Head of development and alumni relations jobs

As the Head of Philanthropy, Asia, you will play a key role in growing Birmingham’s philanthropic programme in the Asia-Pacific region. The focus will be on increasing six-figure+ giving through the University of Birmingham Hong Kong Foundation and from the wider region. Most of their warm donors are based in Malaysia and Hong Kong, but there is an active community of alumni in Singapore and scoping to be done across Asia to drive the next phase of their strategy forward beyond alumni donors, and to build on a recent seven-figure donation as a catalyst for further giving.

The University established their Hong Kong Foundation in 2019 and giving is off to a strong start. Continuing on this trajectory you will work to make it financially sustainable, aiming to have multi-year commitments lined up. You will steer and develop the Foundation’s volunteer Board of Directors, increasing giving from their networks, and working with them to distribute funds to programmes at the University that will also benefit Hong Kong.

As a senior fundraiser in the Development & Alumni Relations Office (DARO), you will be expected to be innovative, self-motivated and to take ownership of fundraising in this region. As part of a dynamic team and led by some of the most respected names in higher education fundraising, you will work across the University to generate gifts to key philanthropic projects and encourage new donors to make significant gifts. You will also have the opportunity to work with the senior leadership across the University to travel, drive income and develop innovative funding proposals for the region.

The University believes there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. They are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. They have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. They are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of their strategy.

Harris Hill is delighted to be partnering with a prestigious independent school group to recruit a Group Head of Marketing & Communications.

This senior leadership role will drive the development and delivery of innovative marketing, communications and PR strategies across a highly respected education group. Reporting to the Strategic Director of Development, Engagement & Marketing, you will lead on brand campaigns, digital content, social media, publications, media relations and stakeholder engagement, while supporting admissions, development and partnership activity.

The successful candidate will bring significant experience in marketing and communications, with a strong track record of delivering multi-channel campaigns and engaging content. You will be a confident line manager, relationship-builder, highly organised, digitally savvy and experienced in managing websites, CRM systems and social platforms.

Experience within a Group role within education is essential.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading marketing and communications strategy across the group
• Supporting pupil recruitment and admissions campaigns
• Managing websites, social media and digital content
• Overseeing publications, PR and media relations
• Supporting fundraising and alumni communications
• Managing external agencies and suppliers
• Line management of two marketing managers

If you have significant senior marketing and communications experience developed in an Education setting, I’d love to hear from you.

• Full-time, permanent position
• Location- Barnes, South West London.
• Based in the school 9-5pm every day.
• Salary - competitive £60,000-£68,000 as a guide
• Great benefits, and holiday allowance, and Christmas closure.

Please apply today, the school is reviewing applications on a rolling basis and looking to interview ASAP.

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

Working closely with the Director of Development, this individual will be responsible for raising funds and managing relationships with prospects and donors, organising fundraising campaigns and delivering events.

You will support the Director of Development to raise philanthropic funds through major gift and regular giving fundraising to support key development projects for the College. About Us Clifton College is a leading independent day and boarding school educating over 1,200 pupils aged 3 to 18.

Founded in 1862, the College provides an all-round education, a rich heritage with modern state-of-the-art facilities. Located in the beautiful suburb of Clifton, we lead the way as one of the best independent schools in the country.

What you’ll be doing:

 Donor Relations and Stewardship

● Work closely with the Director of Development to deliver the fundraising strategy, with a focus on securing major gifts, regular giving, and corporate sponsorships.

● Build and maintain strong, long-lasting relationships with prospective and existing donors.

● Identify new prospects and funding opportunities.

● Meet with donors and prospects with the Director and alone to develop the pipeline of future support.

● Ensure timely and personalised communication with donors to acknowledge gifts, provide updates on impact, and cultivate long-term relationships.

● Write compelling proposals and impact reports.

● Work with the Head of Alumni to develop engagement strategies for legacy giving to the 1862 Club. 

 Work with marketing to create promotional materials and build our portfolio of testimonials.

Event Management

● Create engagement events for potential donors.

● Work with the alumni team to plan stewardship events for supporters.

● Support the development of parent engagement events.

● Support the Head of Alumni with the career mentoring programme. Administration

● Manage gift processing using Raiser’s Edge, including receipting and thanking supporters, and managing pledge payment reminders. ● Create tailored communication and engagement plans for prospects and donors.

● Provide regular updates on fundraising progress and donor reports for the Director of Development.

● Develop and manage fundraising budgets, ensuring all fundraising activities are cost-effective and within financial targets.

About You

The ideal candidate will be an excellent communicator, highly organised, and have fundraising experience within the education or charity sector.

Required Qualifications & experience

● Proven experience in fundraising, development, or a related field, ideally within an educational or non-profit organisation.

● Strong knowledge of fundraising best practices, including major gifts, regular giving, legacy giving, grant writing, and event management.

● Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including current and former parents, alumni, pupils, staff, Governors and donors.

● Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlineseffectively.

● A passion for education and an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing independent schools.

● A team player who positively contributes to a collaborative and ambitious team culture. Adaptable and flexible to change as required.

● Experience with managing budgets and using fundraising CRM systems (preferably Raiser’s Edge).

● A proactive, results-driven attitude and a desire to make a tangible impact in a school environment.

● Proven experience of planning and implementing successful major donor fundraising programmes

● Proven experience of securing high-value major gifts

● An understanding of trends and developments across the sector and demonstrable knowledge of best practice in major donors, trusts and foundations fundraising

● A degree or equivalent.

Desirable Skills

● Experience in organising and leading fundraising events.

● Knowledge of UK charitable giving regulations

● Experience in working with high-net-worth individuals and corporate sponsors.

● Previous experience in alumni relations or school development.

What’s in it for you £38,000- £42,000 salary

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays • BUPA Employee Assistance Programme •BUPA Confidential counselling and advice • Career development and training • Cycle to work scheme • Discounted onsite gym and pool membership • Subsidised lunch • Enhanced Pension scheme • Life Assurance • Menopause clinic • Onsite Flu vaccine clinics • Pop up bike servicing • Refer a friend scheme • Subsided Holiday Club employee benefit which is available for children from Reception Year up to Year 8 • Wellbeing benefits

Clifton College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. That’s why we apply robust selection principles to our recruitment, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE). 

Although not all the roles at Clifton College are pupil-facing, we treat all roles as regulated activity. This means we can be safe in the knowledge that we have applied the most stringent recruitment checks to safeguard our pupils. Due to the nature of the role, you will need to complete an enhanced criminal record disclosure (DBS check) and undergo our pre-employment screening. As a regulated sector we are required to ask for references prior to interview. By applying for this role, you are consenting for us to contact your referees. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 therefore you will be asked to disclose all previous convictions not exempt under amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975,2013 and 2020. If you join us, we’ll expect you to maintain an up-to-date knowledge of Safeguarding legislation, and our safeguarding policies and procedures. We’ll also ask you to maintain an up-to-date knowledge of Equality and Diversity legislation and associated policies, as well as Health & Safety legislation. But don’t worry because we’ll provide training to do this! Equal Opportunities Applications are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of ethnicity, gender, age or disability. We particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. Clifton College is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. How to apply Please note that we can only accept applications via our vacancy website application form (which will also allow you to attach your CV or any other supporting information). Clifton College and the Clifton College Education Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, all staff and volunteers are required to share this commitment. Due to the nature of the role, you will need to complete an enhanced criminal record disclosure (DBS check) and undergo our pre-employment screening. As a regulated sector we are required to ask for references prior to interview. By applying for this role, you are consenting for us to contact your referees.

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 therefore you will be asked to disclose all previous convictions not exempt under amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. 

Business Support Manager - Philanthropy

Department: P&A Business Operations
Grade and Salary: £45,031 - £52,514 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance
Job ID: 145507

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

The Principal & International Giving (PIG) team is responsible for securing principal and transformational gifts of £5m+, and high-level gifts of £50k+ from across the international philanthropy portfolio.

The Business Support Manager provides critical operational, programme and business support and management to enable the continued success and evolution of the Principal and International Giving programme.

This is a fast-paced and varied role, spanning business operations, cross-team coordination, and international activity management. The postholder will work closely with the Principal Giving and International Philanthropy teams and sit within the wider Business Operations unit, ensuring P&A operates in an efficient, joined-up and high-performing way. They will therefore report to the Senior Business Manager, with their day-to-day activity supporting the Associate Director of Principal & International Giving and the Head of Philanthropy (International).

The role suits an ambitious self-starter who enjoys working with people, processes, and systems; can manage complexity and competing priorities; and can act as an active enabler and connector, bringing together the right people at the right time to support fundraising success.

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. 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

· Proven experience in project or programme management or complex coordination

· Ability to prioritise, manage competing deadlines, and work calmly under pressure

· Highly organised and process-orientated, with strong attention to detail and an ability to see the bigger picture

· Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across teams

· Proactive approach with the ability to manage own workload and deliver to objectives

· Confident stakeholder management skills, including working with senior leaders

· High level of IT literacy, including strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and databases

· Strong analytical ability, with experience synthesising and presenting complex information clearly

Desirable criteria

· Experience of fundraising or working within a fundraising operation

· Knowledge of a fundraising database (e.g. Dynamics, Raiser’s Edge)

· Experience supporting senior leaders or high-performing teams

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 page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Further Information

At King’s, we believe that the diversity of our community and a culture that is welcoming, open, inclusive and collaborative, are great strengths of the university.

The Equality Act of 2010 protects the rights of our students and staff and provides a framework to fulfil our duties to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and in addition, to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. At times, this will include balancing rights and beliefs that can feel in tension.

We are committed to free speech and to academic freedom, believing that our foundational purpose as a university, is to create spaces where a wide range of ideas, including ideas that are controversial, can be discussed and debated, and where members of our community can express lawful views without fear of intimidation, harassment or discrimination.

When engaging in the robust exchange of ideas, we ask that our community is mindful of our Dignity at King’s guidance.

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 person specification section of the job description. 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.

We reserve the right to close adverts early due to the volume of applications we receive. While the closing date may change, all adverts will close at 23:59 to allow sufficient time for applications to be submitted on that day.

We encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment as once we have closed a vacancy you will be unable to submit your application.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘ How we Recruit’ pages.

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 offer the opportunity of an “Ask Us Anything” Teams call on Wednesday 20th May at 11am. 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.   

 Close Date: 25-May-2026

​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 on Monday 8th June. Core Values interviews are due to be held during w/c 8th June or w/c 15th June.