Breast Cancer Care
Job Description
Job Title
Philanthropy Research Officer
Accountable to:
Head of Philanthropy
Section:
Fundraising and Marketing
Location:
Southwark, SE1
Salary:
Grade D, £30,529 to £34,384 incl. London Weighting
Contract:
Permanent
Hours:
35 per week – Full time, 9.00am to 5.00pm
About Breast Cancer Care
Breast Cancer Care is the only specialist breast cancer support charity working throughout the
UK. We bring people together, provide information and support, and campaign for improved
standards of care. We’re here for the 55,000 women and 400 men diagnosed with breast
cancer each year, helping them to cope with the brutal reality of waking up to breast cancer
every day. We provide the vital information and support that they, their families and friends so
desperately need, and use our understanding of people's experience of breast cancer and our
clinical expertise in everything we do. We want every person affected by breast cancer to get
the best treatment, information and support.
The Post
The Philanthropy Research Officer will work as part of a team of six (five of whom are based in
London, one in Scotland). The Philanthropy Team is responsible for raising income from new
and existing high net worth individuals and institutional (trusts, foundations and statutory)
donors to enable delivery of Breast Cancer Care’s Strategy – Facing Breast Cancer Together.
This post reports into the Head of Philanthropy. The rest of the team include two Philanthropy
Managers, a Trusts and Statutory Officer, and a Philanthropy Executive.
The team has spent the past year and a half setting ourselves up for success by refining and
improving processes, creating a new giving product, recruitment and retention of great senior
volunteers and creating new events and engagement opportunities. However, the charity is
fundraising in an increasingly competitive market and we want to keep abreast of philanthropic
trends, external affairs and news from the business and philanthropic worlds, and competitor
activity.
January 2016
1
The Philanthropy Research Officer will support the Philanthropy Fundraising Team by
proactively researching the above – then analysing and reporting this information to support
the team’s strategy and inform our approach to generating income. They will also provide
information, biographies and contribute to briefing notes to support meetings, guest lists for
events, proposals, and pitches. The post-holder will work with the team on the development
and delivery of the Philanthropy portfolio; existing donors, Trusts, Foundations, Statutory
sources, and wealthy individuals, and in finding new donors. They will work across the team’s
functions helping to identify and research new trust and major donor prospects, provide
information on guests for events, and work to ensure smooth and up to date use of the
database.
The post holder will work closely with other teams to identify potential prospects and influencers
within the organisation and to map our peer to peer networks. In addition, they will monitor relevant
press to flag potential opportunities and inform the team of developments relating to prospects and
existing donors.
Flexibility
In order to work effectively in a changing environment, flexibility is required from the post-holder.
Any other tasks that may be requested will be at the same level of responsibility and terms and
conditions of employment.
The post-holder must be prepared to travel throughout the UK and to work varying hours.
Main Responsibilities
Identification of new prospects:




Deliver proactive and reactive research systems to ensure prospective donors are
recognised and opportunities are maximised.
Develop processes to ensure a steady flow of prospects into the Philanthropy pipeline,
supporting the development of cultivation and stewardship plans.
Support the Philanthropy team by identifying new high net worth individuals and
institutional bodies with a capacity and propensity to donate at a high level.
Contribute to strategies for obtaining new prospects in order to ensure the ongoing
development, expansion and renewal of the prospect base.
Create and maintain detailed, up-to-date accurate profiles on new and existing donors:




Undertake proactive and reactive research and compile profiles on new and existing
individual and institutional donors.
Gather information about the networks of Breast Cancer Care’s contacts, ensuring these
are linked into the Philanthropy team relationship maps.
Gather and analyse biographical, financial, corporate and philanthropic information from a
wide variety of sources, including daily media.
Provide accurate and relevant briefing notes on individuals attending events with Breast
Cancer Care.
January 2016
2



To keep abreast of factors that will affect wealth in general such as companies going out
of business, economic and industry trends.
Respond to specific research requests as required.
Any other research activity that supports the Philanthropy strategy.
Data and information management:







To plan and secure the research resources and tools we will need for the year.
To contribute to the budget setting and forecasting processes as required.
To ensure all necessary resources are available to carry out the work.
Working with the Philanthropy Team to ensure that the Blackbaud Enterprise CRM
database is updated with all pertinent individual and institutional information, including
contact details, donor development plans, and income.
Supporting the Head of Philanthropy to work with the Database Team to improve our use
of Enterprise and to ensure that it supports our business processes.
Assist in maintaining high quality data on Enterprise, ensuring information is gathered,
recorded in accordance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act and the Charity’s
Data Protection Policy.
Maintain donor trust and confidentiality at all times.
General duties:











To maintain confidentiality regarding client information at all times.
To operate within the equal opportunities policy framework and implement the policy within
this area of work.
To attend training sessions, conferences and staff meetings as required.
To be self-servicing in the area of administrative functions.
To liaise with relevant staff and outside agencies as requested.
To ensure all appropriate information is kept up to date and to maintain accurate records.
To prepare and present written reports and information as required.
To attend training sessions, conferences, meetings and staff meetings as required.
To liaise with relevant staff and outside agencies as requested.
To work with and liaise effectively with suppliers to ensure best value on behalf of the
organisation.
To adhere to Breast Cancer Care’s Health and Safety Policy.
January 2016
3
Person Specification – Philanthropy Research Officer
Knowledge and Experience:






Relevant experience of prospect research in a fundraising or commercial environment.
Experience of producing detailed reports and profiles on prospects.
Strong understanding of the philanthropic, and commercial sector.
Experience of managing research tools and database information.
Experience of working on a variety of projects, meeting deadlines, and the ability to
multitask.
Educated to degree level or equivalent.
Skills/Personal Attributes:












Excellent research, analysis and reporting skills.
Excellent accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to build rapport quickly with internal and external contacts.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent time management and organisational skills with the ability to prioritise work
and handle conflicting demands.
The ability to demonstrate tenacity, personal drive and enthusiasm when working towards
challenging targets.
Ability to work to tight deadlines with accuracy and attention to detail.
Have thorough knowledge of using Microsoft Office suite and the ability to be selfservicing.
Commitment to the aims and objectives of Breast Cancer Care.
Ability to work as part of a diverse, multi-disciplinary team and on own initiative.
A commitment to and understanding of issues relating to equality of opportunity and the
ability to implement change in this area.
Ability to show tact and discretion when dealing with sensitive and confidential information.
January 2016
4