Philanthropy Manager

This is a great opportunity for someone ready to take the next step in their fundraising career. The main purpose of the role is to support the strategic priorities of the Development department by identifying, cultivating and stewarding gifts towards the V&A’s collections, exhibition programming and capital fundraising activities.

Working closely with Development colleagues and senior volunteers, the post-holder will have a specific focus on donors giving to the V&A Americas Foundation (V&AAF) to maximise voluntary income in support of the Museum’s projects, as well as administrating the Philanthropy team’s fundraising efforts towards the V&A’s world-leading exhibitions programme.

• Create compelling cases for support for the V&A’s collections, exhibitions, programming and capital campaigns, collaborating with relevant colleagues and forming targeted communications plans and marketing materials.
• Take an active role in prospecting and prospect management in collaboration with the Philanthropy team, Research team and curatorial teams.
• Manage the day-to-day activities of the V&A Americas Foundation and deliver the wider strategy for the group, alongside the Executive Director of the V&A Americas Foundation, Director of Development and Head of Philanthropy.
• Lead the stewardship of a portfolio of major donors, including the Trustees of the V&A Americas Foundation, and ensure that they are managed and recognised in a dynamic, appropriate and systemised manner.
• Capture and record accurate, up-to-date and concise donor intelligence on the CRM database and use constructively to ensure committed regular giving, year-on-year growth and further support of the Museum’s collections and capital activities.
• Generate considered and engaging reports for donors to illustrate the impact of their support and as a cultivation tool for further giving.
• Implement the V&A’s policy for acknowledging donors, ensuring that supporters are credited for gifts in all relevant galleries, speeches, print materials, web and/or filmed works.
• Make informed, carefully considered and targeted approaches to prospective donors, coordinating the involvement of V&A staff and senior volunteers.
• Provide support towards major museum events such as exhibition opening dinners, as well as the planning and delivery of other Development related stewardship and cultivation activities, such as early morning breakfast viewings, private tours and group visits that dovetail with the strategic development of donors and the wider priorities of the Museum.
• Coordinate private visits and bespoke access to the V&A’s collections for donors and other guests.
• Support the day-to-day processes of the Philanthropy team, upholding high standards of written work and information sharing.

• Previous experience providing high-quality donor care, as well as interacting with a variety of senior stakeholders (both internally and externally).
• Excellent standard of written English with a track record of providing high quality, accurate written work to a variety of audiences, including senior volunteers and colleagues. Exceptional attention to detail and strong proofreading skills.
• Confident and well-presented with excellent interpersonal skills. Demonstrable track record of proactively building sound working relationships with all levels of internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability in communicating clearly, with the ability to adapt your communication style for different groups across a variety of contexts.
• Proven ability to manage a high workload and multiple priorities, with the flexibility to manage conflicting deadlines.
• Demonstrable IT literacy with the ability to utilise or learn CRM systems (such as Microsoft Dynamics, Tessitura, Raiser’s Edge); design software (such Adobe InDesign, PDF Editor);
  Microsoft Office suite (such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Planner).
• Proven experience of working on major gift fundraising campaigns and with committees, as well as an understanding of US based giving.
• A good understanding of the principles of GDPR and experience of managing and recording information in a methodical and sensitive manner.
• Experience of the cultural and heritage sector in a professional, volunteer or personal capacity.
• Shares our Values of Sustainability, Equity, Creativity, Collaboration & Generosity.

• 29 days of holiday + public holidays each year
• 5.5% employee pension contribution, 10% employer pension contribution (post-probation)
• Life assurance scheme (to value of 4 x annual salary)
• Family-friendly policies e.g. enhanced maternity + paid carers leave
• Free sanitary products for all employees across our sites
• Free entrance to many major museums and exhibitions
• Benefits platform offering discounts at major retailers
• and many more

Full job description and list of benefits on our website