Senior Philanthropy Manager; Trusts and Foundations

Position: Senior Philanthropy Manager (Trusts and Foundations)
.
** Senior Philanthropy Manager (Trusts and Foundations)
**** Salary**: £55,000 - £60,000 per annum plus
** Reports to**:
Senior Trusts and Foundations Lead
** Department**:
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, plus fortnightly directorate days) with some travel (3-4 trips per annum)
** Closing date**:
Monday 19th January 2026 23:55
** Visa sponsorship:
** You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is
** not
* * able to offer visa sponsorship.

** Recruitment process:
** Competency based interview followed by a second interview with a task. (2 stage)  
** Interview date:
** From the week commencing 2nd February 2026
** At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.
** We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That’s why we’re looking for someone talented, someone determined, someone like you.

Cancer Research UK is looking for an experienced Senior Philanthropy Manager with a strong background in trusts and foundations.  

This role offers a rare opportunity to cultivate and steward relationships with some of CRUK’s most generous supporters and prospects, and those who have the capacity to give 5-6 figure gifts.

Alongside this, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to apply both their strong creative and analytical skills as they oversee the strategy for our small trusts and annual donor mailing programme with a view to growing income.

The postholder will also play a key role in line managing 2 members of the Trusts and Foundations team.

Driving prospect and donor activity by:
* Managing and growing a mixed prospect pipeline of UK based and international trusts and foundations with the potential to give 5-6 figure donations towards our campaign.
* Managing a programme of cultivation and stewardship for all trusts and foundations and ensure consistentpipeline movement for prospects within the role’s portfolio.
* Maximising gift opportunities to deliver against agreed targets and objectives, contributing to the wider Philanthropy directorate income target.
* Overseeing the strategic review of our mailing programmes with a view to developing long-term approaches to help us grow income from this pool of lower-level supporters.
* Managing relationships with intermediaries (such as foundation staff, wealth advisors, solicitors and DAF managers), deepening their engagement with CRUK and driving new prospects and income for the organisation.

Delivering key internal activity to drive successful fundraising, including:
* Line managing the Trusts and Foundations Philanthropy Manager and Trusts and Foundations Senior Executive supporting their personal development and ensuring they have the tools they need in their role to succeed.
* Working with research information team to understand CRUK grant funding programmes, and develop a working knowledge of the variety of research CRUK fund to enhance prospect conversations.
* Developing strong internal relationships with key stakeholders within Philanthropy Operations and Research and Innovation teams.
* Collaborating cross-organisationally as needed, particularly with the Crick, Partnerships, Supporter Services and Legacies teams.
* Contributing to cross Philanthropy Directorate initiatives, strategy development and other activity and working groups where appropriate.
* Experience of securing gifts from trusts and foundation at a 5-6 figure level.
* Proven experience of building effective long-term relationships with trust and foundations, including transitioning trust prospects through to being committed donors.
* Demonstrable experience of driving new business through calls and meetings with donors.
* Exceptional listening skills and an inspiring and engaging communication style.
* Experience of developing compelling proposals with clear budget information for an external audience.
* Experience of developing and project managing a mailing programme.
* Experience of mentoring or line managing.
* Experience of working within a complex,…