September 2025
Appointment Brief
PHILANTHROPY,
WELCOME
Thank you for your interest in joining us as our new Assistant Director of Philanthropy, Appeal and Partnerships at Prostate Cancer UK – one of the UK’s most vibrant and vital cancer charities.
Every man needs to know about the most common cancer in men – prostate cancer. It’s real and present danger that takes over 12,000 of our dads, grandads, brothers and friends each year. It shouldn’t be this way.
We have a vision of a world where every man has the power to navigate prostate cancer. In practical terms, this means funding ground-breaking research, supporting men with advice and information, influencing for change in UK policy and health services and raising people’s awareness about this poorly understood disease. We need to grow our income to keep pace with our ambition and have been successful in doing that over recent years, and we now want to accelerate that further.
The Assistant Director of Philanthropy, Appeal and Partnerships will play a vital role in supporting the development and launch of our Major Appeal as well as driving a new approach to our work in the Partnerships and Philanthropy space. This is a key role in delivering Prostate Cancer UK’s Fundraising goal of raising £57m annually by 2030.
You’ll join a talented, forward thinking, and creative fundraising department. We’re looking for an experienced leader, with proven success of securing and delivering six and seven figure partnerships and a track record of driving year on year income growth in either a charitable or commercial organisation. You’ll have a strategic mindset and the ability to evaluate both short- and long-term benefits, both to us and our partners. We’re looking for an exceptional communicator and natural collaborator. Whatever your background, we’ll be united in our goal to fight against prostate cancer.
This is an exciting time to join Prostate Cancer UK as we prepare our 10-year strategy which will see us doing more to reach more men and their families affected by Prostate Cancer.
If you think you bring the skills, experience, and drive we’re looking for, I hope you’ll be inspired to find out more.
Chris Jarrett Director of Fundraising
ABOUT US
We’re Prostate Cancer UK.
We’re striving for a world where no man dies from prostate cancer.
1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer. We work to give every man the power to navigate it. Whether that’s helping you to understand your risk, make the right choice about treatment or get the expertise you need to feel informed and in control.
We make every pound count. We’ve invested over £100 million into the best researchers in the world to unravel the complexity of prostate cancer, so we can give men precise and personalised care with the right treatments at the right time, for the best chance of living the full life they want.
The advances in testing, funded by our supporters – like huge improvements in
MRI scans- are blazing a trail towards a screening programme. In the near future, every man at risk of prostate cancer could be invited for regular, accurate tests that can catch cancer early enough for a cure, saving thousands of our Dads, partners, brothers and friends every year.
But if we’re going to campaign for an early detection programme, fund lifesaving research and put prostate cancer in its place, we need more of us to stand together.
OUR FUTURE AMBITIONS
We work every day to create a world where no man dies from prostate cancer. And we’ll leave no man behind.
OUR IMPACT SO FAR
A man diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1996, when Prostate Cancer UK was founded, faced a very different world.
Today, over £100 million pounds worth of research has transformed what the path ahead looks like for men. And we’ve built a tailored support system to help them navigate every step.
Together, we’ve achieved:
• £100 million invested into world-class research.
• 15,000 contacts to our Specialist Nurses every year.
• mpMRI scanning technology in hospitals across the UK.
• Development of the world’s first precision medicine for prostate cancer.
• Over four million risk checks since our 30-second Online Risk Checker was launched in 2020.
OUR VALUES AND BEHAVIOURS
OUR VALUES
Rational
We work hard to understand and help men make informed decisions
Emotional
We are with men all the way and those who care about them
Aspirational
We deliver a positive impact to the lives of men
OUR BEHAVIOURS
RATIONAL
GENEROUS WITH KNOWLEDGE
Switched on and wellconnected, we share our expertise and make informed decisions.
NATURALLY CURIOUS
Constantly learning and hungry for knowledge, we challenge and push for answers.
EMOTIONAL
GOT YOUR BACK
Unembarrassed and reassuring, we listen, understand and stand up for those in need.
OPEN TO ALL
Inclusive and open-minded, we recognise everyone is unique and embrace different perspectives.
ASPIRATIONAL
DO WHAT MATTERS
Impossible to ignore, we focus on what matters to drive results and maximise our impact.
NEVER SETTLE
Fired up and determined to make a difference in everything we do – and driven to give our best.
STRATEGY
These are our key priorities for 2025/26 while we develop our strategy for the next 10 years.
Campaign for an early detection programme to make diagnosis faster and fairer for men
In recent years we’ve been the driving force behind major improvements in the way prostate cancer is diagnosed, making testing safer and more accurate than ever before. And soon, a committee of independent experts will decide if the balance has finally tipped in favour of having a screening programme.
But we can’t stand still and wait for the decision. So we’re calling on the Government to act now on early detection.
That means changing the rules that prevent GPs proactively speaking to men about prostate cancer, replacing confusing health information with our quick and easy online Risk Checker, and funding awareness campaigns to make sure every man knows his risk.
Break down shocking inequalities and reach more Black men with our lifesaving message
We know the statistics all too well. Black men face double the risk of prostate cancer compared to other men - and they’re also more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage, when it’s harder to treat.
This year we’ll step up our efforts to break down these inequalities by pushing for changes to GP guidance and striving to reach even more Black men with our vital risk awareness message.
Drive forward our TRANSFORM research trial to deliver the vital evidence for screening TRANSFORM is the most ambitious prostate cancer screening trial ever - and could help us save thousands of lives every year. With the continued support of our TRANSFORM Founding Partners and many other generous supporters, we’ll take big strides forward this year, with trial sites readied across the UK and the first men receiving letters inviting them to take part.
EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Our Ambition - why diversity and inclusion?
Evidence shows that organisations focused on building more diverse and inclusive cultures attract and retain a wider diversity of talent. At Prostate Cancer UK, we play a key role in helping all men navigate prostate cancer. 1 in 8 men get prostate cancer, Black men are at double the risk, with 1 in 4 being diagnosed.
Societal divides are becoming more visible, and our organisation needs to be well placed to respond to this. Diverse teams that are included in our work, are key to shaping and re-shaping what we do so we can maximise our impact.
Our ambition is to build teams that reflect the communities we work with to reduce health inequalities, and to grow sustainable partnerships that drive change, ensuring no man is left behind.
Allyship
Due to Black men’s heightened risk, we’re dedicated to being an inclusive, proactive organisation, as we strive to be Allies to Black communities. We will achieve this by advocating and working alongside those communities to promote change. We’re also working to be Allies to each other, not only protected groups. In 2024, we launched our new Allyship Training Programme. All colleagues at Prostate Cancer UK will be trained to act and identify as an Ally.
We’ve signed the Business in the Communities Race at Work Charter, as a dedication to our Black health equity work and wider EDI priorities. As a signatory, we’re responsible and accountable for driving positive change.
Black men are underrepresented in our workforce and we are keen to receive applications from candidates from the Black community.
FINANCES
Our financial performance in FY2023-24 was exceptional, making significant progress against our ambition. We were delighted to have income growth of £9.9m from donations, interest and restricted government grants. In order to meet the growing demand for funding, we know that we continue to need to further increase donations to meet our vision that no man is left behind. We invested over £25m in research grants following the commitment to TRANSFORM. This contributed to a 50% increase in charitable activity spend over FY202223, and meant that 93p of every £1 raised in income was spent on charitable activity.
INCOME
Year ending 31 March 2024 (£m)
Individual donors and legacies
Community and events
Corporate donors
Major donors and charitable trusts
Trading income
Government grants
Investment income
Our income increased by £9.9m (29%) to £43.8m (2023: £33.9m). We are delighted that growth was driven by contributions from a wider range of supporters who champion our cause, alongside one-off restricted government grants.
EXPENDITURE
Year ending 31 March 2024 (£m)
Total expenditure has increased from £34.3m in 2023 to £51.5m, largely by our increased spend on research. We are delighted to be in a position to have awarded nearly £35m of grants in two years as the quality of submissions has continued to grow.
Research
Health services, equity and improvement
Awareness
Raising funds
ORGANISATION CHART
Director of Fundraising
Senior Head of Mass Fundraising
Events and Community Fundraising Team
Head of Individual Giving Head of Appeal
Assistant Director of Philanthropy, Appeal and Partnerships
Head of Philanthropy
Head of Partnerships
YOUR ROLE: THE NUTS AND BOLTS
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY, APPEAL AND PARTNERSHIPS
Line manager: Director of Fundraising
Salary: c.£80,000
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time; 37.5 hours per week. We’re happy to consider requests for flexible and part-time working on hiring.
Budget: Overseeing £8m+ of Income and £2m+ of Expenditure.
Location: Hybrid working – a combination of remote and in-person working at our London Bridge office. You’d need to be in the office a minimum of 4 days a month and we may need you to come in for specific meetings.
What’s the role?
The Assistant Director of Philanthropy, Appeal and Partnerships is a key role in delivering Prostate Cancer UK’s Fundraising goal of raising £57m annually by 2030. The role has responsibility for a team of circa 20 specialist high-value fundraisers and direct line management of the Head of Philanthropy, Head of Major Appeal and Head of Partnerships, alongside an income target of c£8m in 2025/26 growing to c£15m by 2030. The Assistant Director of Philanthropy, Appeal and Partnerships plays a vital role in supporting the development and launch of our Major Appeal alongside driving a new approach to our work in the Partnerships and Philanthropy space.
IN THIS ROLE YOU’LL...
Strategy and business plans:
• Together with the Fundraising Director and Heads of department put in place and deliver new plans to meet and exceed fundraising targets.
• Collaborate with the Fundraising Director and Heads of Partnerships, Appeal and Philanthropy on the continued delivery and development of the overall Fundraising Strategy.
• Proactively work to ensure that these plans and strategies are well managed and delivered.
Major appeal:
• Support the Head of Appeal in developing a clear strategy for the major appeal and an operational plan for the ongoing private phase and public launch.
• Work with the Head of Appeal to position the appeal at the top of the organisation’s agenda and with senior internal partners to secure their support in making the appeal a success.
• Support the Head of Appeal to ensure the right relationships are established and developed with key prospects and ensure that contact is coordinated with them, involving the Board, the CEO, the Director of Fundraising, Head of Philanthropy and other senior staff/volunteers as appropriate.
• Connect with internal stakeholders to ensure everyone is aware of the appeal and their role in it.
• Work with the Head of Appeal to deliver cross organisational change projects and embed new systems and processes to support the successful delivery of the Major Appeal.
Strategic relationship management:
• Work with Heads of team to ensure high value strategic relationships are effectively stewarded and high net worth volunteers and supporters are mobilised to support the Appeal including Trustees, Ambassadors, Founders and Patrons.
• Positively embed the right frameworks and ways of working to ensure all key internal stakeholders are effectively engaged in delivering our High Value growth plans.
Business development and innovation:
• Ensure clear business development targets are set and delivered.
• Develop and embed efficient and effective approach to prospect management, proposition development, proposal development, pipeline management, and donor stewardship across Philanthropy and Corporate Partnerships.
• Develop and embed a robust events programme to engage and steward new and existing high net worth individuals and corporate partners.
• Support the Heads of Team in High Value with key projects and internal collaboration with the Finance & Business Planning and ways of working with the Communications Department.
Collaboration to drive fundraising strategic priorities:
• Work collaboratively across the Philanthropy, Appeal and Partnerships Team and wider organisation to deliver plans and budgets.
• Work effectively with key external stakeholders, developing your own peer network to help you succeed and keep abreast of key external factors that may impact your team and the wider charity.
Governance and compliance:
• Provide business reporting to the Fundraising Director for the CEO, Leadership Team, Board of Trustees and other key stakeholders.
• Take an active role in risk management, feeding into the organisational risk register as required.
• Ensure departmental practices are in place for your team so that legal and ethical requirements are met.
• Maintain high quality data, making sure information is gathered and recorded in line with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation, ICO and Prostate Cancer UK Data Protection Policy.
AS A MEMBER OF PROSTATE CANCER
UK’S SENIOR LEADERSHIP YOU’LL...
• Contribute to and participate in strategy, planning, budgeting, decision making and evaluation.
• Be accountable for performance management of your team, working with your people leaders to achieve positive result.
• Positively lead organisational change and development.
• Lead and actively promote role modelling the behaviours in line with the code of conduct as a Prostate Cancer UK senior people manager.
• Act as a charity ambassador at all times.
• Actively leads on our commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and allyship.
WHO YOU ARE...
• Strategic mindset to lead and grow a priority portfolio of activities evaluating short- and long-term benefits to the charity.
• Substantial track record leading philanthropy activities with High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) and partners.
• Excellent at identifying and engaging key strategic stakeholders.
• Track record of achieving targets year on year and growing income.
• Experience of working effectively at a senior leadership level engaging and influencing: Executive Teams, Appeal Boards, Board of Trustees and other senior stakeholders.
• Substantial experience as a senior manager working with experienced principal gift fundraisers to deliver high performance.
• Experienced at developing and delivering integrated operational plans and managing complex, diverse projects.
• Experience of delivering a Major Appeal.
• An excellent communicator – who’s confident and good at communicating complex technical information to general audiences.
• Excellent people management skills including experience of line managing senior managers.
• Engaging and clear communicator and presenter, with proven ability to act as a charity ambassador / spokesperson.
• Working knowledge of standard IT packages including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
BENEFITS
Annual leave
We offer all of our staff 28 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after three full years service (pro rata for PT) plus bank holidays. After one years’ service you have the option to buy and sell up to an additional week’s annual leave (subject to minimum/ maximum leave).
Once you’ve completed five years’ service, you can apply for a sabbatical.
Flexible working
We invite our staff to work flexibly between their home and our London Bridge Office with at least 4 days a month in the office to enable connection and collaboration.
Healthcare Cash Plan
We know that feeling good and staying healthy in our daily lives makes a big difference to how likely we are to fall ill and how fast we recover afterwards. That’s why we offer a fantastic health plan from Medicash. The organisation will automatically pay for the cover for you, and you’ll be enrolled onto our scheme from the first day of the month after your employment starts.
Employee assistance programme
Through our independent provider, we offer a free, confidential telephone service for everyone in our team, their spouse/ partner and any children under the age of 21 living at home. This service offers guidance on a wide range of topics such as money management, legal queries, stress, domestic matters, bereavement, emotional problems and more.
Pensions
• If you pay 3%, we will pay 5%
• If you pay 4%, we will pay 6%
• If you pay 5%, we will pay 7%
One Pension Consultancy, our independent pension advisor, can also offer free, confidential advice about individual pension queries.
Other benefits include:
• Discounted gym membership
• Season ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Life assurance: 3 x annual salary
• Free income protection scheme
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Enhanced sick pay
• Special Leave including compassionate, carers, domestic emergency and dependants leave - provision for leave for a range of exceptional circumstances which may affect you as an employee
• Benefits portal offering discounts for high street shops
• Career development
• Staff development days
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for the role, please upload the following documents to the Prospectus website:
• Your CV, drawing out relevant experience for the role.
• A supporting statement of up to 1,000 words that addresses the criteria set out in the person specification as well as your interest in the organisation’s work.
Please ensure that you have included a telephone number, as well as any dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the recruitment timetable.
If you wish to apply using an alternative format please contact Prospectus. Please also notify us if you require a postal application.
Applications via the Prospectus website should be made at:
https://prospect-us.co.uk/job/192648
At Prospectus we believe passionately that a truly inclusive workplace leads to increased social impact. We are committed to supporting our clients build more inclusive teams. To understand how we are performing, we ask that you kindly complete the brief equal opportunities questionnaire when you submit your application via our website. Please be assured that your responses are kept confidential, separate from your candidate record, are not part of any application you make, and that the consultants never see individual responses to the questionnaire.
Recruitment timetable
Deadline for applications: 13 October
Panel interviews - stage one: w/c 20 October
Panel interviews - stage two: w/c 27 October
Queries
If you wish to have an informal discussion about the opportunity, please contact our retained partner Ryan Burdock at Prospectus on 0207 400 6398, or email:
Ryan.Burdock@prospect-us.co.uk