Director of Development

St Catherine’s College seeks to appoint a Director of Development to formulate and execute a development strategy, building on relationships within our community for the purposes of fundraising. This is a senior role — reflecting the importance of successful fundraising to the College’s longer-term plans — with the post holder reporting directly to the Master of the College. The postholder will be a Fellow of the College and a member of its Governing Body (subject to the College’s regular processes for election).

Annual Salary – Indicative range £70,000–£80,000

St Catherine’s was founded as a College in 1962 but has origins going back 150 years to the old St Catherine’s Society, which was formed to allow students the opportunity to study at Oxford without having to afford the high costs then associated with membership of a College. This ethos of inclusion still underpins the College’s philosophy. It is now one of the largest and most vibrant Colleges within the University of Oxford with over 500 Undergraduates, about 440 Graduates and 50 Visiting Students.

The College currently has a network of more than 14,000 alumni and friends in 127 countries. The Development Office manages an established and highly regarded regular giving and stewardship programme supported by 25% of alumni and friends over all and organises an extensive schedule of alumni events throughout the year in Oxford, nationally and abroad.

This is a particularly exciting time to join one of Oxford’s youngest and largest Colleges as it turns its focus to building and launching an ambitious multi-million pound capital campaign to support a transformation of the estate. The aims of the project will be to restore the original splendour of the Jacobsen design to the Grade I listed buildings, while at the same time adding modern functionality and having due regard for reducing the College’s carbon footprint.

The successful applicant will lead by example by securing major gifts for the College, facilitated through the management of the Development Office, making proactive contact with gift prospects, devising and attending appropriate events, overseeing the comprehensive management of the alumni database and regular communications with alumni via the website, email and other media.

Candidates should have a proven track record of operating successfully within the philanthropic and development environment at a level commensurate with the College’s aspirations. They will have the skills and experience to lead on strategic development, and experience of leading and managing a team. They will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to engage at all levels, in formal and informal settings. They will have a flexible and enthusiastic approach to work and an ability to lead by example.

Further particulars and details of how to apply are available on the College’s website. 

The closing date for receipt of applications is midnight on Wednesday 22 November 2023
Applications received after the closing date will not normally be considered.

It is anticipated that interviews will be held in late November / early December