Role SummaryThis senior leadership role will oversee the strategic planning, management and reporting of the Natural History Museum’s major fundraising campaign NHM150, the campaign to raise £150m to revitalise our South Kensington home ahead of our 150th anniversary. The successful candidate will combine exceptional relationship-building skills with proven campaign management expertise to support the Development team’s fundraising objectives.

Reporting to the Director of Development the post-holder will lead a team of development professionals to deliver insightful prospect research, manage systems for donor journeys and lead on excellent donor stewardship for the Development team. They will also manage the continuous improvement of the Development CRM and ensure that excellent income processing and reporting systems are in place. A key member of the Development Group’s Senior Leadership Team, the post-holder will work with colleague across the Museum to ensure that the NHM150 Campaign and major funding bids are aligned with the Museum’s wider strategy and operating plan.Main tasks and responsibilitiesStrategic Leadership and PlanningSupport the development of campaign strategies aligned with organisational priorities and timelinesWork with the Director of Development and the heads of fundraising to establish fundraising goals, metrics, and benchmarks for campaign successCreate detailed campaign plans including case statements, prospect identification, solicitation strategies, and timeline managementCollaborate with executive leadership and NHM150 Fellows to continue to refine campaign objectives and messagingCampaign Execution and ManagementManage campaign logistics including, communications, materials development, and donor cultivation activitiesLiaise closely with the Head of Special Events to ensure that NHM150 projects and donors are at the heart of NHM hosted eventsCoordinate cross-functional teams including development staff, communications, finance, and external consultantsMonitor campaign progress against established metrics and adjust strategies as neededEnsure compliance with all regulatory requirements and organisational policiesProspect Research and StewardshipLead the prospect research function responsible for identifying major gift and partnerships prospects including individuals, foundations, corporations, and government entitiesDevelop and lead prospect tracking and management systems ensuring excellent cultivation and solicitation plans are in place across the Development functionWith the support of the Director of Development’s Executive Assistant coordinate volunteer engagement and peer-to-peer fundraising activitiesLead the stewardship function, ensuring that Development wide policies are developed and implemented and that these are coordinated with colleagues across the Museum, and that donors are recognised and stewarded to the highest standards.Development OperationsEnsure the accurate and timely processing off all Development income, liaising closely with colleagues in Finance to improve and maintain accurate and insightful reporting to improve planning.Manage the smooth and effective running of Development Group’s CRM (Raisers Edge) ensuring compliant, accurate and effective systemsEnsure the Database and Reporting Manager oversees a pipeline of donor data screening, cleaning and segmentation in order to ensure accuracy, consistency and functionality of data, and that clear and accessible training and procedures are in place for and delivered to database usersEnsure accurate and timely management of the Development Group’s corporate expenditure, including CRM supplier, membership bodies and regulatory costs.Team Leadership and DevelopmentLead and mentor a team of development professionals, providing guidance on campaign strategies and donor managementRecruit, train, and supervise campaign staff and consultants as neededFoster a collaborative team environment focused on achieving campaign objectivesProvide professional development opportunities and performance management for direct reportsWhat we’re looking forEssentialExperience of working strategically and contributing to the development and implementation of organisational strategy and business planning within a not-for-profit/fundraising environmentExperience of analysing, interpreting and communicating complex management information to senior stakeholders, including developing and monitoring effective KPIsExperience of developing and managing fundraising plans and income and expenditure budgetsExperience of financial processes relating to fundraising, such as Gift Aid, target setting and monitoringExperience of delivering excellent stewardship to diverse donor constituenciesExperience of working with fundraising databases such as Raiser’s Edge and Microsoft DynamicsExperience of leading multi-functional and high achieving teams to deliver excellent results, including motivating and coaching staff and dealing effectively with any performance issuesEducated to degree level or equivalentDesirableExperience working with diverse donor constituencies including individual major donors, foundations, and corporate partnersExperience of working with international fundraising communities and mechanismsExperience of contributing to and implementing corporate governance policies and procedures, including risk management and information and records managementExperience of managing supplier relationships effectivelyExperience working collaboratively with board members, volunteers, and senior leadershipSkills and abilitiesExcellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, persuasion and influencing skills and the ability to build good relations both internally and externallyStrong project management capabilities with experience managing complex, multi-year initiativesProven ability to develop compelling cases for support and fundraising materialsExperience with fundraising database management and prospect research toolsStrategic thinking and analytical skills with ability to interpret data and adjust strategies accordinglyOutstanding written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiencesHigh level of computer literacy, including Word, Excel and PowerPointDemonstrated ability to lead and motivate teams toward ambitious goalsStrong organizational and time management skills with ability to manage multiple prioritiesResilience and persistence in pursuit of fundraising objectivesKey informationSalary: £55,000 per annum, grade 3Hours: Full time, 36 per weekContract: PermanentThis role operates on a hybrid model, and it requires at least 2 days of working on-site at South Kensington.All positions at the Natural History Museum are conditional subject toreceipt of:Proof that you are legally entitled to work in the UKA Basic Disclosure Check from the Disclosures and Barring Service (DBS)Satisfactory references covering the last 3 years of your employment or educationHealth clearanceThe Museum supports flexible working.Our benefitsIn addition to competitive salaries, we offer a wide range of benefits to help you thrive both personally and professionally.Wellbeing and work-life balanceGenerous annual leave allowance of 27.5 days holiday plus public holidaysEnhanced sickness pay to support you through periods of illnessWellbeing provision including Mental Health First Aider support and regular learning sessions on wellbeing topicsFlexible working and hybrid working arrangements where the role allowsA 24/7 employee assistance programme including face to face counselling sessionsOccupational health advice and supportEye care vouchers for display screen usersSupportive policies to help you manage life events, for example becoming a carer, menopause, transitioning at workFinancialGenerous defined contribution pension scheme with employer contribution up to 10% of salaryLife insurance that will pay 4 times your salary to a beneficiary in the event of your death in serviceSeason ticket and cycle loans to help you spread the cost of cycling to workRental deposit loan scheme – to help you spread the cost of a deposit on a rental property20% discount in our NHM shops both online and in storeDiscounts in our on site restaurants and coffee shops, and use of our staff canteen at South KensingtonDiscounts at local shops and restaurants within the South Kensington areaCultural and lifestyleFree entry with your NHM staff pass to a wide range of museums and galleries across London and around the UKEvery staff member is entitled to 10 complimentary tickets each year to give to friends and familyAccess to the Civil Service Sports and Social Club for a small monthly fee, offering a range of benefits such as discounted tickets to visitor attractions and gym membership discountsAccess to the NHM Sports and Social Association for a small fee which provides access to our fitness centre at South Kensington and a range of activities and clubs including football and yogaFamily friendlyEnhanced pay for maternity, paternity and adoption leaveFlexible working and hybrid working arrangements where the role allowsSupportive policies to help you manage fertility treatmentPaid special leave to help you manage unexpected life events or to make caring arrangementsHow to applyTo apply, please complete an online application through our recruitment portal.The closing date for applications is 29 July 2025.First stage assessment for this role is likely to take place in week commencing 04 July 2025.How we hireWe want everyone to be able to perform at their best throughout our hiring process. We’ve put together some information about how we hire as well as tips for completing your application and taking part in our assessment process. You can find this information on our careers site here.Reasonable adjustmentsWe welcome applications from disabled candidates, and are committed to adapting our recruitment processes to make sure all candidates can perform at their best. If you require adjustments to our application process or require materials in a different format, contact us.If you need adjustments to the assessment stage of our hiring process, indicate this on your application form and we’ll contact you before the assessment to put these in place.We’re part of the Disability Confident Scheme and guarantee an interview to all disabled candidates who meet the minimum shortlisting criteria for the role.