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Head of Alumni Engagement & Operations with Kingston University
£60,996 (negotiable) | Full-time (37 hours) | Hybrid working | Kingston upon Thames
Charity People is delighted to be partnering with Kingston University to recruit their next Head of Alumni Engagement & Operations.
Kingston University has spent over 125 years transforming lives through education, innovation and opportunity. With TEF Gold recognition across the board, and a Town House Strategy that's rewriting what a modern education looks like, we are focused on helping students develop the skills, networks and experiences to thrive throughout their careers. Integral to this ambition is our global community of more than 280,000 alumni, who's futures have been shaped by the university.
As Head of Alumni Engagement & Operation, part of the senior leadership team of our Development, Alumni Relations and Engagement (DARE) team, you will help us build lifelong relationships with our alumni to support future growth and success.
About the role:
We have a 3-year strategy in place to develop alumni engagement, increase participation and embed philanthropy more deeply across the University, with full support of senior leadership across the board. This is a fantastic opportunity to join our growing team and work with senior stakeholders across the University, to champion the role alumni can play in student success, employability, mentoring, partnerships and philanthropy, and develop a lifelong alumni offer.
Reporting in to the Director of DARE, you'll lead a broad portfolio including alumni communications, events, volunteering, individual giving, CRM, data insight and operational delivery.
About you:
We're looking for someone who understands the power of communities and relationships.
This is a broad leadership role spanning alumni engagement, communications, volunteering, individual giving, CRM, data insight and operational delivery. While experience within alumni relations or advancement in higher education would be valuable, we're equally interested in hearing from candidates from the charity, membership, fundraising, supporter engagement or relationship management sectors. What matters most is your ability to build communities, create meaningful engagement opportunities, use insight to drive decision-making and inspire people to connect with a shared purpose.
You'll be strategic enough to shape the future direction of alumni engagement at Kingston, whilst remaining hands-on enough to build relationships, spot opportunities and bring colleagues and stakeholders with you.
You'll bring:
- Experience developing and delivering successful alumni engagement, advancement, membership, supporter engagement or relationship-management programmes.
- A track record of building communities, growing participation and creating meaningful engagement opportunities
- Strong leadership skills and experience developing high-performing teams
- Confidence using insight, data and CRM systems to inform strategy and decision-making
- Experience overseeing communications, events, volunteering, supporter engagement or related activities
- An understanding of how long-term relationships can lead to advocacy, mentoring, volunteering, partnerships and giving
Most importantly, you'll believe that alumni engagement is about much more than communications and events. You'll be excited by the opportunity to help graduates become mentors, volunteers, advocates, partners and lifelong supporters of the University.
Benefits include
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Excellent pension scheme
- Hybrid working (with a minimum of 50% of time spent on campus)
- Access to professional development opportunities
- A supportive and inclusive working environment
- The opportunity to shape a high-profile function at one of London's leading universities
Key Dates:
- Closing date: 9th September 2026 - we encourage not delaying your application.
- Interviews: 28th and 30th September 2026 (in person)
How to apply
Charity People are managing this search on behalf of Kingston University.
In the first instance, please send your CV to Glen at Charity People. If your profile matches what we're looking for, we'll be in touch with the full candidate pack and further details about the recruitment process.
We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. Please inform us if you require any assistance or adjustment to help ensure the application process works for you.
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.
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Thank you!
Are you an exceptional communicator who enjoys building relationships, delivering memorable experiences and helping others connect with a meaningful cause? We invite you to apply for the Development Officer - Gardens, Libraries & Museums (GLAM) position within Development and Alumni Engagement at the University of Oxford, where your work will help secure philanthropic support for one of the world's leading universities.
Location: Oxford, with hybrid working available
Salary: Grade 6: £35,681 - £41,636 per annum, with a possible extension to £45,212 including an Oxford University Weighting of £1,730
Contract: Permanent, Full time
About Us
Spanning the historic streets of the "city of dreaming spires", the University of Oxford has been ranked the world’s leading university for ten consecutive years. A place where centuries of tradition meet world-changing innovation, we offer you the chance to shape the future while working in an inspiring environment that promotes excellence. Here, you'll contribute to an organisation which delivers ground-breaking research that tackles global challenges - from advancing sustainability to pioneering healthcare solutions - and join a diverse, inclusive community that champions your wellbeing, development, and aspirations.
Development and Alumni Engagement (DAE) plays a central role in enabling the University's ambitions by building meaningful relationships with alumni, philanthropists, trusts, foundations and partners around the world. Within the Gardens, Libraries and Museums team, you'll help unlock philanthropic support that preserves world-renowned collections, expands access to knowledge and enables cultural engagement for future generations. Your work will directly contribute to initiatives that enrich research, education and public understanding on a global scale.
What We Offer
Working at the University of Oxford offers several exclusive benefits, such as:
- 38 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays), with the option to purchase up to 10 additional days.
- One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education.
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
- An excellent contributory pension scheme.
- Sustainable travel benefits, including cycle loans, discounted bus travel and season ticket loans.
- Access to a wide range of social, cultural and sporting activities.
About the Role
This is an excellent opportunity to build a career in major gift fundraising within one of the world's most respected cultural institutions. Working with experienced colleagues, you'll develop your own portfolio of donors, helping to secure philanthropic support for the Bodleian and across the Gardens, Libraries and Museums.
Alongside developing donor relationships, you'll lead the delivery of two high-profile annual stewardship events attended by senior University figures, oversee annual fundraising appeals and create compelling proposals and communications that inspire philanthropic support. You'll work closely with colleagues across the University to turn complex academic and cultural projects into engaging stories for donors.
Whether you're already working in fundraising or bring transferable experience from events, communications, alumni relations or another externally facing role, you'll receive training and support to develop your expertise in major gifts fundraising.
About You
You will bring:
- Experience in fundraising, alumni relations, marketing or other relationship-focused roles.
- Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to produce engaging and persuasive content for different audiences.
- Experience of planning and delivering high-quality events
- Strong relationship-building skills, with confidence working with a wide range of stakeholders.
- The ability to manage multiple priorities, organise your own workload and deliver to deadlines.
- Experience using Microsoft Office applications and CRM or relationship management systems.
- A demonstrable interest in the cultural sector and a desire to develop a career in philanthropic fundraising.
Application Process
To apply, please upload:
- A covering letter/supporting statement
- Your CV
- The details of two referees
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 3 August 2026.
Face-to-face interviews will take place funon Thursday 13 August 2026
Registered Charity
101 - 500
We raise funds in support of the University’s academic priorities, securing donations for all aspects of academic and student endeavour.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Saïd Business School is entering an exciting new chapter. As we prepare to celebrate our 30th anniversary and deliver an ambitious new five-year strategy, we are expanding our Development and Alumni team and seeking two exceptional Senior Philanthropy Officers to help drive a transformational step change in philanthropic support. Working closely with senior academics, School leadership, alumni and supporters, you will build meaningful relationships with philanthropists whose generosity can help tackle some of the world's most pressing challenges through business, entrepreneurship, innovation and social impact.
You will manage a portfolio of high-potential prospects, developing tailored engagement strategies that connect donors' passions with Oxford Saïd's strategic priorities. From identifying opportunities and cultivating relationships through to securing significant gifts and delivering outstanding stewardship, you will play a leading role in growing philanthropic income and impact across the School.
Key responsibilities:
- Managing and developing a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals and selected philanthropic organisations.
- Securing gifts typically ranging from £50,000 to £1 million+.
- Building trusted relationships with senior academics, School leadership, alumni volunteers and University colleagues.
- Translating world-class academic research and thought leadership into inspiring donor propositions.
- Supporting cultivation events, donor visits and stewardship activities that deepen engagement and demonstrate impact.
You will be an experienced and strategic fundraising professional with a proven track record of securing major gifts and building successful donor relationships within complex organisations. You will have experience engaging high-net-worth individuals and philanthropic organisations, consistently achieving ambitious income targets and managing prospects through the full fundraising cycle. Additionally, you will possess the ability to translate complex ideas into compelling philanthropic opportunities. A strong understanding of fundraising best practice, ethics and data governance is essential, alongside experience using fundraising CRM systems.
Further information on this role can be found in the job description.
At Saïd Business School we believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities to bring their unique perspectives and experiences to our team. Join us to build a brighter, more equitable future, where we celebrate diversity, advance equity, and nurture inclusion across everything we do.
We offer very generous benefits, some of which are:
- Generous holiday allowance of 38 days including bank holidays
- Hybrid working
- Membership of the Oxford staff pension scheme
- Discounted bus travel
- Subsidised onsite catering
- Cycle loan scheme
- Plus, many other University benefits
All applications must include a CV, Supporting Statement/Cover Letter and Current Salary.
The closing date for applications is Friday 7 August 2026 at 12.00 noon. Please note, this vacancy may close earlier than advertised if we receive a high number of suitable applications.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.