Individual Giving Manager

The British Academy; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The British Academy is seeking an experienced Individual Giving Manager to expand our donor base and lead a multi-channel fundraising programme to support our Development and Fellowship Directorate. The role focuses on donor acquisition, retention and stewardship, with responsibility for campaigns, donor journeys and data-driven insights.

You will build compelling narratives, manage targeted appeals, and collaborate with Communications and Digital teams to maximise online fundraising, while

Qualifications

• Educated to bachelor's degree level, or equivalent.
• 2–3 years minimum of individual giving fundraising experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive individual giving strategy aligned with objectives.
• Plan and deliver multi-channel fundraising campaigns (digital, email, direct mail, events).
• Identify opportunities to grow income from individual donors and upgrade strategies.
• Develop donor journeys to improve retention and lifetime value.
• Use CRM systems to track donor behaviour and campaign effectiveness.
• Collaborate with communications and digital teams to maximise online fundraising.

Skills

Individual giving experience

Direct marketing fundraising

CRM analytics

Donor acquisition

Donor retention & stewardship

Excellent written comms

Creativity in fundraising

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking an Individual Giving Manager to join our Development and Fellowship Directorate, leading the development and delivery of the individual giving programme.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Individual Giving Manager is a critical role in expanding our supporter base as we prepare to launch the Academy’s 125th Anniversary Campaign in 2027.

The post holder will inspire potential donors to give to the British Academy. They will lead targeted appeals and multi-channel fundraising campaigns. They will also develop supporter journeys that connect donors with the impact of their gift and build long term engagement with the British Academy.

We are looking for someone who enjoys communicating ideas into a compelling narrative. They will be creative and collaborative in their approach, bringing real momentum to the programme as it enters the next phase. They will also need to analyse individual giving data, using it to draw out giving trends, review engagement with donors, and identify milestone giving.

This role offers an amazing opportunity to take our individual giving programme to the next phase and to join an organisation at an incredibly exciting moment. We are searching for applicants who have several years’ of individual giving experience and will bring strong knowledge around the principles of donor cultivation, acquisition and stewardship.

OFFICE LOCATION - 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1Y 5AH

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Individual Giving Programme Development

• Develop and implement a comprehensive individual giving strategy aligned with the British Academy’s overall fundraising objectives working closely with Deputy Head of Individual Giving and Legacy.
• Identify opportunities to grow income from individual donors, including acquisition, retention, and upgrade strategies.
• Contribute to the Development team’s planning, budgeting, and performance monitoring processes.

2. Campaign Management

• Plan and deliver multi-channel fundraising campaigns (digital, email, direct mail, and events).
• Lead on annual appeals and targeted campaigns to support agreed priorities and initiatives.
• Monitor campaign performance, analyse results, and optimise future activity.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends and technologies, ensuring our fundraising efforts remain innovative and effective.

3. Donor Acquisition and Retention

• Grow the individual donor base through effective acquisition campaigns.
• Develop supporter journeys to improve donor retention and lifetime value.
• Implement stewardship plans to ensure donors feel valued, informed, and connected to the Academy’s impact and fosters long term engagement.
• Directly engage with individual donors, for example through emails, phone calls or speaking to at events.
• Work closely with communications and digital teams to maximise online fundraising opportunities.
• Oversee website donation journeys, email fundraising campaigns, and digital advertising where relevant
• Ensure content is compelling, audience-focused, and aligned with the Academy’s voice.

5. Donor Insights and Data Management

• Use CRM systems and analytics to track donor behaviour and campaign effectiveness.
• Segment audiences to deliver targeted communications and improve engagement.
• Ensure accurate record-keeping using the CRM and where relevant, the physical archive.
• Ensure compliance with data protection regulations (e.g. GDPR).

6. Stewardship, Collaboration and Data Management

• Collaborate with colleagues to ensure a joined-up supporter experience across all fundraising streams.
• Contribute to fostering a culture of philanthropy across the organisation.
• Support the work of colleagues delivering engagement events for Fellows, awardholder alumni and other individual giving audiences.
• Support senior leadership with briefing materials, reports, and donor-facing content.
• Develop tailored communications to demonstrate the impact of donations.
• Support the Academy’s approach towards Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).

Key Stakeholders

Internal: Development Team, Fellowship and Award holder Alumni Team, Communications Directorate

External: Fellows of the British Academy, Award holder Alumni (former award holders)

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• Educated to bachelor's degree level, qualified by experience, or equivalent
• 2-3 years minimum of individual giving fundraising experience

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Works and communicates effectively

• Proactive in developing and maintaining effective working relationships with others internally and externally, up to board level
• Demonstrates a positive attitude towards helping others by providing appropriate support, using initiative and not waiting to be asked
• Adopts a communication style appropriate to the situation and the audience, understanding that communication is two-way
• Is sensitive to different working styles and views, adapting where appropriate
• Willing and able to compromise and negotiate, including to resolve possible conflicts
• Handles difficult situations with sensitivity & respect
• Communicates effectively with staff across different teams and at all levels
• Promotes a positive impression of the Academy both internally and externally

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Demonstrates and develops appropriate knowledge and skills

• Experience of individual giving or direct marketing fundraising within a charity, higher education or cultural institution.
• Strong analytical skills and experience using CRM systems.
• Knowledge of donor acquisition, retention and stewardship principles.
• Creativity and innovation in fundraising approaches.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling donor messaging.

PROACTIVITY AND PLANNING

Manages time and resources effectively in order to achieve own and organisational objectives

• Prioritizes work to meet deadlines and manages expectations appropriately
• Displays resilience in coping with workload
• Keeps relevant colleagues informed and seeks input
• Evaluates and manages risks effectively
• Reliably takes ownership of tasks, including delegating effectively where appropriate
• Monitors progress effectively and adapts plans where possible

PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING

Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach

• Identifies problems and opportunities and acts on them
• Has a pro-active, can do, attitude, taking personal responsibility for correcting problems or resolving issues
• Focuses on solutions and manages pressure
• Anticipates obstacles and thinks ahead
• Copes with the unexpected
• Sets the right balance between referring decisions to the appropriate level and taking things forward without referral

LEADERSHIP

Gives a clear sense of direction while inspiring others with vision and actions

• Inspires personal trust, engenders kinship around an inclusive and shared vision
• Shows integrity and wisdom, decisiveness and consistency, sincerity and honesty, especially under pressure
• Tackles and owns difficult issues, resolves rather than avoids conflict
• Looks to the medium and long-term future, anticipates change
• Enables and empowers others to effect change
• Is courageous, making and seeing difficult decisions through in a calm manner, handling crises well
• Takes responsibility on behalf of the team (for difficult issues and equally for mistakes), leads by example, attracts support

MUST BE COMMITTED TO THE BRITISH ACADEMY'S WORKPLACE VALUES OF:

COLLABORATION, CREATIVITY, EMPATHY, EXCELLENCE, INTEGRITY, RESILIENCE AND RESPECT

Role closes to applications on 7 October 2026