Prospect Development Specialist

Salary £45,000-£52,000 plus benefits. Reports to Senior Prospect Development Manager. 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). Closing date:
Sunday 19th July 23:55.

The Prospect Development Specialist plays a central role in delivering strategic prospect development capability across high‑value philanthropy at Cancer Research UK. This senior level specialist provides expertise in pipeline management, insight and judgement to shape pipeline strategy, prioritisation and high‑value engagement across Leadership Giving and £1m+ opportunities. Working in close partnership with Associate Directors, senior fundraisers and leadership, they ensure Prospect Development activity is proactive, insight‑led and focused on identifying and advising on the highest‑value opportunities, supporting strong pipeline growth and a strategic approach to cold prospect identification and engagement planning.

The role also has a core governance and oversight function, leading on due diligence quality, consistency and process development, and contributing to key strategic initiatives across the directorate, including Data & AI and Children and Young People (CYP) priorities.

• Partner with senior stakeholders to shape and manage a strategic, high‑value prospect pipeline.
• Monitor pipeline health, ensuring clear prioritisation and delivery against targets.
• Embed consistent frameworks for prospect identification, qualification and allocation.
• Use data and insight to identify trends, gaps and opportunities, translating analysis into actionable recommendations.

• Deliver high‑quality research to inform fundraising strategy and decision‑making.
• Identify and qualify high‑value prospects (HNWIs, trusts and foundations).
• Translate complex analysis into clear, practical recommendations for engagement.
• Proactively identify pipeline gaps and lead targeted prospecting initiatives.

• Contribute specialist expertise to key organisational initiatives (e.g. Data & AI, Children and Young People’s cancer).
• Ensure prospect development activity aligns with wider strategic priorities.
• Support the development of future‑focused capabilities within the function.

• Oversee due diligence activity, ensuring consistency, quality and appropriate risk management.
• Provide guidance and support on complex or high‑risk cases.
• Strengthen due diligence frameworks, processes and reporting for senior stakeholders.
• Ensure alignment with organisational policies and best practice.

• Act as a trusted partner to senior fundraisers and leadership.
• Provide strategic advice on prospect selection, prioritisation and risk.
• Influence decision‑making to focus on the highest‑impact opportunities.
• Promote alignment and consistency across fundraising activity.

• Lead the development and embedding of prospect development frameworks, tools and standards.
• Drive consistency across pipeline management and due diligence processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, effectiveness and impact.
• Support the shift to a proactive, insight‑led prospect development model.

• Significant experience in prospect development, high‑value fundraising or strategic research.
• Demonstrable experience supporting major and high‑value fundraising activity, typically involving gifts of six figures and above.
• Proven ability to operate at a senior or specialist level, applying judgement and influencing decision‑making.
• Strong experience of pipeline strategy, prioritisation and management, including assessing pipeline health and shaping delivery against targets.
• Experience of due diligence processes, including oversight of complex or high‑risk cases.
• Strong understanding of risk, governance and reputational considerations in a fundraising context.
• Experience contributing to or supporting strategic initiatives, programmes or organisational priorities.
• Excellent stakeholder…