Prospect Research Manager

Prospect Research Manager
Location: Head Office, Regents Park, London NW1 Hybrid
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Part-Time, 2 or 3 days per week or hours spread flexibly over 5 days
Salary: £36,750 - £43,050 per annum FTE, pro rated for .5 hours per week

• £14,700 - £17,220 for 15 hours per week
• £21,045 - £24,682 for 21.5 hours per week

Purpose of the role

At ZSL, we are working to restore wildlife and create a world where nature thrives. To achieve this bold vision, we rely on the support of an engaged and growing community of philanthropists who share our passion for protecting the natural world. The Prospect Research Manager will be instrumental in identifying and unlocking the potential of these supporters.

This strategic role sits at the heart of our Development team, building and maintaining a data-led pipeline of high-impact donors to advance ZSL s conservation science, fieldwork, and education. By leading on prospect research, philanthropic analysis, and network mapping, the postholder will help ensure ZSL s fundraising efforts are focused, proactive, and aligned with our organisational priorities.

The Prospect Research Manager will play a key role in overseeing best practices in prospecting across the team. From crafting research tools to spotting new funding opportunities, this role will directly support the success of ZSL s fundraising programmes and, ultimately, our mission to save wildlife around the world.

This is a part-time role, with the option of working either 2 days (15 hours) or 3 days (21.5 hours) per week which can be spread flexibly over 5 days. We see a real benefit in face to face collaboration and staff work from our London offices regularly. We understand that flexibility is important and for this research-based role we are happy to discuss working location on a case-by-case basis with candidates.

The full-time equivalent (FTE) salary for this role is £36,750-£43,050, which equates to a pro-rata salary of:

• £14,700-£17,220 for 15 hours per week
• £21,045-£24,682 for 21.5 hours per week

Key responsibilities:

• Prospect Research & Pipeline Development: Conduct high-quality, targeted prospect research to identify and support new fundraising opportunities across ZSL s priority income streams: institutional fundraising, individual giving, and corporate partnerships.
• Strategic Prospect Development: Collaborate with the leadership team to shape and implement a robust prospect development strategy that aligns with ZSL s organisational goals and long-term fundraising ambitions.
• Insightful Donor Intelligence: Create detailed research briefings, biographies, and insight reports to support donor cultivation, stewardship, and strategic engagement planning.
• Tools, Processes & Compliance: Support the continuous improvement of prospect management tools and systems, ensuring data accuracy, regulatory compliance, and adherence to relevant codes of practice.

About You

• Experience in wealth screening, capacity assessment and affinity analysis to provide propensity scoring.
• Knowledge of data protection regulations and how it applies to prospect research and development (e.g. GDPR and the Fundraising Regulator Code of Practice).
• Experience of successfully implementing a prospect development strategy to support increasing and diversifying income.
• Proven experience in identifying and conducting detailed research on high-net-worth individuals, trusts and corporates for the higher education / charity sector.
• Evidenced track record of supporting fundraisers with insights in fundraising to achieve six or seven figure donations.
• Experience of using databases within fundraising for prospect management and reporting and making appropriate data management recommendations (Tessitura would be an advantage).
• Knowledge of the principles of philanthropic analysis, relationship mapping and connections, and what makes a good fundraising prospect.
• Demonstrable ability to engage, share expertise, and appropriately challenge senior stakeholders, including CEO with strong interpersonal skills and discretion.

About Us

We re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.

What do we offer?

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include:

• Our vision and purpose - you ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct
• Pension scheme - we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension
• Flexible working talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you
• Holidays 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays
• Wellbeing access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Life assurance eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL s life assurance scheme from their first day
• Complimentary tickets annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops
• Cycle2Work - our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle
• Season ticket loan - we offer an interest free loan for eligibly London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work
• Family friendly policies we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK.

Closing Date: Friday 7th November 2025
NB: We reserve the right to close our advertisement early or extend the advertising date until a suitable candidate has been found.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

No agencies please.