Alumni relations and development manager jobs
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Office of Development and Alumni Relations team at the University of Southampton, creating and delivering a range of strategic communications for our alumni and supporter community.
You’ll be responsible for planning and delivering a whole plethora of communication tools to support our fundraising and engagement, with a particular focus on our upcoming Campaign for Southampton. Due to launch in 2027, this will be our biggest fundraising campaign ever, with a target of £100m. One of our key fundraising focusses will be the Institute for Medical Innovation; we will raise £50m to build this groundbreaking facility, which will address the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges through interdisciplinary research. You have the chance to make a real difference.
We are looking for an experienced communications professional to support us with creating engaging communications. You will be responsible for activities such as:
- Developing compelling propositions
- Delivering the communications to support major gift prospect fundraising events, from creating invitations and shaping the themes, through to developing event materials and briefing speakers
- Creating and editing a wide range of communications pieces for our major gift prospect audience, from written case studies through to web content and video
- Managing the development and execution of new creative for the Campaign for Southampton
- Sourcing new stories and gathering information through interviews and desk research
- Supporting the team where needed on both fundraising and alumni engagement communications
This is a part-time role, working four days a week (but will consider 3.5 days), on a fixed-term contract for 24 months. Like many organisations we’re currently working hybrid, with a minimum of two days per week in the office. There is the opportunity to work more days in the office as desired. The successful applicant should be available to work on campus as and when there is a requirement.
About us
The University of Southampton is among the top 100 universities in the world and is a founding member of the prestigious Russell Group. Our diverse global staff and student community are helping to change the world for the better.
In the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, our mission is to engage and grow our alumni and supporter community through philanthropy, giving time/expertise and reputation raising to help achieve the University’s strategic objectives. It’s such an exciting time to join us, as we embark on our first University-wide fundraising and engagement campaign!
About you
First and foremost, you’ll have a strong understanding of communications and marketing. You’ll have a number of years of marketing communications experience, ideally gained in a charity, education or agency environment. We are looking for someone who can hit the ground running and has the expertise and experience to take ownership of projects.
You'll thrive in a busy environment, have robust project management and organisation skills, and be adept at collaborating with a wide range of different stakeholders.
You'll be a strong copywriter with a passion for language, and the ability to write different types of copy.
To be considered, the successful candidate must be able to commence this role no later than 19th January 2026.
The Office of Development and Alumni Relations (ODAR) is responsible for the University of Southampton's global community of more than 285,000 alumni.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Welcome to Ada
Ada is a ground-breaking college and charity focused on using technology (tech) as a tool for social mobility and addressing the diversity and gender gaps in the tech sector. Ada’s mission is to educate and empower the next generation of diverse digital talent. Our core values, which sit at the heart of our work, are Rigour, Resilience, Creativity, Curiosity and Collaboration.
Established in 2016, Ada was the first new Further Education College in England since 1993. We currently have approximately 500 students and apprentices, with plans well underway to grow to over 850 learners by December 2025. This growth is supported by our two city centre hub campuses in London (Pimlico/Victoria) and Manchester (Ancoats).
Ada stands apart due to the quality of teaching, learning, and assessment of computer science; fantastic progression outcomes for learners; the breadth and depth of our industry partnerships; our focus on outreach and learner diversity, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds; and our high support, high expectations culture for staff and learners. Ada received a ‘Good’ rating, with Outstanding features, in Ofsted inspections in October 2018 and again in March 2023.
Job Purpose
This role is critical for delivering activities with our prestigious corporate supporters while simultaneously building an impactful alumni community. The postholder will join Ada during an exciting phase of growth and will be responsible for both stakeholder management, volunteering and events and ensuring former students and apprentices are supported in their career progression and engagement through the #alwaysAda alumni programme. The role focuses on supporting partnerships and shaping and delivering events, including professional development, volunteering, and mentoring/support.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The Philanthropy and Alumni Executive Officer will be responsible for a combination of corporate partnership delivery and alumni community management:
A. Corporate Partnerships, Fundraising & Volunteering
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Support the department to develop and deliver partnership plans for all supporters.
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Ensure partnership objectives are met across programme activity, including employee volunteering.
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Work with other teams to deliver volunteering opportunities, especially the Coaching programme which matches corporate volunteers to learners.
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Develop briefings and communications to corporate partners to strengthen partnerships.
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Provide tracking and reporting of all engagement activities with partners.
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Deliver a suite of events and touch points for supporters, and support the delivery of a calendar of events such as Ada Lovelace Day, 10th year anniversary, International Women's Day and other flagship events
B. Alumni Relations and Community Management
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Develop and maintain an ongoing dialogue with the alumni community
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Produce termly newsletters
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Undertake regular data collection cycles (using surveys and research) to track current employment and needs of alumni.
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Maintain our Alumni Data ensuring rigorous data protection/GDPR rules are adhered to.
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Help to continuously improve the alumni programme offer
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Deliver and shape a programme of planned communications and marketing to drive alumni engagement.
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Track and maintain alumni engagement, with a drive for meaningful engagement
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Deliver and shape a programme of both in-person and virtual events and activities to drive impact, such as a jobs board, career coaching, and networking events.
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Maintain, manage, and internally champion the alumni database.
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Recruit and support champions from within the alumni network to act as alumni ambassadors.
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Attend professional development activities and meetings that may take place outside of normal working hours.
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Be an internal advocate for the Ada alumni community and external go to for Alumni involvement.
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Maintain and grow the alumni LinkedIn group.
Person Specification
The successful candidate will be an excellent communicator and relationship builder who embodies Ada’s values (Curiosity, Creativity, Collaboration, Rigour and Resilience).
Essential Experience and Qualifications
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Experience of successfully delivering employee volunteering programmes.
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Experienced at dealing with a range of people in an outward-facing role.
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Experience managing individuals and groups of volunteers.
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Experience of in-person event delivery working with corporate stakeholders.
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Experience in the delivery and management of external events and/or volunteering projects.
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Fundraising experience or interest in following a career in fundraising and corporate partnerships.
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Experience of managing and collecting data sets, and the ability to think critically and analyse data/feedback to modify activity.
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Excellent project management skills and the ability to manage conflicting deadlines and priorities and work under pressure.
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Relationship building across a wide range of stakeholders.
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Degree level qualification or appropriate professional experience.
Skills, Qualities, and Aptitudes
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Excellent digital, organisational, and time management skills.
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A confident demeanour and engaging communication and presentation skills.
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Strong collaborative working skills, with a versatile solution-orientated team player attitude.
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Enthusiastic, creative, and self-motivated.
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Commitment to equality and diversity.
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Passion about Ada’s work and mission to make a positive difference to the next generation.
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A willingness to work flexibly and where necessary outside of normal working hours.
Desirable Experience
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Project management, including planning, executing, and successfully delivering projects.
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CRM and data set management.
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Knowledge of the tech sector industry and how to work with people starting their careers.
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Experience working in education, alumni relations, membership organisations, or charities.
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Knowledge of digital events tools such as webinars and/or online community platforms.
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Budget management experience.
Safeguarding and DBS
The successful candidate will undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before taking up the post. The postholder must adhere to and ensure compliance with the College’s Safeguarding Policy at all times for the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
Equal Opportunities
Ada is committed to providing equality of opportunity and promoting diversity, ensuring applicants are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities, and potential without unjustified discrimination. Ada encourages applications from individuals with a disability who can carry out the duties of the post.
Sponsorship
Ada does not have a sponsorship licence, and therefore can only consider applications from candidates who have the legal right to work or remain in the UK.
How to Apply: Please submit your CV and a brief supporting cover letter outlining your suitability and interest in the role.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and early applications are recommended.
Good luck with your Application!
our mission is to educate and empower the next generation of diverse digital talent.
Head of Development
International Institute for Management Development (IMD)
Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
Competitive salary plus excellent benefits
An independent academic institution with Swiss roots and a global reach, IMD is a pioneer in executive education.
Through our research, teaching and publications, and with our close ties to business, we equip leaders and organizations to transform themselves and society for the better. With a faculty recognized for thought leadership and real-world impact, and a global network of alumni and partners, IMD is uniquely positioned to shape the future of leadership education.
IMD is investing in our Alumni & Development efforts and we are seeking a major gifts specialist to join us in a newly created Head of Development role. By leading a growing development team and working with key stakeholders across the institute, you could expand our capacity to deliver on our mission of transforming organizations and developing responsible leaders who make a positive impact on the world.
As the Head of Development, you will work in lock-step with the Chief Alumni & Development Officer, and be responsible for shaping and implementing IMD’s development strategy. You will also work closely with the Head of Alumni Relations, and build meaningful relationships with donors, alumni and partners, and secure philanthropic support for key institutional priorities. As a trusted member of the Faculty and Senior Staff team, you will play a central part in advancing IMD’s long-term vision and ensuring our continued global leadership.
It will therefore be critical that you bring a proven track record of major gifts fundraising, and experience of managing high-performing development practitioners. Experience of working with donors internationally, particularly across Europe, will be important, as is your ability to successfully navigate and work through areas of ambiguity or “the new” as we create a step change in our fundraising programs to match our ambitions. In return, you will be joining a committed team and enjoy the support of key colleagues and senior volunteers across the institute.
We are partnering with Richmond Associates, a specialist executive search firm on this recruitment. To learn more about this opportunity or to download a detailed information pack, please contact Richmond Associates.
Closing date for applications is 09:00 GMT on Monday, 10 November 2025
Development Manager - Individual Giving - Kingston University
Academic Services | Development, Alumni Relations and Engagement (DARE)
Hybrid/Kingston upon Thames
Full-time
£45,025.00 - £48,820.00 and excellent benefits
Closing date: 9am on Monday 17 November
Interviews: in person on Wednesday 26 November
Are you driven by data with experience in direct marketing fundraising? Do you excel at crafting lifelong donor journeys from acquisition to strengthening affinity and maximising giving participation? Kingston University is seeking an exceptional Development Manager - Individual Giving to lead their ambitious fundraising programmes and help transform the lives of students through scholarships, access, and support initiatives.
About the Role
This is a pivotal opportunity to shape and grow Kingston's individual giving strategy. You'll lead multi-channel campaigns-from telephone fundraising and direct mail to email and crowdfunding-designed to acquire, retain, and upgrade donors. You'll also develop a mid-level giving programme (£500-£1,000+), steward legacy pledgers, and create compelling donor journeys that inspire loyalty and generosity.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead Kingston's annual telephone fundraising campaign, including recruiting and managing student callers.
* Deliver targeted acquisition and stewardship campaigns across multiple channels.
* Develop mid-level giving and legacy programmes, personally soliciting gifts and building donor relationships.
* Collaborate with Major Gifts colleagues to identify prospects and enhance donor pipelines.
* Create engaging content-written, visual, and video-to showcase the impact of giving.
* Evaluate campaign performance using data insights and industry benchmarks.
* Support donor and alumni events, and contribute to the wider DARE and University community.
About You
You'll bring:
* Proven experience in individual giving and campaign management, ideally in Higher Education or the charity sector.
* Strong strategic thinking and data-driven decision-making.
* Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
* A passion for education, inclusion, and the power of philanthropy.
* Experience with CRM systems (ideally Raiser's Edge) and donor stewardship.
Why Kingston?
Kingston University is a leader in post-1992 university fundraising, with a proud tradition of alumni support. You'll be part of a dynamic team driving innovation, inclusion, and impact-helping students thrive and succeed.
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How to apply?
Please share a copy of your profile or CV with Philippa at Charity People as the first step.
Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.
Job title: Head of Development, Faculty of Medicine
Salary: £69,365 to £79,257
Location: White City (Hybrid)
Are you passionate about advancing world-changing medical research? Do you thrive on building relationships that inspire transformational philanthropy?
Here at Imperial, we are looking for our new Head of Development for the Faculty of Medicine. This is a rare opportunity to connect visionary donors, grateful patients, and world-leading academics to make a tangible difference in healthcare and patient outcomes.
At Imperial, innovation is part of who we are. Our scientists and clinicians are turning breakthroughs into real-world impact — improving lives across the globe. As we prepare to launch the university’s most ambitious fundraising and alumni engagement campaign, you will play a central role in shaping and driving its success.
As Head of Development, Faculty of Medicine, you will have the opportunity to work at the most senior levels, securing gifts at the high six-figure level and above for multi-disciplinary research such as public health, cancer and surgery, neurology, paediatrics, immunology, and infectious disease.
You might have worked with senior volunteers before, opening their networks to guide successful relationship building, or have a track record of successful medical fundraising and/or work with grateful patients.
If you’re ready to play a defining role in medical advancement at one of the world’s most influential universities, we’d love to hear from you.
About Imperial
Welcome to Imperial, a global top ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact.
Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, we navigate some of the world’s toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.
As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you’ll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network.
This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you’ll join us at Imperial.
Our culture
We work towards equality of opportunity, eliminating discrimination and creating an inclusive working environment. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities
Our values are at the heart of everything we do and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate respect, collaboration, excellence, integrity and innovation.
Further Information
This is one of three exceptional opportunities to join our dynamic team. As we continue to expand our international presence, we are recruiting for the following roles:
- Head of Global Development, North America
- Head of Principal Gifts
Each of these roles offers a unique opportunity to shape our strategic direction and build impactful partnerships.
Closing date: Midnight on Wednesday 12 November 2025.
Interested?
Please familiarise yourself with the attached Candidate Pack.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter.
Imperial is partnering with Constellate Global Talent on this search. No agencies please.
Please familiarise yourself with the attached Candidate Pack. To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter by Midnight on Wednesday 12 November 2025.
Job title: Head of Global Development, North America
Salary: £69,365 to £79,257 per annum
Location: White City (Hybrid)
Passionate about major gifts fundraising and looking for your next big challenge? Or perhaps you are considering a purposeful pivot in your career, using hard won skills from a relevant context?
Here at Imperial College, we are recruiting our Head of Global Development, North America, to join our growing team. This is an opportunity to help drive Imperial’s ambitious fundraising efforts in North America as we embark on our first comprehensive campaign.
You will drive growth in philanthropic support from high-net-worth individuals, build strong relationships with alumni and volunteer leaders, and deliver transformational gifts in support of our campaign goals. You will work closely with the Imperial Global USA Hub - Imperial’s first permanent presence in the US and a cornerstone of our global engagement strategy.
Imperial stands among the world’s top universities, ranked 2nd globally and 1st across the UK and Europe. Our research leads the field, with real-world impact woven into everything we do. From advancing climate solutions and artificial intelligence to breakthroughs in medicine and sustainable engineering, our work is helping to shape a better future and tackle society’s most pressing issues.
Our global recognition reflects more than just rankings; it’s the result of fostering a community where staff and students are empowered to excel. At Imperial, we’re dedicated to delivering an exceptional education, driving world-class research, and turning innovation into positive change.
You will have strong track record in securing major gifts or in income generation with the ability to navigate complex institutional relationships with professionalism and diplomacy. The role requires regular travel to North America.
If you are inspired by the chance to help deliver lasting global impact through education and research leading positive change and believe in the power of STEMB to shape a better world, we would love to hear from you.
What we can offer you:
- The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to use science for humanity.
- Benefit from a sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days’ annual leave and generous pension schemes).
- Access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy from day one, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and cycle-to-work scheme.
- Interest-free season ticket loan schemes for travel.
- Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.
About Imperial
Welcome to Imperial, a global top ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact.
Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, we navigate some of the world’s toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.
As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you’ll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network.
This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you’ll join us at Imperial.
Our culture
We work towards equality of opportunity, eliminating discrimination and creating an inclusive working environment. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities.
Our values are at the heart of everything we do and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate respect, collaboration, excellence, integrity and innovation.
Further Information
This is one of three exceptional opportunities to join our dynamic team. As we continue to expand our international presence, we are recruiting for the following roles:
- Head of Development, Faculty of Medicine
- Head of Principal Gifts
Each of these roles offers a unique opportunity to shape our strategic direction and build impactful partnerships.
Closing date: Midnight on Wednesday 19 November 2025.
Interested?
Please familiarise yourself with the attached Candidate Pack.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter.
Imperial is partnering with Constellate Global Talent on this search. No agencies please.
Please familiarise yourself with the attached Candidate Pack.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter by midnight on Wednesday 19 November 2025.
Department: KCL Philanthropy
Grade and Salary: £39,076 - £43,909 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance
Job ID: 128386
About Us
Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement (P&A) provides a fundraising and alumni engagement function in support of King’s College London. We are proud to work with colleagues across the university and its health partners to help them serve society through world-leading education, research and healthcare. Our work also includes a partnership with the Maudsley Charity in support of children’s mental health initiatives between the university’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience and the South London & Maudsley NHS Trust.
We are a committed team that brings together fundraisers working across different channels, alongside colleagues who promote King’s College London’s engagement with its worldwide alumni community. Our work is underpinned and enhanced by a range of dedicated professionals in supporting areas covering proposition development, supporter engagement, supporter operations and business operations.
We have an impressive, well-established track record of success in securing support that allows the university and partners to deliver on their missions. This includes our global, award-winning World Questions: King’s Answers campaign, which set the standard in the sector and enabled us to raise substantial funds to help tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. Ambitious and innovative, the team has won awards such as a CASE Platinum Award for Fundraising and a CASE Gold Award for Donor Relations and Stewardship. We are strongly values-driven with a focus on sustaining an excellent and supportive culture, which we see as key to creating a successful team that can support the university and its partners in making a real and positive difference to the world we live in.
More on King’s College London
King’s College London is an internationally renowned university delivering exceptional education and world-leading research. The university is dedicated to driving positive and sustainable change in society and realising our vision of making the world a better place. Through its commitment to exceptional education, impactful research and genuine service to society, King’s College London is creating positive change in its communities, both in London and on the world stage. The Strategic Vision 2029 looks forward to King’s College London’s 200th anniversary in 2029 and sets out ambitious plans in five key areas:
1. Educating the next generation of change-makers
2. Challenging ideas and driving change through research
3. Giving back to society through meaningful service
4. Working with our local communities in London
5. Fostering global citizens with an international perspective
About the role
We are seeking a motivated and passionate Leadership Giving Officer to cultivate and solicit gifts from alumni who have the capacity to make donations to the university of between £1,000 and £50,000.
You will be working in an exciting and varied role that blends marketing and fundraising skills as part of the Leadership Giving team within the Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement department. We are a warm, collaborative, and enthusiastic team with a passion for innovative fundraising for meaningful impact.
The postholder will support fundraising for exciting and impactful initiatives across the university. The primary responsibility of the role is to manage two of the flagship Leadership Giving Programmes: the Kingsmaker Guild and Key to King’s. Additionally, they will also manage a portfolio of prospective and existing donors who they will connect with personally, engaging them with the university with the aim of soliciting new or uplifted donations.
Sitting within the KCL Philanthropy Team and working collaboratively with the other fundraisers in the university, the Leadership Giving Officer will manage the delivery of mass-fundraising appeals and stewardship, while also spending time in direct interaction with donors, both in and out of the office.
This role would be well suited to someone with marketing experience who is at the early stages of their fundraising career and keen to apply their skills in a hands-on environment. Candidates without marketing experience but with a strong aptitude for strategic communication and relationship building are also encouraged to apply.
We are looking for someone willing to learn new skills and who is keen to have their work make a real difference in the world while having a great time doing it!
This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered an indefinite contract. P&A has a hybrid working approach, with a minimum of 40% in the office. Typically, this equates to two days per week, but we’re very happy for colleagues to be in more frequently if they so wish.
About You
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
Essential criteria
1. Fundraising and/or marketing experience
2. Experience of managing projects, or strategy development skills
3. Excellent communication skills, both spoken and written
4. Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, both internally and externally
5. Resilience, adaptability, and resourcefulness
6. Goal orientated and persistent in achieving objectives
7. The ability to think laterally, and to develop and execute creative and targeted strategies to engage and build long term relationships with prospective and current supporters
Desirable criteria
1. Face-to-face fundraising experience
2. Knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics or other similar fundraising database
3. Experience of working within the Higher Education sector
Downloading a copy of our Job Description
Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the next page after you click “Apply Now”. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.
Further Information
We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.
We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's. We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements, including part-time, compressed hours and/or job shares, as appropriate and in the context of the business needs associated with the role.
We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.
To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit’ pages.
We offer the opportunity of an “Ask Us Anything” Teams call on Tuesday 4th November at 3pm. During this call you will be able to ask any questions you might have about the role, the selection process, our department, our core values and work culture, our current hybrid work policy, or simply listen to others’ questions.
This role will have two interview stages: a standard skills-based interview followed (for up to two appointable candidates) by a Core Values interview.
First stage interviews are due to be held week commencing 17th November. Core Values interviews are due to be held week commencing 24th November.
Closing Date: 09-Nov-2025
Head of Philanthropy
Department: KCL Philanthropy
Grade and Salary: £65,091 - £74,613 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance
Job ID: 128746
About Us
Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement (P&A) provides a fundraising and alumni engagement function in support of King’s College London. We are proud to work with colleagues across the university and its health partners to help them serve society through world-leading education, research and healthcare. Our work also includes a partnership with the Maudsley Charity in support of children’s mental health initiatives between the university’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience and the South London & Maudsley NHS Trust.
We are a committed team that brings together fundraisers working across different channels, alongside colleagues who promote King’s College London’s engagement with its worldwide alumni community. Our work is underpinned and enhanced by a range of dedicated professionals in supporting areas covering proposition development, supporter engagement, supporter operations and business operations.
We have an impressive, well-established track record of success in securing support that allows the university and partners to deliver on their missions. This includes our global, award-winning World Questions: King’s Answers campaign, which set the standard in the sector and enabled us to raise substantial funds to help tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. Ambitious and innovative, the team has won awards such as a CASE Platinum Award for Fundraising and a CASE Gold Award for Donor Relations and Stewardship. We are strongly values-driven with a focus on sustaining an excellent and supportive culture, which we see as key to creating a successful team that can support the university and its partners in making a real and positive difference to the world we live in.
More on King’s College London
King’s College London is an internationally renowned university delivering exceptional education and world-leading research. The university is dedicated to driving positive and sustainable change in society and realising our vision of making the world a better place. Through its commitment to exceptional education, impactful research and genuine service to society, King’s College London is creating positive change in its communities, both in London and on the world stage. The Strategic Vision 2029 looks forward to King’s College London’s 200th anniversary in 2029 and sets out ambitious plans in five key areas:
- Educating the next generation of change-makers
- Challenging ideas and driving change through research
- Giving back to society through meaningful service
- Working with our local communities in London
- Fostering global citizens with an international perspective
About the role
We are looking for two exceptional Heads of Philanthropy to join our team to significantly increase philanthropic income for faculty fundraising priorities across King’s College London.Within your application, please indicate which position you are applying to, or if you are happy to be considered for both positions.
One role will lead the Health, Science & Technology philanthropy team, and the other will lead the Arts & Social Sciences philanthropy team. Candidates will need to demonstrate curiosity and genuine interest in the academic areas that fall within the role, and work in partnership with King’s experts and other stakeholders to be successful.
King’s has an ambition to significantly scale philanthropic income for Faculties as we prepare to launch our next major fundraising and engagement campaign in 2027 and mark the university’s bicentenary in 2029. There is currently at least one major gift fundraiser working in each Faculty. Working closely with the Associate Director, Faculty Philanthropy, the postholder will play a pivotal role in developing and growing the major gift fundraising function. They will be responsible for leading and nurturing a team of high value fundraisers to secure gifts at the £50k level and above.
We are looking for someone with a proven track-record of developing new, high value relationships, with experience of closing gifts at the six- and seven- figure level. They will need to demonstrate that they understand what is required to build and scale prospect portfolios. They should be intellectually curious and energised by the depth and breadth of King’s academic expertise, with particular interest and passion to work with senior university leaders and academics to secure funding for a range of priorities across either the Arts and Social Sciences, or Health, Science & Technology portfolio.
Working closely with the Associate Director, Faculty Philanthropy, the postholder will play a pivotal role in developing and growing the major gift fundraising function in advance of the launch of the university’s next public fundraising campaign. They will be responsible for leading and nurturing a team of high value fundraisers to secure gifts at the £50k level and above.
This is a full time post (35 Hours per week), and you will be offered an indefinite contract. P&A has a hybrid working approach, with a minimum of 40% of time in the office, on King’s campuses or meeting donors externally. Typically, this equates to two days per week, but we’re very happy for colleagues to be in more frequently if they so wish.
We welcome applications from those seeking part-time and flexible working.
Please indicate if you are applying for either the Health, Science & Technology role or the Arts & Social Sciences role in your supporting statement or if you are happy to be considered for both positions.
About You
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
Essential criteria
- A proven track record of identifying, cultivating and securing six- and seven- figure gifts from major donors
- Strong leadership skills, with experience of managing a high-performing fundraising or major gifts fundraising team
- The ability to negotiate throughout a large, complex environment with multi-dimensional points of view
- Ability to plan strategically and implement those plans
- Proven track record in establishing, monitoring, and achieving demanding targets, including income and activity metrics
- Confidence and experience of working effectively with, and influencing, senior stakeholders
- Excellent communication skills, including an ability to write and speak eloquently and to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders of all backgrounds
- Willingness to attend or work at, where necessary, commitments outside of normal working hours
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working within, or working knowledge of, higher education sector in the UK
- Experience of working in the public or voluntary sectors
- Experience of working with a CRM or fundraising database
Further Information
We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.
We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's. We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements, including part-time, compressed hours and/or job shares, as appropriate and in the context of the business needs associated with the role.
We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.Please indicate if you are applying for either the Health, Science & Technology role or the Arts & Social Sciences role in your supporting statement or if you are happy to be considered for both positions.
Closing Date: 17th November 2025
These roles will have three interview stages, a first-stage standard skills-based interview followed by a more in-depth second-stage interview and presentation, and (for up to two appointable candidates) a Core Values interview.
First stage interviews are due to be held on Tuesday 25th November.
Second stage interviews are due to be held w/c 1st December.
Core Values interviews are due to be held on w/c 8th December.
