Guardian Jobs
Senior Philanthropy Manager, SCIENCE MUSEUM GROUP
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Could you help drive major philanthropic support for one of the world's greatest museum groups?
The Science Museum Group encompasses the Science Museum, the National Railway Museum, the Science and Industry Museum, the National Science & Media Museum, Locomotion and the Science and Innovation Park; making us the world's greatest alliance of science museums.
Our Fundraising & Partnerships team plays a vital role in delivering our mission, helping to build purposeful and meaningful relationships that enable us to inspire audiences through science, technology, engineering and innovation.
As part of this work, we're now looking for a Senior Philanthropy Manager to join us on a fixed term basis until August 2027 helping to drive the growth of our major gifts programme and secure transformational philanthropic support for ambitious exhibitions, capital projects and learning programmes across the Science Museum Group.
About The Role
Working closely with the Head of Philanthropy and fellow Senior Philanthropy Managers, this role will play a key part in shaping and delivering the Science Museum Group's major donor strategy, with a particular focus on engaging individuals with the capacity to make six-figure and above donations.
- You'll manage and grow a portfolio of high-level prospects and donors, developing tailored cultivation and stewardship strategies that build long-term relationships and inspire significant philanthropic investment in the Science Museum Group's work.
- You'll also contribute strategically to project fundraising activity, helping ensure major donors are engaged meaningfully throughout key campaigns, exhibitions and organisational priorities.
- Working across the wider Fundraising & Partnerships team, you'll help develop fundraising plans, monitor progress against targets and contribute to a positive, collaborative and high-performing team culture.
- This role also includes line management responsibility for a Philanthropy Manager, supporting their professional development and helping drive delivery against team objectives and KPIs.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a globally recognised cultural organisation while helping secure the philanthropic support that enables the Science Museum Group to inspire future generations of scientists, engineers and innovators.
Hybrid working is available in this role in line with the current hybrid working policy at SMG, with a minimum of 40% of working hours based onsite. This role can be based in London, Manchester or York, with travel to other Science Museum Group locations required as part of the role.
About You
You'll bring significant experience in major gifts fundraising, with a strong track record of securing and stewarding high-value donations at six-figure level and above.
- You'll be confident managing relationships with senior stakeholders, donors and colleagues, combining strong interpersonal skills with strategic judgement and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences.
- An experienced relationship manager, you'll be skilled at developing compelling pitches, proposals and stewardship approaches that build trust and long-term engagement. You'll also be comfortable balancing strategic planning with hands-on relationship management and project delivery.
- You'll bring strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, monitor progress against goals and contribute to wider fundraising strategy and planning.
- Experience supporting or developing colleagues would be beneficial, alongside a collaborative and proactive approach to sharing knowledge and contributing positively to team culture.
- Most importantly, you'll bring a values-driven approach and a genuine commitment to helping create an open, inclusive and inspiring organisation for colleagues, supporters and audiences alike.
Don't feel you meet all the criteria? We welcome you to apply even if your experience doesn't match directly. With your transferable skills, you could be the right candidate for this, or other opportunities that we have.
Applying
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
View the Vacancy Information Pack listed under 'Attachments' on the vacancy listing on our website for more details about the role and the application process or click 'Apply Online' to submit an application.
What We Offer
Working with a world-leading museum group that offers access to truly unique environments and collections, you'll benefit from the perks listed below, as well as full support for life events such as parental and adoption leave, sickness, and career breaks.
- Meaningful work. We're a mission-led organisation where the work you do supports us in Inspiring Futures.
- Career growth. We offer enhanced support with personal and professional development.
- Work/life balance. We offer 27 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, along with flexible policies which support you and your home life.
- Health & Dental. Support with treatment costs, from day one.
- Wellbeing. All our colleagues can access an employee assistance programme and other wellbeing support.
- Colleague networks. Our colleague-led networks are an informal forum for colleagues to come together to discuss topics of shared interest and lived experience. They create a space for people to exchange ideas, discuss best practice, socialise and build a sense of community.
- Enhanced contributory pension. To support you in saving for the future.
- Interest-free loans. When you need a little extra cash for life events or home improvements.
- Great discounts. Free entry to exhibitions, discounts in our shops, cafes, and access to other museums in the NMDC network.
Open for All is one of the Science Museum Group's five core values and sets out our important aspiration to be a place for everyone. We are working hard to understand our organisation better and to develop a culture that recognises and values different backgrounds, mindsets, skills, experience, knowledge, and expertise. By having greater diversity, we believe that we will be a stronger and better organisation, capable to continue to Inspire Futures.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location