Job Description

Salary

Circa 32,000 per annum

Contract type

Permanent

Location

Great Abington, Cambridge CB21 6AD (Agile; approximately 2 days a week from our office)

This is a permanent

,

, full time vacancy.

The VacancyThe Philanthropy team at Alzheimer's Research UK (ARUK) is responsible for securing donations from individual major donors, grant-making trusts and foundations. The role of Philanthropy Officer is key to the success of the Philanthropy team, working closely with other team members and stakeholders across ARUK.


At the heart of the Philanthropy team is our desire to help our supporters change the world, in a way that is meaningful and exciting to them.


We work with a growing portfolio of individual donors and charitable trusts, getting to know them - through meetings, events, lab tours, reporting on the impact of their donations and regular touchpoints - so that we can match their philanthropic goals to our research initiatives. We work hard to provide bespoke stewardship, build relationships, and impart scientific information to promote ARUK and give donors the best possible experience of working with us.


By nurturing these relationships, we gain long-term meaningful support from donors and their networks, and as a result can secure significant donations which range all the way up to eight figures.


We are looking for an articulate, proactive and people-orientated individual to join our highly successful team. The ideal candidate will have strong relationship management skills, a high degree of emotional intelligence, and will be an ambitious self-starter.


We are seeking someone who understands the importance of investing in dementia research and can convey that with passion to our supporters. In return, we can offer an exciting, supportive working environment and the opportunity to join a small major gifts team that punches well above its weight.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Relationship building and income generation

Build relationships with a portfolio of current and prospective major donors and charitable trusts, gauging their level of interest in our work, providing them with opportunities to engage with ARUK, and encouraging them to invest in our research. Develop an engagement plan for each relationship, taking full ownership and moving each donor / trust forward through qualification, solicitation and stewardship. Fundraise for different aspects of ARUK's work, including key research initiatives such as the Drug Discovery Alliance. Think ambitiously and creatively in producing compelling and persuasive written communications for donors, including letters, proposals, applications and progress reports. Solicit donors for gifts at face-to-face meetings, where appropriate. Provide an exceptional level of stewardship to donors, ensuring they are thanked and updated and that their relationship with ARUK grows in depth and value. Think innovatively and support the team's goal to embed the use of digital in our work. Work with senior volunteers and senior staff, where appropriate, empowering them to open their networks and ask for support. Build and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues in the Science Communications, Media and Engagement, Research and Finance teams.

CRM

Ensure donor records are kept up-to-date through daily use of Salesforce. Use Salesforce to track income and activity, and as a planning tool.

Events

Support the Donor Relations Manager in planning bespoke events / lab tours for our supporters, by providing guest lists, communicating with invitees and updating Salesforce records. Represent ARUK at Philanthropy team events, and at other ARUK events where major donors or the representatives of charitable trusts may be attending.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

Experience gained working in a major gift fundraising or client relationship management role Demonstrable experience of developing long-term / strategic relationships Demonstrable experience of developing / influencing relationships through face-to-face conversations Demonstrable experience of working effectively without close supervision Ability to communicate with, and enthuse, a wide variety of people in a compelling, professional manner Exceptional listening skills Strong writing skills with the ability to write persuasively for a range of audiences Ability to absorb and process new information quickly Ability to grasp complex scientific concepts to a reasonable level (ie. well-informed lay person) Ability to plan, prioritise and set goals, and to follow through each piece of work to completion Ability to work collaboratively and see the bigger organisational picture An understanding of the principles of major gifts fundraising Excellent IT skills, including strong working knowledge of Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint High levels of emotional intelligence Genuine interest in people Curious and creative, enjoys investigating and solving problems Driven and highly proactive - adept at spotting opportunities and maximizing them Feels strongly that dementia research is valuable and vital Confident and personable Diplomatic and discreet; has integrity Belief in the importance of striving for excellence Flexible approach, with willingness to undertake occasional evening work


The closing date for applications is the

11th May 2025

, with interviews being arrange once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

The Charity

Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure. Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope.


There has never been a more important and exciting time in dementia research. With promising new drugs in clinical trials that slow the progression of the diseases that cause it, and revolutionary new ways to diagnose them on the horizon, we are now at a tipping point. Working with the smartest minds globally and across the UK, with industry and academia, Alzheimer's Research UK is uniquely placed to invest in the very best research identifying barriers to a cure and knocking them down so that there are more and better treatments for everyone with dementia. For the first time in history, we can see a future where people with dementia can get a swift and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments that could slow or even stop their disease. We stand for everyone affected by dementia. We stand for a cure.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented. Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

The Benefits

It is important to offer a range of benefits which are designed to meet both the organisational and individual needs, are market competitive and designed to attract and retain employees.

Holiday entitlement

Healthcare

Sick pay

Pension

Cycle to work scheme

Family friendly policies

Learning & development