Head of engagement jobs in Charing cross, greater london

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.

Head of Public Fundraising & Engagement (9-Month Maternity Cover)

Location:

Remote with some travelling needs to Leatherhead and Redhill, Surrey and other areas related to Fundraising Team activities

Salary:

£55,000 per annum plus SeeAbility benefits

Hours:

Full time, 37.5 hours per week

Contract:

Fixed Term, 9 Month (Maternity Cover)

Join us in transforming lives

SeeAbility is a specialist charity supporting people with learning disabilities, autism and sight loss to live ambitious, fulfilling lives. We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Head of Public Fundraising & Engagement to join us on a 9-month maternity cover contract.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an accomplished fundraising leader to step into a well-established role, providing strategic leadership to our public fundraising and engagement programme during an important period for the organisation.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of Development, you will lead our public fundraising and supporter engagement activity, driving income growth across individual giving, community fundraising, events, challenges and supporter stewardship.

You will manage and motivate a talented team, ensuring delivery against ambitious income targets while continuing to build strong relationships with supporters, volunteers and stakeholders.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the delivery of SeeAbility's public fundraising and engagement strategy.
• Driving income growth and supporter retention across multiple fundraising streams.
• Developing innovative campaigns and supporter journeys.
• Leading, coaching and developing a high-performing team.
• Monitoring performance, budgets and fundraising KPIs.
• Working collaboratively across the organisation to maximise supporter engagement and impact.
• Ensuring fundraising activities remain compliant and aligned with best practice.

About You

We are looking for a confident and inspiring fundraising professional who can quickly build relationships, provide strong leadership and maintain momentum across a busy fundraising portfolio.

You will have:

• Significant experience in public fundraising, supporter engagement or individual giving.
• A proven track record of achieving income growth and fundraising targets.
• Experience managing and developing teams.
• Strong strategic and operational planning skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• A collaborative, proactive and solutions-focused approach.

Why Join SeeAbility?

At SeeAbility, you'll be joining a passionate and supportive team committed to making a real difference to people's lives. This is an opportunity to play a key leadership role, contribute immediately and help shape the future of our fundraising and engagement activities.

We offer:

• Flexible and hybrid working
• A supportive and inclusive culture
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact from day one

Apply Today

If you are an experienced fundraising leader looking for an exciting interim opportunity where you can make an immediate difference, we'd love to hear from you. Please see the Job Profile for extensive details about the role.

Join SeeAbility and help us create a world where people with learning disabilities, autism and sight loss can achieve extraordinary things.

Safer Recruitment

SeeAbility is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people we support. All colleagues are expected to uphold this commitment.

Successful applicants will be subject to safer recruitment checks, including:

• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (where appropriate)
• Identity, current address and right-to-work verification

• Health declaration to ensure that you are medically suitable for the role you have been offered

• Employment references relating to work with children or vulnerable adults

All checks are completed at SeeAbility’s expense before a start date is confirmed.

Diversity & Inclusion

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace.

• We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences, including those with disabilities or who are neurodivergent.
• Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process.
• In exceptional circumstances, a genuine occupational requirement may apply under the Equality Act 2010 (Schedule 9, Part 1)

For this role, gender is considered a genuine occupational requirement in accordance with Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010

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.