Fundraising Assistant

Campaigns and Alumni Relations (CAR) at the University of Sheffield is looking for a confident and collaborative administrator to join us in this varied role supporting across all fundraising areas: Legacies (gifts in Wills), Individual Giving (mass fundraising), Community Fundraising (fundraising events) and Major Gifts (larger gifts).

We're dedicated to inspiring alumni (former students) and supporters to make donations and volunteer their time. A gift to the University of Sheffield can change lives, from supporting students in financial need to furthering world-leading research.

You’ll be a friendly and efficient first point of contact for donors and will assist the team with the wide range of fundraising we carry out. You’ll provide support to ensure the smooth planning and execution of fundraising activities, from face-to-face meetings and events with donors, to digital and print communications.

You’ll be part of a small and highly motivated team. We require someone who is flexible and dynamic. Attention to detail and excellent relationship building, in addition to communication, time-management and customer service skills are all essential to the role. This post will provide a fantastic opportunity for someone wishing to gain experience in a broad range of activities within a busy, supporter-facing team.

This work will play a vital role in our ambitions to grow and sustain philanthropic giving to the University.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Provide effective administrative support for fundraising activities across teams to help the department promote philanthropy and support those wishing to donate to the University.

• Provide a main point of contact for fundraising queries and correspondence, by email, mail, on the phone and in person. Lead on the daily monitoring of fundraising email inboxes and phone queries, ensuring a quick and friendly response to provide the best possible supporter care.

• Lead on timely responses to expressions of interest for donating and leaving gifts in Wills. To include drafting standard and non-standard responses to different enquiries (individuals and solicitors).

• Support the Senior Philanthropy Manager in the administration of legacy case loads including adding appropriate information to the CRM database, Raiser's Edge. Assist with other legacy related activity including updating online obituaries, supporting events and communications across web, social and print.

• Provide effective and efficient administrative support for Community Fundraising activities. Including using JustGiving to identify new community fundraisers (welcoming, thanking and supporting them) and supporting community fundraising events, such as The Big Walk.

• Supporting the telephone campaign through administrative support for the recruitment and training of student fundraisers.

• Provide administrative support to assist with stewardship (thanking) of donors and legacy pledgers. Including sending thank you letters; mass emails using our email software; running and updating data reports; collecting, drafting and checking written reports; assisting with donor visits such as setting schedules, booking rooms, liaising with guests and accompanying visitors on tours.

• Support the work of the department by recording data accurately on the CRM database (Raiser's Edge) ensuring all data is managed confidentially and in line with the GDPR. 

• Provide cover to the office reception when needed. To include answering phone calls, greeting visitors and processing mail.

• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Find out more information on how to apply and criteria on the University of Sheffield's website via the link above