Alumni engagement manager jobs in edinburgh
OUTLINE OF THE ROLE
Work with the Trustees to devise and lead new fundraising initiatives that fulfil the objectives of the Trust's Fundraising Strategy and annual income budget, with particular focus on regular giving across all alumni, gifts from high-net-worth individuals, and legacies. This will involve:
• Developing and delivering improved communications to build a stronger connected donor network.
• Locating, engaging and retaining alumni to support and promote the Trust, focused on ensuring their long-term impact on the Trust and its beneficiaries.
• Work with the Trustees/Trust Fundraising Committee to devise and implement new fundraising initiatives.
• Work with the Trustees/Trust Fundraising Committee to identify and engage new volunteers to support the Trust's activities.
KEY TASKS
Work with the Trustees and Fundraising Committee to devise and implement the following:
• Improve communications
The Trust has a strong, growing, and engaged network of loyal alumni who already support the Trust's beneficiaries through fundraising and volunteering. However, the Trust's communications need to be improved in order to increase the numbers of donors who provide sustained financial support and inspire all donors to raise their level of donations. Continually find opportunities to engage new donors and ensure clear consistent messaging.
• Manage and maintain donor data
The Trust needs to maintain a full and accurate database of all donors and fundraising activities to support long-term tracking and inform future fundraising. This also requires networking among alumni and being vigilant to changes in alumni data.
• Research and approach alumni whose connection with the Trust has lapsed
Continue to grow the active network through researching and motivating dormant and lapsed alumni to reconnect with the Trust.
• Research untapped prospects
Research the database with a view to identifying dormant and untapped opportunities, especially regarding
high-net-worth individuals and legacies. Ensure fundraising approaches are well-targeted and informed in order to maximise the chances of success. This will expand to include non-alumni sources, including institutional sources such as foundations and other trusts.
• Ensure long-term donor connection
Communicate with all donors to demonstrate the impact they can make by showcasing the current and long-term outcome of programs. Deliver a diverse selection of communications to engage different audiences, with a clear plan for all members of the network. Ensure donors are connected to the Trust, value the Trust's activities and actively help fund opportunities.
• Reporting to the Trustees
Create an annual donor impact report to the Trustees, and other stakeholders such as alumni, that delineates donor statistics, reviews communications and events that have taken place during the past year and identifies potential prospects and events for developing in the coming year. Also provide a lower-level oral report of fundraising activities and communications to the Trustees at their quarterly meetings.
• Deliver income growth target
Acquire enough new donations to meet agreed annual income growth targets set by the Trustees.
You will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your changing role within the charity and its overall objectives. For instance, organizing fund-raising specific events in different regions. This position could evolve into a full-time commitment with a support team, but at the present time, support to this role will be provided through the existing network of volunteers.
Registered Charity The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
At the heart of the 2027 programme is a paid, 12-month role within a leading foundation, trust, or social investment organisation. You’ll be employed full-time in a grant-making or related position with one of our dynamic host organisations across the UK. In this role, you’ll contribute directly to improving the communities your host serves while earning a salary of at least £25,000 (or £25,642 if based in London).
Alongside your placement, you’ll take part in an acclaimed development programme designed to build the knowledge, skills, and experience needed for a successful career in the funding sector. Through this, you’ll explore the challenges within grant-making and social investment, develop your leadership potential, and work alongside peers to imagine and create a more equitable and effective funding system. The programme supports you not only to thrive in your new role but also to grow into a future changemaker in the sector.
This unique blend of training, professional experience, and network-building will equip you to take the next step toward a decision-making role in a foundation, trust, or social investment organisation—helping to shape how resources are used to create lasting change in communities.
Why 2027 exists
Launched in 2017, 2027 was born out of a desire to shift power in the grant-making sector. It aims to bridge the gap between funders and the communities they serve—particularly by addressing the lack of people with lived experience of working-class communities in decision-making roles. 2027 helps change who is involved in making funding decisions and how those decisions are made.
The Job
In your placement, you could be:
- Managing parts of a grant portfolio
- Building relationships with community partners
- Making funding recommendations
- Preparing reports and updates for trustees
- Engaging with the funder’s broader organisation to inspire interest in community work
- Ensuring legal and compliance obligations are met
- Representing your host externally and bringing in outside learning
Each role will vary slightly depending on your host organisation. We’ll work with you to ensure a placement that aligns with your goals and development.
Who You’ll Work For
You’ll be matched with a respected host organisation—one of the UK’s leading foundations, trusts, or social investment organisations—based on your location preferences and interests. Previous hosts have included:
- BBC Children in Need
- National Lottery Community Fund
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Sport England
- Better Society Capital
- City Bridge Trust
- NHS Charities Together
The Development Programme
As part of your role, you’ll participate in a comprehensive professional development programme led by sector experts. It includes:
- Residentials: Two in-person events for deep learning and peer connection.
- Masterclasses: Online, expert-led sessions exploring key sector topics.
- Peer Support Sessions: Monthly confidential spaces to reflect and share learning.
- Mentoring: Each Associate is paired with an experienced sector mentor.
- Self-Directed Learning: Curated content for reflection and growth between sessions.
- Peer Coaching: Training and monthly sessions to build coaching skills and mutual support.
- 360 Review + 1:1 Coaching: Holistic feedback and personalised coaching to support your development.
- 2027 Connect: A mix of events to connect with the wider 2027 community, including alumni, hosts, and mentors.
Career Progression
By the end of the programme, you’ll have built the experience, confidence, and insight to take on more senior or decision-making roles in the funding sector—playing a meaningful part in shaping how money is invested for social good.
Job description
- Job Title: 2027 Associate
- Salary: Minimum of £25,000 (£25,642 if based in London)
- Employer: One of our host foundations, trusts, or social investment organisations
- Location: Opportunities across England and Scotland (you’ll share your preferences)
- Hours: Typically 9am–5pm, with some flexibility
- Contract: 12-month fixed term, starting October 2025
*Foundations and trusts are grant-making charities that fund individuals, groups or organisations to run projects that benefit communities. Social investment organisations provide repayable finance to charities and enterprises working to create long-term social change.
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The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.