Description

We are seeking a Business Development Officer to join the team that spearheads RUSI’s research fundraising. Reporting to the Director, Research Business Development, the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in enhancing the Institute’s business development maturity by leading key operational, system, and compliance functions within the BD team.

The Officer will lead on research funding opportunities via portals and frameworks, taking ownership of identifying high-value and/or strategic opportunities within governmental and multilateral frameworks, ensuring institutional readiness to bid, and managing the central BD systems (ORBIT and Airtable). Working closely with Research Groups, Central Services Teams, and Senior Management, the successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring RUSI is optimally placed to spot, qualify, and respond efficiently to new funding opportunities.

This is a highly collaborative and demanding role, requiring strong internal relationships at all levels of the organisation and effective relationships with key framework contacts and prime contractors to maintain and enhance the Institute's access to critical revenue streams. We are seeking a proactive team player with a pragmatic, solution-focused attitude, exceptional attention to detail, and a proven ability to lead processes, manage competing priorities, and use initiative to solve complex problems. The role offers a clear opportunity to see your work directly contribute to RUSI's strategic funding goals.

Key tasks

1. Research Funding Opportunity Identification and Qualification

• Lead the systematic tracking, identification, and qualification of new funding opportunities, with a primary focus on institutional frameworks, governmental procurement streams, and major foundations.
• Design, implement, and maintain the Prospects Management System (in Airtable), ensuring it provides a comprehensive, accurate, and current map of relevant funders and opportunities.
• Regularly scan key funder websites and portals to identify emerging policy trends, competitor activity, and new procurement mechanisms aligned with institutional expertise.
• Manage the Business Development (BD) opportunity intake process, including overseeing the BD electronic mailbox and funder portal subscriptions. Analyse incoming opportunities and proactively propose how to disseminate them, recommending which Research Groups should lead and flagging questions for the BD Director’s approval.
• Improve these processes, including through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) software

2. Bid Compliance, Framework Management, and Proposal Coordination

• Own and manage organisational registration on key funding frameworks and procurement portals (e.g., government frameworks), ensuring access to these critical funding mechanisms.
• Act as the central point of contact on all cross-programmatic frameworks, managing the relationship with the funder/prime contractor, distributing relevant opportunities, assisting in the capture process and ensuring visibility of forthcoming work packages.
• Drive the administration and coordination of critical components on large, complex bids, coordinating between the Strategic Bids Manager/Director and technical research teams to ensure all aspects meet funder requirements, quality standards, and deadlines.
• Working with the Strategic Bids Manager to co-lead the bid process for select proposals, initially focused on sole-source procurement opportunities for individual research groups with established funders.
• In liaison with the In-house Solicitor and Compliance & Contracts Manager, respond to due diligence requests from research funders, and maintain a central database of up-to-date policies and documents for quick, successful responses.
• Own the development and maintenance of a centralised, auditable repository of organisational and compliance information (registrations, policies, financials, insurance, etc.) needed for rapid, compliant bid submissions and due diligence.
• Act as the internal expert on funder procedures and compliance rules, guiding research teams on submission requirements, eligibility, and necessary due diligence materials during the proposal phase.

3. Business Development Systems and Data Governance

• Lead the maintenance and continuous improvement of ORBIT – RUSI’s in-house Business Development and reporting platform – including co-developing and delivering internal training and guidance with BD colleagues to promote BD best practice across research teams.
• Establish and uphold BD process governance across the organisation, ensuring all new opportunities and related activities are accurately logged and tracked in the appropriate systems (ORBIT and Airtable). Analyse opportunity volume and type, funder success rates, framework usage, and process efficiency to inform strategic BD decisions and contribute to the preparation of internal reports for senior management.
• Lead the internal contract finalisation process by serving as the primary liaison between Research Groups, Legal and Contracts, and Finance teams. Ensure contracts are executed efficiently and key financial and reporting details are accurately set up in the financial system for project tracking.

This list of duties is not exhaustive; the post holder may be required to undertake other duties reasonably within the scope and grade of the role.

​Person specification

​Essential skills and experience

• Professional experience in charity administration, business development, customer service, events management, account management or similar.
• Previous experience in grants administration or project management.
• Basic knowledge of common requirements for bid submissions, including such items as statements on duty of care, quality assurance, supply chain management, gender, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Experience in contract administration and completion.
• An undergraduate degree or equivalent in business, international relations, or related field.
• Team Player - a genuine enthusiasm to help others, collaborate across multiple teams, and see your work benefit the organisation.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with different personalities and manage confidential information with sensitivity.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, communicating clearly and professionally on video calls, Teams chat, email and in person, and producing clear, accurate and insightful written output to the highest standards.
• Excellent organisation and attention to detail – you can maintain, implement, and improve systems, processes, and databases to keep our data and outputs accurate, thorough and up-to-date.
• Outstanding time management skills and a willingness to work flexibly – juggling shifting priorities and competing deadlines, managing people’s expectations effectively.
• Strong IT literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, Adobe and PowerPoint). Willingness to learn new systems and use AI to improve processes.
• An interest in, and knowledge of, defence, security and geopolitics.

​Our expectations

We expect all staff to abide by and promote our RUSI’s Vision and Values and Equal Opportunities Statement​

Benefits  

• 25 days annual leave (rising with service)
• Additional days off during Christmas - RUSI Christmas closure days
• Generous pension contributions at 6% employer contribution
• Access to 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Life Assurance
• Personal loans
• Free access to RUSI's world leading programme of events and conferences, research materials and library
• Trained Mental Health First Aiders
• *Enhanced sick pay
• *Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

*Depending on length of service

Equal Opportunity and Values

At RUSI you will be appreciated and valued. Our stakeholders, transactions, and projects are international and diverse, so we work hard to create inclusive teams that support our efforts and each other. We are committed in promoting equality and diversity in our workforce and make it as diverse as the communities we serve. Our recruitment data helps us monitor the effectiveness of our recruitment practices in order that we can continue to improve on creating a more diverse workforce.

We know the questionnaire may not capture the full complexity of our backgrounds and identities, so we apologise if these are not best described. Please note that this data will be kept confidential and separated from your job application. If you are uncomfortable sharing, choose "Prefer not to say" or skip the questions entirely.

​Application Process 

To apply, please click on the apply button and follow the instructions to submit your CV and cover letter. Please submit your CV and any supporting writing as one document. Your cover letter should be no longer than 1 page, explaining your interest in the role and any significant relevant skills and/or experience.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 8^th November 2026.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to complete a written test as part of the recruitment process.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the closing date may be brought forward if needed. Early application is encouraged. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

If you have any questions, please contact recruitment@rusi.org