Senior Philanthropy Executive

Worthy causes. Ambitious minds. Positive pursuits.

Senior Philanthropy Executive (Trusts and Foundations)

Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 plus benefits

Reports to:

Senior Philanthropy Manager (Trusts and Foundations)

Directorate:
Strategy & Philanthropy

Contract:

Permanent

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)

Closing date: 30 January 2026 23:55

Recruitment process:
Competency based interview via Teams followed by a second stage interview in person.

First interview date: 9-13 February 2026

Second interview date:
To be confirmed

Please note:

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.

Our Trusts and Foundations team sits within our Philanthropy and Strategy directorate and develops relationships with Trusts and Foundations who wish to donate and support Cancer Research UK with our life-saving research. Overall, the team has contributed £30m over the last 2 years, having a significant impact in supporting our cause.

The Senior Philanthropy Executive (Trusts and Foundations) is a fantastic role for a passionate, proactive and ambitious individual looking to take their first steps into the world of philanthropic fundraising.

This role is primarily a support role, delivering and coordinating activity for the Trusts & Foundations team. Tasks include meeting planning, briefings, note taking, drafting correspondence, and data and project management.

Crucially, this role will be the primary point of contact for incoming donor enquiries. The post-holder will have the opportunity to gain valuable in-role experience of trust fundraising by managing a small pipeline of prospects, cultivating them and stewarding them, with the mentorship and support of the frontline fundraisers.

• Contributing to team effectiveness through the successful delivery of core processes and meetings including diary management, drafting agendas, collating and sending papers, minutes, and monitoring actions.
• Providing high-quality administrative support across the team for all related working group meetings, including team meetings, tracker meetings, allocation meetings and pipeline reviews.
• Managing and responding to donor correspondence and, where basic organisational details, policies or forms are required, working with peers to resolve any issues.
• Being the primary point of contact for external and internal enquiries relating to trust fundraising, ensuring a swift response.
• Delivering proposals and reports to our mid-value donor pool as needed, developing own pipeline of supporters.
• Project managing Research Now (biannual mailing programme) in partnership with the Senior Manager and colleagues in Philanthropy Operations ensuring delivery of defined outcomes.
• Working with peers and other critical stakeholders, sourcing data for analysis, research and relevant information required to inform the mailing strategy and use expertise for the benefit of the wider team output.
• Providing successful and timely delivery of discrete projects across the team including campaign collateral and acquisition/cultivation/stewardship materials for fundraisers.
• Working closely and collaborating with the Senior Executives in Donor Relations to ensure consistent approaches and processes (such as thanking donors).
• Providing key administrative support for the head of team as needed, such as database updates and drafting bespoke comms for high-value donors.
• Supporting effective prospect and donor relationships by ensuring that key academics and leadership receive timely briefings, have appropriate presentations, proposals, talking points and debriefs, and follow up is handled.

• Knowledge and experience of fundraising and working in a fundraising operation.
• Familiarity with basic fundraising principles and strategies and a strong desire to develop high-value fundraising skills.
• Exceptional organisational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrable experience of successful…