dürer, Michelangelo and Rembrandt.
You can view a selection of our impressive collection of prints and drawings in our virtual gallery .
The Museum offers a competitive benefits package including:
- Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service) plus 2.5 privilege days and plus bank holidays.
- Membership of the civil service defined benefit pension scheme (find out here what benefits a civil service pension provides).
- Free entry to a wide range of museums and exhibitions
- Participation in private and public Museum activities, including talks by leading curators from around the world and behind-the-scenes opportunities to learn how museums care for and manage their extraordinary collections.
- Interest-free travel, bicycle, and rental deposit loans
- Professional and personal development opportunities
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Discounts on food and gift shop purchases
Additional details:
For more information about this role, please see the job description.
The interviews are expected to take place on 21 and 22 July.
If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details to .
We have a legal responsibility to ensure that employees have the right to work in the UK. If you currently do not hold the right to work in the UK, we can only sponsor a limited number of roles that meet eligibility criteria. To offer a sponsorship, the job role you apply needs to be in the list of eligible occupations: . Additionally (with some limited exceptions), the role will need to meet the minimum salary threshold of £38,700 or the going rate for the job, whichever is the highest. You can find more information here:
The British Museum is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from unlawful discrimination or harassment. We value the benefits that a diverse workforce brings to a museum which represents world culture. The Museum is committed to ensuring that no job applicant suffers unlawful discrimination because of any protected characteristics. Our recruitment procedures aim to ensure that individuals are treated because of their relevant knowledge, skills, and experience.
We specifically encourage applications from candidates from ethnic minority groups who are underrepresented within our senior roles.
We offer a flexible way of working scheme that allows our employees to work remotely in a way that suits them and the organisation. We welcome questions and conversations at interview stage about how flexible working could work for you. We would typically see this role as working on site about 2-3 days a week.
The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.
Philanthropy Officer: Grants - London employer: THE BRITISH MUSEUM
Contact Detail:
THE BRITISH MUSEUM Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Philanthropy Officer: Grants - London
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the British Museum's current projects and priorities. Understanding their Masterplan and how your role as a Philanthropy Officer: Grants fits into this vision will help you articulate your passion and alignment with their goals during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the arts, culture, and heritage sectors. Attend relevant events or join online forums to connect with individuals who have experience in trust fundraising. This can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with fundraising databases and reporting requirements. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed relationships with trusts and foundations, as this will demonstrate your capability for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your writing skills by preparing a mock fundraising case or report. This will not only help you practice but also give you concrete examples to discuss during your interview, highlighting your ability to create compelling narratives for funders.
We think you need these skills to ace Philanthropy Officer: Grants - London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the key responsibilities and requirements of the Philanthropy Officer: Grants position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with these expectations.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only introduces yourself but also articulates your passion for the role and the British Museum. Use specific examples from your experience in trust fundraising to demonstrate your capability in managing relationships and securing income.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV, emphasise any previous roles related to trust fundraising or similar positions within arts, culture, or heritage organisations. Include quantifiable achievements to showcase your success in meeting income targets and managing funding applications.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for the role of Philanthropy Officer.
How to prepare for a job interview at THE BRITISH MUSEUM
✨Know Your Philanthropy
Familiarise yourself with the British Museum's mission and current projects, especially the Masterplan. Understanding their vision will help you articulate how your skills can contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Writing Skills
Prepare examples of your writing, particularly in fundraising contexts. Be ready to discuss how you've crafted compelling cases for support in previous roles, as strong writing is crucial for this position.
✨Demonstrate Organisational Skills
Be prepared to discuss how you manage multiple projects and deadlines. Highlight any systems or tools you use to keep track of applications and reporting requirements, as these skills are essential for the role.
✨Engage with the Team Spirit
Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively. Share experiences where you've successfully worked within a team, especially in fundraising or cultural settings, to show that you're a team player who can contribute positively to the Philanthropy Team.
