Head of Philanthropy

Final date to receive applications: 19 October 2026

Department: Development

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: London

Reporting To: Director of Development

Compensation: £65,000 - £70,000 / year

The Development team at Somerset House raises over £3m per annum and works across four key income streams – brand partnerships, corporate partnerships, trusts & foundations and individual giving. The Head of Philanthropy is a vital new role, reporting to and working closely with the Director of Development to devise and lead Somerset House's strategy for increasing philanthropic income across individuals, trusts, foundations and statutory sources.

Somerset House does not receive any core public funding, therefore income from philanthropic sources is especially important. We have ambitious plans to increase philanthropy and this postholder will be central to realising those ambitions.

Somerset House is an inspiring cause to support, and there is a real opportunity to create rewarding associations with donors across activity including public programming, exhibitions, capital, artist studios and our work developing pathways for underrepresented young people into the creative industries.

Fundraising

• Oversee all philanthropic giving from individuals, trusts and statutory bodies - encompassing one-off and regular giving; mid-level and major giving; trusts and foundations; statutory grants; and legacies
• Grow and manage a personal portfolio of constituents, soliciting philanthropic gifts at the five, six and seven figure level, making a significant contribution to the annual fundraising target
• Oversee systems and processes for identifying, qualifying and assigning prospects across the philanthropy team, ensuring clear prioritisation, systematic cultivation plans and a focus on increasing the value of the pipeline
• Lead on the development and implementation of engagement and cultivation strategies for high-value prospects, working closely with the Senior Stewardship Manager
• Lead on the creation of case for support and fundraising collateral for philanthropic purposes
• Provide outstanding donor care, developing and maintaining positive relationships with supporters
• Build effective relationships with the Executive team, Trustees, volunteers and advocates, working with them to support fundraising activity and widen our network

Strategy

Working closely with the Director of Development and team members:

• Devise and deliver a new strategy for individual giving including a review and refresh of individual giving schemes. This will be aligned with the long-term vision and income targets for the department and with a view to significantly increasing the value of this income stream over the next three years
• Shape the next phase of the Trusts & Foundations strategy, with a focus on making inroads with new funders and those who don't accept unsolicited applications
• Support the Director of Development to shape the major and transformational gifts strategy
• Increase giving from international sources, evaluating and improving the infrastructure needed to support transnational giving
• Create opportunities to strategically engage audiences with fundraising, working closely with the Audience & Experience team to increase conversion rates
• Devise and deliver a new strategy for raising awareness of legacy giving amongst donors and audiences

Team, Operations and Data

• Line manage the Development Manager (Individuals) and Trusts & Foundations Manager, setting clear objectives and supporting professional growth
• Support the Director of Development with overall team leadership, represent the Development department at regular internal meetings and deputise for the Director of Development as necessary
• Work closely with the Senior Stewardship Manager to ensure that comms, events and engagement activity are strategic, creative and impactful and meaningfully support cultivation and stewardship
• Work collaboratively with the Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager to maintain a strategic and joined up approach to corporate philanthropy and cross-cultivate individuals from companies
• Work with the Director of Development and wider team members to enhance the department infrastructure, systems and processes that will support significant growth in income
• Contribute to departmental financial planning through oversight of philanthropic income targets, pipeline forecasting, and long-term growth projections
• Oversee values alignment and…