Senior Development Officer

Job title -  Development Officer

Salary Band: (£26,676 - £36,490), depending on experience

Position: Full-time, open-ended

Reports to: Head of Fundraising

About PML:

Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) is a world-class marine research charity with a vision to realise a healthy and sustainable ocean through the delivery of impactful, cutting-edge environmental and social science.

Our research is generating significant real-world impact addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and infectious diseases. For instance, PML's research underpinned UK legislation to ban microplastic beads from the manufacture of wash-off cosmetics, informed the development of international agreements to address ocean acidification and the designation of marine protected areas covering over 600,000 km2 around the globe.

The Role:

Join PML in a pivotal role to contribute to our mission through philanthropic fundraising. We seek a skilled grant-writer who is motivated by our mission of science for society and the planet.

Responsibilities:

·       Prospect research

o   Develop a high degree of awareness of PML’s work, achievements and funding needs

o   Research prospective funders via funding directories, online research, and networking

o   Liaise with funders to obtain information about funding opportunities

o   Alert colleagues to relevant funding opportunities

·       Proposal development

o   Carry out desk research to gather information in support of funding proposals

o   Organise and facilitate project planning meetings with colleagues and partners

o   Write and edit compelling funding proposals

o   Support the preparation of project budgets

·       Donor cultivation

o   Support the Head of Fundraising to build relationships with funders via written communications and meetingsface-to-face

·       Other duties

o   Maintain records on funders and proposals

o   Ensure all fundraising activities are carried out in accordance with the Fundraising Code of Practice and relevant regulations such as GDPR

About You (Essential):

• Fundraising experience with a proven track record of grant success.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills, including active listening and the ability to write clear and compelling prose.
•  Highly motivated for the role. Demonstrate strong commitment to PML’s vision, mission and values.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including being personable, tactful, and able to build positive working relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including funders.
• Strong analytical skills. Able to recognise funders’ priorities and judge their alignment with PML’s work. Able to think critically and use quantitative and qualitative information to develop compelling cases for support tailored to audiences.
• Strong organisational skills, capable of effectively planning and managing multiple tasks within deadlines.
• Curious to learn and able to quickly grasp new subject matter (i.e., PML’s science).
• Scientifically literate and environmentally aware.
• Sufficient numerical ability and command of spreadsheets to prepare sound project budgets.
• Proficient in MS Office and gathering information from online research.
• Degree or equivalent experience in a related field.

Desirable:

• Awareness of the philanthropic funding landscape for environmental science.
• Established network within relevant sectors.

PML has a number of generous employee benefits:

• 30 days annual leave + 2.5 Privilege days
• Principle Science staff are eligible for performance based contribution awards.
• Peer to peer bonus scheme
• Employee Benefits platform
• Free car parking (although our location is excellent for public transport links)
• Flexible working hours scheme
• Company Pension Scheme with up to 10% employer contributions
• Life assurance
• Confidential financial advice
• Cycle to work scheme
• Merit Promotion / Individual Merit Award schemes
• Bonus scheme
• Welfare services
• 24/7 employee assistance helpline
• Staff development – identified through the Performance and Development Review (PDR) process.

To apply, please send your CV & a Covering Letter, by the closing date 02 June 2024.