King's College London

• Location
  London, United Kingdom
• Sector
  Education
• Experience
  Mid Career

Position description

King’s College London is proud to be an international community that serves the world. We are seeking an outstanding Senior Philanthropy Manager who will primarily focus their fundraising efforts in North America with a focus on five, six and seven figure gifts.

The postholder will utilise their fundraising experience and outstanding communication abilities to inspire philanthropists to donate substantial funds which will contribute to a more equitable, healthier and peaceful society through the University’s research, innovative patient care and world leading educational programmes that will create positive change today and for future generations.

You will have the opportunity to drive forward relationships and our strategy in this area, working closely with the Head of Philanthropy (International) and faculty fundraisers across all nine faculties. The postholder will also lead on relationships with the Friends of King’s College London Association 501 (c) 3 board members.

Your experience in working with high net-worth individuals will be instrumental in driving the future success of the international fundraising strategy, particularly in relation to identifying new opportunities from core international audiences.  This post will suit an ambitious, talented and dynamic fundraiser.

In Fundraising & Supporter Development we are committed to building a truly diverse workforce that reflects the communities served by our partners, recognising the range of benefits that we derive when colleagues bring experiences and perspectives from a range of backgrounds. As part of this work, we have developed a race equality plan and we particularly welcome applications from candidates from Black, Minority Ethnic and Asian backgrounds.

This post will be offered on an indefinite contract. We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements, including part-time, compressed hours and/or job shares, as appropriate.

Key responsibilities

• To lead on fundraising from North America and generate philanthropic funds from individuals, managing complex relationships that will support the strategic priorities across King’s College London’s Arts and Sciences and Health faculties by travelling to North America regularly (at least three times a year)
• Develop and deliver the North America fundraising strategy and operations plan (as agreed by the Head of Philanthropy (International) and Associate Director of Philanthropy (Arts & Sciences and International))
• Grow the pipeline of US based fundraising prospects, working closely with the Prospect Research team to identify and research new prospective funders for the University and planning advanced strategies to increase major gifts from wealthy individuals. Implement these strategies by building good relationships with these individuals and making powerful asks that will inspire five, six and seven level figure gifts by working with the wider F&SD team and faculties to develop an annual calendar of engagement and approaches and responsible for prospect management, ensuring movement across relationships
• Build strong relationships across all nine faculties of KCL in Arts and Sciences and Health, working with faculty fundraising colleagues, senior academics and faculty leadership to coordinate the cultivation and stewardship of prospective and existing funders, briefing and supporting senior staff and to communicate with funders on your behalf as needed
• Act as an ambassador and cultivate relationships with board members of King’s College London Foundation, a 501 (c)3 whose principal aim is to support the University. Help to identify potential new members to join the board once members’ existing term ends
• Supported by the Project Development team, develop a compelling fundraising narrative for US philanthropists to support agreed fundraising priorities and defined gift opportunities. Be responsible for developing, commissioning and editing fundraising literature and proposals that will inspire prospects to stretch their philanthropy to new giving levels
• Generate high levels of annual income according to agreed targets, guided by the achievement of a small but clearly defined set of monthly key performance indicators
• Maintain comprehensive, accurate records and update Raiser’s Edge database as needed
• Attend internal and external functions (e.g., alumni events, receptions, lectures etc) for the purpose of supporting events, cultivating prospects and stewarding donors. These will require, on occasion, to work evenings

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

1. A record of successfully securing five, six and seven gifts (seven figure gift experience is desirable but not essential)
2. Proven interpersonal and communication skills including writing for proposals and briefs and presenting convincing cases to internal and external stakeholders including prospects and donors
3. Ability to manage a portfolio of relationships which include donors, warm and cold prospects and internal stakeholders such as Executive Deans and senior academic experts
4. Understanding of fundraising in different cultural contexts or environments
5. Ability to plan strategically, demonstrate initiative and creativity to achieve fundraising and relationship outcomes
6. Computer literate i.e., Word, Outlook, Excel
7. Ability to manage multiple projects, identifying conflicting demands and establishing clear priorities in order to meet agreed objectives and income targets

Desirable criteria

1. An understanding of the US philanthropic landscape and what would motivate a prospect to give to King’s and its partners
2. Experience of securing 5, and 6 figure philanthropic gifts, preferably from the US region
3. Knowledge of a Fundraising Database (e.g. Raiser’s Edge)
4. Sufficient knowledge of philanthropic motivations and current trends in major giving to be able to identify and exploit new opportunities

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