Senior Philanthropy Manager (Trusts and Foundations)

Cancer Research UK; Stratford-upon-Avon; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous benefits package

Career development opportunities

High-quality tools

Job summary

Cancer Research UK is seeking a Senior Philanthropy Manager (Trusts and Foundations) to lead a 12-month fixed-term effort and grow a portfolio of high-potential trusts. You will develop persuasive proposals, manage a small team, and steer mailing programmes to increase donor engagement and income.

The role is office-based in Stratford with flexibility and travel, reporting to the Senior Trusts and Foundations Lead, and offering a pathway to enhance major gifts and partnerships within a leading

Qualifications

• Experience of securing gifts from trusts and foundations at a 5-6 figure level.
• Proven ability to build and sustain long-term relationships with trust and foundation donors.
• Demonstrable experience in driving new business through donor calls and meetings.
• Excellent listening and engaging communication style.
• Experience developing compelling external proposals with clear budgets.
• Experience mentoring or line managing staff.

Responsibilities

• Manage and grow a mixed pipeline of UK and international trusts with 5-6 figure potential.
• Oversee cultivation and stewardship programmes ensuring pipeline movement.
• Maximise gifts to meet or exceed income targets for the philanthropy directorate.
• Oversee mailing programme strategy to grow income from lower-level supporters.
• Manage relationships with intermediaries to deepen engagement and income.

Skills

Trusts & foundations fundraising

Donor relationship building

Proposal development

Stakeholder management

Team mentoring

Communications

Job description

Senior Philanthropy Manager (Trusts and Foundations)

Salary: £55,000 - £60,000 per annum plus benefits

Reports to: Senior Trusts and Foundations Lead

Department: Philanthropy

Contract: 12 Month, Fixed-term Contract

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week

Location: Stratford, London Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office, plus fortnightly directorate days) with some travel (3-4 trips per annum)

Closing date: Monday 9th November 2026 23:55

Recruitment process: Competency based interview followed by a second interview with a task. (2 stage)

Interview date: First stage, Friday 13th November 2026

Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

Cancer Research UK is looking for an experienced Senior Philanthropy Manager with a strong background in trusts and foundations to join our team on a 12 month fixed-term basis. This role offers a rare opportunity to cultivate and steward relationships with some of CRUK's most generous supporters and prospects, and those who have the capacity to give 5-6 figure gifts. Alongside this, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to apply both their strong creative and analytical skills as they oversee the strategy for our small trusts and annual donor mailing programme with a view to growing income.

Our sector leading Philanthropy team raised c£40million last year and we have high ambitions and a clear strategy to grow. Following the launch of our 'More Research, Less Cancer' campaign in February 2024, more than ever we are keen to expand our networks and build meaningful relationships with philanthropic individuals. Our goal is to connect and collaborate, offering opportunities to support our life saving research in a tailored and impactful way, such as supporting a PhD student through their programme.

The postholder will also play a key role in line managing 2 members of the Trusts and Foundations team.

What will I be doing?

• Managing and growing a mixed prospect pipeline of UK based and international trusts and foundations with the potential to give 5-6 figure donations towards our campaign.
• Managing a programme of cultivation and stewardship for all trusts and foundations and ensure consistent pipeline movement for prospects within the role's portfolio.
• Maximising gift opportunities to deliver against agreed targets and objectives, contributing to the wider Philanthropy directorate income target.
• Overseeing the strategic review of our mailing programmes with a view to developing long-term approaches to help us grow income from this pool of lower-level supporters.
• Managing relationships with intermediaries (such as foundation staff, wealth advisors, solicitors and DAF managers), deepening their engagement with CRUK and driving new prospects and income for the organisation.

Delivering key internal activity to drive successful fundraising, including:

• Line managing the Trusts and Foundations Philanthropy Manager and Trusts and Foundations Senior Executive supporting their personal development and ensuring they have the tools they need in their role to succeed.
• Working with research information team to understand CRUK grant funding programmes, and develop a working knowledge of the variety of research CRUK fund to enhance prospect conversations.
• Developing strong internal relationships with key stakeholders within Philanthropy Operations and Research and Innovation teams.
• Collaborating cross-organisationally as needed, particularly with the Crick, Partnerships, Supporter Services and Legacies teams.
• Contributing to cross Philanthropy Directorate initiatives, strategy development and other activity and working groups where appropriate.

What skills will I need?

• Experience of securing gifts from trusts and foundation at a 5-6 figure level.
• Proven experience of building effective long-term relationships with trust and foundations, including transitioning trust prospects through to being committed donors.
• Demonstrable experience of driving new business through calls and meetings with donors.
• Exceptional listening skills and an inspiring and engaging communication style.
• Experience of developing compelling proposals with clear budget information for an external audience.
• Experience of developing and project managing a mailing programme.
• Experience of mentoring or line managing.
• Experience of working within a complex, large organisation.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills and ability to work with, and communicate effectively and professionally with, a wide range of individuals from internal colleagues, institutional leaders, external collaborators, stakeholders, and donors.

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.

Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination

Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism

Human: Act to have a positive impact on people

Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively

We're looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.

If you're interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we'd still love to hear from you.

What will I gain?

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.

You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.

For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.

We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen.

Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.