Head of engagement jobs

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.

Prospectus is delighted to be supporting our client, the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences, in its search for a Deputy Head of Global Strategy, Policy & Engagement.

The postholder will join the academy’s Global Strategy, Policy & Engagement Team at an exciting time for its international policy and engagement work. Reporting to the Head of Global Strategy, Policy & Engagement, this role will play a key part in shaping and delivering the academy’s international engagement strategy, strengthening relationships with key international partners, and contributing to the academy’s growing influence across global policy debates. The role will work particularly closely with a fellow Deputy Head leading on the Global (Dis)Order international policy programme and help lead the academy’s international engagement and partnerships portfolio, with particular responsibility for global relationship-building and engagement with international organisations and networks.

A key aspect of the role will be helping to develop and deliver the academy’s international policy activities in a rapidly evolving geopolitical environment. This will include identifying emerging opportunities and challenges, coordinating evidence-based policy outputs, convening expertise from across the humanities and social sciences, and ensuring the academy's work informs and influences decision-making at national and international levels. The role will involve fostering relationships with researchers, policymakers, governments, multilateral organisations, funders, think tanks and international partners to ensure the academy remains an influential voice within global policy discussions. The role includes the management of two Senior International Policy Advisers and candidates will be working with colleagues in the wider team in a matrix fashion requiring adaptability and flexibility.

The successful candidate will bring strong policy development and delivery experience, excellent stakeholder management skills and an ability to operate confidently across complex international environments. Experience of international engagement, diplomacy, multilateral organisations, international research policy or government relations would be particularly valuable. The academy is open to candidates from a range of backgrounds, including research funding organisations, government, think tanks, international bodies, academia or the wider policy sector, who can demonstrate the ability to work across multiple policy areas and thrive in a dynamic, fast-moving environment. The role requires candidates who enjoy working at pace, convening different stakeholders, and working in a versatile manner across a broad and various landscape of international engagement and policy issues.

Please apply in the first instance and we will contact suitable candidates for further conversations. Interviews will take place in person on 11th September. If you are not going to be available for an in-person interview on these dates, please make this clear within your application.

The organisation welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds, in line with its commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment, promoting equal opportunity, and addressing under-representation. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process.

At Prospectus, we are committed to supporting you throughout your application journey. We welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability, sex, gender identity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy and maternity. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact Catherine Bunting at Prospectus.

About the Role

As Head of Donor Engagement, you will lead Norwood's relationship fundraising strategy across major donors, trusts and foundations, legacy giving and emerging supporter audiences.

Leading a high performing team, you will drive sustainable income growth while building meaningful, long term relationships with supporters.

Working closely with the Director of Fundraising, trustees and senior stakeholders, you will help shape fundraising strategy, strengthen donor pipelines and ensure donor engagement is coordinated and connected across the organisation.

About Norwood

Founded in 1795, Norwood is the oldest Jewish charity in the UK.  We support and empower neurodiverse children and their families and people with neurodevelopmental disabilities to live their best lives.

At Norwood, you’ll make a real difference every day.  You’ll be part of a supportive and inclusive team, guided by values of kindness, respect, empowerment and belonging.  We invest in your growth, care about your wellbeing, and give you the pride of knowing your work changes lives.

Who we are looking for

We're looking for an experienced fundraising leader who believes that strong relationships have the power to change lives.

You'll be motivated by building meaningful partnerships with donors, trusts, philanthropists and supporters, helping them see the difference their generosity makes to children, families and people with neurodevelopmental disabilities.  You'll enjoy creating long term relationships built on trust, shared purpose and exceptional stewardship.

As an inspiring leader, you'll bring out the best in others, developing a high-performing team that is collaborative, ambitious and committed to delivering outstanding supporter experiences.  You'll be comfortable balancing strategic thinking with hands on leadership, whether you're shaping fundraising strategy, meeting major donors, working alongside trustees or coaching your team.

You'll thrive in an organisation where relationships matter.  Working closely with colleagues across Marketing, Events, Data & Insights and our operational services, you'll help create a joined up approach that strengthens supporter engagement and delivers sustainable income for the future.

Most importantly, you'll share our belief that every child, family and person we support deserves the opportunity to live their best life.  Your leadership will help ensure Norwood can continue providing life changing services for generations to come.

You will:

• Lead and develop Norwood’s donor engagement strategy across high-value and pipeline audiences
• Drive a relationship-led approach across philanthropy, trusts, legacies and supporter engagement
• Build sustainable income growth through strategic relationship management
• Work closely with trustees, ambassadors and senior volunteers to strengthen networks and donor engagement
• Oversee donor cultivation activity, stewardship and major funding approaches
• Support the development of future supporter pipelines through community and next-generation engagement

This is an opportunity to lead a function with significant organisational impact while helping shape the future of fundraising at Norwood.

Your Day to Day

You will:

• Lead, develop and inspire a multidisciplinary fundraising team
• Manage performance, targets and professional development across the team
• Personally manage a portfolio of major donors and high-net-worth prospects
• Oversee trusts and foundations fundraising strategy and pipeline performance
• Lead Norwood’s legacy fundraising strategy and supporter journeys
• Work closely with Events & Sponsorship teams to maximise donor cultivation opportunities
• Partner with Data & Insights colleagues to strengthen forecasting, segmentation and reporting
• Support trustee and SLT engagement through research, briefing and relationship coordination
• Ensure fundraising activity is compliant, insight-led and relationship-focused

Your impact will be demonstrated through:

• Increased high-value income and long-term donor engagement
• Stronger donor stewardship and supporter retention
• Sustainable pipeline growth across fundraising audiences
• A collaborative and high-performing fundraising culture
• Clear alignment between donor engagement, events and data insight functions

Qualifications, Experience & Training
Essential

• Significant experience leading high-performing fundraising teams
• Proven success securing six- and seven-figure gifts from individuals and foundations
• Experience working with trustees, philanthropists and senior stakeholders
• Strong track record of developing and delivering relationship fundraising strategies
• Experience managing and developing teams to achieve ambitious income targets
• Excellent relationship-building, influencing and communication skills
• Strong strategic planning and analytical capability

Desirable

• Degree level education or equivalent experience
• Experience within charity or not-for-profit fundraising environments

Reward and Benefits

• 21 days annual leave + 8 Bank Holidays (FTE) + Jewish Festival Days
• Enhanced parental pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Health cash plan covering dental, optical, and therapy treatments, with virtual GP access, private consultations, and wellbeing tools via the My Medicash App
• Blue Light Card scheme access
• Cycle to Work scheme
• £300 refer-a-friend bonus
• Career development pathway
• Free on-site parking
• A supportive, experienced team and management.

Head of Mass Participation Fundraising

We are seeking an experienced fundraising leader to drive national events and mass participation fundraising growth, inspiring supporters and delivering outstanding results.

Salary: Circa £49,800 per annum (plus applicable London weighting)
Location: Home-based, UK-wide
Hours: 35 hours per week, permanent
Closing Date: CVs will reviewed on a rolling basis

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a national mass participation and events fundraising programme for a leading UK health charity. Reporting to the Head of Regional Fundraising, you will shape and deliver the organisation's strategy for supporter-led events and mass participation fundraising, driving income growth, supporter acquisition, engagement and retention.

Leading a team of fundraising managers and officers, you will build on an established programme while identifying new opportunities, products and channels that increase fundraising performance and strengthen supporter relationships. You will also play a key role within the wider fundraising leadership team, helping to deliver organisational objectives and championing a high-performing, inclusive culture.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and implementing a strategy to grow mass participation and events fundraising income.
• Leading, coaching and developing a high-performing fundraising team.
• Creating and managing a diverse portfolio of fundraising events and products.
• Identifying and testing new opportunities for supporter acquisition and engagement.
• Managing budgets, income targets, KPIs and return on investment.
• Using data and insight to inform planning and decision-making.
• Ensuring compliance with fundraising regulations, GDPR and best practice.
• Collaborating with colleagues and external partners to maximise fundraising performance.

The role offers flexibility but will require occasional evening, weekend and overnight travel in support of fundraising events and activities.

About You

You will be an experienced fundraising leader with a strong track record of delivering income growth, leading teams and developing successful fundraising programmes.

You will bring:

• Experience delivering fundraising or income-generation targets.
• Strong leadership, coaching and people management skills.
• Experience managing budgets, forecasts and performance metrics.
• Excellent project management and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• The ability to analyse data and turn insight into action.
• A collaborative approach and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• The ability to travel nationally as required.

About the Organisation

Our client is a respected national charity dedicated to supporting people affected by a life-changing health condition. Through vital services, research, advocacy and fundraising, they help individuals and families rebuild their lives while driving positive change across communities throughout the UK.

This is an opportunity to join an ambitious organisation and lead a nationally significant fundraising portfolio that makes a genuine difference to people's lives.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Head of Events Fundraising, Head of Community and Events Fundraising, Senior Fundraising Manager, Head of Public Fundraising, Mass Participation Manager, Challenge Events Manager, Supporter Engagement Manager, Regional Fundraising Manager, Fundraising Programme Manager, Individual Giving and Events Manager, Income Generation Manager or Fundraising Events Lead.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People.

Hybrid – within commuting distance of one of our campuses in Beckenham, Blackburn, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Doncaster or Redcar

Lead communications and engagement for a nationally influential organisation transforming teacher and leader development.

About us

The National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) has an unswerving commitment to high-quality, evidence-informed teacher education and is on a mission to improve the quality of teacher and leader development across the system.

About the role

The National Institute of Teaching is looking for an exceptional Head of Communications and Engagement to lead how we tell our story, build our reputation and deepen our relationships across the education sector. Guided by our belief that teaching is a fundamental societal good, a privilege and a responsibility, this is a senior, strategic role at the heart of an ambitious organisation working to improve the quality of teacher and leader development at system level. You will shape a clear and compelling organisational narrative, lead integrated communications and engagement activity, and act as the NIoT’s main link with the press, ensuring our voice is credible, consistent and influential with schools, trusts, policymakers, partners, funders, journalists, the media and the wider public.

You will bring outstanding judgement, creativity and communication expertise, with the ability to translate complex ideas into messages that move people to understand, trust and act. Working closely with the Executive Director of Partnerships, the CEO and senior colleagues across research, programmes, recruitment marketing, impact and policy, you will help position the NIoT as a distinctive, evidence-informed and school-led organisation with growing national reach and influence.

This is a hybrid role, with an expectation that the postholder will work from the office at least once a fortnight, and more frequently where required to meet business needs. The role also involves national travel, which may include overnight stays.

What we’re looking for:

• A senior communications and engagement professional with significant experience of strategic leadership, ideally in education, public policy, charity, higher education or another mission-led environment.
• Exceptional written, verbal and editorial skills, with a talent for conveying complex, evidence-informed ideas clearly, accurately and compellingly for different audiences.
• Proven ability to develop organisational narratives, lead brand and reputation activity, and maintain clear, consistent messaging across channels and teams.
• Strong PR and press experience, including media relations, journalist engagement, press office processes, handling enquiries, drafting press statements and identifying proactive opportunities to build profile and influence.
• The confidence and credibility to advise senior leaders, influence colleagues, manage sensitive issues and represent the organisation externally.
• A collaborative, values-led leader who can build a high-performing team, strengthen ways of working and support colleagues to communicate with clarity and confidence.
• A commitment to inclusive, accessible and audience-centred communications that help the NIoT reach diverse school communities and national audiences.

Key benefits

• Generous annual leave – 27 days’ holiday a year (plus 8 bank holidays), rising to 33 days after five years’ service.
• Flexible working – we offer flexible start and end working times, with hybrid working in place for all roles.
• Pension – entry to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Salary sacrifice schemes – we offer salary sacrifice schemes for bikes, cars and tech!
• Lifestyle benefits – we offer discounts on gyms, cinema, retail and much more!
• Parenthood leave – we offer above the statutory minimum for maternity, adoption and paternity leave.
• Working environment – we have a stimulating, supportive and rewarding working environment with a dedicated team of like-minded professionals.
• Support – our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provides confidential support for employees on personal or work-related matters.
• Development – we fully support the development of our staff and ensure that you have a high level of continuous professional development.

We think a wide range of different work and educational experiences could support you to be successful in this role. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities.

For more information and to apply, please visit our vacancies page.

Closing date: 31 August 2026.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

As a condition of employment, this post requires a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) with a Children’s Barred List Check and an Occupational Health Check.

This is a new role to stabilise, diversify and grow income in a financially constrained environment, reducing reliance on statutory funding, increasing unrestricted income, and strengthening Catalyst Support’s credibility with all sources of non statutory funding, including trusts, foundations, corporates, individuals and communities. The postholder holds clear accountability for income performance, return on investment and risk management, and plays a critical role in the organisation’s financial recovery and long-term sustainability. The role is designed as a strategic investment, with the expectation that income generated will move the function towards break-even and net contribution over time, supported by clear targets and Board oversight.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Income Delivery

• Lead and deliver a multi-year income and engagement strategy covering trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, major donors, community fundraising and individual giving.
• Take ownership of income targets, pipelines and forecasts, including break-even requirements and risk exposure.
• Actively manage income risk, developing scenario plans and mitigation actions where delivery falls below expectation.
• Work with the Executive and Senior Leadership Teams to align income activity with organisational strategy and service priorities.

Funding Applications & Grant Management

• Provide strategic oversight, delivery and quality assurance of all high-value bids, tenders and funding applications.
• Ensure bids are evidence-led, outcome-focused, accurately costed and aligned to service capacity.
• Taking direct responsibility for bid and tender preparation and submission.
• Maintain strong relationships with funders, and foundations, ensuring compliance with reporting requirements and effective stewardship.
• Maintain strong relationships with funders, and foundations, ensuring compliance with reporting requirements and effective stewardship.
• Contribute approximately 20% of working time towards partner applications and collaborative projects with key partners, supporting joint funding and shared objectives.

Communications, Marketing & Engagement

• Lead communications and engagement functions to directly support income generation, funder confidence and organisational reputation.
• Ensure all external messaging demonstrates impact, value for money and strategic coherence.
• Grow individual giving, community fundraising and supporter engagement where there is clear return on investment.
• Oversee brand consistency and visibility across digital and offline channels.

Internal Collaboration & Income Culture

• Work closely with service and enabling teams to strengthen funding evidence, case studies and impact data.
• Build organisational understanding that income generation is a shared responsibility.
• Working with services and enabling teams to develop compelling cases for support.
• Equip teams with clarity on how funding, impact and delivery are connected.

Performance, Impact & Governance

• Establish and monitor KPIs covering income performance, ROI, cost-per-£ raised, engagement metrics and pipeline health.
• Report regularly to the Executive team and Trustees, providing transparent assessment of progress, risks and corrective action.
• Support Board assurance through disciplined performance monitoring and review points.

Team Leadership

• Provide line management, development and performance oversight for income generation and communications staff. Head of Income Generation Feb 2026
• Recruit, develop and retain high-quality team capability aligned to organisational needs.

Leadership Contribution

• Contribute as a senior operational leader to organisational planning, change and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with the Director of Services on future service design, positioning and sustainability.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the seniority of the role and Catalyst Support’s mission.
• Strengthen partnership development with Mary Frances Trust to enhance county-wide support, with particular emphasis on provision for mental health services across both East and West regions.

Person Specification

Essential Experience

• Proven experience securing trust, grant and philanthropic income at scale, with clear evidence of income conversion and delivery.
• Track record of leading income strategies that generate net financial contribution, including roles where income targets were explicitly expected to cover or exceed post costs or programme investment.
• Experience operating in financially constrained, recovery-focused or turnaround environments, with responsibility for balancing income ambition against organisational risk.
• Experience of Board-level reporting, accountability and scrutiny, including transparent reporting of income performance against targets.
• Demonstrated ability to build senior relationships with funders, partners and individuals that translate into sustained or repeat income.

Desirable Experience

• Experience in mental health, wellbeing or community services.
• Experience overseeing communications and marketing functions.
• Experience operating within multi-stream or system-based service environments.

Skills & Competencies

• Commercially and financially astute.
• Strong analytical, forecasting and risk-management capability, including income pipeline assessment and contribution modelling.
• Confident influencer with credibility at senior and external levels. • Strategic thinker with a strong bias towards delivery, outcomes and financial impact.
• Resilient, solutions-focused and adaptable in high-pressure, performance-driven environments.

Values & Behaviours

• Commitment to Catalyst Support’s values: Kindness, Integrity and Commitment.
• Collaborative, inclusive and trauma-informed approach.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and lived-experience leadership

Equal Opportunities Statement

We acknowledge the unique contribution that all Catalyst employees, volunteers and clients can bring to our organisation in terms of their culture, race, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital status, nationality, age, religion or belief and any physical disability or history of mental health or additional problems.