Head of Prospect Research and Fundraising Priorities

Head of Prospect Research and Fundraising Priorities
Development
Full-time, 41 hours per week (including one hour paid lunch break)
Permanent
£56,195 per annum
Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on Thursday 19 June 2025

About the role:

The British Museum is embarking on a once-in-a-generation transformation through its ambitious Masterplan—one of the most significant cultural redevelopment projects in the world. As part of this vision, we are seeking a strategic and analytical leader to join the Development Department as Head of Prospect Research and Fundraising Priorities.

This pivotal new role will lead the research and prioritisation of prospects for high-value philanthropy, playing a key part in shaping the Museum’s fundraising strategy and enabling transformational gifts and sponsorships. Working closely with senior stakeholders and leading a high-performing team, the role will drive the identification, evaluation, and alignment of major gift opportunities to support the Museum’s strategic and capital fundraising priorities.

Key areas of responsibility:

Lead and develop the Prospect Research and Fundraising Priorities team, overseeing prospect identification, due diligence, research, and fundraising intelligence.
Devise and implement a strategic approach to prospect research, supporting fundraising across individuals, corporates, and foundations.
Provide high-level briefings and insight to the Director, Trustees, and senior staff ahead of key cultivation meetings and events.
Collaborate with stakeholders across the Museum to shape and prioritise compelling fundraising propositions, leading the integration of insight-led fundraising briefs and cases for support.
Support the strategic management of the donor pipeline, advising on opportunities, challenges, and alignment with institutional priorities.
Lead on reporting and analytics, providing insight into fundraising performance and helping to forecast income potential.
Ensure compliance with data protection regulations and ethical research standards and oversee the use of research tools and systems (e.g. Raiser’s Edge).
About you:

Proven expertise in prospect research and strategic fundraising planning, ideally within the cultural or non-profit sector.
Demonstrable experience identifying and qualifying high-value donors and sponsors in the UK and internationally.
Skilled in managing complex research and turning data into actionable fundraising insights.
Experienced in managing and developing high-performing teams, with a collaborative and motivating leadership style.
Confident advising senior stakeholders and aligning cross-departmental goals to drive fundraising success.
Proficient in CRM databases (such as Raiser’s Edge) and other research and wealth screening tools.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to distil complex information into compelling, donor-focused narratives.
Calm under pressure, highly organised, and solutions-oriented, with a keen eye for detail and a strategic mindset.

Museum Website: https://bmrecruit.ciphr-irecruit.com/templates/CIPHR/jobdetail_8185.aspx