The National Holocaust Centre and Museum (NHCM) is the only organisation dedicated to Holocaust remembrance and education in the UK and it plays a unique role as a memorial, a museum, a place of testimony and learning. We are seeking to appoint an outstanding individual into the new post of Head of Philanthropy. This position is an excellent opportunity for an experienced fundraiser to play a pivotal role in a unique institution and help position us for future growth.

In a beautiful rural location near England’s last open-field farming village — yet only 90 minutes from Central London — we are a truly unique, tranquil place of Holocaust remembrance. Eva Schloss MBE, Auschwitz survivor and Anne Frank’s step sister, calls us “The only Holocaust museum in the world I leave feeling uplifted”. We began life in 1995 as a humble learning retreat, set up by the remarkable Smith family. Today we are an Arts Council and Heritage Fund supported museum of global creative excellence. The warm Smith family ethos endures. They, and our beloved Holocaust survivors for whom we are a home from home, drive everything we do.

We now face two interconnected challenges. Firstly: in a world of rising anti-Jewish hate, new generations must not only be educated about the Holocaust but inspired to act. Secondly: we are slowly losing our most inspiring educators — the Holocaust survivors who were first-hand witnesses to the greatest ever crime against humanity. To offset their inevitable passing, we have created cutting-edge digital experiences, films and highly emotive learning programmes. These can future-proof Holocaust education for the whole sector. But it requires substantial ongoing funding.

Job purpose

To manage a portfolio of donors and to lead delivery of the philanthropy fundraising programme, which includes major donors, and legacies.

To create an environment which enables senior volunteers and influencers to give practical support NHCM and to help us achieve our fundraising goals.

Work closely with our senior team, Trustees and senior volunteers to build a sustainable fundraising programme and to ensure we exploit new fundraising opportunities as they arise.

Key Responsibilities: 

1. Develop and implement a refreshed major donor programme for NHCM. This will include prospect research and pipeline management, ensuring solicitation plans are in place for all key prospects and donors, implementing high quality stewardship, planning major donor meetings and events and both supporting and leading asks.
2. Work closely with the Chief Executive, Chair, Trustees and other senior volunteers to maximise their input into the philanthropy programme, ensuring they are supported to identify new prospects and to make their own asks of friends, family and business networks.
3. Personally manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects based across the UK giving, or with the potential to give, five and six figure gifts and legacies.
4. Work with Trusts and Grants Manager to develop robust systems and processes to ensure efficient management of the fundraising programme and maximise income from all voluntary income sources.
5. Review and refresh the legacy marketing programme, developing and managing personal relationships with legacy pledgers and ensuring legacy fundraising is embedded across NHCM.
6. Review and refresh the stewardship programme for high value donors, identifying ways to ensure all supporters feel fully engaged in our work.
7. Provide regular reports (both written and verbal) to the Chief Executive, allowing them to monitor progress in fundraising from individuals and work with them to mitigate identified risks as required.
8. Work with colleagues across NHCM to build up a portfolio of compelling funding propositions which can be taken to donors.
9. To be a leading authority on matters related to philanthropy, providing advice on best practice and new developments within the voluntary sector, ensuring NHCM remains abreast of changes in fundraising regulatory requirements.
10. To represent NHCM externally on a wide range of matters, including acting as a representative at meetings and events when required.
11. To work unsociable hours and travel across the UK as necessary to fulfil the remit of the role.
12. To undertake other activities as requested by the Chief Executive.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree or equivalent qualification or
• Relevant professional experience, which demonstrates equivalent academic skills of literacy, numeracy and analytical ability.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.

Experience

Essential

• Proven ability to achieve significant income targets and provide strategic leadership within a fast-paced fundraising environment.
• Significant success in securing and managing five figure, multi-year donations from high net worth individuals.
• Demonstrable experience of managing complex relationships with high-net-worth individuals, Trustees and senior volunteers.
• Demonstrable experience of creating compelling cases for support and well-written funding proposals.
• Experience of applying effective problem solving techniques when the situation demands.
• Demonstrable experience of financial and budgetary management.

Desirable

• Experience of working within the Jewish community in the UK.

Knowledge and skills

Essential

• Exceptional interpersonal skills, and ability to influence/persuade a wide range of stakeholders and facilitate cross-team working.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively in a wide range of media and audiences and close asks.
• Evidence of up-to-date knowledge of best practice and new initiatives in philanthropy
• Understanding of the changing fundraising landscape and what this means for philanthropic fundraising and the charity sector.

• Excellent organisational and workload management skills.
• Strong IT and digital skills including confidence with CRM databases, using social media and other web-based resources.

Desirable

• Understanding of the issues facing organisations that work with Holocaust survivors and their families.

Location: Home based with proximity to London and regular visits to NHCM, Nottinghamshire. 

To apply for this role, please send a CV and cover letter detailing how you meet the person specification.

Closing date: 1 March 2021