Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Since opening its doors in 1871, Royal Albert Hall has stood at the heart of the nation’s cultural life. From the Suffragettes to Stormzy, Elgar to Einstein, the Beatles to Shirley Bassey, the world’s most influential voices have shaped moments of history on its iconic stage.
A £50 million capital appeal was launched in late 2025, which will fund improvements of facilities for artists, audiences and young people taking part in engagement activities at the Grade I listed concert hall. This 15-year estate plan represents a significant evolution in the Hall’s fundraising approach, creating an exceptional opportunity to expand its philanthropic reach, deepen relationships with supporters and secure transformational investment in the future of this much-loved institution.
The Senior Philanthropy Manager (Maternity Cover) will play a pivotal role in the delivery of its major donor programme. Reporting to the Head of Philanthropy, this role sits at the heart of the philanthropy team, combining hands-on major gifts fundraising with oversight of systems, processes and pipeline management. The postholder will shape and steward a growing portfolio of high-value supporters during a critical phase of the Hall’s capital appeal, while ensuring that donor engagement activity is coordinated, consistent and effective.
Please note that interviews will occur on a rolling basis. To discuss the role in more detail and make an application, please apply ASAP with a copy of your most recent CV plus any additional information that aligns with the person specification below.
As Senior Philanthropy Manager, you will:
- Report to the Head of Philanthropy and line manage two direct reports – Senior Prospect Researcher and Philanthropy Coordinator – fostering clarity, structure and confidence within your team.
- Manage a personal portfolio of major donors, stewarding relationships typically in the £20,000–£500,000 range.
- Work to a team income target, generating funds from HNWIs through major gifts, mid-value gifts and legacies.
- Own and drive the major donor pipeline, ensuring clear next steps, momentum and follow-through across cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
- Be donor-facing, through regular face-to-face meetings, cultivation activity and events, including evening engagement as part of stewardship.
- Ensure robust processes are in place for tracking, thanking and income processing, with delivery support from the Philanthropy Coordinator.
- Act as a central coordinating figure for major donor activity, working closely with the Head of Philanthropy, Development Director and selected Philanthropy Board members.
- Lead on the rollout of donor communications, including tailored donor stewardship and wider impact reporting.
- Work closely with other development colleagues who focus on the Hall’s Friends and Patrons programmes, Trust and Foundation approaches and Events.
Essential skills and experience:
- Demonstrable experience of managing and stewarding high-value individual donors, ideally within a major gifts or upper mid-value context.
- Experience of personally securing c.£50K+ donations from HNWIs – please ensure that examples of personally secured gifts from HNWIs, including £value, are included on your CV. It would also be helpful to include context e.g., uplift, new donor
- Confidence working with fundraising databases and systems (ideally Tessitura), and a strong understanding of GDPR and DPA 2018.
- Strong organisational and process skills, with the ability to keep complex, multi-strand activity moving and well-tracked.
- Experience of working collaboratively in a matrixed environment with senior stakeholders and volunteers.
- Some line management or mentoring experience, with the ability to provide clear direction and practical support. However, this is not a heavily people-management-focused role
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence engaging donors in a range of settings.
- A proactive, detail-oriented approach, combined with sound judgement and professionalism.
Desirable:
- Arts, culture or heritage fundraising experience.
- Experience of working on or alongside a capital appeal.
Employee benefits include:
- 25 days per year annual leave (pro rata for part-time employees), with the opportunity to buy or sell up to five days holiday per calendar year
- Life assurance of 6 x basic salary
- RAH’s canteen offers free hot and cold meals, including vegetarian options, to staff whilst at work
- Employee Assistance Programme
The Royal Albert Hall are partnering with Laura Macnamara at QuarterFive for this appointment.
For your application via CharityJob, please ensure that your CV aligns with the person specification. If necessary, please provide additional notes. Please apply ASAP - interviews will take place on a rolling basis.
A cover letter is not required at this stage. Suitability will be assessed initially via CV and accompanying notes where provided. For suitable applicants, comprehensive support for formal application will be provided by Laura at QuarterFive.
Owing to the number of applications we receive, we may not be able to respond to all applicants individually.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Please ensure that you send a covering letter explaining why you are suitable for this role when submitting your CV.
Please note, that we reserve the right to interview and appoint before the advertised closing date.
Overview
Race Against Dementia is a global charity founded by three-time Formula 1 World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart OBE to find preventions, treatments and cures for dementia – faster.
We fund and support pioneering early-career scientists around the world, giving them the tools, mentoring and Formula 1-inspired mindset to accelerate breakthroughs. From the UK to the USA, Australia to South Africa, our researchers are rethinking how dementia research is done – applying data science, AI and engineering to neuroscience in bold, collaborative ways.
This role sits within Race Against Dementia’s small, dynamic Operations team, who oversee the charity’s research programmes and internal processes. The team is responsible for managing Race Against Dementia’s research portfolio – from coordinating funding calls and supporting the selection of the projects we fund, to delivering the training and development programme for our researchers.
Purpose of the role
The Research Officer plays a central role in delivering Race Against Dementia’s research activity, helping to strengthen our research programmes and support the researchers we fund. The role combines strong organisational skills with clear science communication: coordinating processes, systems and partnerships to ensure smooth delivery, while translating research progress into accessible updates for internal and external audiences.
Duties and Responsibilities
Research administration:
- Manage the administration of all grant calls and related processes.
- Coordinate all incoming communications regarding research matters, ensuring timely, professional responses.
- Maintain team calendars and shared resources to support smooth team operations.
- Set up review sessions with Race Against Dementia Fellows to monitor progress.
- Support preparation of updates and progress reports for charity Trustees, funders and supporters.
- Work with the Research Manager to coordinate training activities for Race Against Dementia researchers.
- Support the planning and delivery of the annual in-person training event for Race Against Dementia researchers.
- Work closely with Race Against Dementia’s research partners and training partners to coordinate joint activities, communication, and ensure smooth delivery of collaborative projects and training activities.
- Undertake research to identify new organisations aligned with our mission.
Science communications
- Track key developments in dementia research and emerging trends in the field.
- Support the creation of research related social media content for the charity’s social media channels.
- Support the development of press materials to announce research updates and milestones.
- Contribute to copywriting and content development for the Race Against Dementia’s website.
- Work with the Research Manager to ensure the wider team is kept up to date with research developments across our network and the wider field.
- Help build and maintain a network of key dementia research stakeholders across academia and charities.
Other duties
Carry out any other duties as required by the Research Manager, CEO and Board of Trustees including:
- To attend, where appropriate, local, regional and national meetings/events.
- To maintain a good knowledge of national and local initiatives which are of benefit to Race Against Dementia.
- To administer your own workload, including meeting targets and deadlines in line with the Race Against Dementia appraisal system.
- To attend relevant CPD training events as required.
- To undertake responsibility, as part of the team, for all Health and Safety work related matters.
- To work within the guidelines of Race Against Dementia’s policies and procedures.
All team members are expected to uphold and actively demonstrate Race Against Dementia’s values and purpose, fostering a culture of integrity, innovation, and shared ambition to accelerate progress in the race against dementia.
To apply, please send us your CV and a short cover letter telling us why you’re interested in the role and what you’d bring to the team.
Registered Charity
6 - 10
Race Against Dementia identifies, funds and guides pioneering scientists from across the world.
