Critical entrepreneurial role to ensure the financial sustainability of this leading policy innovation think-tank

The Organisation

The Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) is the UK’s leading think-tank, dedicated to research at the cutting edge of policy innovation. With offices in London and Newcastle, it has grown significantly over its 20-year history and now has a team of 60 staff dedicated to research, policy and action in the fields of education, health, climate change and security, with a domestic and international outlook.

Background to the Assignment

The ippr team have identified the need to create a more stable financial foundation from which to grow their activities. As such they are seeking to add an individual to the senior management team who will primary focus on securing and diversifying its funding base.

The role

Reporting to the co-directors of ippr, the Director of Development will assume responsibility for setting strategy and delivering funding targets, securing ippr’s financial standing as it continues to grow, thrive and deliver sector-leading work.  

Much more than just a bid-writing and grant-winning role, the Director of Development will be required to show their entrepreneurship, business acumen and creativity towards sustaining ippr’s future by securing diversified forms of income. This is a job that enables a significant and tangible impact upon developing policies and ideas that can make a real difference to the sustainability agenda.

The Position- Key Accountabilities

Solidifying relationships with funders – the successful candidate will be required to manage existing relationships and secure them for the long-term. The candidate will put in place a robust system for developing new funding relationships, and engaging funders meaningfully with ippr’s work.

Entrepreneurial, with pragmatic delivery – the candidate must bring an entrepreneurial, creative flare into ippr, tempered with a sensitivity to ippr’s history, and the impact of their operations on the organisation’s finances.

Ability to spot and initiate new ideas – the candidate must be innovative and able to deliver on new ideas, which will assist ippr to diversify its income portfolio. The candidate will display the confidence and autonomy required to control and manage such projects.

Lead thinking and strategy on organisational development – the successful candidate will contribute to ippr’s long-term strategic planning; particularly focussing on future development plans. From marketing, to identifying new sources of funding and developing membership schemes; the candidate will be accountable for strategy alongside delivery.

Target-setting and general administration - as part of the senior management team, the candidate will deliver and monitor attainable, but ambitious targets for income. Alongside this, they will take responsibility for managing a small team, providing administration support.

Building an up–to-date network – in order to ensure that ippr maximises its future potential, the organisation needs to have a full picture of their fundraising ‘roadmap’. This individual will build visibility and contacts within leading trusts, foundations and with key individuals, and will acquire in-depth knowledge of the activities of other organisations in this space.

Motivating and managing a team in a pressured environment – the candidate will lead the development team, consisting of 3 full-time staff, in a high-pressure, yet productive environment. This will include appropriate internal partnerships with other ippr teams, and ippr North.

Candidate Profile

ippr are looking for an individual who can balance a measurable and significant impact to income, with entrepreneurial and creative flair.

This is not a traditional fundraising role. Previous candidates considered for this role had solid expertise in grant writing and traditional fundraising, but did not have the creativity or entrepreneurial flare needed to take ippr to the next level. What will set the successful candidate apart is a dynamic, ambitious and holistic approach. ippr has significantly restructured this area of its operations, moving 'fundraising' from a combined function with the management of external relations, into a dedicated role. The successful candidate will be able to capitalise and build on this, whilst demonstrating a deep desire to use ippr’s brand and reputation to leverage the change they, alongside the organisation, want to see in the world.

There is no ‘ideal’ background or professional qualification which is indicative of a perfect candidate profile. However, successful candidates will need to show past experience and success in delivering funding to organisations, building partnerships with the private sector, trusts and foundations. The candidate will possess considerable drive, energy and ambition, as well as a deep-rooted belief in the work that the ippr has and will achieve. Additionally, those with a pure, social business or enterprise background may be suitable, subject to being able to demonstrate their fundraising ability. 


Location: Covent Garden, London

Deadline: Ongoing

If you would like to be considered for this position, please send us your details here, with the following job reference included in the subject: ippr Director of Development