Are you a strategic senior fundraiser with a track record of building influential relationships and securing significant philanthropic support?
The University of Oxford is seeking a Senior Development Executive to help secure philanthropic support for the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA). This is a rare opportunity to build philanthropic partnerships that enable ground-breaking research, transformative student opportunities, and deeper understanding of the world's diverse societies, cultures, and regions including Africa, Asia and Latin America
Location: Oxford
Salary: Grade 8: £49,119 - £58,265 per annum, with a possible extension to £63,489 including an Oxford University Weighting of £1,730 per annum
Contract: Full-time, Fixed-term for 2 years
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. Apply now to become part of our extraordinary legacy.
The University of Oxford's ambitious Oxford Excellence campaign is creating new opportunities to advance research, education and global understanding through philanthropy. As part of Development and Alumni Engagement, and working closely with the OSGA, you will help build philanthropic partnerships to support world-leading research, scholarship and teaching, deepening understanding of the societies, cultures and global issues shaping our interconnected world.
What We Offer
Working at the University of Oxford offers several exclusive benefits, such as:
- 38 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) to support your wellbeing, with the option to purchase up to 10 extra days and additional leave after long service.
- One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay maternity and adoption leave, plus 12 weeks of full-pay paternity/partner leave.
- A commitment to hybrid and flexible working to suit your lifestyle.
- An excellent contributory pension scheme.
- Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans.
- Access to a vibrant community through our social, cultural, and sports clubs.
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in advancing one of the world's leading centres for research and teaching on global societies, cultures and international affairs. Through philanthropy, you will help enable research that informs policy, broadens understanding across cultures, and addresses some of the most pressing challenges facing communities around the world.
This role offers the opportunity to support some of OSGA's key academic priorities, including African Studies, Asian Studies and Latin American Studies, helping to secure philanthropic support for research and teaching that deepen understanding of diverse societies and cultures around the world.
Success in this role will come from your ability to build trusted relationships, develop compelling cases for support, and inspire philanthropic partnerships that advance both the priorities of OSGA and the wider ambitions of the Oxford Excellence campaign.
About You
- Proven success in securing major philanthropic gifts (high six-figure gifts) and managing relationships with high-value donors, trusts and foundations and stakeholders.
- Experience of delivering results within a target-driven environment.
- Ability to develop and implement major gift fundraising strategies.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
- Strong interest in global issues and the ability to discuss them with confidence and credibility.
Sponsorship and Right to Work
This role meets the criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa. The University will meet the cost of the Skilled Worker visa and NHS surcharge for applicants that require a visa.
Please let us know in your application if you require sponsorship.
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 20 July 2026.
Interviews will take place on Tuesday 30 July 2026 and will be held face-to-face.
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.
This is an opportunity to take real ownership of a growing philanthropy programme and shape how mid-value fundraising develops at the Royal British Legion. We’re looking for someone who understands how to build strong donor relationships, spot opportunities for growth, and create the kind of supporter experience that keeps people engaged long term. Working closely with the Head of Trusts and Philanthropy, you’ll lead on developing and delivering the Mid Value strategy, helping to grow income, strengthen retention, and build a sustainable pipeline of future major donors and legacy supporters. This is a role for someone who enjoys balancing strategy with hands on relationship management and wants the freedom to bring new ideas to the table.
Come and be part of the leading Armed Forces charity, making a difference to the lives of those who have served to keep us safe and protect our way of life.
You’ll manage and grow a portfolio of supporters through thoughtful stewardship, tailored communications, events and meaningful engagement opportunities, while also using data and insight to make informed decisions about where the biggest opportunities sit. We’re looking for someone commercially minded, organised and confident working with high value supporters and senior stakeholders alike. You’ll be comfortable managing budgets, tracking performance and using donor insight to influence activity, while also collaborating across fundraising, data and supporter development teams to ensure supporters receive a seamless journey. As line manager to the Philanthropy Officer, you’ll also play an important role in supporting and developing the wider team.
This role would suit an experienced relationship fundraiser who is motivated by building something with long-term potential and who enjoys working in a collaborative, ambitious environment. You’ll need strong communication skills, excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high standard of donor care. In return, you’ll join a well established organisation with a respected fundraising team, hybrid working, and the chance to play a key role in shaping the future of philanthropy fundraising at the Royal British Legion.
Fundraising sits at the heart of The Royal British Legion’s 10-year strategy, and we’re investing in the people, skills and ideas that will drive growth and strengthen our support for the Armed Forces community. As one of the UK’s most trusted and recognisable charities, we have the reach and ambition to make a real difference, and this is your chance to be part of it. Our Fundraising portfolio is broad and dynamic, spanning major corporate partnerships to our sector leading charity Lottery. We’re investing in growth, evolving how we work, and putting supporters at the centre of everything we do. This is an exciting time to join us. You’ll be part of a collaborative, forward-thinking team, helping shape the future of our fundraising and the impact we achieve together.
If you are applying for multiple Fundraising roles at the same ‘Officer’ or ‘Manager’ title, you are welcome to use the same supporting statement across applications. However, we would encourage tailoring your statement where possible, particularly if applying for roles across different teams or titles.
You will be contracted to our Haig House hub with a minimum expectation of two days per week working in person at the hub and flexibility for working remotely/at home when not on site.
Employee benefits include -
- 28 day’s paid holiday (plus bank holidays) increasing with service, with optional annual leave purchase scheme of up to 5 working days
- Enhanced paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Generous pension contributions, with Employer contributions ranging from 6% to 10%
- Range of flexible working options may be available, depending on your role
- Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential counselling, financial and legal advice
- Range of courses delivered by learning specialists to support your development goals and objectives
- Opportunities to volunteer
- Travel loans, Cycle to Work, and more!
For more detailed information about the role, please see the Vacancy Information Pack attached to our direct advert. Our teams take a personalised approach to shortlisting, which is carried out without the use of AI and is based on the evidence provided in your application against the essential and desirable criteria in the Person Specification.
RBL is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive organisation, reflecting the diversity of the armed forces community and of wider society. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and personal characteristics.
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interview schemes for candidates who declare an Armed Forces connection and/or a disability. However, candidates are only eligible for this scheme if their application clearly demonstrates that they meet all of the essential criteria listed in the Person Specification for the role.
We may close this vacancy early if we believe we have enough strong applications to be able to successfully fill the role(s). Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.