At a Glance
- Tasks: Support fundraising efforts and manage donor relationships to drive social mobility initiatives.
- Company: Join the Sutton Trust, the UK's leading charity for social mobility.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission to empower young people and influence national change.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience in administration or fundraising.
The predicted salary is between 30800 - 31500 € per year.
The Sutton Trust is the UK’s leading social mobility charity. We believe every young person should have a fair chance in life, regardless of their family’s income, the school they go to or where they grow up. Our mission is to change this. Our programmes empower young people to access life‑changing opportunities, and our research influences national change to deliver a fairer future. Each year, together with our university and employer partners, we support over 14,000 young people to reach their potential through our university, apprenticeship and career access programmes.
We are looking for a proactive and organised Philanthropy Assistant, to ensure the team can provide consistent high‑quality stewardship to existing funders and continue to build a strong pipeline of prospective funders. You will work closely with colleagues to ensure administrative and logistical support is in place for our funders, notably those who are individual donors, and provide support to the Head of Philanthropy and Director of Development to manage donor income, engagement and events.
Main duties include:
- Admin support for donor relationships – meeting logistics, travel bookings, briefings, logging communications on Salesforce and in donor folders.
- Admin for donations from individuals – working with Finance Team to process income correctly, creating gift receipts, thank you letters, logging income on pipeline and Salesforce.
- Logistics and supporting planning for events and meetings – working with the Director, Head of Philanthropy and CEO’s EA to support planning and booking for donor events, meetings and programme visits.
- Administration of existing online giving platforms – reconciling reports from online giving platforms against our banked income spreadsheet, pipeline, and logging on Salesforce.
- Donor prospect research and meeting briefs – compiling donor profiles and meeting briefs for Philanthropy donors.
- Salesforce updates – ensuring all relevant information is logged accurately and up to date.
- Collateral updates – writing and updating collateral including proposals, reports, mailings and newsletters, and supporting with basic proofreading.
- Supporting the stewardship of our individual givers, providing them with an excellent donor experience and keeping them engaged with our work.
- Support Development team colleagues to respond to queries from prospective and current donors in a warm, professional and timely manner.
- Ensure you appropriately follow policies and procedures on due diligence, Salesforce, and data management.
Person Specification:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Able to provide administrative and logistical support to busy colleagues.
- Experience managing multiple priorities and tasks.
- Experienced at using Salesforce or other fundraising CRM software.
- Knowledge and experience of the education and/or not‑for‑profit sector (desirable).
- Experience of using online donation platforms (desirable).
- Experience of working in a high‑value team (desirable).
We are also looking for an individual who:
- Is sympathetic to the aims of the Trust and our mission to increase social mobility.
- Has a high degree of initiative and the ability to take responsibility for a range of administrative and supporting activity.
- Is a strong communicator, skilled at persuading others through writing and conversation.
- Has excellent attention to detail.
- Able to multi‑task and prioritise multiple activities.
- Able to work independently and as part of a team.
Terms of Appointment:
- Contract: Full‑time, Permanent
- Salary: £30,800‑£31,500
- Working location: Minimum of two office days per week.
- Hours: The standard working hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Interviews will be held at our London offices on Tuesday, 9th June and Wednesday, 10th June.
The Sutton Trust believes that a child, young person or vulnerable adult should never experience abuse of any kind. We all have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe.
The Trust is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity and that all applicants receive equal consideration for employment. We strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply for this role.
Philanthropy Assistant employer: The Sutton Trust
The Sutton Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering social mobility and empowering young people. With a strong commitment to employee growth, a collaborative work culture, and the flexibility of a hybrid working model, staff are encouraged to thrive while making a meaningful impact in the community. Located in the heart of London, employees benefit from engaging with a diverse network of donors and partners, all while contributing to vital research and initiatives that shape national policy.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Philanthropy Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the philanthropy sector, especially those connected to The Sutton Trust. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the charity's mission and recent projects. Show us you’re passionate about social mobility and have ideas on how to contribute to our goals. We love candidates who come with fresh perspectives!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Whether it’s through mock interviews or casual conversations, being able to articulate your thoughts clearly is key. Remember, we want someone who can engage effectively with donors and team members alike.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can leave a lasting impression. It shows us you’re genuinely interested in the role and appreciate the opportunity to connect.
We think you need these skills to ace Philanthropy Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for social mobility and the Sutton Trust's mission shine through. We want to see that you genuinely care about making a difference in young people's lives.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Philanthropy Assistant role. Use specific examples that demonstrate your organisational skills and communication prowess.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your writing clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Avoid jargon and focus on conveying your message effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it reaches us directly and gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re keen to engage with us online.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Sutton Trust
✨Know the Sutton Trust Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly research the Sutton Trust and its mission. Understand their programmes, recent achievements, and challenges in social mobility. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you align your answers with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Philanthropy Assistant, strong communication is key. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated with donors or team members in the past. Be ready to discuss how you can maintain high-quality stewardship for existing funders and engage new ones.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
The role requires excellent organisational abilities. Bring examples of how you've managed multiple tasks or projects simultaneously. Discuss any tools or methods you use to stay organised, especially when coordinating meetings or events.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and initiative. Think about potential challenges in donor relations or event planning and how you would tackle them. This will demonstrate your proactive approach and readiness to support senior leaders.
