Prospect Researcher

About You

You'll be an experienced and strategic prospect research professional with a strong understanding of how insight, data, and relationship-building can support successful fundraising. You'll combine excellent research skills with a proactive approach, using your expertise to identify opportunities, provide valuable intelligence, and help shape fundraising decisions.

To be successful in this role, you'll bring:

• Significant experience of undertaking prospect research and due diligence within a charity, fundraising, or commercial environment, with the ability to identify and assess new opportunities.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with experience using a range of research tools, databases, and CRM systems to produce accurate, insightful reports and recommendations.
• The ability to develop and implement effective strategies, systems, and processes that improve ways of working and support organisational goals.
• Experience building strong relationships and collaborating with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels, including briefing and influencing senior leaders.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly, produce high-quality written reports, and tailor messages for different audiences.
• A thorough understanding of data protection principles, fundraising compliance, and ethical approaches to prospect research and donor engagement.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, work independently, and deliver high-quality work to deadlines.
• A proactive and opportunity-focused approach, with the ability to spot potential, contribute positively to a team environment, and demonstrate St John Ambulance's HEART values.

You will also have strong IT skills, including experience using Microsoft Office applications and CRM databases. A good standard of education, including GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths (Grade 4/C or above), is required.

About the Role

• Lead the development and delivery of St John Ambulance's prospect research strategy, creating a roadmap that supports fundraising priorities across philanthropy, corporate partnerships, trusts, and foundations.
• Manage the prospect research function, identifying and qualifying high-value funding opportunities while providing strategic insight to help maximise fundraising income.
• Conduct high-quality prospect research, network mapping, and due diligence, ensuring all recommendations align with the charity's ethical fundraising policy and protect its reputation.
• Build and manage fundraising pipelines by identifying new prospects, tracking opportunities, and working closely with fundraising colleagues to move prospects successfully through the cultivation journey.
• Develop and embed effective processes for prospect referral, research, and data management, ensuring accurate CRM records, GDPR compliance, and the adoption of fundraising best practice.
• Collaborate with colleagues across St John Ambulance and The Order of St John, presenting research findings, sharing expertise, and helping to build prospect research capability across the fundraising team.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

St John Ambulance are committed to increasing the diversity of our team and making sure we best reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. At St John, everyone is valued and supported to thrive, we have seven networks including The Armed Forces Network, The Disability & Accessibility Network, The Family & Carers Network, The Heritage & Ethnicity Equity Network, LGBTQIA + Equity, The Multifaith Network & The Women’s Network. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination and engender a sense of belonging for all, by creating an environment of mutual respect, where we value unique differences and demonstrate authentic allyship. We believe passionately in equality, diversity and inclusion.

St John Ambulance is proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. We are committed to supporting current and former members of the Armed Forces, reservists, veterans, cadet force adult volunteers, and military families, ensuring they are treated fairly and are not disadvantaged in their recruitment or employment with us.

St John Ambulance is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice. Therefore, all successful applicants will undergo pre-employment checks, including DBS Clearance, as part of the onboarding process, if applicable to the nature of the role.

Please note: St John does not accept speculative CVs and will only review CVs sent in application for an advertised vacancy.