About the Venture Science Doctorate (VSD)

We are setting out to materially alter and broaden the definition of “scientist”.

The VSD, run by Deep Science Ventures, is the world’s first 3 year, fully-accredited PhD run in labs at the world’s best universities. Focused exclusively on solving global challenges in health and climate through science as the basis for new science companies. This is an opportunity to radically impact the postgraduate STEM landscape.

The VSD is backed by:

• Schmidt Futures - the pioneering global philanthropic facility for science founded by the former CEO of Google - Eric Schmidt
• InnovateUK - the UK’s primary government innovation agency
• A national network of leading labs worldwide, which include GSK, The Mayo Clinic, The University of Edinburgh, King’s College London, Imperial College, Oxford University and the University of Manchester among many others.

You can read more about the programme itself on the dedicated VSD site, here.

About the Role

In the role of Head of Philanthropy, you will be instrumental in securing the funding necessary to expand and sustain the program's studentships. You will work closely with the VSD leadership team to coordinate fundraising strategy, leadgen and dealmaking. Your primary focus will be on philanthropies, venture philanthropies, high-net-worth individuals, and government agencies.

Key Responsibilities

• Deal development and execution - build a funding strategy and execute from end-to-end (with support from core team) from deal origination, outreach, relationship management, due diligence, to negotiating contracts, reviewing legals, finalising and managing partnerships with new and existing funders. This will involve coordinating key DSV stakeholders to give them the best possible chance of closing.
• Fundraising assets and high-visibility opportunities - build on existing assets base that has already successfully secured funding by a government, a philanthropy and a corporate. Further tailor assets to reveal the full potential of the VSD to match each stakeholder’s unique interests. Flip the balance of outbound versus inbound leads from potential funders with high-visibility speaking engagements.
• Stakeholder relations - take full ownership managing existing relationships with partners, with support from wider team to meet stakeholder expectations with on-time and high-quality deliverables.
• Funding sustainability - you will build and expand the existing pipeline of potential funders: growing this pipeline year on year to exceed the ambition of backing £10 million worth of studentships per year.

This role also includes opportunities for mentorship and coaching, particularly in engaging with diverse senior stakeholders. The ideal candidate will initially help set up the operational framework for the program and may transition to a part-time advisory role as the program matures.

Part-time fractional executives are welcome to apply.

Requirements

About You

• Extensive experience in partnership management, fundraising, or a similar role, ideally within the education, philanthropy, or government sectors.
• Proven track record of developing strategies and securing funding through diverse channels, including into the specific details of pipeline development, meeting prep and strategies for closing.
• Strong negotiation skills and experience in managing complex contracts and legal frameworks.
• Excellent relationship management skills, with the ability to adapt strategies to various partner needs and contexts.
• Strategic thinker with exceptional organisational and execution skills.
• Confident public speaker and networker, adept at representing the organisation at high-level events and conferences.
• Demonstrated interest in technology, startups, innovation, and education.

Benefits

• Competitive salary;
• The chance to co-found a global doctoral programme and work with us to scale this to thousands of candidates;
• Space to develop deep expertise in the key developmental areas for science entrepreneurship, such as resilience, empathy, persuasion and creativity
• Option to work either in Central London from high spec offices, or remotely from anywhere in the world with allowances for office equipment, co-working and travel to London;
• Opportunity to spend time in person with the team regularly with quarterly off-sites;
• Tailored personal and leadership development plan;
• Access to some of the most entrepreneurial Professors and innovative research labs in the world as well as leaders in the “science of science” field.