Prospect Research Manager

Join us at Birkbeck, University of London, and help transform lives through philanthropy. We are seeking an experienced and innovative Prospect Research Manager to join our Development and Alumni team.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced prospect researcher with a strong track record of identifying major gift prospects and using insight to support successful fundraising outcomes.

You will be highly skilled at analysing complex information, spotting connections and presenting findings clearly and persuasively to a range of audiences. The role offers the opportunity to explore and implement new technologies, including AI-enabled research tools, helping to shape the future of prospect research and prospect management at Birkbeck.

You will play a pivotal role in helping Birkbeck secure transformational philanthropic support by identifying and researching potential donors, corporate partners, trusts and foundations. You will provide the insight and intelligence needed to advance Birkbeck’s fundraising ambitions.

As a key member of our Development and Alumni team, you will lead prospect research activity across the College, supporting a team of eight fundraisers who collectively manage more than 500 prospects and donors and secured over £4m in income this year. 

Working as a trusted advisor to colleagues, you will help shape prospect pipelines, oversee prospect management processes and provide strategic recommendations that strengthen fundraising performance.

The role includes responsibility for due diligence on potential donors and ensuring that prospect research activity is compliant with data protection legislation and sector best practice.

If you are a curious and analytical researcher with excellent judgement, strong relationship-building skills and the ability to turn information into fundraising opportunity, we would love to hear from you.

This opportunity would build on experience as a Prospect Research Officer, Prospect Development Officer, Alumni Officer, Development Officer, Fundraising Manager, Research Assistant.

Salary and benefits

£44,247 rising to £50,379 per annum, Grade 7 on the College's London Pay Scale which includes a consolidated London Weighting Allowance. 

Benefits of working at Birkbeck: a competitive salary and pension scheme, 31 days paid leave, flexible working arrangements, generous benefits in the HE sector, and being located in the heart of Bloomsbury, Euston, London.

Contract

Permanent, open-ended contract. Full-time (35 hours per week) with hybrid and flexible working offered. To apply, please submit a CV and personal statement. Closing date: Sunday 6 September, interview date: Thursday 17 September 2026.

Enquiries

If you would like to know more about the role, please click on apply below or contact Chris Clements, Deputy Director of Development Services, at c.clements@bbk.ac.uk

If you have technical issues or difficulties using the recruitment portal, please contact jobs@bbk.ac.uk providing your name and the job reference number of the position. While we are happy to respond to all informal enquiries, only formal applications through the online system will be considered.

We welcome applicants from all sections of the community. The College is committed to improving the gender and cultural diversity of its workforce, holding a bronze Athena SWAN award and operating Disability Confident & Mindful Employer schemes.

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