Head of development and alumni relations jobs
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.
Head of Major Gifts
Kingston University
£60,966 plus excellent benefits
Full-time, permanent
Hybrid/ Kingston upon Thames
Are you a collaborative and dynamic fundraising leader ready to shape the future of philanthropy in higher education?
Kingston University is seeking an exceptional individual to lead their major gifts programme as part of their ambitious Development, Alumni Relations and Engagement (DARE) team. With a global alumni community of over 270,000 and a bold three-year strategy in place, this is a unique opportunity to drive transformational giving and make a lasting impact on student success, research innovation, and community engagement.
About the Role
As Head of Major Gifts, you’ll lead a strategic fundraising programme to grow annual income from £450,000 to £1m+ over three years. You’ll manage a high-performing team, build a robust prospect pipeline, and personally steward a portfolio of high-net-worth donors. Reporting to the Director of DARE, you’ll work closely with senior university leadership to align fundraising with Kingston’s visionary Town House Strategy.
This is a high-impact leadership role where your expertise will elevate major and transformational giving, diversify income streams, and embed a culture of philanthropy across the University.
About You
You’re a motivated and entrepreneurial fundraising professional with:
- A proven track record of securing six-figure+ gifts
- Experience leading successful fundraising teams and programmes
- Outstanding relationship-building skills with senior stakeholders
- Strategic vision and the ability to align fundraising with institutional priorities
Ideally, you’ll bring experience from the higher education or charitable sector and be passionate about the power of philanthropy to transform lives.
This is your chance to be part of a forward-thinking institution where your work will directly contribute to student outcomes, research excellence, and long-term sustainability.
Benefits include: - Generous holiday entitlement of 35 days (from entry at all levels), in addition to bank holidays
- Three ‘meeting free’ weeks each year to create space for reflection and time to plan for the period ahead
- Flexible working – we can consider and accommodate various work patterns
- Family-friendly policies that support the needs of our employees
- Exceptional professional development opportunities
Key Details
- Location: Kingston upon Thames (Hybrid working, 2–3 days/week on campus)
- Closing Date: 9am on 20 November 2025
- Interview Date: 3 December in person
How to apply?
Please share a copy of your profile or CV with Philippa at Charity People as the first step.
